The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is an organization dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens of the State of North Carolina. It accomplishes this mission through education, providing accurate and timely research-based information. As instruments of education and change, the professionals who make up the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service at North Carolina State University and North Carolina A&T State University are challenged to continually improve and further their own knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve their own individual needs and those of the Extension organization.
Each employee, no matter what position he/she holds, is responsible for managing his/her own career and the creation of their own professional development plan to develop their abilities and to make an expanded contribution to the organization and the clientele we serve.
Professional development is also a responsibility of the organization. For an individual to effectively grow and develop, the NCCES must encourage the process and provide opportunities where possible and appropriate to the individual whether locally or internationally. Extension administration and department heads at NCSU and NCA&TSU, District Extension Directors, County Extension Directors, and Department Extension Leaders are responsible for working with their colleagues--agent, specialist, paraprofessional, or secretary--on the development and implementation of an individual professional development plan, and to provide resources where and when appropriate. Achievement and accomplishment in professional development are recognized and rewarded.
As the needs of the organization and the individual change, so should the professional development plan with the individual regularly re-evaluating his/her goals and plan. Professional develop is a dynamic process by which all employees can grow and development; consequently the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service will be better able to fulfill its mission.
(See Appendix H "Type of Activities to be Included in Professional Development Plan" and Appendix I "My Professional Development Plan.")
Last Update March 1995