University News

RPTA to host annual Professional Development Conference April 21

April 17, 2023

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MACOMB, IL -- Each spring, the Western Illinois University Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration hosts its Professional Development Conference to provide students opportunities to engage with alumni, industry leaders and faculty, to hone their professional competencies.

The theme of this year's conference is "Connecting Careers and Communities." Students from the RPTA department, and community members, are invited to attend.

This year's in-person conference will take place from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, April 21 in the University Union. The conference will start with a welcome networking coffee, where the students meet with alumni, as well as other departmental students to network. Then conference attendees will participate in a poverty simulation, facilitated by the U of I Extension office, to assist students in gaining knowledge of community resources available to families.

After the simulation experience, the conference will continue with a mentoring session, where students will have the opportunity to engage with alumni from a wide range of leisure industries to learn more about their future careers. After a question and answer session, the conference will hold its departmental awards, and serve lunch.

Through engaging networking sessions and mentorship opportunities, the Professional Development Conference allows students to gain experience in professional networking and learn more about the realities of their chosen careers.

For more information, contact Julie Eggleston at JA-Eggleston@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing