Youth Development Professionals

Responsibilities of the Youth Development Professional

Given the number of young people who are currently being served by youth development organizations, it is important to consider the roles and responsibilities of the youth development professional. There is a growing body of literature that suggests that youth development professionals must be intentional when creating and managing programs to ensure that these programs have the essential components that will foster a young person's successful transition to adulthood. According to Eccles and Gootman (2002), community-based youth programs can foster positive youth development by creating developmentally intentional learning experiences. Walker, Marczak, Blyth, and Borden (2003) suggest that developmentally intentional learning experiences have three main components: (1) opportunities that are designed to build positive relationships among youth and adults and among youth and their peers; (2) identified knowledge, skills, and competencies to be learned and developed, along with the learning methods involved; and (3) experiences that are tailored to the individual needs of the participating youth. Thus, youth development professionals must bridge theory, research, and practice in order to create environments that will promote the positive development of all young people. Given the potential for young people to truly benefit from participation in youth programs, it is essential that the youth development professional be well prepared.

Preparation for Youth Development Professionals

Preparation for their roles must offer youth development professionals the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop important skills if they are to create programs that provide the supports and opportunities needed by young people for positive development. Such skills include the ability to (a) identify the needs of young people, (b) design and implement effective programs, and (c) work with broad-based community efforts (McLaughlin, Irby, & Langman, 1994). Moreover, successful youth development professionals must be “optimistic, seeing youth as positive, productive contributors (or potential ones) rather than problems or liabilities; consistent, yet flexible; and passionate about their work and committed to young people” (Yohalem, 2003, p. 361).

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