News

Are out-of-school time employers limiting themselves by only considering degrees when hiring? Education comes in many forms, but when did we start valuing the version that comes with one paper, four years, and thousands of dollars over applicable skills? With the lasting effects of the pandemic, a potential pending recession, and continued civil unrest – all sectors are starting to move away from degree requirements and toward skills-based hiring. Is now the time for OST organizations to follow suit?

In·spi·ra·tion
/ˌinspəˈrāSH(ə)n/
noun: inspiration

1. The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

The NAA community depends on individuals committed to out-of-school time program quality for young people, families, and their teams that make it happen. NAA23 speakers are experts in the field willing to share their knowledge and experiences with attendees to increase connectivity, comradery, and understanding among fellow afterschool professionals. We are excited to have over 150 presenters for this year’s Convention and want to spotlight a few of our stand-out speakers ahead of our March 19^th kick-off in Orlando.

Your squad, your posse, your people. Finding like-minded people isn’t just a pleasant discovery, it’s a basic human need. We are programmed to seek out others who can supply us with the love and sense of belonging we crave and, as social creatures, we crave those relationships. Without supportive people who accept you, understand your aspirations, and want you to thrive in life, you will likely encounter struggles that could further alienate you from important social groups and goals. At NAA23, you will have several opportunities to find your people among other dedicated Afterschool professionals.