Treatment Specialists' professional roles and responsibilities can be clarified by developing a Professional Mission Statement. Taking the time to develop a Professional Mission Statement can help you better understand your role and your career direction.

Suggestions for writing a Professional Mission Statement:

• Keep it simple.
  
• Focus on the next three to five years.
• Think of this statement as the foundation for your career development.
  
• Place your statement where you will see it often.
  
• Don't be afraid to modify your statement as your understanding of your mission changes.
  
• Use your larger mission to clarify your short-term goals.

(Click here to print-out a form to create your own mission statement)
 

Here is a sample Mission Statement:

My professional mission is to reduce the use of tobacco in my community through:

• Offering up-to-date, culturally adapted, and effective tobacco cessation services;
  
  
• Participating in a community coalition that advocates increased restriction of tobacco use in public places;
  
  
• Assisting professionals in schools, workplaces, and healthcare facilities to develop procedures for providing tobacco cessation services to people in need due to economic, social, educational, or related reasons.

Once you have clarified your mission, you can set Professional Goals.

Example: A course in counseling will help me assist my clients through increased skills and knowledge and will demonstrate my commitment to career improvement. My Goal: Take one counseling course this year.

Brainstorm some ideas to help you reach your goals.

Example: I can find out what classes are available through my community college. I can check for online or correspondence courses. I can seek financial support for my educational goal.