Professional development days aren’t just about policies and paperwork at Options Solutions; they’re about collaboration, innovation, and learning how to better support our students.
This June, our team of educational consultants and writing coaches gathered for a full day of professional growth. What made this year’s pro-d special? Much of the learning came from within, as team members led the way, sharing tools, strategies, and updates in their own areas of expertise. It was a powerful way to build community and mutual respect across our team, and a great reminder of the incredible depth of knowledge we have in-house.
We kicked things off with an important conversation about artificial intelligence. Alyssa led the session, guiding our team through Options’ current AI policy and inviting a broader discussion about how tools like ChatGPT are, and aren’t, being used in post-secondary applications. As a team, we explored the boundaries surrounding AI’s use in application writing while reinforcing our shared commitment to ethical, student-led writing. These conversations continue to shape how we approach writing workshops and individual coaching sessions.
Later in the morning, we were joined by the team from New Tides Counselling and Wellness, who delivered a compelling presentation on autism. As more of our clients identify as neurodiverse, this session deepened our understanding of how we can create inclusive, supportive, and responsive educational planning experiences for all students. From communication strategies to sensory considerations, we walked away with new tools and greater awareness.
In the afternoon, we turned our focus to international admissions. Kate led an engaging session on the updates to the UCAS personal statement, including recent changes for the 2026 cycle. With help from UCAS’s new subject spotlight resources and personal statement guides, we explored ways to help students highlight their academic motivation and fit. We also discussed what to expect from upcoming training sessions focused on UK admissions and international schools.
To round out the day, Monika introduced our updated video interview preparation toolkit. From new one-pagers and master guides to tips for answering timed writing questions, the session equipped consultants and coaches with a streamlined, practical approach to supporting students through video interviews, an increasingly common step in competitive application processes.
As always, our Pro-D Day was a chance to step back from the day-to-day and reflect on how we can continue to evolve our services. Whether we’re exploring new technologies, learning from mental health professionals, or updating our knowledge of international application systems, our team is united by one goal: to offer students informed, thoughtful, and personalized guidance with grace and good humour.
