Professional Development Center
Professional Development Center
The Professional Development Center was developed with two primary purposes: First, to enhance and further develop students’ leadership skills and their preparedness for practical experiences, and second, to provide a central location in the SBE which would facilitate student access and continuous engagement with leadership, experiential and professional development programs. The Professional Development Center is funded partially by a grant provided by Altria Client Services and was founded in 2009 by the Associate Dean, Dr. Kathy Stitts and Dr. Sharon White.
To accomplish these purposes, the center focuses on developing students in three important dimensions:
1. Impression Management
Image is a student’s signature. At the Professional Development Center, we help students understand and grow comfortable with the kind of image that wins in the business world.
2. Personal Development
The three hallmarks of the School of Business and Economics, leadership, professionalism, and practical experiences, comprise the key indicators employers use as predictors of future success for potential candidates for employment. Personal development takes into account the whole person. We want students to be aware of the dynamic synergy that exists among the many facets of life. Intellectual growth, physical vitality, professional development and the power of leadership potential are critical components of a truly effective life experience. Fine-tuning the interaction among these components is the foundational task of personal development.
At PDC we take the time to listen to and assist students in their quest for real balance in their programs. Holistic, productive living is a key to finding your true purpose and to being healthy enough to get the most from your future. PDC steers students to the many vital services that exist on campus that are designed to develop a well-rounded person.
3. Career & Industry Awareness
What does it take to succeed? What are the best sources of career information? Who’s hiring and what skills do students need to make it in their fields? All of these questions need answers and at the Professional Development Center we deliver. We bring in industry professionals who share rich insights with students about the real world issues confronting today’s workforce.
To bring these three dimensions into sharp focus, PDC has created a new program called The Winners Circle.
The Winners Circle
This is a program designed to develop students’ impression management skills and the practice of active professionalism during the academic phase of their careers. Our slogan, “You are, now, what you are becoming,” challenges students to reach for ways to sharpen their personal brands through a series of workshops, presentations and mentoring sessions designed to instill confidence and competence.
Participants who complete the program will build their resumes, receive an attractive Winners Circle pin and a chance to use their refined skills as they network with key industry professionals. Beyond the tangible, short-term benefits are the permanent rewards of solid communication skills, enhanced career choices, sharper personal image, and greater self-esteem. These long-term benefits are of inestimable value for insuring participants’ future advancement.
