Professional Development Program

Students majoring in programs of the College of Business participate in the Professional Development Program (PDP) of the College. The PDP is a required, non-credit program of events designed to prepare students for meaningful careers in business. The PDP serves employers by preparing more functional and well-rounded employees, and serves the general public by developing business persons as contributors to the common good and enhancement of their communities.

Guiding Principles:

1. Required and Non-Credit. Students participate in a set of career-oriented seminars and activities. These programs do not carry college credit, but must be completed for graduation from the College of Business.
2. Flexibility. Flexibility for students is a cornerstone of the PDP. Multiple opportunities will be available to attend “mandatory events”. Many alternatives are available to meet “elective events” requirements. When schedule conflicts are unavoidable, the student may request an exception from the PDP Director. The Director will approve or disapprove the exception request and, if approved, recommend a substitute program or, in special cases, a waiver of the requirement. The request is then sent to the Dean for final approval.
3. Variety. The broad array of PDP events is possible by utilizing resources of the University and its faculty and staff, alumni, the business community, and community organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.
4. Oversight. Responsibility for planning and oversight of the program resides with the Professional Development Board (PDB), consisting of faculty, students, and business professionals. The PDB is chaired by a member of the Business faculty designated as Director of the Professional Development Program. The Director is responsible for the daily administration of the PDP and evaluation of PDP programs, with attendant recommendations to the PDB for changes and improvements.
5. Student Involvement. In addition to attendance and evaluation of programs, students will be given important administrative responsibilities for the program, such as logistics of events, gathering attendance data, and maintaining a student database.

Implementation:

Fall 2005 – Students enrolled in MGMT4813, Strategic Management, must complete the following to receive credit for MGMT4813. These requirements do not comprise any portion of the course grade, but failure to complete these requirements will result in a grade of I (Incomplete) if all other course performance is satisfactory. PDP requirements for Fall, 2005 are:

• Register in “Smoke Signals” with Career Services. Print your email acknowledgement and submit it to your instructor.
• Study the Resume Building Guide (on-line at Career Services website, create your resume, and submit it to your instructor and to Career Services for critique.
• Register and Attend an Interviewing Techniques Workshop by Career Services.
• Ethics in Business Seminar.

Spring/Summer 2006 – Same as above, plus two elective events listed under below Junior or Senior years.

Academic Year 2006-07 (tentative, subject to feedback from AY2005-06)

• Students enrolled in MGMT3153, Organizational Behavior, must complete the all Mandatory Events and one Elective event listed below under Junior year to receive credit for MGMT3153.
• Students enrolled in MGMT4813, Strategic Management, must complete all Mandatory Events listed below under Junior and Senior years and one Elective event to receive credit for MGMT4813.

Two proposed models – for possible Bulletin changes submitted Fall 2005, effective Fall 2006:

• Model 1: integrate into existing courses
• Model 2: create separate courses to be reflected on transcripts