After having the privilege of speaking to Professional Development Coordinator and Assistant Professor Lawrence McNeil, the needs of students were brought to mind. Many students have the capability of being not only successful students but also capable professionals who can lead in their respective industries after beginning employment. The points which they need to reinforce and develop in themselves are few, but, mastery of these areas will lead to present and future success.
Students need to develop two things main things: Academic & Professional skills.
Academically students need
– Good public speaking skills
– Confidence in yourself
– Organizational skills
Having a high GPA is a sign of confidence. Students who do well in their classes have a confidence in their actions that students who do not do as well don’t seem to have in many cases. There are many “hidden gems” in classes but they shouldn’t be scared to show their intelligence to teachers and their fellow students. College is the perfect place to develop a fearlessness which will carry on towards future success.
Also students need to develop organizational skills. Use the technology available to you like a smart phone to multi task and keep up with emails and meetings. These skills will serve you well in your professional career.
Professionally students need to focus on:
– being in internships
– networking
– professional dressing
– personal finance
– having a good credit score
– personal branding
Professionally business students as well as any student planning on having a professional career after graduating, needs the aforementioned skills. Credit scores can not only make owning possessions hard, but a bad credit score can even affect employment opportunities. The corporate ladder is a steep climb but not to the prepared.
A few business organizations on campus include:
– Toastmasters
– AMA
– SIFE
– NABA
– AITP
These organizations on campus can help students put their knowledge from the classroom into projects and events outside the classroom. While only a few are listed students can find an organization which can teach them the skills that they need and desire to have in the future. There really is no excuse for students to complain when there are many available resources. It is up to us a productive students to join these organizations and make ourselves better
Professional Development 101:
As a professional school, the College of Business organizes and supports a host of programs and opportunities for student professional development. Guest lecture events such as the Executive in Residence Program and the Dean’s Lecture Series as well as the College of Business Career Fair provide students with a chance to meet with business executives and leaders to learn more about their fields of interest.