With the help of your mentor, you will complete a series of requirements to obtain your Professional Development Institute (PDI) certificate.
Your PDI certificate is made up of three components:
Essentials
– Program requirements for all participants:
- Complete StrengthsQuest assessment to determine your top talent themes
- Complete pre-program self-assessment
- Attend Kickoff event or receive orientation to program
- Connect with mentor (in person, phone, e-mail or online) a recommended minimum of once a month during the semester
- Create/update resume with Career and Professional Development Center
- Create UBworks profile (LinkedIn profile optional)
- Complete Professional Development Plan in consultation with mentor
- Complete post-program self-assessment
Fundamentals
– Four areas of focus you will address through workshops, activities or experiences, in consultation with your mentor:
- Global Awareness (complete two experiences)
Learning Goal: Connect knowledge with choices and actions that engage others in diverse local and global communities - Communication (complete two experiences)
Learning Goal: Communicate effectively in various media. - Ethics and Leadership (complete two experiences)
Learning Goal: Acquire knowledge about models of ethical behavior and understand its implications in the development of personal and professional relationships - Personal and Professional Competence (complete two experiences)
Learning Goal: Apply strategies that enhance professional and personal competence
Practical Experience
– One or more experiences connected to your career goals that you will complete, in consultation with your mentor:
- Academic or professional research
- Achievement and Learning Center tutor
- Internship/Cooperative Education
- Officer role in student organizations or student government
- Officer role in sports club
- Sports team captain
- Peer Network Advisor
- Presentation at a conference or workshop
- Substantial volunteer or service experience
- Study abroad
- Work experience related to career goals/On-campus employment
- Other (with mentor’s approval)
Students completing PDI will:
- Create and revise a resume
- Prepare for and practice a job interview
- Develop a comfort level with public speaking
- Identify and discuss personal strengths, and learn to maximize them
- Develop an appreciation for the diversity of cultures in our global society
- Learn and practice leadership and ethical decision-making
- Connect and deepen these experiences through coaching and reflection
- Develop an action plan for personal and professional growth