What is professional development?
Professional development is participating in an opportunity that gives you professional work experience, skills, competencies, or networking opportunities. Some common forms of professional development are internships, co-ops, practicums, student employment, workshops, trainings, or conferences. These are all opportunities that will help give you workplace experience before you graduate.
Why is professional development important?
Professional development can help you:
- Explore potential career paths
- Gain hands-on experience
- Build career readiness competencies
- Develop communication and teamwork skills
- Strengthen time management and organization skills
- Expand your professional network
- Learn from professionals in your field
- Build your résumé, LinkedIn profile, and portfolio
- Increase your confidence when applying for jobs or graduate school
How do you prepare?
Build Your Application Materials
- Résumé
- Cover letter
- LinkedIn profile
- Portfolio (if applicable)
- Writing samples (if required)
Need help? Visit the Pomerantz Career Center for résumé and application resources, such as resume tips.
Explore Opportunities
As you search for opportunities:
- Consider your interests and career goals
- Look for positions that help you develop new skills
- Be open to experiences outside your immediate career field
- Focus on opportunities that offer meaningful learning and growth
Prepare to Apply
Before submitting applications:
- Review position requirements carefully
- Customize your résumé and cover letter
- Secure references if needed
- Prepare writing samples or portfolios
- Practice interviewing skills
Career Services can help you strengthen your application materials and prepare for interviews.
Who can help?
Career Coach or Career Peer Advisor
- Explore career options
- Search for internships and jobs
- Improve your résumé and cover letter
- Prepare for interviews
- Develop networking strategies
Faculty and Academic Advisors
- Connect opportunities to your academic goals
- Identify field-specific experiences
- Recommend internships, research, or professional opportunities
- Serve as mentors and references
Your Network
Don't underestimate the value of your personal and professional network:
- Peer mentors
- Supervisors
- Classmates
- Friends and family
- Alumni and professionals in your field
These connections can help you discover opportunities and build your professional community.
Where can I find these opportunities?
Internships
Internships are a great way to get workplace experience before graduation. Internships can help you build your network and help you gain experience that you can use further down your career path. Browse Handshake to see what opportunities are available or meet with a Career Peer Advisor to identify what opportunities are right for you.
Engineering Co-ops
A co-op can be an opportunity for you to experience a full-time job in your career field. Co-ops are usually full-time work over the course of 3 to 6 months and sometimes a year. If you want to know more about opportunities like this in your field, speak with an Engineering Career Peer Advisor.
Student Employment
Working on campus is an excellent way to develop transferrable skills you can use while on campus and throughout your career. On-campus jobs are posted on Handshake, but you can also keep an eye out for ‘hiring’ signs around campus! The UI STEP and UI GROW programs can also help you make the most out of your job by supporting connections between academics, student employment, and your future career.