The Professional Development team of the UPO serves the undergraduate population through professional development and student experiences. The team’s mission is rooted in two values: (1) empowering growth and (2) cultivating excellence. We are dedicated to:
Supporting students’ career exploration and professional development through STP programming which equips students with the career skills they need to acquire internships and full-time jobs.
Fostering a vibrant, supportive, professional community through student engagement programs.
The Student to Professional Co-Curriculum educates undergraduate business students about fundamental professional skills. By participating in this co-curriculum, students develop a broad understanding of career skills, which assists them with transitioning from being a student to a young professional.
The co-curriculum has given me the support and tools that I need to be successful in my professional career.
-Jordan Bell '25
Tier 1 – Professional Foundations (First Semester, Year 1)
Build your professional foundation. In your first semester, you will embark on critical career literacy while exploring pathways for future careers, crafting your resume, honing your elevator pitch, and starting to build your professional network.
Sessions: Career Research Resources, Networking Resources, Start Early, It’s Your Career, Meet the Majors
Tier 2 – Professional Planning (First & Second Semester, Year 1)
Plan with purpose, act with confidence. During your first and second semesters, you’ll explore high-impact, hands-on opportunities that help you clarify your career goals, refine your personal brand, build a strong LinkedIn presence, and craft a polished cover letter.
Sessions (Including but not limited to): Personal Branding, LinkedIn, Cover Letter, Financial Literacy, Career Treks
Complete 3 offerings
Tier 3 – Professional Preparation (Year 2)
Prepare with strategy and self-awareness. During your second year, you will develop the skills and gain the experience necessary to secure and excel in experiential learning opportunities, including internships. You will participate in a mock internship interview and learn strategies for different types of interviews, giving you the confidence to present yourself effectively and adapt to various professional settings.
Sessions: Interview Types and Preparation, AI Mock Internship Interview
Tier 4 – Professional Expertise (Year 3)
Deepen expertise and define your edge. During your third year, you will elevate your learning through specialized, major- or industry-aligned experiences through LinkedIn Learning.
Sessions: Complete 2 LinkedIn Learning Courses