Professional Development for First-year Students

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In BUS 001 this past fall, first-year students were introduced to professional development skills including writing resumes and cover letters as a required part of their coursework.

Now that BUS 001 is over, the competitive edge that comes from professional development is up to the individual initiative of every business student.  Business students are not alone in this endeavor, though.  The CBE Professional Development Program is here to help!

What is the CBE Professional Development Program?

The CBE Professional Development Program is a self-paced sequence of activities available to every business student who wants to hone the “soft skills” essential to future success.  Students will also learn how to get the most from the career development resources available at Lehigh. 

CBE Professional Development Program participants are expected to complete four required activities:

1. Meet with the CBE’s Career Counselor in the Center for Career and Professional Development for a Career Planning Session
2. Attend a Lehigh Career Fair. 
3. Participate in an Externship
4. Attend a Networking Event

CBE Professional Development Program participants are also expected to attend a minimum number of CBE Professional Development Program events and workshops to accrue eight “points.”  A schedule of professional development events is posted to the CBE Undergraduate Programs website at the start of each semester so that students could identify the events (and points) they need to achieve their professional development goals.  Points offered for each event vary. 

Who offers the CBE Professional Development Program events and workshops?
Most of the events and workshops feature Lehigh alumni and other business professionals who share their experiences directly with students.   These events not only build business students’ perspective and skills, but they also give students the opportunity to network and build relationships for career advice and mentorship. 
Staff professionals from the CBE Undergraduate Programs Office and the Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) also host and conduct sessions to build students’ self-awareness and professional skills.  Jamie Pugh, associate director of CBE Undergraduate Programs, oversees the CBE Professional Development Program schedule development and program administration with assistance from coordinator Keith Gustafson in RBC 395.
How does a student sign up for and get started with the CBE Professional Development Program?

All business students are automatically “signed up” for the CBE Professional Development Program.  To learn more about program requirements, the student should meet with Jamie Pugh, Associate Director of CBE Undergraduate Programs, as she oversees the CBE Professional Development Program.  Students can reach Jamie when the semester starts at at jam913@lehigh.edu or 610-758-1082.

Students are automatically assigned points every time they attend a CBE professional development event.  A student can check his or her point balance by e-mailing Keith Gustafson at keg415@lehigh.edu or by visiting the CBE Undergraduate Programs Office (RBC 395) to ask directly.

What does a student gain by engaging in the CBE Professional Development Program?

Clearly, the skills, knowledge, and professional network that students gain from the program make participation well worth the time investment.  Students who go the extra mile to meet all program requirements (i.e., the four required activities and at least 8 points for event attendance) will also be receive a CBE Professional Development Program recognition from the leadership of the College of Business and Economics.

Who can answer questions about the CBE Professional Development Program?

If you have additional questions once the spring semester starts, please contact Jamie Pugh at jam913@lehigh.edu or 610-758-1082.

Business students can check their CBE Professional Development Program point balances by e-mailing Keith Gustafson at keg415@lehigh.edu or by visiting him in the CBE Undergraduate Programs Office (RBC 395) to ask directly.