Professional Development Series Engineering

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Professional Development Series (PDS)

The Professional Development Series (PDS) at the School of Engineering is a comprehensive program designed to supplement the academic development of our students through a sequence of professional development events, workshops, and panels offered by the School of Engineering in partnership with the Academic Career and Development Center.

This program will provide School of Engineering (SOE) students with a structured way in which they can obtain the necessary knowledge and skills that will help them reach their career goals and succeed in a challenging job market. The program is optional, but highly encouraged for all SOE students.

PDS is structured in four different levels that coincide with a student’s four years at Fairfield University. The objectives are meant to build upon one another, but do not necessarily have to be done in consecutive order. Students may opt to start or progress in the program at a speed that is comfortable for them.

Level 1
Career Exploration And Assessment

  • Help students explore SOE's program offerings, study abroad and other opportunities that will enhance their overall education
  • Educate students on the tools and resources they will need and can use to succeed
  • Reward extracurricular involvement (join the student branch of an engineering society)
  • Draft a college resume
  • Offer self-assessment opportunities and begin to build professional skills
Read Through the PDS Level 1 (PDF)

Level 2
Professional Skills Development

  • Help students develop the skills and documents (e.g., resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile) they will need to succeed in the professional world
  • Educate students on job and internship search techniques
  • Encourage an internship or summer co-op experiential learning opportunity
Read Through the PDS Level 2 (PDF)

Level 3
Gain Experience

  • Gain experience through leadership roles in the Engineering Student Society
  • Offer networking opportunities
  • Continue to develop interview skills and fine-tune resumes and other key documents
  • Encourage a second internship or summer co-op experiential learning opportunity

Level 4
Connect And Embark

The SOE Professional Development Series utilizes Parson’s Trait and Factor Theory, Krumboltz’s Planned Happenstance Theory and Donald Super’s Life-Span Development Theory.

  • Utilize skills obtained to focus on job search
  • Continue to network and build connections
  • Begin to learn about the transition from college to career
  • Develop essential financial literacy skills

How To Participate

To participate in the Professional Development Series please register for PDS events on Life@Fairfield.

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