ACADEMIC RESOURCES
The Office for Professional Development helps students access academic resources that foster professional growth and career readiness.
Through a variety of courses, campus partnerships and faculty engagement, students can explore their professional interests and develop the skills and confidence necessary for future success.
Professional Development One-Credit Courses
Arts and Sciences Professional Development (ASPD) courses are designed to help students discover their professional interests, recognize their unique strengths and skills, and build the confidence and essential tools to navigate the professional world. Starting with the class of 2030, every student in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences takes a one-credit ASPD course during their sophomore year, intentionally timed as most students have officially declared or will soon declare an academic major. This course enables students to make meaningful connections between their course of study and their professional interests.
In addition to the sophomore course, the Office for Professional Development offers a variety of additional ASPD courses, which position students for success as they pursue internships, build professional networks, and shape the remainder of their academic journey with intention. Each topic-specific course serves as a community and connection hub—uniting students, teachers, alumni and employers around career pathways, such as financial services, management consulting, public policy, environmental justice and more.
Students walk away with:
- A professional résumé
- Strong cover letter writing skills
- An engaging LinkedIn profile
- Interview and networking strategies
- More!
Course topics include:
- The Legal Profession
- Professional Communication
- Networking for Career Success
- Creativity and Innovation
- Personal Finance
- Professional Skills & Strengths
- Introduction to Data Analysis
- Public Policy Paths
- Management Consulting
- The Professorial Life
- A Life Well Lived
- Adulting 101
- Preparing for Careers in Financial Services
- Understanding Financial Reports
- Preparing for Health Careers
- Charting Your Course in the Sciences
Pre-Law Advising Services
In close collaboration with the University Career Center, we connect students with pre-law advising services and offer a pre-law ASPD course.
Health Professions Advising
Health Professions Advising (HPA) works with students through every step of the journey toward a health profession—from the earliest exploratory stages and selecting academic courses to identifying experiential learning opportunities, and assembling and submitting applications.