Professional Development
Undergraduate Students
ENGR 395 Professional Development is a course made specifically to give you a competitive edge in the job market. This one credit course is ideal for sophomores. Visit the course bulletin for more information.
The 5 Top Reasons to Take ENGR 395:
- Create professional documents that will get you noticed (i.e. resume, CV, etc.)
- Connect in person with companies such as CoStar, Dominion Energy, Altria and more
- Learn how to effectively market yourself through elevator pitches and networking
- Learn proven search strategies for jobs/ internships/ co-ops
- Build your professional network
What do other students think?
"The Professional Development class combines all the resources a student needs to present a polished image in obtaining an internship or job. Whether one has never had a job or is a nontraditional aged student starting a new career, the class will provide the tools necessary to market oneself in this competitive job market… I would highly recommend this class to any engineering student looking to improve his or her chances at launching their career."
-Stephanie Fulenwider, Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Students
ENGR 691-Career Readiness is a one-credit course designed specifically to help graduate students succeed.
The Top 5 Reasons to Take Professional Development:
- Create an executable career development plan with supporting professional documents based on individual skills, values, and interests
- Demonstrate an understanding of the professional development opportunities and career pathways available to VCU College of Engineering students and graduates
- Demonstrate skills for successful job search and understanding of the hiring process
- Identify, develop, and practice communication skills for a variety of audiences
- Understand the importance of building a professional network and life-long learning
What do other students think?
“The professional development course has been great for developing my networking habits and job search skills. Additionally, the class has better prepared me for the transition into a career in industry and is a fun flexible class overall.”
-Michael Berger, Biomedical Engineering Doctoral Student
Have questions?
Please reach out to Manika Avasthi, Professional Development faculty at mavasthi@vcu.edu.