How Will You Succeed?
The Personal and Professional Development Series (PPD) is a four-credit program closely linked to the Sidhu School business curriculum. It is an innovative, integrated, developmental advising/coaching program designed to unleash and nurture each student’s personal and professional potential.
Who Participates: Every undergraduate student in the Sidhu School of Business and Leadership at Wilkes University, whether in accounting, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, finance or sports management, takes part in the Personal and Professional Development Program.
Why It Matters: Employers in business, government, military and social organizations all agree that superior performance depends on effective leadership up and down the line. This calls for leaders who embody self-awareness, empathy, emotional intelligence, vision, integrity and compassion.
Research has shown that superior leaders are authentic. They understand their own strengths and values, and the effect they have on others. They are competent, caring, resilient, and consistent. They listen, analyze, and are able to provide vision, energy and motivation. These are capabilities, skills and behaviors the Sidhu School seeks to cultivate in its students.
How It Works
The PPD program provides an environment where each student can link academic content in their curriculum with career planning, extracurricular activities and leadership development. Each student has the opportunity to build a strong professional network, face social and business challenges, and practice meaningful leadership.
Throughout the PPD program, students undertake ongoing self-assessment, build their emotional intelligence, strengthen team-building competencies, engage in fieldwork/career preparation experiences, learn to take advantage of coaching/mentoring activities, and formulate developmental action plans and a leadership portfolio. In the process, they discover strengths and areas for improvement, nurture their passions, and facilitate their own authentic leadership journey.
The Personal and Professional Development journey consists of two bookend courses (PPD 101 and PPD 401), which are consistent for every student throughout the program. These two courses provide introductory and capstone experiences that build the foundation for the PPD program. Additionally, students choose a one-credit course in the areas of leadership competency and career focus, to customize the program to their specific developmental needs. The one-credit elective courses vary each semester and are taught by subject matter experts.
The PPD Series begins with Personal and Professional Development 101, which adds value and depth to your learning program by explicitly targeting personal and professional competency assessment, development, practice and evaluation with a strong emphasis on self-awareness, working in teams, and an introduction to emotional intelligence competencies.
- Introduction to school and programs
- Team and self-awareness
- MBTI and personality style
- Leadership style
- Integrated Management Experience/Social Awareness linkage and support
- Emotional Intelligence
- Role Plays
- Poster Presentation of work and accomplishments
“Wilkes University Ranked 25th In the Nation for Economic Value by The Economist”
“The median earnings projected by The Economist are $49,900, showing that attending
Wilkes boosts the earnings power of its graduates above expectations at +$8,250.”
The Economist listed pharmacy, business and engineering as among the most desirable
fields of study for predicting future success – all majors offered at Wilkes
One credit special studies and experiences in leadership focused areas of personal and professional development. This course will include internship opportunities offered throughout the semester.
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Mock interview
- Skills inventory
- Strengths/weaknesses inventory
- Work values
- Internship Preparation
- Company culture case studies
- Attend on-campus employer recruiting
One credit special studies and experiences in leadership focused areas of personal and professional development. The topics will be relevant to leadership issues, leadership skills, or leadership in context. The one-credit courses vary each semester and are taught by subject matter experts.
- E-portfolio training & creation
- Personal mission statement/professional philosophy
- Networking event with professional critique/professional mock interviewing
- Elevator pitch
- Mentorship
- Professional speakers
- Business Etiquette Review
- Business Etiquette luncheon and keynote speaker where:
The PPD Series adds value and depth to your learning program by targeting personal and professional competency assessment, development, practice, and evaluation. PPD-401 continues the Life Plan and prepares students for the development of a Personal Learning Plan. Students in Personal & Professional Development 401 will attend company site visits throughout northeastern PA to learn and observe Business and Leadership from some of our outstanding Leaders through touring sites and engaging in a small group discussion with business professionals. This gives our students invaluable experience and exposure to different industries and career fields and open their minds and their professional networks to exciting opportunities.