KINGSTON, R.I.- November 7, 2016- Learning proper interview etiquette, creating and being ready for your 30-second elevator pitch, and balancing work life with your personal life are among the topics that will be covered at the University of Rhode Island’s first Professional Development week from Monday, Nov. 14 through Friday, Nov. 18. The programs are free for students.

Shilah Belle, coordinator of the program for URI’s Center for Career and Experiential Education in University College for Academic Success, said the week consists of 17 different programs and is designed to help students prepare for life after graduation.

Belle said the programs will “provide students with professional development knowledge and strategies to prepare them for success in networking, pursuing internships and searching for the right career.”

The program is an outgrowth of the Faculty Forum held in January of 2016, attended by faculty and staff. At the end of the forum, participants voted overwhelmingly to support the concept that “every student should engage in professional development.” Kim Stack, director of the Center for Career and Experiential Learning, and her team from the faculty forum were awarded a small grant. Over several months, the concept that emerged was Professional Development Week. The goal is to present students with a wide range of relevant topics to prepare for entering the workforce.

The events are:

Resume Drop-In
Presenter: Career education specialists
Dates and times: Nov. 14, 15, 17 and 18, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Foundation Boardroom
Having a stellar resume is important when pursuing an internship, a job, graduate school or a summer position. Resume review is the ideal second look you may need to confirm you have captured the necessary keywords to secure an interview.

Aligning Values with Major & Career
Presenter: Sarah Miller, coordinator of the Feinstein Center for Service and Learning
Date and time: Monday, Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to noon
Location: Roosevelt Hall Great Room
Understand your strengths and how to harness your power to be and do your best in academics, career, and in your personal life. Prior to attending, go online and complete the free VIA Character Strength Assessment (http://www.viacharacter.org/) and bring your results with you.

Art of Cover Letter Writing
Presenter: Tamura Leso, dean of Engineering
Date and time: Monday, Nov. 14, noon to 1 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Room 318
Writing a cover letter is like storytelling. You want the reader to know more about your professional self and how your skills and qualifications match the job.

Do What You Are
Presenter: Kim Stack, director of the Center for Career and Experiential Education
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Atrium 1
Personality and career choices are connected. Take your Type Focus Inventory prior to attending, https://v6.typefocus.com/, click new users to register, create username and password then input site password uri47. The welcome menu provides a link to the self-assessment option. Participants are encouraged to bring results.

Living Well To Work Well
Presenter: Angela Potts, specialty instructor of Fitness and Wellness
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Atrium 1
Self-care is about taking the time to focus on your own well-being so that you are emotionally, mentally, and physically energized around your personal and work life. Attend this session to assess your self-care and develop your personal plan.

Creating Your 30-Second Elevator Pitch
Presenter: Kristina Moyet, special programming for Talent Development
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union, Room 318
Demonstrating who you are with a 30-second elevator pitch might connect you to new people and opportunities. A brief encounter could dramatically change your life. Are you ready…with the right pitch and, even more important, with the right delivery?

Developing a Professional Brand & LinkedIn
Presenter: Lisa Kuosmanen, career advisor
Date and time: Tuesday, Nov. 15, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Atrium 2
Do you know that you are already a brand and that your brand directly affects your interview, networking, and job search experiences? Learn how to make the most of LinkedIn and effectively define, build, manage, and promote your professional brand to reach your career goals.

Fall Internship and Job Fair
Date and time: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Ballroom
This is your opportunity to speak with employers who have full-time, part-time, internship and volunteer positions available for winter, spring, and summer 2017.

Applying for Fellowships
Presenter: Kathleen Maher, assistant director for National Fellowships
Date and time: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Lippitt Hall, Room 402
Earn national recognition by applying for competitive fellowships and scholarships. Some awards include internship, research experience, study abroad; others fully fund post-graduate education in the U.S. or abroad, and provide membership in an influential network of like-minded scholars.

Rhody Alumni Mentor Mingle
Presenter: Samantha Stevens, specialist in Alumni Relations, and the Student Alumni Association
Date and time: Wednesday, Nov. 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Location: Alumni Center Lobby
The Rhody Alumni Mentor (RAM) Program and Student Alumni Association (SAA) present the Rhody Alumni Mentor Mingle. Connect with URI alumni and business leaders who can propel your professional development. Refreshments will be provided.

Salary Negotiation
Presenter: John Rooney, coordinator at the University college for Academic Success
Date and time:  Thursday, Nov. 17, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Location: Roosevelt Hall Great Room
Do you know how much you’re worth to an employer? Learn how to negotiate salary and calculate cost-of-living in the location you plan to live and work.

Think Like the Employer
Presenter: Kim Stack, director of the Center for Career and Experiential Education
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Location: Roosevelt Hall Great Room
In a most recent national survey of employers, the top-ranked desired skills are soft skills like communication, working in teams, thinking analytically, and taking initiative. Learn more about how to develop these essential marketable skills by engaging in internships.

You’ve Scored the Interview, Now What?
Presenter: Carol Pegg, executive assistant to the vice president of Student Affairs
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union, Atrium 2
They know who you are on paper; now you need to seal the deal. Learn the DOs and DON’Ts on how to conduct yourself on the in-person interview, including what to wear, what to do before, during, and after the interview to help you land the job.

Online Resources to Support Your Job and Internship
Presenter: Brianne Neptin, coordinator for the Coastal and Environmental Fellows Program
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union, Room 318
There are a number of online resources to support you when searching for the right first professional job or internship. Within each website, there are tools to know to enhance your search process. Learn how to maximize your searching and researching strategies.

Employer Panel
Presenter: URI’s Young Professionals Network, Lisa Kuosmanen, Career Advisor, Inventing Heron
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Atrium 1
URI’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) represents a panel of employers, career videos, and interactive networking. Your perception of what their job entails may not be accurate! Learn what “professional life” is like after URI and explore strategies to guide your career choices.

Create a Leadership and Service-Based Resume
Presenter: Robert Vincent, coordinator of Student Leadership Programs, and Sarah Miller, coordinator of the Feinstein Center for Service and Learning
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 3:30 to 5 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Atrium 2
Most employers are looking for someone who has leadership and volunteer experience. Volunteering can be considered a form of leadership. This interactive session will help you explore and translate extracurricular and volunteer experiences.

Etiquette Dinner
Presenter: Dean Libutti, Vice Provost of Enrollment Management
Date and time: Thursday, Nov. 17, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Memorial Union Ballroom
Wondering which fork to use? Join us for an entertaining and informational evening focused on eating during an interview or a cocktail networking event. Limited seats are available. Log onto RhodyNet to register.

Registering ahead of time is encouraged and can be done up until the day before the program by logging into RhodyNet.uri.edu and clicking on Events. Those planning to attend the Etiquette Dinner must follow the steps above to register ahead of time.

All programs are sponsored by Alumni Relations, the Department of Film/Media in the Harrington School of Communication and Media, the Leadership Minor, the President’s Office, Student Life, Talent Development, and University College for Academic Success.

Olivia Ross, an intern in the Marketing and Communications Department at URI and public relations major, wrote this press release.