Advance your career with professional development

Everywhere you look you see news about the “hot” job market. But, how can you stay fresh? What kind of credentials will position you for your next career move?

Savvy job seekers will tell you about professional development. It adds credentials that will stand out on your resume when you’re looking to advance your current role or transition to a new field.

What is professional development?

Professional development is the act of building your skill set and enhancing your knowledge base, regardless of your career level and industry. It gives you the opportunity to learn and apply new skills that can help you in your current role or job search.

Professional development can include:

• Earning certifications and professional designations
• Management and leadership training
• Technical skills training
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills training
• Obtaining a certificate or diploma through continuing education
• Learning a specialized skill that is valuable in your profession
• Taking short training courses or workshops

Why is professional development essential in today’s job market?

Even if you have experience, professional development helps you stay current in your field and contributes to long-term career growth. Consider this:

 Following the recent global health crisis, a survey of over 1,000 people and 200 hiring managers found that 90% of hiring managers were more likely to hire someone who worked on their professional development during the pandemic than a person who didn’t.¹ 

 Employees who pursue professional development in their careers tend to have higher productivity and job satisfaction.²

 According to eye-tracking research, on average, hiring managers only spend around seven seconds skimming your resume, before tossing it or moving you to the next round.³

Listing professional development on your resume does the following:

• Highlights your knowledge and skills
• Helps you stand out from other job candidates
• Demonstrates your commitment to continued growth and excellence in your profession

Where to start?

Because it can be so beneficial to your career and job search, deciding on professional development options for your future just makes good career sense.

Continuing education is a great place to start. Look for accredited university-level courses and programs that allow you to earn a certificate, diploma or provide a pathway to professional designations. This demonstrates to potential employers the knowledge and new skills you have acquired.

All the essentials for a great career

If you’re a working professional, look for online learning options to fit your busy life. Consider programs like Essentials. It includes short workshops on business, communication, innovation, leadership, productivity, team building and multi-competency essentials that offer all the critical skills employers seek.

Re-enter the job market with skills and confidence

For other quick learning opportunities, be sure to check out The Learning Continuum and 55+ classes. These short online courses range from health, technology, the arts and more, in a welcoming environment that’s perfect for students of all ages.

We also offer a variety of non-credit professional development and special interest courses that provide practical, fundamental skills needed to advance your career. Offerings include Applications Development, Java Programming, LEED, Lean Six Sigma, Technical Writing, and more!

Learn the AWS Cloud to increase career opportunities

Companies of all sizes are investing in the AWS Cloud, creating a high demand for professionals who are AWS Cloud literate. Having an AWS certificate can help set yourself apart from the competition.

Succeed in business

There’s no shortage of in-demand business skills you can acquire. For example, project management skills are now needed in a wide variety of positions and industries. An online Project Management program, especially one that offers a certificate, is a great choice for career advancement.

Privacy matters

As more and more data is collected, there’s an increased focus on cybersecurity. Companies are seeking individuals with privacy management skills. Look for a Privacy Management program that uses real-world case studies to gain practical hands-on experience.

Future-proof your career while making our planet a better place

Sustainability examines how individuals, governments and businesses plan, design and implement sustainable practices. Programs such as Sustainability take an all-encompassing approach to examine impacts on environmental, economic and societal systems while focusing on best practices, strategies and developments for living and working sustainably. So, you can feel confident in applying this knowledge in your everyday life.

Launch that business

Do you have a business idea? A Starting Your Own Business program can help assess your potential, start your dream business and make it a success. Work through your ideas and receive support and feedback from business experts to ensure you’re on the right track.

Grow your career with in-demand healthcare skills

The need for healthcare professionals is expected to keep growing. If you’re looking to add in-demand skills to your resume, look to healthcare. For example, the healthcare industry collects vast amounts of health data. The analysis of this data informs important decisions related to healthcare delivery, evaluation, and quality management. A Health Analytics program can teach you how to collect, analyze, and report using health data in common statistical, programming, and software tools. Or, acquire the fundamental skills necessary to successfully initiate, carry out, and complete research studies by pursuing a Fundamentals of Health Research Methodology certificate.

The bottom line is professional development adds value and versatility to your career. It shows potential employers you are constantly evolving and improving while keeping your skills relevant for today’s job market.

Learn more:

1 Forbes
2 Business News Daily
3 Harvard Business Review