(The Beacon)
By Jocelyne LaFortune, Staff Writer -- lafortun12@up.edu
Graduates of all majors agree: Finding a job after graduation can be difficult, especially in an increasingly competitive job market.
But the Pamplin School of Business school is trying to give its students an edge with the Pamplin Professional Preparation Program (P4), now in its third year. Next year's seniors will be the first class to complete the program.
"We were hearing feedback from companies saying that our graduates were academically good but lacking in some areas of professional development," Gwynn Klobes, director of Professional Development, said.
The program seeks to help students begin to identify their goals early and then use their own strengths to help them achieve those goals, according to Klobes.
"The P4 program is a holistic program," Klobes said. "It is designed to help students discern who they are as people."
Over their four years at UP, business students must complete a number of requirements as part of the program.
"The program is coupled closely with Career Services," Klobes said. "And students also complete program requirements as part of their business classes."
Freshman year: Developing goals
The freshman year curriculum is designed to help students discover their strengths and begin to define their goals, according to Klobes.
Freshmen students complete a Gallup based strength analysis to help them clearly identify their individual strengths. They must also complete a Vocational Interest Assessment in their Business 100 class. Together, these two tests help students identify potential career goals.
"So far, we haven't done much to capitalize on the results (of the strengths assessment)," freshman Sam Schelfhout said. "I'm sure they'll be used more later, though."
Freshmen in the Business School also participate in a daylong ropes course challenge. This experience is meant to help students build teamwork skills.
Sophomore year: Planning for success
During their sophomore year, business students begin to plan how they will reach their career goals. They must complete a four-year graduation plan with a member of the dean's office staff.
"During their sophomore year, students must complete a job shadow with a professional in their potential career," Klobes said.
Sophomores also begin practicing for job interviews. During their sophomore year, students participate in a group mock interview with UP alumni.
"The group mock interview was a good first step," sophomore Kacia Hicks said. "It was really nerve wracking, but it was definitely good to be able to hear what your peers were saying."
Students also begin developing their "personal brand" during their sophomore year.
"Your personal brand is everything that makes you you — it's your skills and values, your strengths," junior Ariana Sewell said. "It is what you want people to think of when they think of you."
An important part of each student's personal brand is a 45-second "elevator pitch" during which each student must convey what they believe sets them apart from others who may be applying for the same jobs, according to Klobes.
Junior year: Gaining experience
During their junior year, students must update their résumés with help from Career Services.
Juniors complete individual mock interviews with UP alumni.
"I thought the individual mock interviews were more helpful than the group interviews because they are more realistic," junior Brendan Ermish said.
Between their junior and senior years, students must complete a minimum of 40 hours in an internship by July 25 in order to graduate in the spring.
"The internship requirement does put a lot of pressure on us now," Ermish said. "But I think it's a good thing in the long run, because a lot of internships turn into job offers."
To help students make connections and find internships, the business school provided networking opportunities for students, according to Klobes.
"The Operations and Technology Management program has done speed networking events before, but this was the first year we'd done something like this as a whole school," Klobes said.
One of the most valuable parts of the program is the opportunity to make connections in the business world, according to Hicks.
"The program does give us the opportunity to meet people we otherwise wouldn't have the chance to," Hicks said.
Juniors also attend workshops, such as an etiquette dinner, that aim to prepare them for the professional world.
Senior year: Learning to navigate the professional world
The class of 2012 will be the first class to complete the P4 program.
For juniors, next year's curriculum will include seminars and workshops based mostly on negotiating job offers and what to expect for the first 90 days of a job, according to Klobes.
"It can be a rude awakening," Klobes said. "Even for students who seem well prepared." The business school has been in contact with alumni and local professionals who will be presenting next year, according to Klobes.
"We will be bringing in speakers for seminars," Klobes said. "I've spoken with some alums, and they are really excited to get involved and help us out."
Service Projects
Students in the Business School participate in a daylong service project each year.
"The goal of the service projects is to teach students to be leaders and to connect with the community in which they live," Gwynn Klobes, director of Professional Development, said.
Service projects in the past have included painting at Holy Cross Catholic School and pulling ivy in Forest Park.
"The service projects were really fun," sophomore Kacia Hicks said. "It was good to do something you can see, since a lot of the things we do in business aren't necessarily visible."
