YouAlberta
When you embark on your graduate academic odyssey at U of A, you will encounter the term: professional development requirement. As you delve a bit deeper, you will find that U of A stands tall as the pioneering Canadian university to implement this requirement, following in the footsteps of some Ivy League colleges in the United States.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Renee Polziehn, Professional Development Director, and Erin Sanderman, Professional Development Coordinator in the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS), about the PD requirement and asking some questions.
I initially inquired about the components of the professional development requirement for graduate students and the deadline by which they should be fulfilled.
Dr. Polziehn: It has two parts: the Individual Development Plan (IDP) and eight hours of professional development activities. Each department manages these components differently, with some having their own IDP or pre-set eight-hour activity.
Erin: We recommend students finalize IDP within 12 months of your program's commencement for full-time master's students, within 24 months for part-time master's students, within 18 months for full-time doctoral students, and within 36 months for part-time doctoral students. 8 hours of PD activities should be completed by the time of degree completion for master's students and within the first three years for almost all doctoral students, but different departments have their requirements and might request students to fulfill these components within different timelines.
Regarding the PD credit activities, I wanted to know what subjects are usually offered in PD activities, and if I have novel ideas, is there an opportunity to propose fresh topics for potential inclusion?
Erin: We offer various workshops, including graduate teaching, career development, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation. We highly value student input and are open to suggestions for additional topics that could further support their needs and aspirations.
Dr. Polziehn: Furthermore, there are opportunities for formalized training beyond our existing offerings. This means students might explore alternative training options that align with their interests and goals, provided these are recognized by their respective departments for PD credit. Students arrive with diverse backgrounds and individual life goals, each seeking a tailored path that aligns with their aspirations.
Identifying what resonates best with your ambitions is key. Consider the prerequisites of your future job roles; this exploration often assists in making informed choices about the activities you want to engage in.
Finally, I decided to seek guidance on the best way to fulfill my IDP since, at this stage of my academic journey, the Individual Development Plan feels like a weight due to my ongoing exploration of career goals.
Erin: In my experience, I enjoyed doing my IDP when I was a graduate student! That helped me to explore all the career options for my future and let me invest in and focus on developing skills essential for post-graduation. It's crucial not to have tunnel vision and see what is beyond your graduation. Take the time to craft your IDP because your time as a student will pass very quickly, and graduation will arrive sooner than expected.
Dr. Polziehn: IDP is a tool that aids in determining whether you are placing yourself where you aim to be professionally. Among the successful IDP outcomes I have witnessed with students, one approach was talking to professionals within their desired career paths and asking which skills they need to master in their grad years. Another suggestion would be to check job requirements so you can strategically cultivate relevant skills during your graduate studies. The question is: am I putting myself where I want to be?" and IDP can help you answer that question.
What I took from that interview is that the role PD requirement plays is enhancing not just academic but also transferable skills crucial for my future. Picture this requirement as your guide in the treasure map to success and harness its full potential!