Professional development and leadership skills can sound vague due to the broad scope of what they entail, but it’s important to find opportunities to grow and develop skills and qualifications, whether applying for jobs, internships, fellowships, graduate school, or other forms of continuing education.
Getting involved on campus is a great way to build skills, tap into your interests & passions, and put learning into practice. Penn has a wide array of student groups and organizations that allow students to grow and explore; the payoff of getting involved are as diverse as the opportunities.
Professional associations that are dedicated to a specific industry or job are a great way to make connections, find professional resources, participate in events such as professional development seminars and conferences, and become engaged by way of committees and projects that offer increased growth and exposure.
Employers from a wide variety of industries and hiring for various jobs, have been surveyed extensively in the past few years to determine what qualities contribute to the success of their employees. Career Services has compiled a list of competencies to help you identify areas of strength and potential growth that will contribute to productive, lifelong professional development.
(Hosted by Janssen)
Describe your experience working with your host:
My host was Dr. Sheng Gao, the Director of Immunology Translational Sciences at Janssen Pharmaceuticals. I am extremely fortunate to have been paired with an attentive, knowledgeable, and caring host …
“No” is one of the most common first words for English-speaking babies, but as working adults, it can be one of the hardest things to say—especially at the office.
Saying no doesn’t have to be scary, especially when it’s warranted. …
Most professionals pursue continuous learning and professional development at least once a year.
According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study (the most recent data available), 63 percent of employed professionals sought out education related to their profession in the …
Today, Henry Ford is synonymous with American innovation and progress.
But while he was developing his first automobile, his investors decided he was too careful – and they backed out of their agreement.
The second time he started a company, …
Annie Xia, COL ’25, Cincinnati, Ohio
This summer, I was glad to have the opportunity to continue my work at the Jurado Lab at Perelman’s Department of Microbiology. Coming into Penn as an aspiring physician-scientist, I’d always hoped to hone …
