206-685-6344
akoop@extn.washington.edu
March 26, 2008
Advance your career this autumn
How to select the right professional development program
Looking for a professional development program to stay current in your career, get ahead, or strike out in a new direction? Most people take six months or more to select and commit to a program, says Tieming Lin, Director of Research for University of Washington Educational Outreach, provider of UW Extension certificate programs.
If you'd like to start a program next fall, now is the time to begin your research.
Hilary Whitford and Andrea Sadlier, UW Educational Outreach Enrollment Advisors, are in agreement.
"We start advertising fall-start programs in the spring Extension catalogue," says Whitford. "We always know when the catalogue has mailed, because we have a huge spike in calls and email to our office beginning the day after and lasting about three weeks. But most people making inquiries don't apply immediately. There are many factors that go into making the decision and they need time to sort them all out."
Talking with an enrollment advisor is a good first step and often clarifies issues for further thought and research.
"We can provide information about course content and help them determine which program best fits their goals," says Sadlier. "But most of our students are mid- career, working professionals. Is a day, evening, weekend, or online program best for them? Would they rather be taught by a professor or by a practicing industry professional? Is a hands-on, project based program important to them or do they prefer a lecture and discussion format? Those are the kinds of questions they may need to think further about."
Selecting a professional development program: factors to consider
Identify the kind of training you need to get to the next level
Determine how you will fit the program into your busy life
Compare professional development programs available and select the right one for you
Source: UWEO Enrollment Advising Center
About University of Washington Educational Outreach
Identify the kind of training you need to get to the next level
- Determine what knowledge and skills you need to acquire. Does your field mandate specific professional credentialing? Professional associations and your firm's HR department are good sources to consult.
- If changing careers, consider pursuing informational interviews with professionals in your target field or company. The Bureau of Labor Statistics and industry association web sites offer details about education requirements and experience needed.
- Do you need to pursue a graduate degree, or will a certificate program or seminar meet your needs?
- Ask whether your firm or industry association funds, endorses, or has some relationship with particular professional development programs.
- Evaluate your background and professional experience: are you ready for advanced training or do you need to take interim steps? Do you need to complete prerequisites first?
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Determine how you will fit the program into your busy life
- Decide whether it's feasible to attend school full time or while you work.
Consider what class schedule best fits your life: days, nights, weekends, online?
- Determine your preferred start and end dates. Some programs may run only once a year.
- Estimate how many hours per week you can commit (don't forget homework).
- Location-what's convenient or at least logistically possible?
- Money-how much financial investment can you make, for what kind of payoff?
- Discuss time and scheduling commitments with your family. What strategies do you have for juggling it all? Can you find opportunity to complete homework outside of class? Is there any flexibility with your work schedule?
Compare professional development programs available and select the right one for you
- Draw up a checklist of skills and content areas you'd like covered. Create a table as you rate each program by category for easy comparison.
- Decide which format and scheduling works best for you: days, evenings, weekends? On campus or online (group start or individual start)?
- Consider school reputation, both overall and in your particular field. Look at rankings by sources such as U.S. News & World Report and industry associations. Ask supervisors and hiring managers for opinions.
- Evaluate instructors for background, experience, and credentials. If you're looking for practical skills and knowledge you can start applying right now on the job, it can be a plus to be taught by practicing industry professionals in your field.
- Ask the school how instructors are overseen and evaluated. Is there a formal, standard process for soliciting student feedback on instructors and program content? If there are student complaints, how are they handled?
- Consider guest lecturers as well. Do they present additional opportunities for networking in your industry?
- Is a project-based curriculum important to you? Or do you prefer a more traditional lecture and discussion format?
- Ask the school about typical class profiles. Are classmates likely to share similar professional goals, backgrounds, and level of commitment to the program? This might further opportunities for learning from each other's prior work experiences and enhance networking opportunities.
- To get the flavor of a program, ask for a short discussion with course instructors. Inquire about pre-registration information meetings. If the program culminates in presentation of student projects, consider attending presentations by the class ahead of yours.
- Determine how current and forward thinking the program is. Ask how it responds to industry developments and trends and changes in the marketplace. How often is program content reevaluated and by whom? Does the program have close relationships with the professional community in that industry?
- Ask about the outcome for students in previous programs. What are the success stories? Student testimonials are one good source.
- Compare class sizes or maximum enrollments. For programs that emphasize group projects or where you'd like to do a fair amount of networking, "smallest" may not be "best.'
- Is the program endorsed by your industry association?
- Do you meet the background requirements for the program? Do you need to fulfill prerequisites or complete a prepatory course before entry?
Source: University of Washington Educational Outreach Enrollment Advising Center
To contact University of Washington Education Outreach Enrollment Advising Center, please call (206) 685-8936 or email eac@extn.washington.edu.
About University of Washington Educational Outreach
University of Washington Educational Outreach is one of the largest and most highly regarded continuing and professional education programs in the U.S. In partnership with the UW schools, colleges, and departments, it offers more than 100 UW Extension certificate programs in business, arts and writing, law, engineering, bioscience, computing and IT, healthcare, education, construction design and management, and the public sector. Other offerings include evening master's degrees, distance and online learning, international outreach and English language programs, and more. (Additional information at UWEO.)