What is Professional Development
“Professional development refers to the process of identifying goals and learning new skills to help you grow and succeed at work. Professional development may lead to a promotion or change in job, or simply to doing better in a current position. Wherever it leads you, professional development includes these elements: creating a vision of success, knowledge of the skills required to succeed, formal or informal assessments, and an individual development plan.” UCSF Professional Development Guide
There are many opportunities to hone your skills, build relationships, and gain experiences throughout your time in the MPA Program.
Professional Development Plan (PDP) – Complete an individualized goal setting and skill building guide so that you can be intentional and strategic throughout the program.
Student Professional Development Grant (Pilot) – This initiative serves as an opportunity to provide limited grant funding for professional development opportunities to students (ex: conference attendance, professional meetings, workshops, or professional organization membership). This funding is outside of program-sponsored professional development (ex: NCCCMA Winter Seminar, SOG Courses, etc.).
Gain skills and build relationships through a variety of professional development opportunities…
- MS Teams
- Student Leadership
- Conferences & Professional Organization Memberships
- Career Core Competencies & Public Service Values
- School of Government Courses
- Career Webinar Recordings
- Alumni Mentor Program
- Applied Opportunities
- NASPAA Student Simulation
- The Graduate School
- External Resources
- Books
- e.g., recommended by an MPA alumni mentor – Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg
- Newsletters
- Shauna Hines-Farmer subscribes to Weekly Insights from Gorick Ng
- Blogs
- e.g., ICMA Career Compass
- Etc.
- Books