Professional Development Plan
Your Professional Development Plan (PDP) is your individualized goal setting and skill building guide for yourself so that you can be intentional and strategic throughout the program. This plan can also serve as a guide for your professional development throughout your career. Within the plan you can consider the skill and relationship building strategies that can build upon the curriculum. Re-evaluate your plan regularly.
Gain skills and build relationships through a variety of Professional Development Opportunities and action items.
Examples of Professional Development Plans these should be tailored to fit your needs:
- Reflection PDP
- Components: Professional goal(s), values and priorities, skills to develop, action items, reflection, skill evaluation
- Semester Guide PDP
- Break down your action ideas, skills to gain, and skill reflection for each term
Skills are built and practiced, so be intentional about your skillset and development plan. Throughout the MPA Program you will have the opportunity to develop and hone your skills examples include:
- Class projects
- Professional Work Experience (PWE)
- Conferences and trainings
- External projects and internships
UNC provides resources that can help develop your skillset with some highlighted below:
- Career Readiness Competencies from the UNC Career Center
- Forage is an online platform that provides free, open-access virtual experience programs.
- Filter by “Career Interests” with sample interest areas such as:
- Government & Public Policy (e.g., Policy, Community Development, Economic Development, etc.)
- Data (e.g., Power BI, Data Visualization)
- Interview And Career Skill (e.g., Excel)
- Filter by “Career Interests” with sample interest areas such as:
- Parker Dewey Micro-Internships is a free platform that allows students to demonstrate skills and explore career paths across various fields, industries and disciplines.
- Opportunity availability will vary based on employer needs.
- LinkedIn Learning is an on-demand learning solution designed to help you gain new skills and advance your career. Search for training in specific skills (e.g., Excel), follow skills for relevant content, or see what is recommended, popular, or new.
- Log in using UNC credentials
- e.g., Working with Difficult People
Want to use AI to help you learn about your skillset? Check out AI in Career Development for an outline on use. After reviewing, you can consider skillset focused prompts inspired by Paul Carney’s Prompt a Day via LinkedIn
- Developing Stronger Leadership Skills
- Design a Skills Gap Analysis
- Navigating Difficult Conversations
If you have questions, please contact Allison Binkley or Shauna Hines-Farmer with Career, Alumni, and Employer Engagement.