CourtesyA new professional development program being launched this fall will give undergraduate business majors in Wichita State University’s W. Frank Barton School of Business a competitive edge as they enter the job market.
The program, called Professional Edge, brings in industry experts to teach critical success skills such as effective networking, interviewing, negotiating and evaluating compensation packages, professional communication etiquette, time management and others.
The facilitators will provide real-time candid feedback to students seeking one-on-one guidance. Students will have the added benefit of making early face-to-face connections with Wichita-area employers.
Professional Edge is only for business majors, and participation is voluntary. Those who choose to take part can take four semesters of the program over the course of their time at Wichita State by enrolling in a zero-credit hour course each semester.
Successful completion of the requirements in each semester will be noted on the student’s transcript. Upon completion of the entire program, they will receive a Professional Edge Certificate from the Barton School.
Free program
This program is made possible by a grant from Meritrust Credit Union.
“Meritrust is proud to partner with the Barton School of Business to help prepare students for success in their professional careers,” James Nastars, president and CEO of Meritrust. “These students are the business leaders of tomorrow, and we are honored to support them today in a way that will help ensure their success.”
Anand Desai, dean of the Barton School of Business, says: “We thank Meritrust for their investment in the professional development of our business students. Without their support, this program would not have been possible. Further, their grant enables us to provide this program at no cost to the students.”
Even though it’s not a requirement, Desai says, he hopes students will choose to make this time investment in their own future.
“These students have the opportunity to graduate even better prepared for real work environments,” he says. “Our goal is to give them life experiences that they can’t get from a textbook.”
Business majors interested in Professional Edge can contact Wendy Veatch at 316-978-3441 or wendy.veatch@wichita.edu.