Professional Development Program: Year 1
CS 501.1 – Communication Skills
Communication is the process of exchanging information, feelings, ideas, etc. between people. It involves the verbal language used as well as non-verbal messages. There are many benefits of effective communication including building trust, removing barriers, providing clarity, increasing productivity, and strengthening team work. These things lead to successful outcomes for you and for others. Learning to be an effective communicator is an important goal you can set for yourself and completing this course will help you achieve it!
CS 502.1 – Time Management
This course provides a solid foundation in the skills, tools, and strategies employees, interns, or students should possess to manage varying tasks and calendars effectively and efficiently. By placing these skills in a context of personal, social, and professional goals or priorities this course aims to build the resources, confidence, and direction necessary to take control of your time and increase your productivity through the development of a time management plan. Time is constant, but the way we interact with it isn’t. Purposefully engaging in the choices we
make about our time is the mindset behind time management. In this course, students will learn
about the skills and behaviors of time management, see some of the many benefits time management can offer, and start to reflect on ways to better manage their time.
CS 505.1 – Teamwork
This course covers strategies and techniques that will help you become a more effective and valued team member. Working on a team means that you have to be able to successfully communicate and collaborate with others. As a result, learning constructive ways to acknowledge differences and show respect is critical. Also, central to healthy communication is the ability to handle conflict. Though you may not be a team lead, you can still make an important contribution by being a strong team member and modeling leadership characteristics. This course will teach you the fundamental skills necessary to be a strong team player and contribute to the overall success of your team.
CS 506.1 – Written Communication
The ability to write communications that are accurate and easily understood is a vital skill in the workplace. If you can’t communicate your ideas to others, you will hinder your professional growth. In this course, we’ll review specific areas that you can focus on to improve the correctness and clarity of your writing. We’ll review common errors and tips and tricks to help improve your writing. This will enable you to create communications that allow the reader to focus on the message you are communicating. We will also look at how best to create specific artifacts such as emails, business letters, and meeting communications. Additionally, we’ll review communication etiquette, as well as best practices in the use of instant messenger software.
CS 507.1 – Materials Management
Materials management deals with the flow of goods and services, from order placement to product or service delivery. The management of material resources is an essential workplace skill and includes everything from managing resources for a project to keeping an office supplied with what you need for daily operations. It is a skill that is critical for every organization, from healthcare providers to retail, to offices, and beyond. Every organization, big or small, needs to recognize what they have in stock and what they need to meet their goal, whether they are providing a service or a finished product.
