By Alexis Young
Staff Writer
The Career and Professional Readiness Center (CPRC) is again offeringthe Competitive Edge Certificate Program (EDGE) for sophomore, junior and senior students.
Registration will run until Tuesday, Sept. 13 or until all spots are filled. Participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and early registration is strongly encouraged.
The program provides paticipating students with tools to develop the professional skills sought by employers and graduate schools. Participants will be required to engage in six one-hour seminars on topics such as self-awareness, professional communication, networking, interviewing and workplace dynamics. They will also work to develop a competitive résumé.
Additionally, participants in the program will have the opportunity to attend Bonnies4Bonnies, an event that allows current students to network with the school’s alumni. Students who meet all program requirements will be awarded a letter of endorsement from Interim President Andrew Roth, Ph. D., and a certificate of completion at the end of the year Recognition Ceremony in April 2017.
According to Marie Wilson, career counselor and EDGE coordinator, St. Bonaventure is the only university in the area that offers a program designed to enhance professional readiness. Last year 75 students completed the program, which received approximately 97 percent positive reviews from participants.
“The EDGE Program played a vital role in helping me construct a better personal brand,” said Setu Shah, a senior sports studies and biology major and former EDGE participant. “The seminars taught me the importance of networking, effective communication and teamwork.”
Courtney Brinsky, a Division I cross country athlete and sociology major, found the program to be manageable with her busy schedule.
“The program is super easy and extremely informative,” Brinsky said. “The information gained are key essentials, useful prior to entering the workforce and during.”
David Yousif, a junior marketing major, also participated in the program.
“The EDGE program is a great way to prep yourself for the professional world,” said Yousif. “The program is low maintenance on the student’s end but yields great results.”
The CPRC staff and EDGE ambassadors will be promoting the program and providing more information over the course of the registration period. The locations, dates and times of these information booths are as follows:
Today from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in Café La Verna
And Sept. 5 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. in the Swan Business Center.
The kickoff event for the program will take place on Sept. 15 at 4:30 p.m. in the Hall of Fame Room in the Reilly Center. Those interested in the program should contact Marie Wilson at mewilson@sbu.edu or visit the programs’ website at www.sbu.edu/cprc.
youngam13@bonaventure.edu
