Student Professional Development Program
The Student Professional Development Program (SPDP) is a series of four non-credit workshops designed to give you the skills you need to present yourself in a professional manner throughout your career. Workshops are informative, hands-on, and practical.
SPDP Workshops
- Business Professional
- Professional Image
- Professional Etiquette
- Professional Networking Event (Business Professional, Professional Image, and Professional Etiquette workshop completions are prerequisites for this event.)
The SPDP registration site will allow you to enroll in all four workshops at once, including the Networking Event, even if you haven't yet completed the Business Professional, Professional Image, or Professional Etiquette workshops. You just need to be enrolled in (or have completed) each of the first three workshops in order for the "Sign Up" option to appear for the Networking Events.
All College of Business majors are required to complete the workshops; students with business administration, entrepreneurship, management or marketing minors are required to complete the workshops as well. Students are strongly encouraged to do so before they have earned 45 credits as completion of the workshops is a prerequisite requirement for several upper level BUSCORE courses; the prerequisite will not be waived. The first three SPDP workshops must be completed prior to attending the Professional Networking Event as this workshop builds on materials covered previously.
Reminder: Completion of the Student Professional Development Program workshops is a prerequisite for the following courses: MKTG 330: Principles of Marketing, MGMT 340: Organizational Behavior, and OSCM 341: Operations Management. If you plan to register for any of these classes next semester, you must complete the entire Student Professional Development Program (three workshops and the Networking Event).
If your registration date for the following semester falls before the end of the current semester’s workshops, you will be given conditional permission to register for these courses, but you will be dropped from the courses if you do not complete the workshops.
About the Business Professional Workshop
Being a professional is all about building and maintaining good relationships. Some of the topics covered in this workshop include:
- Discovering the impact etiquette and communication styles can have on your career
- Learning networking and relationship building strategies
- Exploring career planning and internship opportunities
About the Professional Image Workshop
Like it or not, employers and clients will form impressions about you based on your dress and behavior. So it is important to learn how to manage your professional image. Other topics covered in this workshop include:
- Understanding and fitting into the workplace culture.
- "Dressing for the day"
- Preparing for the interview
Enrollment
- You can enroll in the workshops here.
- Once you are enrolled in an online workshop, you will receive an invitation to join the Canvas course for that workshop. You must accept the invitation to be enrolled in a workshop. All program requirements will be completed in Canvas. Additional instructions for completing each workshop are in Canvas.
- Your invitation to enroll in the Canvas course will be sent during the first week of classes if you have already enrolled in the workshops prior to the start of the semester. Otherwise, you will receive your Canvas invitation within three business days after registering for the workshop.
Drop/Add/Completion Deadlines
- The deadline to enroll in the Business Professional and Professional Image workshops is Monday, February 24, at 4:00 p.m. If you are not enrolled by February 24, you will need to complete the Student Professional Development Program in another semester.
- The deadline to withdraw from the Business Professional and Professional Image workshops is also Monday, February 24, at 4:00 p.m. You will be charged for each workshop you are enrolled in after that date, whether you complete them or not.
- The deadline for completion of the Business Professional and Professional Image workshops is Tuesday, February 25, at 9:00 p.m. Both of the workshops are self-paced, so you will want to be sure you are staying on task to complete them by this date. You should allow approximately two hours to complete each workshop. There are no exceptions or extensions for this deadline. If you do not complete the work by then, you will need to enroll in these workshops again another semester.
Fees
The fee for each of the Business Professional and Professional Image workshops is $17.50.
Workshop fees are billed and attendance is recorded after the workshop has been completed. The fee will be added to your student bill and is due upon receipt to avoid delay in registration. You can pay this fee just as you would tuition, at the Blugold Central office in the Vicki Lord Larson Hall or online. Visit the Blugold Central website if you have questions about making a payment.
About the Professional Etiquette Workshop
Professional etiquette focuses on building relationships using good table manners. Whether the situation is an interview, a reception, or other special event, everyone should know how to act in a dining situation. Topics covered in this workshops include:
- Learning appropriate behavior before, during, and after the meal
- Mastering the art of conversation
- Learning how to act in any business dining situation as the host or the guest
Enrollment
- You can enroll in the workshops here.
- The dress code for this workshop is business casual. Dress pants and a nice button-up shirt would be appropriate.
- There are several dates to choose from. Choose a date that does not conflict with your schedule and then mark that date and time on your calendar! You should not miss class to attend an SPDP workshop. You must be present for the entire event, from 5-7 p.m., AND take the quiz in Canvas to receive credit for completing this workshop.
- Spring 2025 Professional Etiquette dates:
- Tuesday, February 4, 5-7 p.m.
- Thursday, February 6, 5-7 p.m.
- Monday, February 10, 5-7 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 12, 5-7 p.m.
- Monday, February 24, 5-7 p.m.
Drop/Add/Completion Deadlines
- The deadline to enroll in the Professional Etiquette workshops is 4:00 p.m. three business days prior to the event.
- The deadline to withdraw from the Professional Etiquette workshops is 4:00 p.m. three business days prior to the event.
- You will be charged for the workshop you are enrolled in after that date, whether you attend it or not.
Fees
The fee for the Professional Etiquette workshop is $35 (includes meal). Do you have special dietary needs? Please email Tonya Simpson at simpsotm@uwec.edu at least 3 days prior to the workshop.
Workshop fees are billed and attendance is recorded after the workshop has been completed. The fee will be added to your student bill and is due upon receipt to avoid delay in registration. You can pay this fee just as you would tuition, at the Blugold Central office in the Vicki Lord Larson Hall or online. Visit the Blugold Central website if you have questions about making a payment.
Prerequisite: Completion of the Business Professional, Professional Image, and Professional Etiquette workshops.
About the Event
It's time to put into practice everything you've learned in the first three workshops. At this event, you will listen to a keynote speaker and then enjoy appetizers and refreshments while you "work the room" at a stand-up networking reception. We invite business professionals from a variety of industries so that you can learn about different companies, meet new people, and practice your networking skills. It isn't uncommon for students to make connections at these events that later turn into internship or permanent employment opportunities.
The dress code for this event is Business Professional.
To make most of this event, there are some things you'll want to do ahead of time:
- In the week leading up to each event, we'll send out a list of the companies that will be in attendance. Do some research on the ones that pique your interest.
- Prepare some questions you could ask the business professionals.
- Practice your elevator speech.
Enrollment
- To enroll in a Networking Event, register here.
- The dress code for this event is Business Professional. Don't have a suit? Check out the Career Closet for free professional attire!
- In addition to the in-person event in Davies Center, there will be some content in Canvas to complete before and after the event so watch for an email invitation to the Canvas course as the event gets closer.
- Spring 2025 Networking Event dates:
- Monday, March 3, 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 11, 6-8 p.m.
Drop/Add Deadlines
- The deadline to enroll in a networking event is Tuesday, February 25, at 11:59 p.m.
- The deadline to drop a networking event and not be billed for it is also Tuesday, February 25, at 11:59 p.m. After that point, you will be charged for the event whether you attend or not.
Fees
The fee for the Networking Event is $40 (hearty appetizers and refreshments included).
Workshop fees are billed and attendance is recorded after the workshop has been completed. The fee will be added to your student bill and is due upon receipt to avoid delay in registration. You can pay this fee just as you would tuition, at the Blugold Central office in the Vicki Lord Larson Hall or online. Visit the Blugold Central website if you have questions about making a payment.
Workshop fees are billed to your student account after you have completed the workshop. Fees can be paid at Blugold Central. You will still be charged for the workshop if you register for a workshop but do not attend it OR fail to withdraw by the deadline. Visit spdp.apps.uwec.edu for questions about workshop registration history.
We strongly encourage you to present yourself in a professional manner at each workshop. (Does your wardrobe need a little boost? The Career Closet offers professional attire for students at no cost.)
- Business casual attire is required for the Professional Etiquette workshops.
- Business professional attire is required for the Professional Networking Event.
Workshops involve professionals from the community, so take advantage of the opportunity to make a positive and professional first impression!
Yes. Incomplete attendance will result in having to repeat the entire workshop. You will need to re-register for the workshop, pay the workshop fee, and attend the entire session.
For general information about the SPDP workshops, contact Tiffany Weiss, Student Professional Development Program Coordinator, at spdp@uwec.edu.
For specific questions about registration and enrollment, visit us at Schneider Hall 404, email us at spdp@uwec.edu, or call Tonya Simpson at 715-836-4320.