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Program Requirements

Students in the 2016 catalog or later:

Successfully complete twelve (12) approved Professional Development Activities (PDAs), six (6) of which must fall into the following categories: Majors and Careers in Business, Experiential Learning, Leadership, Building a Professional Profile, Interviewing Skills and Transitioning to the Profession.

See below for a description of the PDA categories.

 Students in the 2014 and 2015 catalogs:

  • Successfully complete twelve (12) approved PDAs from the list of approved PDAs available through the Wall Center for Excellence.

Students in the 2012 and 2013 catalogs:

  • Successfully complete nine (9) approved PDAs from the list of approved PDAs available through the Wall Center for Excellence.

 Students in the 2011 catalog (or earlier) or CBAD minors: 

The Building Your Business Portfolio program is not a requirement for these students, however, participation in the PDAs is strongly encouraged.

*Not sure what your catalog year is? You can find out on WebAdvisor by clicking on the Program Evaluation link or by contacting your academic adviser.

PDA Categories

Majors and Careers in Business PDA-101B

This PDA category is intended to give students insights into the career opportunities that are available to business majors. PDA sessions consist of business professionals, faculty members, and/or staff discussing their career progression and offering their expertise and firsthand advice as it relates to a variety of business-related careers, functional areas, job types and industries. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category. Within four weeks of completing a session, PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of students Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 101B-Majors and Careers in Business.

Examples of workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include Charting an Exciting New Professional Direction, Connecting with a Faculty Mentor, and Know Your Options!  Major Confusion: Get Help Choosing a Major that is Right for You.

Experiential Learning PDA-102B

This PDA category is designed to expose students to experiential learning opportunities available to them as business majors, such as studying abroad and participating in internships. Experiential learning helps students to become more marketable post-graduation as it enables them to acquire additional business credentials, skills, knowledge and practical experiences. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category. Within four weeks of completing a session, PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of students Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 102B-Experiential Learning.

Examples of workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include Job Shadowing, Finding the Perfect Internship, Dream Careers: Intern in a Big City with a Top Company.

Leadership Development PDA-103B

This PDA category is designed to teach students the skills and behaviors necessary to be an effective leader. With leadership being among the most sought-after skills among employers in the marketplace today this PDA category is also intended to enhance students’ employability. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category. Within four weeks of completing a session, PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of students Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 103B-Leadership.

Examples of workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include Charlie Farrell Discusses the Key Skills, Behaviors and Traits Needed to be a Successful Leader, WIPL Women’s Leadership Conference or Feel the Teal Training Sessions.

Building a Professional Profile PDA- 104B

This PDA category is designed to educate students on the process of creating a professional portfolio in both online and paper mediums. Activities that students may have an opportunity to take part in include sessions on resume writing, LinkedIn, business cards, business portfolios, professional websites, and personal branding. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category. Within four weeks of completing a session, your PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of your Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 104B-Building a Professional Profile.

Examples of workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include Crafting Your Resume: Resume Do’s and Don’ts, Rapid Resume Reviews, LinkedIn 101, Building Your Online Portfolio, LinkedIn Intensive, and Building Your Brand with Social Media.

Interviewing Skills PDA- 105B

This PDA category is designed to help students develop their interviewing skills in face-to-face, phone, and online mediums. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category for this semester. Within four weeks of completing a session, your PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of your Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 105B-Interviewing Skills.

Examples of workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include How to Ace a Job Interview, Speed Interviewing, Interview Like a Rockstar, and Mock Interviews.

Transitioning to the Profession PDA- 108B

This PDA category is designed to support students transition into the profession by helping them develop their networking skills, expand their professional network, and/or by exposing them to potential job or internship opportunities. See the PDA calendar for a schedule of sessions/topics that satisfy this PDA category. Within four weeks of completing a session, your PDA credit will be added to the Professional Development Activities section of your Program Evaluation and coded as PDA 108B-Transitioning to the Profession.

Other campus workshops and events that would count towards this PDA category include: Utilizing the Business Card, Off-Campus Business Networking Opportunities, The Art of Networking, Salary Negotiation and Career Skills online Webinars. Using Handshake and Social Media for the Job Search, How to Network Over Break, Job Search Strategies, Career and Internship Fair.

Want to Go Further?

BRONZE LEVEL- Professional Development Activities

The Wall Center for Excellence works to help students go beyond the requirements and strive for excellence. Additional PDA sessions consist of internships, study abroad opportunities, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, etc. These activities require more commitment for completion and create an exceptional experience that stands out on resumes and during interviews.

PDA CALENDAR and FORMS
Contact Information

For general questions regarding Professional Development Activities (PDAs), please contact pda@coastal.edu. For specific questions or concerns, contact Ellen Hayward, director of Wall Center Student Programs, at eeryan@coastal.edu or 843-349-2679, or Melinda Tavernier, Wall Center Specialist, at mtaverni@coastal.edu or 843-349-2111.