Professional Development Blueprint

The Professional Development Blueprint is a co-curricular roadmap focused on career preparation for undergraduate applied science and engineering students.

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Suggestions for students interested in entering the workforce immediately after graduation

Suggestions for students interested in pursuing research roles in industry or academia

Exploration

Suggestions in this category will help you discover your passions and interests, as well as your options for pursuing them.

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Read the profiles of faculty members on departmental websites or of industry professionals on LinkedIn or company websites. Learning about the educational backgrounds, career paths, and research interests of faculty and professionals will help you explore the many areas of engineering and applied sciences that you may pursue.

Note that in academia, faculty build a curriculum vitae (CV) that is a comprehensive statement of their teaching, research, and publications. A CV is much longer than a resume that you would produce for a job application.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

There are 30+ student clubs/organizations across SEAS. Active participation in a club is a great way to apply what you have learned in the classroom and to develop important technical and professional skills. Employers seek candidates who are passionate and enthusiastic about their pursuits, which can be demonstrated through participation in a club.

We suggest you explore the various clubs of interest first-- attend a general meeting, ask questions of the club leaders-- before committing. You can also observe clubs by visiting club lab spaces to see projects in development. Exploration and observation will help you to find a club in which you will actively participate during your last three years of study.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

Take different assessments based on your interests to find the right major and career path for you. They only take a few minutes, and you can retake them at any time. All you need to do is log into or sign up for your Connect-a-Bull account and access PathwayU.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

Employers seek candidates with well rounded experiences, global perspectives, and cultural competence. Studying in a different country for a short period, a semester or a full academic year provides students a meaningful academic and personal experience in an increasingly internationalized world.

The UB Office of Education Abroad Programs guides students in selecting the right program through UB or other SUNY schools and prepares students for these exciting experiences! Browse the available programs by term, geographic area, or academic focus and ask questions. Some programs may be appropriate for students as early as the summer following their first year, so be sure to plan ahead to maximize the available opportunities!

If you are considering study abroad, meet with an academic advisor as early as possible to understand how courses abroad meet the requirements for your major or curricular pathway. Scholarships are available through Study Abroad and SEAS.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

Journal articles serve as the primary means through which research engineers and scientists disseminate their findings. Reviewing research articles will allow you to become more familiar with the main contributors to your field and more versed in digesting academic writing.A list (or partial list) of a faculty member's journal publications is typically available from their profile provided at departmental websites. You can also search library databases, Google Scholar, or Web of Science to find articles associated with a faculty member.

These articles can be a bit overwhelming for someone just getting started in research. Don't be concerned-- you're not expected to understand all of the details when you start learning about a new area. For something a bit easier to digest, try a review article which gives a general overview of a particular topic.

Students who wish to pursue undergraduate research should review one or more of a faculty member's papers before asking about opportunites to join their research group.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Research

The Celebration of Student Academic Excellence takes place during the spring semester. Join the UB community to learn about and celebrate the outstanding academic contributions of your fellow students.

This event showcases the many opportunities for student involvement in research and other creative activities at UB. 


Category: Exploration
Areas: Research

Looking to start a business? The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences encourages entrepreneurial thinking by connecting our students and faculty to a wealth of opportunities and resources here at UB and throughout Western New York.

Some of the more popular resources and programs are listed on the UB SEAS Entrepreneurship webpage along with a listing of entrepreneurship courses offered at UB. The Startup and Innovation Collaboratory (CoLab) powered by Blackstone Launchpad at UB offers training and workshops to introduce entrepreneurship as a viable career path and develop the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Additional resources:

The Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition

UB's Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (OVPRED)


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

Research graduate programs carefully to choose the one that will best suit your needs and talents. Consider a variety of factors such as disciplines and degree types offered, admission standards, career assistance, cost/financial aid, culture, faculty, location, diversity, facilities, reputation, research/academic focus, resources, size, residency requirements, and surrounding community.

Standardized tests such as the GRE, LSAT, or MCAT may be required. Research and prepare for these exams early.

Students planning to pursue a graduate program offered by SEAS should visit the SEAS Office of Graduate Education.

Additional resources:

UB Career Services: Grad School


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

Seminars serve as a great way to learn about the latest research being pursued throughout the country and around the world.

Units and departments across campus host seminars, many of which are posted to the UB SEAS Events webpage or advertised through departmental listservs. Departments typically invite a research engineer or scientist from another university, industry, or a national lab to spend a day with the department. During the day, the visitor delivers a one-hour seminar to discuss their research activities or projects. SEAS student clubs/organization may also host presentations. 

 


Category: Exploration
Areas: Research

For students interested in pursuing research or a graduate degree, attending the SEAS graduate student Lightning Talk Competition or UB Three Minute Thesis competition are especially valuable ways to become acquainted with graduate level study and research. These events also provide an opportunity to network with current graduate students and become more familiar with the research work being performed in SEAS and across the university.

 


Category: Exploration
Areas: Research

Use job search websites such as Bullseye powered by Handshake and Indeed to read job descriptions in careers of interest. Consider what technical skills, professional skills, or experience qualifiers employers are seeking. Work actively to pursue opportunities that build and strengthen these areas on your resume.

You may develop skills by attending professional development workshops, pursuing club projects, utilizing the hands-on tinkering spaces on campus, or seeking out internships in your field.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry

As you near the completion of your undergraduate degree and plan for the next step, such as a role in industry or graduate school, consider your context! Explore factors beyond your specific job offer or acceptance into a graduate program and researching employment trends and economic standards for an area.

While a salary or stipend offer may seem either impressive or underwhelming at first glance, be sure to compare it to average cost of living figures and or average salary ranges for the profession in that location.

Additional resources:

National Association of Colleges and Employers

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bankrate: Cost of Living Calculator

US Dept of Labor: Information on occupations, cost of living, etc.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Industry, Research

The culminating experience for a student completing a research-based MS degree or a PhD degree is to present and defend their thesis or dissertation. These "defenses" take place all over campus on a regular basis. They are generally open to anyone who would like to attend. Departments often advertise defenses via a listserv emails and/or by posting flyers in the hallways and on bulletin boards.

For students that wish to pursue graduate studies or a career in research, attending thesis or dissertation defenses may acclimate you to the format and language of research presentations, thus preparing you for the next steps in your education and career.


Category: Exploration
Areas: Research

Connections

Suggestions in this category will help you foster relationships with peers, faculty, alumni, and other professionals. Developing a support network contributes to academic success, expands current opportunities, and increases future career options.

Experience

Suggestions in this category provide a breadth of opportunities that will help you develop technical and professional competencies. These experiences will help you build out your resume and are critical for career success.

Career Fundamentals

Suggestions in this category will help you search for and secure a job, and succeed throughout your career.

A roadmap for career preparation and success.

While academic success is crucial to earning your credentials, many other experiences and skill sets developed outside of the classroom are integral to securing a job or pursuing graduate school.

The Professional Development Blueprint consists of an inventory of activities that will prepare you to be an experienced, connected, and informed engineer or applied scientist.