Professional Edge is the Barton School of Business’s premier career readiness program, providing all students with essential skills, experiences, and connections to thrive professionally. Made possible by a generous donation from Meritrust Credit Union, the program is offered at no cost to Barton School students.
“Career development is essential for long-term personal success. Meritrust is proud to support Barton School students in laying the foundation for a bright and promising future.”
James Nastars
President and CEO
Meritrust Credit Union
What is Professional EDGE?
Standing out to employers takes more than a degree — it takes an EDGE.
Professional Edge is a co-curriculum program designed to provide personal growth and development skills as an enhancement to the student's formal education in the W. Frank Barton School of Business. These skills and competencies are designed to position the business graduate for enhanced placement opportunities and a successful career, with progressively greater responsibilities. The program is designed to provide Barton School graduates with a competitive edge as they seek to begin their professional careers. It is made possible thanks to the generosity and vision of Meritrust Credit Union.
What to Expect:
We’re moving beyond traditional lectures with interactive workshops designed to challenge and refine your skills, helping you become the best version of yourself. Our goal is your success, and we’re committed to helping you excel in every way.
This year, we’re introducing a zero-credit course through Professional Edge. While it doesn’t contribute to your credit hours, this zero-credit designation is actually a significant advantage. It means you can engage in valuable skill-building activities without worrying about GPA impact or course overload.
Here’s why the zero-credit option is beneficial:
- Focus on Skill Development: You gain critical skills that are highly valued by employers, like communication, leadership, and teamwork, without the pressure of earning credits.
- Flexibility: You can explore these workshops alongside your regular coursework, making it easier to fit skill development into your busy schedule.
- No GPA Impact: Since it’s zero-credit, it won’t affect your GPA, allowing you to focus on personal and professional growth without academic stress.
Our workshops target seven core competencies employers seek: Career and Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.
Leverage our free workshops and showcase your progress on LinkedIn to attract potential employers. Tailored specifically for Barton Business Students, these resources help you turn your strengths into standout qualities and weaknesses into growth opportunities.
This year, we’re also excited to offer new experiences like Public Speaking sessions, Company Tours, and a 4-week Business Golf Etiquette Workshop at Crestview Country Club.
Don’t limit yourself to what you learn in the classroom. Take the initiative to stand out by attending at least one workshop a month and make a lasting impression in your career journey.
Professional Edge is available as an offical course that can appear on your transcript. To register for Professional Edge, simply use course code BADM 191. For any assistance, reach out to the Business Student Success Center for support.
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Take the next step toward your future—join an upcoming Professional Edge workshop and gain the skills, experiences, and connections to stand out in your career. Best of all, it’s completely free, thanks to the support of Meritrust Credit Union.