Professional Development Workshops

Unlock Your Potential: Professional Development for Lifelong Success

Your college degree is a powerful tool, but what if you could sharpen it even more to stand out from the crowd? The truth is, a strong GPA and your major's technical knowledge are just part of the equation. Employers are actively seeking students who are curious, adaptable, and great communicators—the very skills that turn a good candidate into a great one. These are your professional competencies, the "soft skills" that open doors to internships and exciting careers.

Ready to get ahead?

Our Professional Development Workshops are designed to help you build these essential skills. Think of them as a fast track to becoming a more well-rounded professional. You'll dive into topics like:

Problem-solving and critical thinking
Communication and teamwork
Networking and career development
Time management and financial literacy
Information literacy and library research

These aren't just lectures; they're dynamic, one-hour sessions led by campus experts and even available through LinkedIn Learning so you can learn at your own pace.

Your journey of lifelong learning starts now. Each workshop you attend is a step toward building the skills and confidence that will make you a standout candidate. Be sure to scan the QR code at the end of each session to track your progress and reflect on what you've learned in your Personal Development Plan.

Let's start building your future today!

In-Person Workshops

Use this listing to easily identify days and times that work for you. Then use the link to read more about the workshop and sign up.

FYS Topics

These workshops cover first-year seminar topics like the common read, information literacy, financial literacy, and more.

Information Literacy - (in-person or asynchronous)

Information literacy is the ability to discover and use various types of information. It's an essential skill for navigating the information age. Take this workshop to learn about strategies for finding information—from a library, archive, database, or the Internet—and the ethics of using it. Also discussed are different types of resources and explains how to evaluate their usefulness and trustworthiness. The librarians also show how to avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement, and accurately cite sources. For students in Shocker Design Experience only.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 1:30 PM, Ablah Library Research Lab Room 230

Study Abroad Information Session (in-person or asynchronous)

Studying abroad doesn't have to be just a fantasy. If you are curious, determined to try new things, interested in meeting new people and discovering new places, then studying abroad could become your reality. This Study Abroad workshop is offered by the International Education Office to help interested students start exploring their options. Interested students will get to learn about the programs, cost, funding, application process, and more. For students in Shocker Design Experience only.

Friday, September 25, 2026, 10:00 AM, John Bardo Center room 338

Building Resilience with Jacob Mendez (in-person)

Your first year in college can be a very challenging time academically and personally. In this workshop, we will spend time focusing on developing skills to be resilient throughout your college experience. We will also discussing imposter syndrome in order to help you overcome any challenges or setbacks you are going through.

Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 4:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Shocker Relationships Training

This training will address various relationship types, effective communication, and social media apps. Two people can agree to be in a relationship of some kind, but each person’s definition and expectations associated with that relationship may differ. Also, one person may use a particular app to meet new friends, while others may use it in search of another kind of relationship. We hope students walk away from the session feeling empowered to have the conversations and make clear the types of relationships they are willing or not willing to engage in. Further, we want to keep the momentum going in ensuring that students are familiar with CTAC and how to reach us should they need our assistance.

Friday, September 25, 2026, 11:30 AM, John Bardo Center room 338

Voter Registration

Turnout the vote and turn up democracy: together we can realize representation and create a government that works for everyone.

Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Targeted Networking with SCA

Learning how to ask industry professionals insightful questions and navigate career pathways.

Monday, November 9, 2026, 5:00 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Professional Communication with SCA

From emails to introductions, the way you communicate matters. Learn strategies for presenting yourself professionally, communicating clearly, and building positive professional relationships.

Thursday, October 8, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Workshops Offered by Faculty and Industry

The Art of The Phish and Why it Works with Joe Jabara (in-person)

This presentation will detail the current state of cybersecurity growth, explore hacker motives, and demonstrate how easy it is to get information on individuals and use it to craft a malicious phishing email. Students will be encouraged during the seminar to use their Open Source Intelligence skills to find target data.

Monday, September 21, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Learning to “Lean” with LEGOs with Cindi Mason (in-person)

We know engineers design things-- cars, airplanes, bridges, computers...but who designs the processes, systems, and methods involved in getting those products to the end-user? Industrial engineers are concerned with the people and the processes involved in manufacturing and service, working to make large and complex systems of people, money, information, energy, equipment, and materials operate more effectively. Come learn about the systems and processes involved in the build of an airplane through a fun, hands-on LEGO activity!

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Protect the VIP: Intro to Systems Thinking with BAE Systems

To develop a great solution, we must properly specify the problem domain. This is a critical step in the Shocker Design Experience and in Systems Engineering. Come learn about Systems Engineering and how to properly specify a problem domain with a fun hands-on activity.

Thursday, September 24, 2026, 3:30 PM, John Bardo Center room 338

Online Workshop Options

There are multiple online options to choose from, including from LinkedIn Learning. You can access LinkedIn Learning at no cost with a Wichita Public Library card. How to obtain a Wichita Public Library card:

Online pre-registration: Begin the process on the Wichita Public Library Get a Card page. You will still need to visit a library branch in person to complete your registration and receive your card.
Visit any Wichita Public Library location with a valid photo ID and proof of your current address. A library card allows you to borrow materials and access library resources. Nearest branches: Maya Angelou Northeast Branch: 3051 E. 21st St. N. or the Rockwell Branch: 5939 E. 9th St. N.
Sign in to LinkedIn Learning: Use your library card number and PIN to access LinkedIn Learning through the Wichita Public Library.

Using AI Tools for Library Research (WSU Libraries)

Strengthen your library skills with AI tools that help you search smarter, evaluate sources, and work more efficiently.

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Intro to Data Visualization (WSU Libraries)

Learn how to communicate information effectively using charts, graphs, or maps. We will overview types of graphical representations and how to select the right visuals to convey your ideas appropriately.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Make Your Mark as an Undergrad through Research (WSU Libraries)

Discover what research could mean for you, from understanding the research process to finding opportunities, working with faculty, and sharing your work to enhance your experience as a student.

Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

How to Write a Literature Review (WSU Libraries)

Learn all the steps to create a literature review, from conducting comprehensive research to synthesizing perspectives to presenting your findings.

Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Mastering EndNote: Citation Management Made Simple (WSU Libraries)

Tired of losing track of sources? This hands-on workshop will show students how to use EndNote to import, organize, and cite references across projects. Whether you're writing your first paper or formatting a thesis, EndNote can help you stay organized and reduce last-minute stress.

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Evidence Beyond the Database: Discovering and Incorporating Grey Literature into your Research (WSU Libraries)

Go beyond traditional library databases to find grey literature, learn where to look, and discover best practices for evaluating and incorporating into your research.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 3:30pm - 4:30pm

What Students Say

"I think that there were a variety of different options that were useful and interesting."

"The workshops were very interesting and educational. I had lots of fun and thought each was helpful. If there’s one thing I hope that will continue to be offered in the course, it’s the workshops."

"I feel like I gained more knowledge about how to prepare for my career now and in the future."

"I thought the workshops were surprisingly helpful for things I will need to do down the line."

"It was very helpful that some of them were in person and some were online, for people with different schedules."