What is “professional development”?
Professional development (or “PD”) is about finding and taking advantage of opportunities to learn and grow in your career. You might expand your skill set, seek out new challenges, find new passions and more. People usually engage in PD by participating in formal training, conferences, certifications, online courses, or self-directed learning. Many UC Berkeley staff also engage in PD by taking on special projects, joining committees, or exploring new positions on campus.
Typically, the goal is to stay up-to-date with industry trends, enhance your job performance, and increase career opportunities. PD can help you grow in your current role or prepare for future positions.
Is it easy to access professional development opportunities?
While professional development is something anyone can take advantage of, it’s not always easy to engage in or navigate. Not all opportunities are designed equitably for everyone.
What makes it difficult to engage in PD:
- Not knowing where to start
- Unclear ROI (return on investment)
- Too many choices
- Your current workload / bandwidth
- Lacking time, resources and support
- Being a “new professional”!
What makes it easy to engage in PD:
- Supportive management and peers
- Passion, time and resources
- Clear opportunities and clear value
- Awareness of opportunities
UC Berkeley offers staff various opportunities for professional development. It’s important to figure out what you need to set yourself up for success to access and engage in professional development.