Student at a Professional Edge Workshop

鈥淐areer development is vital to long-term personal success. Meritrust is excited to help 黑洞社区 students set the stage for a bright future.鈥- James Nastars, president and CEO, Meritrust Credit Union

What is Professional EDGE?

Standing out to employers takes more than a degree 鈥 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.

What to Expect:

We鈥檙e 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鈥檙e committed to helping you excel in every way.

This year, we鈥檙e introducing a zero-credit course through Professional Edge. While it doesn鈥檛 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 zero-credit, it won鈥檛 affect your GPA, allowing you to focus on personal and professional growth without academic stress.

Our workshops target the 8 core competencies employers seek: Career and Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity and Inclusion, 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鈥檙e 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鈥檛 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.

Visit Shocker Central or log on online.

Download the schedule of events below:

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The Professional Edge program is complimentary thanks to a generous donation from Meritrust Credit Union.