5 answers
Haylie
Student
Austin, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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How do I find professional development events as a college student ?
How do I find professional development events as a college student? I am a music education/psychology double major and am looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge in either field.
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5 answers
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Haylie. Attending professional development events is a great way to learn more, meet people in your field, and strengthen your resume. These events can include workshops, conferences, lectures, or online webinars. The first step is to look for organizations, institutions, and groups that focus on your areas of interest. Many universities, local organizations, and community programs host events specifically designed for students or early-career professionals. These can include conferences, workshops, and webinars that give you opportunities to learn new skills, meet experts in the field, and gain practical experience.
Your college itself is another helpful resource. You can check your school's career services, department bulletin boards, and event calendars regularly. Professors and academic advisors can also suggest events that might not be widely advertised but can give you useful experience and networking opportunities.
Online tools make it easier to find events too. Websites like LinkedIn often list workshops, webinars, and conferences in psychology, etc. Many events are now online, so you can attend even if you cannot travel. Signing up for newsletters from professional organizations in your fields will also keep you updated on new opportunities. Hope this helps.
Your college itself is another helpful resource. You can check your school's career services, department bulletin boards, and event calendars regularly. Professors and academic advisors can also suggest events that might not be widely advertised but can give you useful experience and networking opportunities.
Online tools make it easier to find events too. Websites like LinkedIn often list workshops, webinars, and conferences in psychology, etc. Many events are now online, so you can attend even if you cannot travel. Signing up for newsletters from professional organizations in your fields will also keep you updated on new opportunities. Hope this helps.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Haylie,
That's a terrific question, and to be honest, you're way ahead of the curve because you're considering professional development at such a young age. Think of this as more than just enhancing a resume—think of it as creating your professional space.
Start with what the campus has already prepared for you. Although they tend to be under-marketed, the majority of colleges secretly provide an extensive selection of professional development options. Look for workshops, guest lectures, alumni panels, and employer information sessions at your career services office, academic departments, and student success centers. For you in particular, psychology departments regularly promote research presentations, ethical seminars, and mental health panels, while music education departments commonly hold masterclasses and pedagogy discussions.
- Make early use of professional associations: This is a low-cost, high-impact action. Conferences, webinars, and mentorship pipelines can be accessed through student memberships, which are usually discounted. Explore groups such as:
- State or national chapters of music education associations
- Psychological associations with student divisions
Many companies provide virtual events, which maximize exposure and need no trip expenses.
- Make smart use of LinkedIn rather than a passive one: Look for terms like "student conference," "virtual workshop," "education symposium," or "mental health training" instead of just scrolling. Stick to groups rather than individuals. The system then begins to present you with relevant events. This is a long-term visibility strategy.
- Make use of transdisciplinary areas: One of your advantages is that you are a double major. Seek out activities that combine education, creativity, and mental health; consider youth development conferences, trauma-informed teaching seminars, and arts-in-education summits. Future-oriented occupations are being shaped in these hybrid venues.
- Accept "small" opportunities: Despite their unassuming appearance, departmental brown-bag lectures, community mental health events, school district workshops, and local NGO trainings provide practical insights and connections. These add up to solid professional credibility over time.
Make a straightforward recording system, such as a notes app, where you record the events you attended, the important lessons you learned, and the people you met. This transforms experiences into a tool for applying to graduate schools, internships, and interviews.
In summary, professional development is something you curate rather than something you happen to fall into. Continue making deliberate progress like this, and by the time you graduate, you'll have momentum in addition to a degree.
Best wishes!
That's a terrific question, and to be honest, you're way ahead of the curve because you're considering professional development at such a young age. Think of this as more than just enhancing a resume—think of it as creating your professional space.
Start with what the campus has already prepared for you. Although they tend to be under-marketed, the majority of colleges secretly provide an extensive selection of professional development options. Look for workshops, guest lectures, alumni panels, and employer information sessions at your career services office, academic departments, and student success centers. For you in particular, psychology departments regularly promote research presentations, ethical seminars, and mental health panels, while music education departments commonly hold masterclasses and pedagogy discussions.
- Make early use of professional associations: This is a low-cost, high-impact action. Conferences, webinars, and mentorship pipelines can be accessed through student memberships, which are usually discounted. Explore groups such as:
- State or national chapters of music education associations
- Psychological associations with student divisions
Many companies provide virtual events, which maximize exposure and need no trip expenses.
- Make smart use of LinkedIn rather than a passive one: Look for terms like "student conference," "virtual workshop," "education symposium," or "mental health training" instead of just scrolling. Stick to groups rather than individuals. The system then begins to present you with relevant events. This is a long-term visibility strategy.
- Make use of transdisciplinary areas: One of your advantages is that you are a double major. Seek out activities that combine education, creativity, and mental health; consider youth development conferences, trauma-informed teaching seminars, and arts-in-education summits. Future-oriented occupations are being shaped in these hybrid venues.
- Accept "small" opportunities: Despite their unassuming appearance, departmental brown-bag lectures, community mental health events, school district workshops, and local NGO trainings provide practical insights and connections. These add up to solid professional credibility over time.
Make a straightforward recording system, such as a notes app, where you record the events you attended, the important lessons you learned, and the people you met. This transforms experiences into a tool for applying to graduate schools, internships, and interviews.
In summary, professional development is something you curate rather than something you happen to fall into. Continue making deliberate progress like this, and by the time you graduate, you'll have momentum in addition to a degree.
Best wishes!
Amy Sarno
Manager, Philanthropy & Volunteerism
26
Answers
Corning, New York
Updated
Amy’s Answer
I recommend finding out how your university promotes events and make sure to keep an eye out, especially on bulletin boards. Many institutions work to bring professional development opportunities (masterclasses, seminars, workshops, etc.) to the school itself. Take advantage of what your school offers since these are usually free, or at a significantly reduced cost, and are conveniently located on campus.
Sonjanita L. Moore
Adjunct Professor
5
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Sonjanita L.’s Answer
I would recommend focusing on professional development that allows you to earn professional learning certificates. In this way, you can add it to your LinkedIn profile, resume or other online job profiles.
Review these free certificated webinars: https://www.learningforjustice.org/professional-development/webinars?field_topic_target_id=All&field_professional_development_t_target_id_reference=86083
reviewing Social-Emotional Resources and free webinars offered by CASEL = The Collaborative for Academic and Social Emotional Learning. They are a nationally recognized organization that a number of school districts rely on. Try the free 1 hour "Intro to SEL course" https://casel.org/professional-development/
Another site for free webinars: Edweb: https://home.edweb.net/
Sonjanita L. recommends the following next steps:
Julie M. Félix, MSc, PHR
Global Director, HR
2
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Julie M.’s Answer
Hello Haylie - kudos to you for asking this important question. One of my favorite quotes is "your network is your net worth". Eventbrite is another great resource, where you can find a plethora of events, often free to expand professional development, based on your interest. And if you want to take a bold step, reach out to those you admire on LinkedIn - send them a request, along with a short introductory note and a question/two or a compliment on what you admire about them and let them know you are seeking to grow your virtual network. You'd be surprised how many C-suite/professional leaders will take the time to respond and support you. Best of luck to you!