Professional Development Grant

Purpose

Students need opportunities to connect with professionals and organizations associated with their desired career paths. While on-campus learning is an important component of preparing for a career after graduation, off-campus, experiential learning opportunities can help students gain greater insights into potential career paths, enlarge their professional networks, and increase the likelihood of securing not simply a job but a start to a rewarding career.

Structure

The Student Professional Development Grant (SPDG) provides funds to support student travel to applicable conferences and professional meetings or enrollment in professional certification programs.

Criteria

Grants are awarded to students seeking opportunities that meet the following criteria:

• The conference or course clearly connects to the applicant’s desired career path

• The opportunity is recognized by industry leaders as legitimate and valuable

• The opportunity has relevance to experience design and management

• The opportunity will provide the applicant an opportunity to be an ambassador for the department

Grants will NOT be are awarded to the following:

• Site visit expenses

• Study abroad expenses

• Field study and research associated expenses 

• Internship associated fees (ex: relocation expenses, commuting expenses, etc.)

Grantee Expectations

Applicants who receive a grant will be expected to:

• Attend and fully engage in and/or complete the opportunity for which they received financial assistance

• Take a pre and post-experience survey

• Submit a summary report of their experience no later than 15 days after the opportunity concludes. This report should be no longer than 750 words and address the following points:

  • Summary of the experience

  • Explanation of how this experience provided professional development opportunities

  • Ways in which the grantee served as a brand ambassador

  • Opinion on whether or not other students should pursue this opportunity

Application Process

Interested students need to complete the following application and submit it at least 60 days before the desired opportunity.

Insert application link here - https://forms.gle/AfyXwe1jVSPDHNCU7 

Students will get an email back from Noelani with the decision and the next steps.