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Seidman TRACKS Professional Development Program
Fall 2020 Events
Due to updated campus operations in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, campus events will be different this fall. However we will continue to provide quality and necessary programming while enacting safety measures in accordance with the University, local health officials, and CDC. Please be patient as we strive to provide the best programming while also protecting the health of all students, staff, and campus guests. For the latest, please visit gvsu.edu/lakerstogether.
As a Seidman student, you will learn to make informed decisions, act ethically, and take initiative through the exchange and application of knowledge with a global perspective. To complement our mission Seidman College of Business offers TRACKS, a professional development program (PDP), designed to provide opportunities to apply what you’re learning; through community collaborations and innovative approaches to learning.
TRACKS identifies University and community based professional development events that will aid your growth in areas such as career, leadership, and professionalism. Events will fall into one of four strategically designated categories so that students can work on various areas to strengthen their soft skills. This program is open to all Grand Valley State University students, with Seidman students being eligible for a certificate of completion.
Communication & Professional Skills
Strategic Career Development
Leadership, Ethics & Integrity
Global & Diverse Perspectives
How it Works
All Grand Valley students are welcome to participate in TRACKS programming to assist in the development of key soft skills for success. Students who are part of the Seidman College of Business are eligible for TRACKS certification upon completion of the program.
To complete the program, students must attend a total of eight TRACKS approved events. All approved events will be featured on our events calendar.
- Three of these events must come from the required list of events.
- The remaining 5 events can be any combination of the students' choosing from the events listing.
After attending and participating in each event, students must submit a reflection essay. Seidman students will receive a TRACKS Tracker updating them on their progression through the program after each reflection essay submitted.
TRACKS Program
Required Events for TRACKS
Students must attend each of the following events at least once towards TRACKS certification.
-
GVSU Career Fair (either Fall or Winter semester
fair)
- The Fall 2020 Career Fair will be held virtually through the
Career Fair Plus app. Please visit the Career Center website
for the most up-to-date details. Various preparation events will
proceed throughout the week as part of the Work Like a Laker
Conference, culminating in the virtual fair.
- The Fall 2020 Career Fair will be held virtually through the
Career Fair Plus app. Please visit the Career Center website
for the most up-to-date details. Various preparation events will
proceed throughout the week as part of the Work Like a Laker
Conference, culminating in the virtual fair.
-
Peter Secchia Breakfast Lecture
-
The Fall 2020 Secchia Lecture has been suspended. Please
refer back at a later date for information regarding the
Winter 2021 lecture.
-
The Fall 2020 Secchia Lecture has been suspended. Please
refer back at a later date for information regarding the
Winter 2021 lecture.
-
Career Center Sponsored Event
- Visit the Career Center website for event listings.
Optional TRACKS Events
In addition to attending 3 events from the required listings, the remaining 5 events can consist of any combination of the following:
-
Seidman Student Organization Professional Development Event
- View a complete listing of Seidman
Student Organizations here.
- View a complete listing of Seidman
Student Organizations here.
- Seidman Mentorship Program Events
-
Work Like a Laker Podcast Series
- Listen to 3 episodes of the Career Center's Work
Like a Laker podcast
and complete one reflection summarizing key points and
lessons from each to fulfill one optional event.
- Listen to 3 episodes of the Career Center's Work
Like a Laker podcast
and complete one reflection summarizing key points and
lessons from each to fulfill one optional event.
-
TRACKS + TED
- Listen/watch curated TED Talks related to various elements of
personal and professional development. Full details on how to
receive TRACKS credit can be found
HERE.
- Listen/watch curated TED Talks related to various elements of
personal and professional development. Full details on how to
receive TRACKS credit can be found
HERE.
-
Additional Career Services Events
- Visit Handshake
for event listings.
- Visit Handshake
for event listings.
-
GVSU Campus-Wide Events
- Great options include: Annual Teach-In, Leadership Summit, and
more. If you want to know if an event qualifies for TRACKS
credit, please email us at go2gvbiz@gvsu.edu.
- Great options include: Annual Teach-In, Leadership Summit, and
more. If you want to know if an event qualifies for TRACKS
credit, please email us at go2gvbiz@gvsu.edu.
- Campus & Community Partner Events
TRACKS Events
Culture & Coffee: Navigating China
September 25, 2020 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Presented by the Van Andel Global Trade Center Each Virtual/Live Culture & Coffee training session will cover how-to’s and best practices for doing business abroad as well as how to maneuver...
The Allure of the Lakeshore During COVID-19
September 25, 2020 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Part of the Seidman College of Business Community Webinars.
Work Like a Laker Conference
October 1, 2020 All Day
A 2+ WEEK, FULLY VIRTUAL, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER CONFERENCE FEATURING MULTIPLE TRACKS: Pre-Conference Workshops Professional Development Sessions Industry Sessions Virtual...
Work Like a Laker: Resume Review Day
October 1, 2020 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Join the Virtual Resume Review event to get a chance to get personalized feedback on your resume. You'll have the opportunity to sign up for a one-on-one session with an industry professional and...
Work Like a Laker Conference
October 2, 2020 All Day
A 2+ WEEK, FULLY VIRTUAL, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER CONFERENCE FEATURING MULTIPLE TRACKS: Pre-Conference Workshops Professional Development Sessions Industry Sessions Virtual...
Learning Outcomes and Personal Reflection
Learning Experiences are the ways new knowledge will be disseminated. There are 3 specific pathways used in this program.
This model has been adapted from Rethinking the MBA: Business Education at the Crossroads (Datar, S., et al., 2010). This leadership framework was developed by the US Army (p. 103), and has been modified to meet the needs of our students and the vision of the program.
KNOW: what new knowledge did you gain at this event?
DO: how will you continue to learn and plan to apply the information presented?
BE: in what ways has the new information influenced your personal and professional development?
Reflective Document
Each event has been selected to serve as a catalyst for practicing lifelong learning.
The TRACKS -KNOW DO BE approach helps students identify the new learning and explore practical ways of implementing this new knowledge, which culminates in becoming embedded into your brand.
Once you have attended the TRACKS event, write a short reflective essay (3 paragraphs) answering the questions below:
Click here for the Reflective Essay