Ernst & Young Professional Development Center

The Ernst & Young Professional Development Center was established in the summer of 2008 in order to optimize students’ total professional development and job-ready skills.  Students in the Wake Forest Schools of Business undergraduate program possess a high level of intellect and motivation, while acquiring a high-caliber education through the business schools.  The additional programs and coaching through the E&Y Professional Development Center allow them to further hone their competitive edge in obtaining top-notch positions in businesses and other organizations, while facilitating progress along their chosen career path and increasing their potential for leadership roles.

“Our ultimate goal is that Wake Forest graduates will be able to quickly and confidently assimilate into their respective business and corporate settings, adding value and professional contributions to their employer while earning respect and career advancement,” states Sam Leonard Beck, Director of Student Professional Development.  “The E&Y Professional Development Center provides a unique opportunity among undergraduate business schools for students to acquire the higher-level skills and knowledge to be exceedingly ready for career success on day one.  This adds value to our students and to our employers.  We are confident that the Wake Forest graduate will possess not only the competence, motivation and expertise to do the job but the additional development in self-awareness, personal management, broad-based communication and interpersonal effectiveness that will allow them to excel.”

Programs and coaching, facilitated through the E&Y Professional Development Center, are aimed at enhancing students’ business savvy and professionalism, while further developing skills cited by employers as necessary for career success.  Students will have the opportunity to develop competencies and obtain information in such areas as:

• Professional presence, including projecting competence & credibility at work
• Personal brand strategies
• Self-management, including self-awareness and self-regulation
• Interpersonal effectiveness
• Teambuilding & group effectiveness
• Career management
• Working with diversity
• Understanding corporate culture and office politics
• Time management, including maximizing efficiency and implementing workflow systems
• Business etiquette and professional protocol
• Developing a professional wardrobe
• Networking and developing professional contacts
• Skills assessment and skills acquisition strategies
• Other skills and competencies critical to success in today’s workplace.
  

The E&Y Professional Development Center is located in Room 002 of Kirby Hall.  Program schedules and information, as well as individual appointments for career counseling and coaching, are available in the Center and online.