Welcome to the Professional Development category of Catalyst, the ultimate source of inspiration and guidance for career advancement and personal growth. Here, we delve into the multifaceted realm of professional development, providing you with a wealth of resources, tips, and insights to help you navigate your professional journey with confidence and purpose. Whether you’re aiming to enhance your skills, explore new career paths, or excel in your current role, our comprehensive articles offer practical strategies, expert advice, and real-life examples to empower you on your quest for success. From honing essential workplace skills to mastering effective leadership techniques, Catalyst equips you with the knowledge and tools you need to thrive in today’s dynamic and ever-evolving professional landscape. Explore our rich collection of articles, interviews, and case studies, and unlock your true potential as you embark on an enriching and transformative professional development experience.
Going back to school is an exciting decision for any working professional. Whether it’s to stay updated with industry trends, learn a new skill, or one of the many other reasons that drive someone to return to school, taking this step can be both challenging and rewarding. One thing that may concern you is balancing…Continue Reading Telling Your Boss You’re Earning Your Degree: A Guide to Navigating the Conversation
Attending conferences as a grad student can be a fantastic networking tool. While learning about new trends in your field, you can bump shoulders with others in the industry. Networking can be a great way to ask questions, make connections, and help you score opportunities down the line! In this blog, we will cover why…Continue Reading Mastering Conferences and Networking: a Grad Student Guide
Pursuing a master’s degree is a big decision—especially for working professionals. In today’s evolving job market, pursuing a graduate degree has become a strategic move for many working professionals. In a competitive workforce, having a graduate degree can be a significant asset, offering numerous benefits that can enhance career prospects and personal growth. In this…Continue Reading 7 Reasons Working Professionals Should Get Their Graduate Degree
So, you’ve just graduated … now what? Getting into the workforce, whether you’re interviewing for your first job or your third promotion, can be very nerve-wracking. You may be very anxious to interview, and that feeling is completely normal. This blog will help calm those pre-interview jitters with helpful tips and tricks from Worcester Polytechnic…Continue Reading Interviewing After Grad School
Michael Elmes, WPI Professor of Organizational Studies Although virtual teaming has long been a feature of remote learning, the pandemic made online collaboration a reality for most higher ed students — as well as those in the workforce. In 2020, two-thirds of college students exclusively attended virtual classes, and the trend of online learning seems…Continue Reading Getting the Most from Virtual Teams
One of WPI’s resident Power Systems experts has been busy lately! Michael Ahern recently sat down with power systems publication Energy Central as part of their Getting To Know The Experts interview series. Ahern talked about his path into power systems, the evolving training needs for power professionals, and a lot more. Read Energy Central’s interview…Continue Reading New Interview: WPI’s Mike Ahern & Energy Central
This summer, WPI’s Biomanufacturing Education & Training Center (BETC) hosted a truly incredible young intern named Evelyn, who loves cell culture and is part of the first generation in her family on track to pursue higher education. Read all about Evelyn on the BETC’s Blog. ♥ Love this post? Subscribe to Catalyst…Continue Reading The Future of Biotech Comes to WPI
You’ve decided you’re going back to school. You’ve called your old college for transcripts, and you’ve talked to your boss or former professor about writing you a letter of recommendation. Now comes the hard part. The personal statement. The idea of talking about yourself for multiple paragraphs might make you queasy–where do you even begin?…Continue Reading How to Write a Personal Statement
Robotics. It’s a field that is expanding and evolving every day. Besides the actual field of robotics, a robotics engineer has the skills and education to work in a bunch of different industries. Just because the job title doesn’t read “robotics engineer” doesn’t mean the job isn’t for you! One great thing about being a…Continue Reading Top Jobs & Societies in Robotics Engineering
I need to tell you a story about Herbie.* I’m an account executive in Corporate & Professional Education at WPI. My main job is working with companies and their employees to figure out the kind of advanced education and training they need to succeed. I meet with business leaders, WPI creates custom programs, and then…Continue Reading Don’t Be Like Herbie: Why Today is the Day to Start Grad School
