Key Takeaways

• Applied coursework can extend beyond academic requirements and create real career momentum.

• Aviation education strengthens decision making, safety awareness, and regulatory knowledge critical to becoming a pilot.

• Experiential learning builds confidence by connecting classroom theory with operational practice in the field.

My Journey with First Mile Free

Guest post by student �� When I started Steven Arnold’s Sustainable Transportation course (the very first class of my graduate program in Environmental Policy & Management) I wasn’t expecting an idea from week one to define much of the next two years of my life. The assignment was straightforward: propose a policy to improve transportation in Denver. I’ve always learned best by doing, and I wanted something real to commit to, something that would give my studies structure and purpose beyond the classroom. So instead of writing a paper that would live and die on a hard drive, I set out to see if I could turn an idea into action. The idea came from my own commute. I live about a mile from the University of Denver light rail station. On paper, it’s “walkable.” In reality, most days it’s not. Driving feels counterproductive, and while I could take a scooter or e-bike, the added cost on top of the transit fare makes it impractical. I quickly realized this wasn’t just my problem: about 75% of Denver residents live too far from transit to walk comfortably. It’s called the , and it every single day. Instead of proposing another expensive shuttle service, I asked: What’s the simplest, most cost-effective way to close that gap? That question led to , a program that covers the first mile of any e-bike or scooter trip that ends at a transit station. No applications, no eligibility tests. Just hop on, park at transit, and the discount applies instantly.

The Advocacy Journey

The path from classroom idea to city pilot wasn’t a straight line. It unfolded in stages, each with its own challenges. It began with research. At first, it was just homework. I dug into ridership data, emissions numbers, and examples from other cities. Then came the hallway pitch phase, where I cornered city officials and explained the idea, often getting skeptical looks like I was selling insurance. From there I moved into pitching agencies. City staff liked the concept, but the answer was always the same: we don’t have money. That pushed me into the grassroots phase. I started running public surveys, presenting to nonprofits, and building a case that this wasn’t just one student’s idea, it was a community-backed solution. Eventually, the momentum gave me the confidence to apply for a grant. That’s when I hit a wall: I needed a transportation management association (TMA) to be the lead applicant. It felt like the whole effort might collapse. But then Mike Hughes at stepped in. He didn’t just sign on, he believed in the project, sharpened the proposal, and carried it over the finish line. Support from partners like Zach Williams at , and backing from Lime and Bird, made all the difference. The final phase was the hardest: waiting. After pouring months of work into the grant, there was nothing to do but hold my breath and hope. And then, one day, the email came: First Mile Free had been funded.

What’s Launching in 2026

In early 2026, First Mile Free will officially launch at two stations: and . We chose these sites based on public need, but for me, it is especially meaningful that DU’s own station is one of them. The University station is the closest light rail stop to campus, connecting students, faculty, and staff to the wider city. Many in the DU community rely on transit every day, yet because the surrounding neighborhood is seen as higher income, it rarely qualifies for subsidies. The second site, �ٱ𳦲��ٳܰ�–F���������, serves Sun Valley, one of Denver’s most underserved neighborhoods where many families live without access to cars. Including both stations was intentional: they represent very different communities, but both face the same challenge of being just a little too far from transit to make it practical. Over two years, backed by nearly $190,000 in combined funding from Denver Regional Transit (), , and , the pilot will subsidize about 40,000 trips. Riders will save money, RTD will gain new users, and greenhouse gas emissions will drop by an estimated 65 percent per ride compared to driving.

Lessons From the Journey

I learned a lot through this process, and I’d encourage other students to take their own ideas seriously. You don’t need a title or official role to make an impact; you just need persistence and curiosity. Here are three lessons I took away that might help others who want to turn a classroom project into something real.

1. Commit early and refuse to let your ideas fade when the semester ends. I decided from the start that First Mile Free wouldn’t just be homework. It would be something I carried forward until it became real. That commitment gave my grad school experience focus and direction.
2. Have faith in the promise of your idea. Too often, grants go to the same recycled proposals. What funders are really looking for are fresh, practical ideas, and those can come from students just as much as established organizations. If I had counted myself out, this program never would have gotten off the ground.
3. Approach the work with curiosity. Don’t tie success only to getting something implemented. Instead, commit to doing everything you can to move your initiative forward while also seeking to learn how local processes work along the way. That mindset turned setbacks into lessons, and lessons into momentum.

And even if public advocacy isn’t your thing, I hope you take something from this story. At the very least, know that if you’re around campus in early 2026, you can . ��

Frequently Asked Questions

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Key Takeaways

• Industry certifications help people build targeted, job-relevant skills without committing to a full degree timeline.
• These programs can be a smart fit for professionals who want to upskill quickly, validate experience, or move into a new specialty.
• Certifications often work best when paired with real projects, so learners can show proof of skill, not just course completion.

Specialized skills that give you an edge in the workplace are one thing everyone can use more of. Now DU’s University College is offering a unique set of non-credit courses that can quickly teach relevant skills leading to valued industry certifications.

University College’s online are designed to help you rapidly gain in-demand competencies. Whether you’re seeking to build expertise in your current role, move up the leadership ladder, or pivot to a new career, you’ll get the demonstrable skills you need.

Each course is paired with one or more industry-recognized certifications, helping you boost your resume in high-growth career areas.

The new programs are:

• Accelerated, delivering outcomes in just 10 weeks
• Respected, based on industry-driven curriculum and taught by experts
• Flexible, with an online format and self-directed learning
• Accessible, with no educational prerequisites
• Affordable for learners and earners at all levels

The industry certification courses are offered in partnership with Ziplines Education, which delivers certificate courses designed to prepare professionals for today’s digital-first workforce.

You can choose from six different in-demand areas:

• learners leave the program with foundational skills and industry-recognized certifications in HubSpot, Google Ads, and Google Analytics.
• learners are grounded in the essentials of data analytics and earn Tableau micro-credentials.
• learners earn a Jira Software Essentials Associate Certification and 23 hours toward the Project Management Institute’s Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) Certification.
• learners obtain the employable skills, Salesforce Trailhead credentials, and real-world experience needed to launch a sales career and amplify earning potential.
• learners gain the strategic know-how, Salesforce Trailhead credentials, and real-world experience to increase sales productivity and revenue.

You’ll complete the program with practical skills, a strategic playbook to showcase your new skills to employers, and a non-credit certificate from the University of Denver.

University College specializes in delivering high-quality, career-focused educational experiences for busy adults. The college’s Center for Professional Development provides non-credit online courses, industry certifications, and boot camps to help workers reach career goals.

See all of DU’s industry certification programs at .

Frequently Asked Questions

The post New Industry Certification Programs Build Skills Fast appeared first on PSC DU.

Key Takeaways

• Employers seek a combination of soft and job-specific (technical) skills.
• Skills like data analysis, project management, and web development are increasingly valued across sectors.
• Formal training and hands-on practice are key to building in-demand abilities.

The terms “job-specific skills” and “essential skills” come up a lot in the professional landscape, especially when people are looking for a job or want a promotion. Regardless of the stage of career development one is in they want to be working on developing both sets of skills. Essential skills include many different interpersonal skills, such as leadership, that can be used across a variety of industries, whereas job-specific skills relate more to profession-related duties and abilities. Developed through education, training, on the job and with practice, job-specific skills are pivotal to success in the workplace.����

According to and , communication and technological skills top the list when it comes to must-have job-specific proficiencies.����

Communication – Workplace writing, research, and using different platforms of digital communication — these are all parts of communication that fall under job-specific skills employers are looking for. With platforms like Slack, Trello, Monday, and other digital project management and team communication tools, it is vital to understand how to effectively communicate.����

Computer and Technology Skills – We live in a technologically advancing world, and understanding how to use technology is a skill that is necessary to succeed in just about any workplace. Regardless of business or industry, understanding basics like writing emails, navigating the internet, social media, using different software, are must-have skills. This can mean learning new things on a regular basis and being able to navigate through new platforms, devices, and software quickly.����

Data – Understanding data, how it works, and the pivotal role it plays for many organizations is another must-have in today’s professional market. Data analysis, data management, data mining, database management, research, understanding web analytics is an area of huge demand that spans across a wide variety of industry, from business to healthcare.

Project Management – Project management means more than simply hitting deadlines. Organization, writing, planning, negotiation, leadership. delegation, time management, follow through, these all fall under project management.����

Web Development and Coding – Learning how to harness the web includes knowing how to code. Understanding how things like building websites, developing blockchain, CCS and HTML, graphic user interfaces, JavaScript, application programming interface, IOS and android development, web architecture and more. There is a lot to learn, and it is all relevant when it comes to hard skills that will be of benefit to one’s professional journey. Artificial Intelligence is also an area that is growing rapidly and is predicted to grow leaps and bounds over the next few years. Machine learning, computer vision, programming languages, and understanding frameworks all fall under hard skills that are growing in demand.��������

Marketing – Businesses large and small need to tackle marketing and are looking for individuals who are skilled in the areas of copywriting, email marking, search engine marketing, Google analytics, content management systems, A/B testing, research, and the list goes on.����

Design – Design is a huge area of hard skills that are highly relevant to today’s professional landscape. Design is an immense part of technology marketing, advertising etc., and there is a lot to learn, from using platforms like Adobe Creative Suite, to understanding graphic design, user experience (UX) design, photo editing, video editing, and more.����

Job skills take time to develop. They often require training and practice, however, are well worth the time and effort. The University of Denver offers specific degrees and programs of study, as well as continuing education courses through DU’s College of Professional Studies, providing opportunities for professionals in any stage of career development to learn and perfect top in-demand job-specific skills. Learn more here!����

Build the skills employers keep asking for. College of Professional Studies bachelors help working adults strengthen job-specific skills like communication, technology, data analysis and project management.

Article by Danielle DeGroot, University College Writer

Frequently Asked Questions

The post The Job-Specific Skills Employers Want in 2022�� appeared first on PSC DU.

By Danielle DeGroot, University College Writer

Key Takeaways

• Crafting a narrative helps you shift from simply listing facts to telling a memorable story.
• Interviews are short‑memory environments: focus on 2–3 key messages and use story moments to reinforce them.
• Connect emotionally, illustrate with details, and keep your story concise (about 30‑60 seconds) to boost recall and impact.

Acing the job interview can be a momentous challenge, regardless of the stage of career one is in. The art of selling oneself as the best fit for the job, creating a connection with a potential employer, in a very brief time is a form of storytelling. As one of the premier Denver universities, the University of Denver’s College of Professional Studies hosted a Career Transition Workshop led by award-winning actor, author, humorist, and educator Matthew Taylor, who tackles the art and process of using the power of storytelling to ace your job interview. He brings 25 years of coaching theater, storytelling, and the art of improvisation, focusing on communication using narrative. The founder of Persuasion Through Narrative has worked with many diverse groups of people; however, he has focused primarily on the legal and educational fields to help develop communication skills using the power of storytelling.����

As Taylor explains in the��webinar, we interview all the time, even if it is not formally labeled as such. Every time we meet someone new, we are��essentially��interviewing. We want to make a quick connection, have them remember us, and have a finite amount of time to��accomplish��that task. Taylor points out that we��actually are��in an interview type of situation at least once or twice a day where we need to deliver information that is dynamic, understood, and memorable��in a short space of time.��This is where using storytelling becomes an asset that can set you apart from others.����

Why Stories Work������

Stories are powerful for many reasons; they foster a deep connection on��various levels, often conjuring up personal connections with an audience. We learn and grow from our own experiences, and through others��sharing��theirs��with us. Rather than a simple recitation of the facts, a story makes information interesting, dynamic, and most importantly, something others remember. They evoke emotion, memories, and associations from our own lives.��In a situation like a job interview, this is exactly what we want;��to get the interviewer to remember who we are��and��recall the information we share, then eventually hire us. Taylor��developed��an acronym of three critical storytelling elements that explains why stories work, he calls it��CPR:����

• Connect��– Human beings are social creatures, we want to connect and bond with others, stories help us do this.��“If you do not connect with the person you are talking to you stand little chance of that person receiving any of the information you are delivering,” Matthew Taylor.����
• Persuade��– Stories are persuasive, they have a purpose, to persuade others, aiding the storyteller to meet their goal. Often the storyteller is working to get specific needs��or��wants��satisfied, in this case getting hired for a job. Facts alone are not persuasive, wrapping them in a story makes them persuasive.����
• Recall��– Stories are not just about remembering an idea, they allow the listener to recall information in the form of a story. The researcher Bruno discovered that stories are 22 times more memorable than a list or presentation of facts. We remember stories, then tell them forward, spreading ideas and thoughts. In an interview, a story helps the interviewer remember who��YOU��are, what the recall and��retell��is the story you told in the interview.����

How Stories Work������

Memory plays a huge role in how stories work; Taylor discusses the three types of memory humans have and how they play a role in storytelling.����

• Sensory memory��is through our five senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. Sensory memory is very short-term; in fact,��Miller says this information is stored for��just about 20��seconds.����
• Working memory��is what Taylor calls the dry erase board of life, everything we do has to go through our working memory,��which holds information for a brief time. Bits of information are pulled from short- and long-term memory to complete a task. Working memory is limited, it only holds information for��a fleeting amount of time.��According to��famed researcher��George Miller’s��research in��1956, this time lasts��only about 20 to 30��seconds��and holds just��seven pieces of information,��give or take two.����

• Long-term memory is huge and encompasses everything we have ever stored, a vast amount of information. With��essentially unlimited��capacity,��the long-term��memory��organizes, and stores information��and��facts, and events are brought out by cross-connections, or “associations.”������

As Taylor shares, stories create cross-connections and associations in others’ minds that connect to their own story��as we tell ours. A compelling narrative is not so much about what story one is telling, it is about the personal connection that is being made with the other person.����

Which Stories to��Tell and Why������

Taylor shares a quote from businessman Peter Guber, author of��Tell to Win��that helps define what a story is and why stories work:����

“A story is a vehicle that allows you to put the facts in an emotional context.”����������

Taking the facts��that��you want to share, then framing them in a compelling narrative, in an interview, through a cover letter,��and��even in a resume, is a form of storytelling. As with any story��narratives��need to have structure.��Taylor uses��German playwright��Gustav Freytag’s��pyramid to��illustrate��how this type of story should be structured.����

The exposition starts at the bottom of the pyramid.��This is particularly important��in storytelling��and should��include��the inciting incident;��what happened to break the routine and start the action. Rising action��then��leads to the top of the pyramid��and��the climax of the story. Falling action leads to the bottom of the pyramid, in most cases,��the resolution��or other end to the story.����

Storytelling Tips��for��Your Interview������

Taylor explains in the��webinar��how developing��a good story��to sell yourself sets up the entire framework of��acing��an interview.��You must tell people the facts, then tell them a story, then��retell��them the facts.��Interview stories should be simple.����

• The first, and most��crucial step,��is��determining��what the most��important facts��are.��Then you must build a narrative that wraps the facts in an emotional context, something others will relate to.����
• Use names and specific details to build an emotional connection.����
• Get right to the story, you do not need to include details that do not matter.����
• Be natural:��remember,��the story is intended to illustrate the facts����
• A story should be made up of small little moments that illustrate the facts you have already told them. Repetition is key to remembrance and recall.����

4 Steps to Crafting Your Interview Story������

1. Consider the audience: what do they want, what do they know, what they��do not��know, and what do they need to know.����

2. Start with the end in mind: what do you want them to do or think differently when you are done?����

3. Identify��key facts and messages, remember they will only keep��two��or��three��things you say in their working memory.����

4. Identify��which brief story moments will illustrate the facts. Ask yourself what is the statement that will make them ask me a question?����

Remember, you want the story to reveal important parts of yourself, inspire trust, compassion,��stability,��and hope. The story should include a moment of reflection and connect with the audience through logos(logic), pathos (emotion), or ethos (credibility or character). Keep it short at��about��30 to 60 seconds,��and��make it feel natural, as��unlike a forced story as possible.����

Taylor uses the example of a bankruptcy attorney when asked what��they do, responding with “I help people,”��rather than simply��stating��their profession,��grabbing the audience’s interest, and prompting��them to want to learn more.��

“Your story should flow so that all you are really doing is illustrating the facts, hopefully, they will never know there is a��story,��“Matthew��Taylor.����

You can watch the entire��webinar, as well as other career development webinars on the University College Vimeo page.����

��

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do you switch careers and land the perfect job just four days after graduating with a master’s degree? For Lisa Ward, lobbyist for Denver Health, it was straightforward: Do your research to get clear on what you want and always keep advancing.

Be Intentional

It took Lisa two years of planning before she decided where she wanted her career to go from the healthcare frontline to legislative work. During that time, she consulted a variety of professionals already in that arena and shadowed others to get a sense of what it would take to create the job she envisioned for herself.

“I literally called the head of policy in the governor’s office and asked, ‘Can you carve out 30 minutes to talk about your job?’”

Those experiences gave her a better idea of exactly what her ideal job would entail, what she needed to know to get there, and that a graduate degree in booming field of Healthcare Management from University College at the University of Denver would start her on the right path.

Education + Experience

Working on a master’s degree didn’t mean Lisa stopped pursuing her dream job. She actively sought experience that would give her a leg up in the job market.

During her time in graduate school, she interned for a contract healthcare lobbying firm, became a legislative aid, and wrote a legislative bill and found a senate sponsor.

“The plan was not to waste one moment of my graduate education. You can’t graduate and wave your diploma around hoping someone will hire you. It doesn’t work that way.”

Ready to embark on a new career path? Learn more at professionalstudies.du.edu.

The post Tips to Switch Careers Successfully appeared first on PSC DU.

Webinar Tackles the Issue of How to Elevate your Professional Comportment, Appearance, Mindset, and Confidence. 

By Danielle DeGroot, University College Writer

Key Takeaways

• First impressions are made within 6 to 11 seconds, so your appearance, energy, and presentation must align with your professional goals immediately.
• A polished image combines visual cues like dress and grooming with behavioral habits such as confident posture, emotional control, and presence.
• Developing strong self-awareness and consistent professional habits boosts credibility and sets you apart in both in-person and virtual settings.

We have all heard the age-old saying, “there is nothing like a first impression”, and there is some definite truth to that statement. Appearing to others as a polished professional is something that we are not prepared for in the college classroom, these are skills that are developed and honed over a lifetime. This webinar presented by University College is hosted by Maureen��Breeze, founder of��Cultivage. Breeze is a��certified executive leadership coach, corporate trainer, author, and University of Denver adjunct professor who works with leadership fellows through the Denver Metro Leadership Foundation. In this webinar Breeze delves into why professional polish is so important, what it means to appear professional,��offering��some guidance on how to��improve your professional polish and presence.����

Why Focus on Professional Polish?   

Professional polish makes a big difference in how one is perceived; it is directly related to how employable someone is. These skills are harder to teach and often take years to fully develop. As we grow professionally and personally, this polish should improve. Polish is important to focus on because as Breeze explains, it is easy to become invisible if one lacks professional polish. Colleagues will not take you as seriously, and something may feel off if they do not trust your appearance of professionalism and polish. This webinar provides tricks to boost professional polish both in-person and online. Breeze discusses communication skills, professional appearance, emotional intelligence, and the factors that help form the image we project to others.   

There are four main focus areas that Breeze discusses that contribute to professional polish. focused on how you think and speak. Part 2 touches on how you appear and act.  

• How you think.  
• How you speak.   

• How you appear.  
• How you act. 

Appearing Like a Professional  

Breeze shares the people make a first impression of others between 6 and 11 seconds from first seeing them. How you appear informs how you are perceived by others, and it takes a lot of work to change that initial first impression, so it is very important to be mindful of how you appear. In many cases, job candidates are hired over other candidates simply because they appear more professional upon first impression. Keep the following points in mind when working to bolster your professional appearance:  

• Have energy, energy reads, and people pick up on yours. Have a certain level of excitement and energy because it is infectious and can influence how others feel about you. Energy boosts quality, passion, and enthusiasm, always be mindful of the energy you bring with you.   
• Dressing and grooming are important, be professional and wear appropriate clothing. read the cultural norms of the industry or organization you’re going into when it comes to determining what kinds of clothing or styles to wear. Dress up, meaning dress for the job above yours, this is a really good way to exude an air of professionalism, and show that you are looking to move forward with the organization or industry. Clothing in the professional arena should not be a costume, it should enhance the role you are in or want, not to distract from that.  
• Online appearance is especially important right now as a good majority of business is taking place online. Breeze emphasizes that it is vital to remain professional online, treat it as if it were an in-person interaction. Dress professionally, be mindful of what you say and how you say it. Be mindful of your resting face, your background, lighting, and positioning on the screen.  Speak professionally, and avoid distractions like kids, pets, and other activities.   

Acting Like a Professional  

Acting like a professional focuses mainly on how your actions and behaviors demonstrate professionalism. Breeze encourages thinking about behaviors that will show you are a polished professional. Engaging in behaviors that show readiness to learn and to deliver. Breeze points out that mindset is a pivotal part of acting like a professional. It is hard to change your mindset from college to professional; in college classes, the focus is all about your potential going into the job force and what you have the potential to do. When you get into the job force the focus is on the potential you possess to add value to an organization. The more you show readiness to grow, the more you show you have value potential and professional polish.  

Body language can be a game-changer when it comes to acting like a professional. Just standing up tall and big and creating a bigger physical presence for yourself in a room is going to increase your professionalism. Breeze refers to the work of social psychologist Dr. Amy Cuddy, who studies body language, and her powerful Ted Talk about how body language shapes who we are. Cuddy explores how body language helps us change other people’s perceptions of us. One area Cuddy focuses on is posture, and how standing tall, making yourself big, creates a strong physical presence, and makes one feel more confident. This is the idea of presence, and using one’s body language to create a bigger, more impactful presence, projecting confidence.   

“I would say that presence is your understanding of your authentic self, your access to your authentic self, and your ability to bring forth your best qualities, your knowledge, your expertise when you most need to. When you most need to is normally under very high-pressure situations.”    

Amy Cuddy

Creating a polished professional presence requires a blend of all these elements, as well as a bit of work on emotional intelligence. Understanding one’s own emotions, recognizing others, and knowing that actions, words, and appearance all play a role in creating the sense of self we project are skills that we work to perfect over time.  Creating a strategic vision for yourself, then committing yourself to master what it is you need to know to make that vision a reality. These things can make an impact right away, helping to establish and cultivate that sense of professional polish that one wants.  

Breeze closes with this advice about staying in a growth mindset:   

“As you are looking to launch a professional career; I would challenge you to stay in a growth mindset as much as possible. There are going to be ups, there are going to be downs, you are going to ace interviews and not get the job, you are going to struggle at interviews and get an offer. You are going to start a new job and feel like you are drinking from a fire hose and have no idea how you are going to succeed. All these things are going to happen, but if you can be very mindful and give yourself permission to grow along the way I think you’ll enjoy it more. I think you will be able to stay in that strong, powerful, polished presence as a professional.”   

The webinar offers real-world action steps that one can take to make a positive impact on how they are perceived professionally. It is never too soon or too late to take time to focus on your professional polish, and this webinar is a perfect place to start. You can watch the , as well as other career development webinars in this series on the University College Vimeo page.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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Webinar Tackles the Issue of How to Elevate your Professional Comportment, Appearance, Mindset, and Confidence.��

By Danielle DeGroot, University College Writer

Key Takeaways

• The way you think and speak plays a powerful role in shaping how others perceive your professionalism and competence.
• Using clear, positive, and intentional language builds trust, demonstrates confidence, and supports collaborative communication.
• Adopting a solution-oriented mindset and expressing ideas concisely makes you a more effective and influential presence at work.

We have all heard the age-old saying, “there is nothing like a first impression”, and there is some definite truth to that statement. Appearing to others as a polished professional is something that we are not prepared for in the college classroom, these are skills that are developed and honed over a lifetime. This webinar presented by University College is hosted by Maureen��Breeze, founder of��Cultivage. Breeze is a��certified executive leadership coach, corporate trainer, author, and University of Denver adjunct professor who works with leadership fellows through the Denver Metro Leadership Foundation. In this webinar Breeze delves into why professional polish is so important, what it means to appear professional,��offering��some guidance on how to��improve your professional polish and presence.����

Why Focus on Professional Polish?������

Breeze starts out by explaining that professional polish makes a big difference in how one is perceived, it is directly related to how employable someone is. These skills are harder to teach, and often take years to fully develop. As we grow professionally and personally, this polish should improve. Polish is important to focus on because as Breeze explains, it is easy to become invisible if one lacks professional polish. Colleagues will not take you as seriously, and something may feel off if they do not trust your appearance of professionalism and polish. This webinar provides tricks to boost professional polish both in-person and online. Breeze discusses communication skills, professional appearance, emotional intelligence, and the factors that help form the image we project to others.������

There are four��main focus��areas that Breeze discusses that contribute to professional polish. This blog will focus on the first two: how you think and how you speak.����

• How you think.����
• How you speak.������

• How you appear.����
• How you act.��

Thinking Like a Professional������

The first area that Breeze delves into is thinking like a polished professional, thinking analytically creatively, and practically. As she explains, it was discovered through the research of Dr.��Robert��Sternberg at Yale University��that most of us have analytical thinking skills, however, creative, and practical things are where many people need to work to bolster these abilities. Professionals should be focused long-term and on the big picture. Breeze provides a list of ways to bolster your ability to think like a professional:����

• Clarify the why behind what you are doing.����
• Think about doing the right thing.����
• Understand the process and your role and how they fit together.��������

• Ask questions to advance the process.����
• Demonstrate clarity in your writing.����
• Give an opinion when asked and be ready to justify it.������
• Tell stories to bring your ideas to life.����
• Anticipate questions and events.����

• Take action early.����
• Manage up think about what your boss needs to know -communicate up the chain������
• Ask quality questions to demonstrate the quality of your thinking.������
  ��

Breeze suggests employing the SEER method when it comes to professional thinking and communicating one’s ideas to others.������

• Summary of point of view/idea.������
• Elaborate on that point with valid evidence and support information.����
• Example, give them a relevant story as an example.������
• Restate your point of view /idea.������

Speaking Like a Professional����

Speaking is especially important when it comes to presenting oneself as a polished professional. Brees points out it is important to be mindful of what one is saying and how one is saying it. For example, when one is asking questions, they want to make sure they’re asking quality questions. Breeze offers us a quote by author Don Miguel Ruiz, “Be impeccable with your words.” As she says nothing is more aligned with professional speaking and polish than that.������

Tips for Speaking Like a Professional������

• No excuses.
• Do not go into “blame mode.”������
• No rambling, be clear and concise, to the point.������
• Stay away from office gossip and politics.����
• Do not lose emotional control.����
• Bring energy to your speaking with your tone, pauses, volume, and high-quality language.������

One big thing Breeze points out is that as a society we tend to apologize far too much. Stop starting conversations with colleagues and bosses with an I’m sorry. Do not justify being there by saying “I’m just here because…” These are words and phrases that diminish your power and professional presence.����

The webinar offers real-world��action steps you can take to make a positive impact on how you are perceived professionally. It is never too soon or too late to take time to focus on your professional polish, and this webinar is a perfect place to start. You can watch the��, as well as other career development webinars in this series on the University College Vimeo page.

Frequently Asked Questions

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By Megan Pritchett, Career Advisor

If you’re considering a new career path, here are five important things to do along the way.

Do Your Research. The importance of doing your research in a career switch can’t be emphasized enough. Research your new industry extensively, from industry trends to the lingo commonly used to the thought leaders, associations, and conferences for your new field.

Reverse Engineer Job Descriptions. Read as many job descriptions as you can and look at the common themes. You may be surprised! Look for gaps in your own experience or skillset and figure out creative ways to address them.

Tailor Every Application. While it may make sense to you why you’re switching careers (more opportunities, better pay, etc.) it may not always make sense to hiring managers in your target industry. To them, choosing to interview you might be a risky move. Maximize your chances of an interview by tailoring every job application using keywords from the job description. Your career narrative should be presented in a way that makes sense to someone who has never met you before. Quality over quantity!

Make Professional Friends. The only way to get an accurate picture of what a job looks like from the inside is from someone who has been in that specific role. The way to do this is through an informational interview, which is an intentional and professional conversation with someone to learn more about a job, career, or industry.

Be Patient. It often takes time to switch careers, so it’s important to be realistic and patient with yourself in the transition.

Megan Pritchett is a career advisor at the University of Denver through the . Students can make an appointment to meet one-on-one with Megan by emailing career@du.edu or calling 303-871-2150.

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Communicate with Your Advisor
Connect with your advisor early on and maintain a close relationship. Your academic advisor can help guide you through program requirements and opportunities while helping you stay on track. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and contact your advisor when you need support.

Form a Support System
Going back to school is not an easy task when you are juggling work and family. Let your family and colleagues know you are going back to school and ways they can support you. Build your support system to lean on when you need it!

Time Management
Have a set routine for the term and set time aside for coursework. Create a calendar to stay on track so no surprises come along. Keep your files organized by creating folders for each class so you can reference them later on.

Create Your Ideal Workspace
Find a workspace that you thrive in. Do you prefer to work with background noise? Do you need certain lighting? Find your ideal workspace. Either a separate room in your home, the library, or a coffee shop. Get rid of distractions when working on coursework and minimize online temptations like social media.

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