By KRISTA STAUDINGER -
UW News Lab

What was previously only given one week in January can now claim bragging rights over the entire month. January 2012 is Professional Development Month, which is unique to the UW’s Department of Communication.

Edgar Gonzalez, the president of the Department of Communication Alumni Board, welcomed students, alumni, and local professionals to the kickoff event in the Communications Building on Jan. 9. This was one of 37 events during January, all free of charge to students and alumni. Events include an internship fair, mentor lunches, career panels and a speed-networking night.

As if gaining valuable job-hunting skills and connections aren’t enough of a motivator to attend events, there is an additional opportunity to win prizes. Gonzalez announced that for each event attended, there is the option to complete a feedback survey. These surveys allow students to be entered in a drawing for the chance to receive a Kindle Fire and two iPod Shuffles.

With more than 160 students registered at the time of the kickoff and more than 70 professionals volunteering their time, the alumni board has strong hopes for program turnout.

Those in attendance at the kickoff event represented all stages of the academic spectrum — from sophomore Caitlin Bennett who is undeclared in her major but considering Communication, to a recent UW graduate from the spring of 2011, Krista DeFils, who works two part-time jobs.

Attendees had the option to network with professionals over finger foods and beverages, register for the variety of mentor lunches, workshops, and panels or pick up previously made event schedules.

In regard to the kickoff, Bennett commented, “The ratio of mentors to students was nice because I was able to have more personal one-on-one conversations.”

Bennett left Monday evening in possession of two business cards, mentioning that maybe someday those contacts could be of value to her, and with motivation to attend the first career panel of PDM that was held Jan. 10, titled “How Did You Get That Job?!?”

Amanda Weber, the Department of Communication Public Information Specialist, is responsible for technical and social media aspects of Professional Development Month. She explained that the most prominent feedback received from last year was that students were overwhelmed with trying to cram all the events they wanted to attend into only a week along their class schedules.

“By extending it to a full month, it gives more students the opportunity to participate in some capacity,” Alumni Board President Gonzalez explained. “A month of events also allows us to provide more varied programming with a broader appeal.”

Workshops applicable to any job market, for example resume and interview bootcamps, are among the numerous events. Many job fields will be represented throughout the month, such as PR, marketing and journalism.

To learn more and sign up for Professional Development Month events, visit the Communication website.

KRISTA STAUDINGER is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.