Staff in St. Bonaventure University Career and Professional Readiness Center are always looking for ways to give SBU students an edge when it comes to preparing them for employment and graduate school.

A new program offered by the CPRC, The Competitive Edge Certificate (The EDGE), will provide participating sophomores, juniors, and seniors the opportunity to develop professional skills sought by employers and graduate schools.

Online registration in The EDGE opens Monday, Sept. 14, and closes Wednesday, Sept. 30, at www.sbu.edu/cprc. Space in the program is limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

With a one-year completion timeline, students will participate in a diverse series of six one-hour seminars. Topics The EDGE program will offer include self-awareness, professional communication, networking, interviewing, and workplace dynamics.

“Employers consistently report that an applicant’s professionalism affects the likelihood of being hired,” said Connie Whitcomb, director of the Career and Professional Readiness Center. “Through participation in the EDGE program, students will gain a greater understanding of the professional expectations of today’s workplace and develop confidence in their ability to present and communicate professionally. They will definitely enhance their marketability for internship and employment opportunities, as well as graduate school admission.”

Students who complete all program requirements by April 2016 will receive a certificate, be recognized at an end-of-year reception, and receive a letter of achievement from the president of the university.

Learn more about The EDGE and other professional development opportunities offered by the CPRC at www.sbu.edu/cprc.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things.  St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #3 best college value in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition. Our students are becoming extraordinary.