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Professional and Field Skills Modules
This page describes the program of skills modules
that augment regular coursework by providing additional
instruction and experience in skills that will promote
success in employment after graduation. Some modules are
organized by the Director of Professional Studies, some
by Career Services, and some by student groups. Suggestions
for module topics are always welcome by e-mail.
Most sessions occur on Friday afternoons, but some are
at other times. The modules calendar contains descriptions of each module indicating
how many spaces are available for participants, and telling
when and where to meet and what to bring for field sessions.
Sign up for modules you want to attend online.
Note that some modules include more than one session; where
noted on the schedule and sign-up form, you must attend all
sessions.
Sign-up Procedure
Please sign up as far in advance as possible for each module
you want to
attend. We will use this information to make sure there is
sufficient
interest to hold the session and to plan for the instructor,
room,
handouts and equipment. Module sessions may be canceled if
registration
numbers are too low to warrant holding them. If you sign
up and then
later decide that you can't come, PLEASE inform the Program Coordinator for Professional Studies so that someone who may be waiting for
a spot can take your place. It is frustrating for everyone
when spots go
unused and students who wanted them don't know they are available.
Also,
failing to attend a module you have signed up for can result
in the
school spending money and effort to bring in outside speakers
without
sufficient student interest to justify the school's expense
or the
speaker's effort.
Schedule of Modules
A calendar of modules can be obtained by clicking on the
link below:
Professional and Field
Skills Modules Calendar
Modules on additional topics may be added later, and some
modules may be canceled if interest is low. Keep your eye
on the bulletin board outside of A116A. Also, check the modules
calendar for up to date information.
You will be asked to complete evaluation forms for each module
that you attend. These comments help us maintain the quality
of the professional and field skills modules and make decisions
about which ones to offer again. If you have comments on modules,
or suggestions for topics you'd like to have covered, please
send them.
MP Seminar Modules
Strictly speaking, the two modules that are part of the
1-credit MP seminar (graphical design and public speaking)
are not part of the skills modules program. However, they
will be listed on the skills modules calendar. These
modules are mandatory elements of the MP seminar. It is best
to complete them during your first year to avoid restrictions
on graduation.
Attendance sheets collected at the required modules will
be the final arbiter of attendance. It is your responsibility
to make sure you sign the attendance sheet for each required
module. After completing the required modules, it is your
responsibility to verify the module attendance records posted
online here > by the end of the semester during which you attended the
module(s), and to email the Program Coordinator for Professional Studies if your attendance is not included in the records. Students
who do not attend the required modules and do not have an
approved waiver must arrange for and complete substitute
instruction at their own expense before they will be allowed
to graduate.
Other Opportunities
for Professional and Field Skills Training
There are some other ways for you to develop your professional
and field skills. Some are regular courses, such as ENVIRON
201, Forest Resources Field Skills; some are resources outside
of the Nicholas School.
Here are several particularly rich sources of professional
training outside the Nicholas School:
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The Duke University
Human Resources Center for Learning and Organizational
Development offers a wide variety of workshops and
courses in communications, computer packages, time management,
etc. These courses are mainly for university staff but
they welcome Nicholas School students, too. Their fall
catalog is available in the professional skills section
of the reading room, as well as online.
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The Duke Continuing Education program (across campus, not the Office of Continuing and Executive Education here in the Nicholas School) offers an astonishing variety of courses in communications, languages, nonprofit management, computing and workplace management. Its offerings include evening and weekend courses as well as online courses. The Duke Continuing Education program has certificate programs in Technical Communication, Professional Risk Management and Nonprofit Management (among others) that may be valuable for Nicholas School students. There is a catalog in the professional skills section of the reading room, and additional information at the program's website: http://www.learnmore.duke.edu.
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The Carolina
Dispute Settlement Services and the Orange County
Dispute Settlement Center both offer workshops and
courses in mediation, meeting facilitation, conflict
management (see listings at http://www.notrials.com/training.html).
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The Natural Resources Leadership Institute at NCSU is
a year-long training in leadership and facilitation skills.
It is intended mainly for practicing professionals in
local government and nonprofits, but they have welcomed
students, too. There are some scholarship funds available.
For more information, contact Mary Lou Addor at mary_addor@ncsu.edu
or at (919) 515-9602, or visit the NRLI web site at http://www.ncsu.edu/NRLI.
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Duke's Social Science Research Institute offers workshops year-round in statistical software, quantitative analysis, spatial analysis, survey design and more. Website: www.ssri.duke.edu
The organizations listed above charge fees, and are
eligible for matching funds as described in
the section “Matching Funds for Skills Training” listed
below.
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The EPA Office of Emergency and Remedial Response offers
a wide variety of courses pertaining to management of
hazardous materials, environmental audits, superfund sites,
etc. Some of these qualify for OSHA 40-hour certification.
These courses are offered in various locations throughout
the Southeast. They usually cost several hundred dollars,
but students may attend these courses free(!). If there
is a sufficient interest at Duke (15 or more students),
we may be able to have EPA give one of these courses here.
The best available source for information on what classes
are being offered by the EPA is the http://www.trainex.org/
Web site. Registration must be done online only through
the given e-mail contact for that particular course. Any
questions concerning location or how to register must
be directed to 513-251-7776. That is the information line
for the registration of these courses for our region,
Region 4. There is no 800#.
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Workshops on Human Subjects Research: The Duke Office
of Research Support runs workshops concerning the ethics
of nonmedical research using human subjects. NS students
are welcome to attend. The schedule is posted at http://www.ors.duke.edu/ors/worktrain/calendar.html
These
workshops are free.
Wincy Jackson (of Sallie Mae) offered a module in Fall
2007 on Loan Repayment. Here's a PDF
of her presentation. -
Duke Toastmasters Club offers opportunities for members of the Duke community to develop their public speaking skills. Meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 AM in the Board Meeting Room of the Duke Credit Union. The Board Room is on the second floor of the Erwin Square Building at 2200 W. Main Street in Durham. Take the elevator in the main lobby to the second floor and you will immediately see the entrance to the Board Meeting Room. Guests are always welcome. Website: http://www.duketoastmasters.org/
Matching Funds
for Skills Training
**To help Nicholas School
students take advantage of professional development opportunities
for which a fee is charged (such as the Continuing Ed and
Professional Development courses described in the last paragraph),
we have a small fund set aside to match a students' contribution
toward a course fee (up to a limit of $150 per student per
year). To apply for these matching funds, send a brief letter
or e-mail
describing the course and how it fits with your academic program
and career goals to the Office
of Professional Studies.
Other Resources
We are slowly developing a video library of selected professional
skills workshops. At present, we have videotapes of Dr. Naren
Sharma's proposal writing workshop for international development
projects, Dr. Glenn Suter's ecological risk assessment workshop
and Dr. Toddi Steelman's memo writing workshop. These tapes
can be checked out by contacting the Program Coordinator for Professional Studies in A118, LSRC.
For more information, contact the Office
of Professional Studies
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