The Wirth Center for Professional Development
What We Do
The Wirth Center for Professional Development is a flagship initiative of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business. We ensure that every student graduates with not only strong business knowledge, but also the professionalism, confidence, and career-ready skills employers value most.
Through structured programming, alumni mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities, the Center helps students develop the skills and presence needed to succeed in today's workplace.
About the Center
Business education has traditionally focused on technical knowledge. However, employers consistently identify communication, professional identity, and professional presence as critical drivers of career success. The Wirth Center was created to intentionally develop these competencies through a structured, equitable framework that supports every student's professional growth.
Our Purpose
To empower students with the skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to represent themselves and their organizations with excellence, integrity, and professionalism.
Signature Programs
Professional Engagement Program (PEP)
PEP is a series of eight required 0-credit courses that support your professional growth throughout your undergraduate experience. Each semester builds the last, providing practical career preparation while helping you develop the confidence, skills, and experiences needed for success in business.
- Semester 1 PEP: CAREER AWARENESS “I Belong Here”
- Semester 2 PEP: CAREER FOUNDATION “I Am Capable”
- Semester 3 PEP: EXPLORATION "I Am Discovering My Path"
- Semester 4 PEP: EXPANSION "I Am Growing My Potential"
- Semester 5 PEP: EXPERIENCE "I Am Making an Impact"
- Semester 6 PEP: APPLIED PRACTICE “I Put My Skills into Action”
- Semester 7 PEP: PREPARE TO LAUNCH “I Am Ready to Stand Out”
- Semester 8 PEP: TRANSITION TO WORKFORCE “I Am Ready to Thrive”
Beyond the online coursework, you'll participate in workshops, employer presentations, networking opportunities, and other professional development programs. Each semester, students attend and reflect on two PEP-approved events, reinforcing classroom learning through real-world experiences.
PEP is built around eight core competencies that prepare students to succeed in today’s workplace: Self/Career Awareness, Professional Identity, Confident Communication, Belonging & Cultural Fluency, Teamwork Across Modalities, Critical Inquiry & Action, Purposeful Leadership, and AI & Digital Agility.
Experiential Learning
Learning extends far beyond the classroom. Through internships, job shadowing, employer projects, competitions, case studies, leadership opportunities, and hands-on experiences, you'll apply what you learn in real-world settings.
Experiential learning helps you build practical skills, gain confidence, explore career paths, and develop the professional experiences employers seek. By graduation, you'll have more than a degree; you'll have a portfolio of experiences that demonstrates your readiness to succeed.
Learn about Tobin's Experiential Learning Opportunities & Career Services Non-Credit Experiential Learning Opportunities & Forage (Simulated projects from Fortune 500 & 100 Companies).
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Alumni Mentorships
MentorPlace is an alumni mentorship experience that connects every Tobin student with an experienced industry mentor who provides real-world perspective, professional guidance, and valuable networking opportunities. Embedded within the core curriculum, MentorPlace helps students build confidence, strengthen career readiness, and develop meaningful relationships that often continue well beyond graduation.
Tobin alumni are at the heart of this experience, sharing career insights, serving as professional role models, and helping students navigate their academic and career journeys with confidence.
MentorPlace
Digital Badges & Credentialing
The Professional Foundations Digital Badge Program is a free, self-paced, fully online experience that helps graduate students build the skills employers value most. Through assessments, reflection, coaching, and career-readiness activities, participants develop employer-valued competencies, including Communication, Emotional Intelligence, Professional Identity, Project Management, Team Management, Professional Presence, Relational Intelligence, Presentation Skills, and AI Proficiency.
Digital Badge Program for Graduate Students
Contact
Elisa Zervos, Director, Wirth Center for Professional Development
Director of Career & Professional Development and ICF Professional Certified Coach
Mica Scalin, Program Manager, Wirth Center for Professional Development & ICF Associate Certified Coach