The Employer-led Professional Development Institute (EPDI) is a 6-week program designed for students from all disciplines who are interested in sharpening their professional skills. The program offers students intensive, one-hour workshops led by local and regional employers from corporate, public, and non-profit sectors. Participating students will receive firsthand knowledge from employers about what they look for in their new hires.

The spring 2021 cohort begins on March 10, 2021. All sessions will be virtual and the cohort is limited to 400 students.

Student participants that attend at least eight (8) professional development sessions from the menu of options will receive a $200 service award at the semester's end. Students in the program will have the opportunity to earn an additional $200 award by participating in four (4) bonus engagement activities, based on funding availability. These engagement activities are designed to push students outside of their comfort zone in order to grow their professional network, hone their interview skills, and be better positioned for their career path of choice.

EPDI provides students with:

• Hands-on experience to help their career exploration and gain competitive credentials
• A menu of professional development activities to choose from
• Meaningful interaction with employers in specific fields
• Opportunities to network with other students in the cohort
• Engagement activities to develop mentoring relationships with UTEP faculty
• Intellectually and fulfilling career related experiences
• Professional development activities to frame and map career pathways
• Skills to articulate professional and academic experience.