[metaslider id=8277]
DAN ORZECHOWSKI
Staff Writer
One Friday every semester is designated to be Professional Development Day. But in the eyes of many students, this translates to a three-day weekend.
Workshops are offered throughout our campus for faculty and staff to provide tips and learning strategies. Students are encouraged to attend these workshops too; however, the turnout rate is rather low.
Erin Mroczka, director of First-Year and Transition Programs, believes that it would be wise of students to take advantage of the workshops.
“The workshops provide students with tangible experiences connected to Fredonia’s baccalaureate goals outside the classroom,” Mroczka explained. “It is so very important for students to share knowledge with other students, develop new skills and begin to gain career confidence.”
This semester the seminars that were offered to students included information on computer programs, entrepreneurship and the rise of “fake news.” Yet despite the opportunities, there’s a lack of student involvement. According to Mroczka, attendance per workshop can range from one person to 50 people. The average number of students attending a workshop falls between six and 12.
Junior political science major Matt Courtney said he never knew about the workshops.
“I probably wouldn’t have gone even if I [knew]; I’d rather take advantage of the day off,” said Courtney.
Sarah McCann, a junior math education major, said she knew about the workshops because of emails and professors, but that she uses Professional Development Day to get more hours at work.
“I’ve been working at a pizzeria near my house in Hamburg for six years and work there every other weekend. Since I live in an apartment near campus, [Professional Development Day] is a good opportunity to earn money,” McCann said.
Even though she didn’t attend, McCann added that she thinks the workshops provide learning opportunities.
“I have been to an organization workshop on campus along with a résumé workshop, and they were both very helpful,” she said.