Welcome to the Institute for Professional Engagement (IPE)

Successful students are central to the mission of Utah Valley University, and professional engagement prepares a student to enjoy success.  The Institute for Professional Engagement (IPE) exists to promote and facilitate activities by UVU students, faculty and staff that help develop professional competence and confidence among UVU students.  Professionally-engaged students, faculty and staff recognize that learning extends beyond the classroom, and that lifelong learning benefits society as well as students.

The mission of the IPE is to involve students beyond the classroom in activities related to their future professions and their roles as citizens in a democratic, globally interdependent community.  Professional engagement activities result in: 1) greater knowledge of and experience in a profession; 2) expanded professional networks; and/or 3) practical application of academic learning.

Some of the activities, goals and mission of the IPE overlap with the Center for Engaged Learning.

IPE Objectives

The Institute focuses its activities in four fundamental areas:

• Promoting student self-discovery activities and helping students understand their core motivations in life;
• Expanding career exploration opportunities (e.g., advising, career testing, career exploration courses, career fairs, excursions, etc.) which enrich students career decision-making knowledge and skills;
• Helping students identify, develop and directly engage in a variety of career preparation experiences (e.g., resume/portfolio development, interviewing skills, internships, job shadowing, information interviews, research, publishing, etc).
• Teaching career management, leadership and community service skills which enhance careers (e.g., mentoring, networking skills, professional societies/organizations, service learning, community services, preparation for graduate school, etc).

How Can the IPE Help You?

Faculty and Staff

UVU departments, organizations, faculty and staff are encouraged to create partnerships with the IPE to further promote the services, activities and resources they provide to build UVU students' professional competencies.  Collaborative areas include (but are not limited to) advisement, student success courses, career exploration, career testing, resume development, internships, job shadowing, excursions, leadership development, networking, mentoring, service opportunities, professional societies/organizations, student clubs, etc.  

UVU faculty and staff may apply to the IPE for funding to provide off-campus student excursions to explore major and career options and the related professional competencies needed to enter the workforce once their educational experience is complete.  Grant funds are awarded in two rounds annually.  If you are interested in funding a student excursion through the IPE grant process, click the Grants link above for more information or contact Cary Boone Jones at joneca@uvu.edu or at (801) 863-8258.

Students

UVU students are encouraged to participate in activities sponsored by the IPE and other departments and schools on campus to develop professional competencies necessary to work within their desired major and/or career field.  Students are directed to activities focused on each stage of their college experience:

• Freshman - Self-Discovery and Career Exploration
• Sophomore - Continued Career Exploration (as needed) and Selection of Educational Career Path
• Junior - Focused Learning and Integration and Application of Career Decisions
• Senior - Career Preparation, Networking and Honing of Professional Competencies

The IPE is currently providing a limited amount of funding for students interested in working as a paid intern for a non-profit organization.  This special partnership allows UVU students to explore first-hand the aspects involved in working for a non-profit area and provides competent, talented student workers to a workforce segment that doesn't often have funding to participate in internships.  Students interested in participating in non-profit internships funded through the IPE should contact Marsha Haynes at haynesma@uvu.edu or 863-6004.  Click here to view the students currently working in a non-profit IPE internship.

Click on the Students link above to view resources provided by departments and organizations on campus that encourage professional competency.