PDEL Students
Students of the Professional Development and Experiential Learning Program
Interested in what PDEL can add to your program? Graduate students interested in the PDEL experience should obtain a comprehensive understanding of how professional development and experiential learning opportunities can contribute to their academic journey, skill development, career prospects, and overall growth. Below are some resources to help you decide:
- Understand the requirements and procedures for applying to PDEL and incorporating it into your program. Recognize the time commitment required (program duration, hours per week) and how that will be integrated into your academic programming.
- Determine how these professional opportunities can be maximized to align with your program of study and future career aspirations. Ensure these opportunities align with your graduation timeline and degree requirements and obtain your supervisor’s support for applying to this program.
- Try seeking out students or alumni who previously participated in PDEL to gauge the value and impact of these opportunities on your personal and professional development.
- Explore the networking possibilities and connections that you can develop through your internship which can assist you in building relationships with potential employers.
- Identify what mentorship, supervision, or resources might be available within your internship opportunity to help you navigate and maximize your learning.
A key element of the PDEL program is the internship and experiential learning component which immerses students in the field to get directly and practically involved in the hands-on part of their learning.
Click here to read more about the Internship Objectives and Overview and how PDEL could complement, and even enhance, your education program.
Are you interested in developing professional skills and completing a meaningful internship during your graduate program?
• PDEL is a full-year program focused on addressing the gap in professional development and experiential learning opportunities for thesis-based graduate students in MDCH and includes two courses (Fall and Winter terms) and an internship (Winter term).
• Students enrolled in the PDEL program will take part in a 12-16-week internship with a relevant organization during the Winter 2023 term. [Past internships have included: Alberta Health Services, BC Interior Health, and Medlior.] Students must successfully complete the Fall course before they can enroll in the winter internship program.
• These courses are part of a pilot program to introduce a professional experiential component to thesis-based graduate programs. To participate in this pilot program, students will need to:
1) Obtain approval from their academic supervisor;
2) Complete both the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 courses;
3) Complete a 20-minute survey on their PDEL Program experience; and
4) Consent to have their internship evaluation and assessments included as data for the study.
• Your participation in this program and research study is completely voluntary, and you may choose to withdraw from the study at any time, up until one week after the last date of data collection for that term. You may also
choose to withdraw from the courses as per the University of Calgary add/drop regulations. If you decide to participate, please be assured that your data and information will be kept confidential.
• This study has been reviewed by and received ethics approval from the University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (REB20-0461).
Contact: Dr. Elizabeth Oddone Paolucci (PDEL@ucalgary.ca) with a short statement of interest (<500 words) by August 1, 2023.