The Personal Development Days Program is Ready -- Are You?

Even though the snow hasn't melted yet, and students are still getting lost trying to find their classes, spring semester has begun. Still, there's no time to waste. The future is rapidly approaching, and we must be ready for it. Are you? The Career Center is here to help.

February 13 to March 3 will be devoted to the second part of Career Days, with the eighth annual Personal Development Program. This program is targeted at giving students practical knowledge about the professional field in which they plan to work and informing them about how they can improve their skills. The point is to help students stand out from the mass of university graduates and give them a better chance at getting a good job and having a bright future.

The program began in October with four weeks of Sector Introduction Meetings. Almost 3,000 students attended. Now, it's time for Part Two.

Personal Development Days is a series of workshops and lectures given by well-known and highly successful representatives of a wide variety of professions, including Prof. Ali Doğramacı, Ayşe Kulin, Prof. Yankı Yazgan, Tolga Örnek, Uğur Dündar, Müjdat Gezen, Ali Nasuh Mahruki, Pınar Abay and many others. Normally such seminars would be very expensive, but these lecturers are coming to Bilkent as volunteers and sharing their expertise for free. Students in all years and departments can attend. The speakers are well-acquainted with the market and will be able to give real-life hints and practical information about your future career choice.

The lectures will cover topics including leadership, interview skills, presentation techniques, entrepreneurship, motivation, ethics, change management and creativity, as well as ways of identifying your strengths and improving in areas where you might be weak. Some of the seminars will be about international work opportunities, including work and travel programs and work camps. There will also be a meeting with Bilkent alumni, who will talk about their experiences and give advice. All of the lectures will be in Turkish.

Every year, from 5,000 to 7,000 students attend the Personal Development Program lectures and workshops. So, don't miss your chance!

How? It's easy: the lectures require no prior registration. The schedule can be obtained from the Career Center in the Student Union Office or online at www.kariyer.bilkent.edu.tr. There are also three workshop activities: CV writing, letter of intent writing, and a tree planting activity, all of which require registration. You can register by calling ext. 2624 or 2486. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited, so register as soon as possible.

Also, as an extra stimulus, all of the lectures and workshops are assigned points. When you attend, you collect these points and can become eligible to receive the awards given at the end of the program, including certificates  and free passes to special training events.