Professional Development

Chairs: Mackenzie Foss
Committee Size: 10-12
Time Commitment: 5-6 hours per month

The WTS Professional Development Committee (PDC) builds member leadership roles and skills, fosters relationships, and stimulates professional and personal growth.

We emphasize programs that tap the collective abilities of our most experienced, highly placed members, building the next generation of leaders on the knowledge/experience of their predecessors. The Professional Development Committee offers three avenues for members to further develop their professional development skills and expand their industry networks:

Workshops
WTS Colorado arranges a handful of workshops every year to provide members with opportunities to learn or enhance career skills. The workshops designed for small groups, providing as much one-on-one interaction as possible.  We began hosting workshops in 2005. They are typically classroom-style events and cover a specific topic area.  The workshops are about two hours long and include a mix of presentation and interactive activities.

Mentoring Program
This program pairs young professionals with a more experienced professional to provide one-on-one mentoring over the course of eight months. The mentoring program fosters relationships, stimulates professional and personal growth, helps members determine career paths, and teaches others what we know. 

The eight month program runs every other year (alternating with the Leadership Series) from April through December and accommodates up to fifteen pairs of mentors and proteges. Mentors and proteges meet individually on a monthly basis with group sessions at the beginning, middle and end of the program. 

Leadership Series
This series is geared toward connecting WTS members with industry leaders and provides an intimate setting for attendees to get to know senior professionals. Participation is limited to 15 WTS members per event. This series is held every other year (alternating with the Mentoring Program). The next series is scheduled for 2016.

Professional Advancement Stipend

WTS Colorado encourages the professional growth of its members and realizes the importance of providing resources to help members become better transportation professionals and leaders. With that in mind, WTS Colorado has developed an annual stipend that members may apply for, which will support the development of their careers and their professional endeavors. In spring 2017, two stipends of up to $500 will be available to two WTS Colorado members, to support an activity that the applicant’s company/employer is not able to financially support. This effort will allow career development by contributing to professional training, textbooks, online or printed resource materials, or conferences (including travel, registration, lodging, etc.). 

Happy Hour

The Professional Development Committee often hosts happy hour events every few months, often in coordination with other WTS CO programs and events. These events are great opportunities to meet other professionals, to learn more about WTS, and to enjoy the company of colleagues and fellow WTS members.

Book Club

Typically 3-4 times a year, the PDC chooses a book for WTS membership to read, and hosts an event to talk about the book and other topics related to the workplace, career development, and personal growth. A sampling of book club selections include:

• Thinking Fast and Slow
• Lean In
• Quiet
• The Confidence Code
• The Fred Factor
• The Existential Pleasures of Engineering
• Knowing Your Value

If you are interested in joining the Professional Development Committee or contributing ideas for membership please contact Mackenzie Foss.