Professional Skills Development Program

Formally launched in 2016, the Professional Skills Development Program (PSDP) is designed to expose early career scholars and trainees in clinical and translational science to the wide range of environmental and individual factors that contribute to a successful career. The primary objectives of the PSDP are to 

  • support the unique professional development needs of CTSA scholars at varying critical stages of their career.
  • create a community experience for cohorts that encourages and fosters meaningful interaction with peers and program leadership.

The PSDP seeks to meet these objectives through interactive presentations, directed experiences, and facilitated discussions.  Participants are introduced to, and gain practice with, a wide range of skills and aptitudes demonstrated by effective leaders and professionals in academia, entrepreneurship, and professional and personal development.  Facilitators include ITMAT Education faculty leadership as well as topic experts from Penn, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the larger University of Pennsylvania community, industry, and other CTSA institutions.

Sessions are reserved for MSTR and MSRS students, predoctoral TL1 and postdoctoral TL1 trainees, KL2 scholars, and CTTP trainees.

The Multiple Layers of the PSDP

Diagram showing the multiple layers of the Professional Skills Development Program

As a result, participants are able to identify resources, concepts, skills, and behaviors relevant to their work as clinicians, scientists, leaders and entrepreneurs. Following self-reflection, observation of examples in action, practical implementation and peer exchange, participants will be well positioned to implement their personal style in their daily work, no matter their current role or future professional pathway taken.