“Professional is not a label you give yourself – it’s a description you hope others will apply to you.” – David Maister

As we rapidly progress through the latter half of the decade, we enter a brand new chapter of worldwide integration. As global business expands and professionalism develops at breakneck speed, companies of all cultures, shapes and sizes must up their game in order to leave their mark on an interconnected world.

Consequently, the competition to attract and retain global talent has significantly mounted, intensifying the need for highly-skilled specialists with the necessary expertise to lead a team of people with confidence and professionalism.

Demand for this sort of candidate is not likely to slow down as the number of global companies and multinational corporations expands through the roof, but also as a market that’s both universal and interwoven becomes more and more convoluted.

“Being able to come up with a winning strategy, given a complex set of variables, is only part of the job,” note the writers of People & Strategy, the Professional Journal of HRPS. “The fundamental role of leaders at every level is to lead and develop people – and this ability is in critically short supply.

“The bottom line is that organizations that have effective global leaders in place are more likely to prosper than those that do not,” the Journal concludes.


Image via Pixabay

So how do we ensure a sustainable supply of qualified, specialized leaders, ready to fully-commit to their chosen discipline?

We must provide a comprehensive portfolio of professional degrees, specifically designed to prepare global graduates for success in a particular field.

There’s no better region to achieve this feat than in Southern USA.

The Southern States of America are currently steeped with innovation, particularly within the aerospace industry, with a number of publications calling it a ‘hub’ for this type of business. “…But whilst focusing on the rise of emerging markets is essential to identify future growth opportunities, it is the ‘re-rise’ of the U.S. market, particularly the Southern U.S. States, which is of interest to both commentators and manufacturers,” Richard Gale writes for ADS.

“Growth in the region can mainly be traced to lower energy and building costs for manufacturers; state incentive packages which make it easier for companies to set up ventures in the area and business friendly tight-to-work laws,” he adds.

Gale points out that hefty investment in Southern business has allowed States to provide industry training programmes that are truly unparalleled. Stateline, for example, highlights how the state of Alabama was able to provide approximately US$158 million in incentives to Airbus, including US$52 million to construct a 40,000-sq-ft on-site center where employees can be trained at the expense of the State.


Image via Pixabay

One university that’s taken full advantage of this is the University of North Alabama, providing a comprehensive Pre-professional in Engineering to help students take advantage of the State’s exciting aerospace industry. But the University’s network of professional opportunities is not merely restricted to aspects of the engineering industry; Alabama also provides pre-professional degrees in Allied Health, Agriculture and Forestry, Architecture, Law and many more, giving graduates the chance to make the most of the state’s most booming businesses.

Read on to learn more about the universities offering outstanding professional opportunities in South USA:

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ALABAMA – ALABAMA
Incepted in 1830, the University of North Alabama is the State’s oldest four-year accredited university. Set on a picturesque 130-acre campus in historic Florence, Alabama, the University hosts a diverse population of international students from 37 countries.

The College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) encompasses 19 cutting-edge departments and a vibrant portfolio of majors, minors and certificate programs, all of which work both independently and collaboratively to turn every student’s future ambition into a feasible reality. The College boasts an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 20:1, with the average class hosting a student body of just 24, and 80 percent of the School’s outstanding provisions are delivered by full-time faculty.

Alabama’s Pre-professional Programs present students with the ideal blend of preparation and guidance, perfect for those hoping to enrol in a prestigious professional school, including agriculture and forestry, architecture, engineering, health and allied health professions (including medicine, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, physician assistant, pharmacy, veterinary science, medical technology, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and allied health fields), and law.


Image via the University of North Alabama

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY – NORTH CAROLINA
North Carolina Central University (NCCU) was established in 1909, and carved its name in history when it became the first public liberal arts institution to admit students of African American descent. Now, NCCU is a globally-respected institution, providing Bachelor’s, Master’s, Juris Doctor and PhD qualifications to a vibrant student community.

NCCU provides a number of science-based Pre-professional courses, including Biology, Pre-Medicine and Pre-Dentistry (Biomedical Sciences) Concentration, B.S., Chemistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry and Pre-Pharmacy B.S. and Pre-Medicine/Dentistry/Pharmacy.

All these courses prepare students for professional success within their respective fields.

NCCU’s Graduate and Professional School is committed to providing students with a rewarding academic experience, setting them off on a successful career they find both fulfilling and meaningful.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, COASTAL CAROLINA UNIVERSITY – SOUTH CAROLINA
The University of Coastal Carolina (Coastal) is a dynamic, research-intensive public institution located in beautiful Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.

Coastal’s University College is committed to helping undeclared first-year students with their successful transition from High School through to College, working alongside students who major in interdisciplinary subjects, as well as students involved in the University Honors Program. The School also successfully supports students of the Bridge Program, the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, the Environmental Studies minor and the Sustainability Certificate, openly providing professional advice and academic mentoring to ensure student success not only at the School, but later on in life.


Image via GRUcrule – Augusta University

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS, AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY – GEORGIA
Located in the friendly city of Augusta, Georgia, Augusta University is a world-leading public research university and medical center, entirely committed to training the next generation of leaders, innovators and healthcare providers.

Augusta’s College of Science and Mathematics provides a number of highly-specialized Pre-professional qualifications, including Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy and Pre-Engineering.

Augusta’s College of Science and Mathematics provides students with strong foundations in the sciences as well as preparation for careers, citizenship, and a life-long love of learning.

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, CHATTANOOGA – TENNESSEE
The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga (UTC), offers its students a transformative and experiential learning environment with outstanding instructors at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral levels.

UTC’s Pre-professional programs include: Medicine, Biology, Physics, English and Chemistry.

The School strongly recommends that applicants obtain direct exposure to the practice of medicine through volunteer experiences or employment opportunities at a health care facility. The applicant should involve them self in extra-curricular activities, on and off campus, to broaden their experience and development.

Feature image via Pixabay

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