PDP Curriculum
Read about our Professional Development Program
Sessions
Session 1
Harrison Exam, Each student will take the online Harrison Assessment and will set up a one-on-one session in January with Harrison professional Ken Zeigler of Wellspring Advantage to review the individual test results.
Session 2, Thursday, January 9th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 3 pm to 5 pm
Program Orientation, Mentor Mix & Mingle, and Happy Hour, Students and mentors will be introduced to the program where the guidelines and requirements will be laid out for the year. Following the brief meeting there will be timed sessions for each student to ‘speed network’ their way through meeting their mentors & fellow student groups. An informal network to follow.
Session 3, Thursday, February 6th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 8 am to 10 am
Leadership Foundations: Uncovering your identity as a leader, In this leadership session, you’ll embark on a journey to uncover your unique identity as a leader by delving into your core values and principles. You’ll craft a personalized leadership philosophy that reflects your authentic self and guides your decision-making, which means consistency and building trust with your team. You’ll also learn the importance of starting with the “why” when leading your team. This will connect your team to the purpose, ensuring that actions and goals align, and that your team follows through on “asks.”
Session 4, Thursday, February 27th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 8 am to 10 am
Career Development Reports, We will welcome back Ken Zeigler to discuss a newly introduced portion of the Harrison Assessments, Career Development Reports. These reports are personalized to each student and will focus on certain traits that show a need for development. This class allows each student and mentor to collaborate on growth and development strategies.
Session 5, Thursday, March 27th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 8 am to 10 am
Negotiating Skills, Presented by David Kelly of Growth Solutions. In this informative session participants will learn industry tricks on how to negotiate specific to the construction trades as well as in tough life situations in general. You are sure to leave this session feeling empowered and convident to take on those tough conversations.
Session 6, March/April 2025
Class Organized Social Event, The class will organize an outing for students and mentors. It could be anything from Axe Throwing to Go Cart Races to Clay Pigeon Shooting , etc… The group of students are expected to initiate the plans amongst themselves and make arrangements for the event (the event is funded through the PDP tuitions).
Session 7, Thursday, April 24th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 8 am to 10 am
Communicating with Emotional Intelligence: Having the right conversations for positive outcomes, In this leadership session, you’ll learn strategies for navigating challenging conversations with confidence and fostering positive outcomes. We’ll explore techniques for delivering constructive feedback effectively and addressing difficult issues with empathy and clarity. By mastering these skills, you’ll enhance your ability to build strong relationships and drive meaningful change within your team.
Session 8, April/May 2025
One-on-One with Industry Leader, Students find time on their own schedule to meet one-on-one with their appointed mentors.
Session 9, Thursday, May 22nd, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 3 pm to 5 pm
Young Leader Panel Discussion, The students and mentors will attend the Young Leader Committee hosted panel discussion & Network. The panel topic and panelists will vary based on timely content decided on upon the committee. Topics may include Construction Technology, the Lifecycle of a given project (panel featuring owner, architect & GC) and other relevant industry topics. A happy hour and network to follow.
Session 10, Thursday, June 5th, 2025; ABC Greater Baltimore, 8 am to 10 am
Connect & Thrive: Building relationships so your team is productive, motivated and engaged, In this leadership session, you’ll discover how to build strong, trust-based relationships that drive team productivity and engagement. We’ll explore strategies for fostering a positive team culture, motivating members, and addressing individual needs to keep everyone inspired and committed. By enhancing your relational skills, you’ll create an environment where your team thrives and performs at its best.
Community Service Project, April/May 2025
To complete this program, each student will need to participate in a community service outreach at the Baltimore City Ronald McDonald House. The coordination of service will be done by the students based on their schedules and availability.
Wednesday, June 18th 2025; Location TBD
Graduation Dinner & Awards, Students, mentors and a guest of their choosing are invited to attend this dinner celebration. Certificates of completion will be given out to students, and we will honor our top-level graduate.