About Professional Development at UCalgary
Grow For Tomorrow
Ahead of Tomorrow positions professional development as a key enabler of institutional excellence, cultural renewal and individual growth. It calls for investment in professional development to unlock our collective and individual potential and make it simpler and faster to bring ideas to fruition. The Professional Development Roadmap: Grow for Tomorrow, brings that vision to life. The Roadmap sets-out our near, medium and long term priorities and our commitments to career and professional development. Through it we seek a shift toward shared and active responsibility for learning, more consistent support for development and a workplace where growth is a core part of the career journey.
Our Approach
At UCalgary, professional development is grounded in the belief that learning is continuous, varied and embedded in everyday work. Development occurs through real experiences such as taking on new challenges, collaborating with others, seeking feedback and reflecting on learning as it is applied. This approach recognizes that career journeys are not linear but evolve through diverse opportunities and ongoing exploration, with professional development supporting the capabilities, confidence and adaptability needed to thrive. Our continuous learning model reflects this philosophy by highlighting a full spectrum of learning, from formal programs and self-directed resources to experiential, relational and reflective practices, all supported by connections with managers, peers, mentors and broader networks.
Our Priority Initiatives
Embed evidence-based professional development
across career stages, improving access of opportunities and supports and fostering shared learning through mentoring, coaching, communities of practice and partnerships.
Support mobility and diverse careers
by enabling flexible roles and staffing, integrating professional development into daily work for personalized growth from day one, and strengthening continuity through formal talent and succession planning.
Strengthen our professional development ecosystem
by enhancing connections across opportunities, equipping leaders to foster a strong learning culture and modernizing systems and data to improve access, tracking and decision-making.
Our Ecosystem
The professional development ecosystem at UCalgary brings together curated development experiences that support the growth of employees across the university. By connecting diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise from both academic and professional communities, the ecosystem enables shared ownership of professional development. Each team contributes to designing, delivering, and promoting learning, collectively reinforcing continuous development across UCalgary.
Faculty of Graduate Studies
Supporting graduate students for academic and career success through professional development opportunities such as internships, skill development courses and campus resources.
Haskayne School of Business
Haskayne’s MBA programs provide in-person learning designed to help learners advance their career, pivot into new opportunities or strengthen their business skills.
Libraries and Cultural Resources
Access user-centric resources designed to enhance learning experiences through comprehensive library-focused teaching, learning and research support for all faculty, students, researchers and staff.
Office of Indigenous Engagement
Increase intercultural capacity through Indigenous focused courses, programs and professional development learning opportunities.
Office of Institutional Commitments
Learn more about how transdisciplinary leadership on campus can be supported through the initiatives, strategies and the collective impact of UCalgary's foundational commitments.
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
Access resources to support researchers' projects at various stages throughout the research cycle including planning, seeking funding, nominating a scholar or translating findings into tangible impact.
People and Culture
Explore development offerings including interactive workshops and cohort learning experiences that support career growth and professional skills development.
Postdoctoral Professional Development
This program supports development in six core competencies essential for success in academia, industry, government and non‑profit sectors.
Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
Explore the integration of undergraduate inquiry, teaching development and research to enhance teaching expertise, technology use and learning.
UCalgary Continuing Education
Enrol in non‑credit courses, seminars and certificate programs that provide flexible online, in‑person, and blended options for working professionals and adult learners.
Contact & Support
Our programs are managed by a range of faculties, departments and external partners, each with their own dedicated team. Connecting directly with the right contact is the quickest way to get the help you need. For more specific support, see the resources below.