Professional Exploration and Knowledge

(PEAK) Pathway

The University of Pikeville’s Professional Exploration and Knowledge (PEAK) Career and Leadership Pathway is a comprehensive four-year pathway program designed to allow students to explore career options and gain leadership experience throughout their time on campus, culminating in an increase in job and leadership preparedness at graduation. It allows students to build an individualized plan with expanded opportunities for leadership, professional experience and service throughout every year of student enrollment.

The PEAK Career and Leadership Pathway will empower students to:

• Take personal responsibility in their career development and management by being active participants in the PEAK program.

• Reflect on and articulate their leadership potential.

• Demonstrate an understanding of a professional identity founded in leadership development skills. These program goals will be achieved through a focus on two student learning outcomes.

PEAK will focus on eight Career Readiness Competencies developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Career Readiness Competency	Description
Career & Self Development	Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships.
Communication	Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.
Critical Thinking	Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.
Equity & Inclusion	Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.
Leadership	Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.
Professionalism	Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits and act in the interest of the larger workplace and community.
Teamwork	Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.
Technology	Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

How Students May Participate by enrolling in the subsequent career courses or any number of career readiness curricular and co-curricular experiences:

Career Planning – directed at first-and second-year students. Provides the learner with the opportunity to become more aware of interests, values, skills and personality styles related to the career decision-making process.

21st Century Career Search – directed at upper level students. Provides an overview of career and graduate/professional school search tools and techniques, including:

• Service work with a community organization

• Bears@Work – work study job on or off campus

• Career office workshops and Canvas career readiness modules

• Second-Year Trail Blazers Summer Bridge program mentor

• New Student Orientation or GROWL leader

• Campus leadership roles (e.g. clubs and organizations, intercollegiate athletics, tutoring, resident assistant)

• UPIKE Job and Internship Fair and Etiquette Dinner

• Formal academic research

• Internships, practicums and clinical experiences