Design Thinking Workshops

Design thinking is about solving problems. It began as a tool used by engineers, but is now recognized as a useful method for tackling all sorts of problems. At AUP, and through the Global Professional Skills Program (GPS), we offer a suite of three Design Thinking workshops each with a different goal and each targeted at a certain group of students. Completion of these workshops is required for students who wish to earn the GPS certificate and appears on the students’ official co-curricular record (CCR).

Design thinking workshops happen as two or three part modules that students may register for via their student portal before the end of the drop-add period, or after the drop-add period by filling in this web form (form will open after the end of the drop-add period, until then, register via your student portal).

Designing Your AUP (DYA)

The “problem” addressed in this workshop is: How can I align my academic and co-curricular interests with my values; and how can I ensure that I look back on how I spent my time at university with no regrets?

The Designing Your AUP (DYA) workshop helps students make connections between their values and their vision for their university experience. Students will leave this workshop focused on making the most out of their time at AUP.

This workshop is best for first year students, but is open to all.

Designing Your Life (DYL)

The “problem” addressed in this workshop is: How can I align my career aspirations with my values; and how can I articulate my personal value proposition?

The Designing Your Life (DYL) workshop helps students examine how to connect the dots between their academic interests, their values, and their career aspirations. Students will leave the workshop with the tools needed to begin thinking clearly about their transition into the professional sphere and with a "Person Value Proposition" that will enable them to communicate successfully with prospective employers about their strengths and experiences.

This workshop is best for second and third year students, but is open to all.

Designing Your Narrative (DYN)

The “problem” addressed in this workshop is: How do I tell my story; and how can I craft a narrative to successfully pitch myself and my university experience to employers/graduate program admissions advisors/investors/…?

The Designing Your Narrative (DYN) workshop helps students examine how to connect the dots between their experiences at university and their post-graduation plans. We talk about what comes next (job/internship/graduate school/etc.), and walk through a series of exercises that help students reflect on everything they’ve done at AUP, both in the classroom and outside of it. Students will leave the workshop with the tools they need to be confident selling themselves to prospective employers, graduate school admissions decision makers, investors, etc. - whoever will be your "audience" as you work towards your post-graduation goals.

This workshop is best for final year students (seniors), but is also open to second semester juniors.