Bryan Gold awarded ‘Best Incentive’ at higher education conference

Each semester, Bryan School students participate in an app-based challenge designed to strengthen career skills desired by employers. The program is called Bryan Gold, and it’s one of the best of its kind in higher education, according to Suitable.

Bryan Gold earned a Best Incentive award at this year’s Pathways Student Development Conference, an event put on by Suitable. While institutions nationwide use the Suitable platform, Bryan Gold is personalized to the Bryan School and features customized activities, incentives, badges, and competencies.

“The recognition is a validation of what we already know; Bryan Gold offers not only a professionally relevant set of activities for students to engage in but also an intentionally aligned incentive structure that is designed to promote their commitment to their development and strengthen their professional branding in front of internal and external audiences,” said Lasse Palomaki, an undergraduate professional development specialist with the Bryan School. “From access to exclusive career events to features on internal and external media channels, our top-performing students will find that their efforts in Bryan Gold will create professionally meaningful real-world outcomes.”

Put simply, the program allows students to earn points, level up, and gather badges, gamifying that base goal of professional development. This holistic experience provides employers with a visual representation of an individual’s accomplishments and proficiencies.

All Bryan School students are pre-enrolled in the Bryan Gold program. To get started:

1. Download the “Suitable” app.
2. Enter your UNCG email address and password.
3. Answer a few questions about yourself.
4. Start earning points and competing against other Bryan School students.

Though the Fall 2020 semester is different for a variety of reasons, Palomaki says that has not altered the end goal of developing students’ career competencies desired by employers.

“The prevailing situation has forced us to adapt to a more virtual approach, which has diversified the set of activities we offer. However, although virtual, the activities are still designed to promote active engagement in the form of attending virtual career development events, developing a portfolio of career documents, and actively strengthening their brand online,” he said. “Our students can be reassured that their Bryan Gold experience is as relevant and intentional as ever, and engaging in it will help guide and accelerate their personal and professional development as they strive to increase their career-readiness.”