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Professional Development Program Jobs in Columbia, SC

Youth Development Professional/Driver

Sumter, SC · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Youth Development Professional/Driver Employee Name: James Johnson Department: Red Shield Youth ... Program Manager, RSYC Site Director, Director of Programs & Community Engagement, Director of ...

Youth Development Professional/Driver

Sumter, SC · On-site

$12.75 - $17.25/hr

Youth Development Professional/Driver Employee Name: James Johnson Department: Red Shield Youth ... Program Manager, RSYC Site Director, Director of Programs & Community Engagement, Director of ...

So to ensure your success, your journey at Suburban Propane starts with us investing in you with our Professional Development Program - designed to provide you with all of the leadership skills ...

Leadership Development

Forest Acres, SC · On-site

$55K - $80K/yr

Professional certification support with 100% reimbursement for eligible programs. * Opportunities for career development and advancement. Additional Perks * Complimentary AAA membership with roadside ...

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Professional Development Program information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$29.6K

$111.1K

$185K

How much do professional development program jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional development program in Columbia, SC is $111,071.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $74,900.00 and $132,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional development program?

A Professional Development Program is a structured initiative offered by employers or educational institutions to help individuals enhance their skills, knowledge, and competencies relevant to their career paths. These programs often include training sessions, workshops, mentoring, and hands-on experiences designed to support career growth and personal development. They can be aimed at new graduates, entry-level employees, or existing staff seeking advancement opportunities. Participation in such programs can improve job performance, increase employability, and open doors to leadership roles.

What types of rotations or experiences can I expect in a professional development program, and how do these support career growth?

Professional Development Programs typically offer structured rotations across different departments or functions within an organization. These rotations are designed to expose participants to various aspects of the business, develop a broad skill set, and help identify areas of interest for long-term career planning. Participants often work closely with mentors and team leaders, receiving regular feedback and participating in training sessions. This structure not only supports rapid professional growth but also builds a strong network within the company, positioning participants for future leadership or specialized roles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a professional development program, and why are they important?

To excel in a Professional Development Program, candidates typically need a relevant degree, foundational knowledge of their industry, and a strong academic record. Familiarity with productivity tools like Microsoft Office, project management systems, and sometimes industry-specific certifications are advantageous. Standout participants demonstrate adaptability, strong communication, and a proactive attitude toward learning and collaboration. These skills and qualities are crucial for maximizing growth opportunities and successfully transitioning into specialized roles within an organization.

What is the difference between Professional Development Program vs Data Analyst?

AspectProfessional Development ProgramData Analyst
CredentialsTypically no specific certifications required; focus on training and skill-buildingOften requires a degree in data science, statistics, or related field; certifications like SQL, Tableau may be preferred
Work EnvironmentTraining settings, workshops, or internship programs within organizationsOffice-based, working with data sets, reporting tools, and analytics software
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across various industries for employee growth and onboardingCommonly employed in finance, marketing, healthcare, and tech sectors for data-driven decision making

The Professional Development Program is designed to enhance skills through training and mentorship, often without requiring prior certifications. In contrast, a Data Analyst role involves applying specific technical skills and certifications to analyze data and generate insights. While the program prepares individuals for roles like data analysis, the data analyst position is a specialized job with defined responsibilities and qualifications.

What do professional development programs do?

Professional development programs are structured activities that help employees improve skills, gain new knowledge, and advance their careers. They often include workshops, training sessions, certifications, and mentoring, supporting ongoing learning and performance enhancement in the workplace.
Infographic showing various Professional Development Program job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,071 per year, or $53.4 per hour.

Professional Development Program Associate

Unum UK

Columbia, SC

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Job Posting End Date: September 18

When you join the team at Unum, you become part of an organization committed to helping you thrive.

Here, we work to provide the employee benefits and service solutions that enable employees at our client companies to thrive throughout life's moments. And this starts with ensuring that every one of our team members enjoys opportunities to succeed both professionally and personally. To enable this, we provide:

  • Award-winning culture

  • Inclusion and diversity as a priority

  • Performance Based Incentive Plans

  • Competitive benefits package that includes: Health, Vision, Dental, Short & Long-Term Disability

  • Generous PTO (including paid time to volunteer!)

  • Up to 9.5% 401(k) employer contribution

  • Mental health support

  • Career advancement opportunities

  • Student loan repayment options

  • Tuition reimbursement

  • Flexible work environments

*All the benefits listed above are subject to the terms of their individual Plans.

And that's just the beginning...

With 10,000 employees helping more than 39 million people worldwide, every role at Unum is meaningful and impacts the lives of our customers. Whether you're directly supporting a growing family, or developing online tools to help navigate a difficult loss, customers are counting on the combined talents of our entire team. Help us help others, and join Team Unum today!

General Summary:This three- to four-year rotational program is designed to give participants experience in a wide variety of roles. Each experience is unique, allowing the flexibility to pursue individual interests, develop strengths, and prepare for a successful leadership career. Associates are highly motivated inclusive leaders with the intellectual curiosity to keep up with the fast-paced, ever-changing business environment and they are empowered to deliver upon our purpose and create a differentiated experience for our customers around the globe.
Three- to four-year rotational program with each rotation lasting 12-18 months depending on role, complexity, and business needs
Rotations may include (but are not limited to): Benefits, Underwriting, Customer Services, Enrollment, Finance, and Digital Transformation
Work locations may include: Chattanooga, TN; Portland, ME and Columbia, SC. Associates are strongly encouraged to work at two locations during their time in the program.
Stretch and grow in an environment that encourages curiosity, celebrates innovative thinking
Experience robust leadership training and skill development through outside vendors, leadership summits, and presentations from our senior leaders
Interact with senior leaders through an assigned mentor, as well as networking, coaching, and personalized development plan opportunities
The PDP Associate is the first of a two-level leadership development program. Upon successful completion of the second rotation, a PDP Associate is eligible to be promoted to a Sr. PDP.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

  • Successfully complete 3-4 cross-functional job rotations, including all required training development courses, assignments, and projects, while incorporating this knowledge into daily work to drive results for enterprise
  • Demonstrate outstanding performance during assigned roles
  • Partner with functional management team during business rotations to gain deeper knowledge of each function, the day-to-day operations and how the business unit interconnects with other areas of the business
  • Work with assigned mentor and develop personal development plan
  • Develop and maintain a strong and specialized working knowledge of Unum's products, services, and business processes
  • Openness to serve as an informal leader/mentor to junior level peers, including interns preparing for a transition into the Professional Development Program
  • May manage a team
  • Work on and/or lead special projects, as assigned, that require research, analysis, and operational effectiveness evaluations.
  • Possess strong communication skills to present all issues and resolutions identified to leadership.
  • Lead and collaborate with others on highly visible, enterprise-wide projects and initiatives.
  • Other duties as assigned

Job Specifications

  • Bachelor's degree (Business, Finance, Economics or Math is preferred)
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Ability to demonstrate leadership (on campus, in your community, or from past work - we love to see examples in your application!)
  • Comfort with ambiguity necessary as you will be placed in various roles, encounter diverse leadership styles, and develop new business processes as part of your rotational experience
  • Creative problem solving and strong analytical skills
  • Motivation to complete quality work by established deadlines
  • Demonstrate ability to handle multiple priorities at one time
  • Capability to lead and collaborate with others on highly visible, enterprise-wide projects and initiatives
  • Strong ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with others

Unum and Colonial Life are part of Unum Group, a Fortune 500 company and leading provider of employee benefits to companies worldwide. Headquartered in Chattanooga, TN, with international offices in Ireland, Poland and the UK, Unum also has significant operations in Portland, ME, and Baton Rouge, LA - plus over 35 US field offices. Colonial Life is headquartered in Columbia, SC, with over 40 field offices nationwide.

Unum is an equal opportunity employer, considering all qualified applicants and employees for hiring, placement, and advancement, without regard to a person's race, color, religion, national origin, age, genetic information, military status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or protected veteran status.

The base salary range for applicants for this position is listed below. Unless actual salary is indicated above in the job description, actual pay will be based on skill, geographical location and experience.

$63,500.00-$120,000.00

Additionally, Unum offers a portfolio of benefits and rewards that are competitive and comprehensive including healthcare benefits (health, vision, dental), insurance benefits (short & long-term disability), performance-based incentive plans, paid time off, and a 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match up to 5% and an additional 4.5% contribution whether you contribute to the plan or not. All benefits are subject to the terms and conditions of individual Plans.

Company:

Unum