Career Development Workshops

S taff career development workshops and career coaching sessions continue to be held remotely. Registrants will be sent a link to participate online.

If you require an accommodation for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.) to fully participate in any Grow Your Career staff programs or services, please contact Lisa Rykert at lrykert@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible, and at least 7 - 10 days in advance of a program or service offering.

See what workshops are coming up:

Fall 2023 Career Development Workshops

2023 NOW Encore Series

Fall 2023 Workshops

Download, print, and share the Fall 2023 Staff Career Development Flyer.

These workshops help UC Berkeley staff develop clarity and action plans to connect their interests and abilities with career opportunities. All offerings will be held virtually via Zoom. As the virtual workshop date approaches, registrants will receive a bCal invite and Zoom link.

To register, click on workshop titles below or log in to the UC Learning Center and search by title.

Path to Financial Success: Identify and Prioritize Your Savings Goals

Tues., 8/1/23, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Presenter: Laura Crymble, Workplace Financial Consultant, Fidelity Investments

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? Join this interactive workshop to gain the knowledge and tools you need to set a solid foundation for your financial well-being. This workshop is designed to empower employees to make informed decisions about savings, leverage recent salary increases, set a clear path toward retirement, and identify other important financial goals.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) identify and prioritize short-term and mid-term savings goals, such as building an emergency fund, paying off debt, or saving for a major purchase, 2) develop a comprehensive understanding of the importance of retirement savings and learn strategies to maximize contributions and take advantage of employer matching programs, 3) acquire practical tools and techniques to create actionable plans for achieving savings goals and effectively track progress along the way, and 4) feel empowered and motivated to take control of their financial future, equipped with the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions.

Cover Letter Writing Practice Lab

Thurs., 8/10/23, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

Presenters: Linda Lundberg (she/her), Transition Services Lead, People & Culture and Lisa Rykert (she/her), Career & Professional Development Lead, People & Culture

Here’s a common scenario: You come across an ideal job posting and you’re eager to apply. However, you feel stuck because you want to write that standout cover letter to communicate that you are the most skilled and enthusiastic candidate for the role. Yet, you are not sure how to best focus your message. In this experiential practice lab, we will review the purpose and elements of compelling cover letters. We will share examples and guide you through writing your own exceptional draft cover letter. For optimal engagement, please come to this practice lab with a selected job posting of your choice that you would like to use as the focus for your cover letter draft.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) understand the purpose and key elements of a compelling cover letter to effectively communicate their skills and enthusiasm as a standout candidate for a desired job role, 2) analyze and evaluate real-life examples of successful cover letters to gain insights into effective strategies and techniques for capturing the attention of employers, and 3) apply the knowledge gained by crafting an exceptional draft cover letter tailored to a selected job posting, with guidance and feedback provided by the facilitators, to enhance their chances of securing their dream job.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as this virtual workshop date draws near.

Resume Writing Practice Lab

Thurs., 8/24/23, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Presenters: Linda Lundberg (she/her), Transition Services Lead, People & Culture and Lisa Rykert (she/her), Career & Professional Development Lead, People & Culture

You know your skills and experience are a great match for that job you applied for, but you didn’t even get invited to an interview. It’s important to know that on average recruiters spend 7.4 seconds scanning a resume before they consider yes or no to the next step (source: Ladders, 2018). In this experiential practice lab, we will review strategies and give you time and guidance to effectively format and tailor your resume to help you stand out and get the interview. For optimal engagement, please come to this practice lab with a selected job posting of your choice that you would like to use as the focus for your resume draft.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) learn strategies and techniques to effectively format their resumes, 2) understand the importance of tailoring their resumes to match the requirements and preferences of specific job postings, and 3) optimize their resume content to capture the attention of recruiters within the limited time they spend reviewing each resume.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as this virtual workshop date draws near.

Engaging Your Competencies and Values to Build Your Best Future

Thurs., 8/31/23, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Presenter: Angela L.M. Stopper (she/her), PhD, Chief Learning Officer & Director of People & Organization Development, UC Berkeley People & Culture

Our competencies, values and motivations are powerful drivers that influence our behaviors, reveal what is important to us, and support our decisions. Using the UC Systemwide Core Competency ABCs, we will begin by creating a personalized 9-box for career and professional development. We will build from this using a tool that will help you discover your personal professional values and assess your job alignment to those values, all while discussing your current and future career success.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) understand the UC’s competency model 2) identify their top competencies, 3) clarify their values, and 4) align their competencies, values and motivations to support their career aspirations.

This workshop is co-sponsored by Berkeley Staff Assembly (BSA)

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

The Skills You Bring

Wed., 9/13/23, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

Presenter: Kate Zuby (she/her), Career Counseling Outreach Coordinator, University Health Services

The skills you enjoy are key contributors to both professional success and personal satisfaction. Discover the power of the skills that interest you most and how those skills support your career mobility, adaptability, and overall job satisfaction.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) recognize their transferable skills – the skills they enjoy and are most interested in contributing – that can be applied across different roles and industries, 2) engage in a skills assessment exercise to align their career interests and goals, enhancing their career mobility and adaptability, and 3) gain knowledge about various career development resources and activities available to support their professional growth and enhance their career development journey.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

Understanding Work Styles and Your Career with the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Tues., 10/24/23, 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Presenter: Kate Zuby (she/her), Career Counseling Outreach Coordinator, University Health Services

In today's diverse and dynamic work environments, understanding your own preferences and how they align with different work roles is essential for making informed and effective choices. Join us for an enlightening workshop that utilizes the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) to help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and others, empowering you to make more impactful decisions in your professional life.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) discover the unique strengths and preferences associated with their personality types, 2) gain a deeper appreciation for the diverse perspectives and approaches of others, and 3) develop greater self-awareness to leverage their natural strengths and adapt their communication and decision-making styles for more effective collaboration and success in the workplace.
PRE-WORK REQUIRED. Instructions and a link for taking the MBTI will be sent 7 days in advance of the workshop and must be completed within 3 days of the workshop in order to participate. Completing this pre-work will provide you with personalized results that will serve as the foundation for our discussions and activities during the workshop.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

LinkedIn Basics

Thurs., 11/9/23, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Presenters: Arlene Banaga, Talent Acquisition Associate, Talent Acquisition and Mason Perez, Talent Acquisition Associate, Talent Acquisition

In today's digital age, LinkedIn has become an essential tool for professionals to enhance their career prospects and connect with industry experts. This workshop addresses the basics to help you set up a complete and effective LinkedIn profile. We encourage you to log in to LinkedIn and view your profile to assess and apply what you learn during this workshop.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) learn how to set up their profile sections, including the headline, summary, skills, and experience, to showcase their professional brand effectively, 2) understand how to leverage LinkedIn to build community and connections, and 3) take steps to update their information on LinkedIn resulting in a more complete and effective profile.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

LinkedIn II: Maximize Your Online Professional Presence

Thurs., 11/16/23, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Presenter: Tara Hertstein (she/her), Talent Acquisition Advisor, People & Culture

In this workshop, an experienced UC Berkeley Talent Acquisition Advisor will provide insider tips and expert guidance on how to create a standout LinkedIn profile that aligns with the expectations of recruiters. In addition to a review of the essential elements of a well-crafted headline, a compelling summary, and impactful sections that highlight your skills, experience, and achievements, our Talent Acquisition Advisor will share invaluable knowledge on what recruiters specifically seek when reviewing LinkedIn profiles. Additionally, this workshop will also delve into effective strategies for engaging with recruiters on LinkedIn. Discover how to initiate meaningful conversations, build relationships, and make a positive impression when reaching out to recruiters and other professionals on LinkedIn. We encourage you to log in to LinkedIn and view your profile to assess and apply what you learn during this workshop.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) gain a deep understanding of profile optimization, 2) enhance their engagement with recruiters, and 3) approach LinkedIn networking opportunities professionally, effectively, and successfully.

Note: This workshop is suitable for professionals at all levels of their careers and assumes a basic understanding of LinkedIn navigation.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

10+ Resources to 10x Your Career Planning

Thurs., 11/30/23, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Presenters: Andrea Parthasarathy (she/her), Career & Professional Development Specialist, People & Organization Development, People & Culture, and Lisa Rykert (she/her), People & Organization Development, Career & Professional Development Lead, People & Culture

Looking to build your skills in your current or next role? Trying to figure out what resources exist and where to start? This workshop will highlight 10+ resources to expand your results and support your career planning next steps.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will learn/relearn at least: 1) four programs to support them to advance to the next level in their role or career, 2) three tools to research job and salary data, 3) two resources to access professional development learning modules available 24/7, 4) plus, the one x-factor that will multiply their efforts.
Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

Interests in Life & Work with the Strong Interest Inventory 244 (SII244)

Thurs., 12/7/23, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Presenter: Chris McLean (he/him), Ph.D., Assistant Director, Career and Academic Programs, University Health Services

The Strong Interest Inventory is a powerful tool that can help you make satisfying decisions about work activities, skills, and values. It classifies these elements into six themes in a customized report. The Strong report can help you assess your career focus and support your career-planning process. Please note that the Strong assessment measures interests, not skills or abilities. The results can help guide you toward rewarding careers, work activities, education and training programs, and leisure activities—all based on your interests. We will use the Strong Interest Inventory 244, an updated version of the Strong Assessment designed to be more inclusive and insightful for individuals exploring life interests and career pathways.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) identify career options consistent with their interests, 2) explore how interests relate to job families and opportunities on campus, and 3) choose education and training relevant to their interests.

PRE-WORK REQUIRED. Instructions and a link for taking the SII244 will be sent 7 days in advance of the workshop and must be completed within 3 days of the workshop in order to participate. Completing this pre-work will provide you with personalized results that will support the discussion and activities during the workshop.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

Get in Gear for a Breakthrough Year in Your Career!

Thurs., 12/14/23, 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Presenters: Linda Lundberg (she/her), Transition Services Lead, People & Culture and Lisa Rykert (she/her), Career & Professional Development Lead, People & Culture

A career breakthrough often requires self-reflection, environmental awareness, intentional action, and perseverance. By leveraging these strategies, you can gain clarity, discover new possibilities, and experience greater work and life satisfaction. In this workshop, we will delve into the latest workplace trends, explore in-demand skills, and share resources to equip you with information and tools needed to get in gear for a breakthrough year in your career!

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will: 1) identify key skills in high demand within their profession, 2) leverage available resources for developing or enhancing skills to stay competitive and unlock new career opportunities, and 3) cultivate a growth mindset and recognize the importance of continuous learning in their career.

Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and bCal invite as the virtual workshop date draws near.

2023 Fall NOW Encore Series Workshops:

Download, print, and share the Fall 2023 NOW Encore Series Workshops Flyer.

Building on the success of the NOW Conference, we have curated a series of post-conference career development workshops designed to ignite your potential. Presented by a diverse range of internal and external subject matter experts, these live, virtual workshops are tailored to foster deeper engagement and offer a more intimate learning environment. As part of the NOW Conference offerings, the NOW Encore Series workshops will be recorded and shared on the NOW Conference Archives page for broader viewing access. Registrants will be sent a Zoom link and a bCal invite prior to the virtual workshop date.

Leadership Lessons from Lasso

Thurs. 8/17/23, 11:30 am – 1 pm

Presenter: Kevin M. Reyes (he/him), Talent Development Manager, Human Resources, UC Merced

The little TV show that could—and did—shake up our perceptions of leadership. Whether it was blending the soccer pitch with trust and respect; baking biscuits with building relationships; or knowing who the happiest animal on the planet is and why that matters. Ted Lasso offers insight, strategies, guidance and yes, even coaching, all the while entertaining and engaging. This workshop will explore and identify how these streaming suggestions set the stage for successful engagement with our teams, build cohesion, improve outcomes, and unify our people under a vision they can ‘Believe’ in.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) discover strategies for improving communication, trust-building, and coaching regardless of role or level in an organization, 2) identify approaches for leading teams and maximizing strengths while improving relationships, 3) gain insight into what challenges us, peers, leaders, direct reports, and how regardless of discipline, department, division, or dramatization – we all face similar challenges with human interactions, and 4) understand why Ted Lasso, Coach Beard, and Team Richmond have gotten something going here.

The Creative Process of Decision-Making in Teams

View Recording Here

Thurs. 9/7/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenters: Evelyn Thorne (she/her), Creative Discovery Coordinator & Advisor, Discovery Hub| Arts + Design Initiative, Division of Undergraduate Education, and Pamela Rich (she/her), Organization Development Consultant, People & Organization Development, People & Culture

How do teams come to decisions? How do we make sure everyone’s ideas are heard? And that we choose the decision that best responds to the need? Can we be both thoughtful and focused in reaching a decision? During this workshop, we will apply lessons from the scientific study of the creative process to facilitating team decision-making. By centering creativity in decision-making, we promote more inclusive, energizing and sustainable solutions. Leaders of Berkeley Facilitator's Network will host this interactive session on re-imagining how decisions can be made on your team.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) learn an 8-step creative process for overcoming common challenges to collaboration, 2) discover the benefits of “group flow” and how to foster the 10 conditions necessary to create an environment that facilitates it, and 3) understand how to enhance the creativity of a group to facilitate generative discussion and inclusive team decision-making.

This workshop is co-sponsored by Berkeley Facilitators Network (BFN).

Happier at Work: How to Tame Imposter Syndrome, Perfectionism, and People Pleasing Tendencies

View Recording Here

Wed. 9/20/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenter: Ramona Harvey (she/her), Founder, Executive Coach, Ramona Harvey Coaching LLC

You put in the hard work, but constructive feedback or even praise can make you feel defensive. You set unrealistically high standards for yourself, and prefer to deliver work only when it’s flawless. You have a hard time setting boundaries around your work and might neglect your self-care.

These are signs of the 3 most common inner roadblocks to realizing your leadership potential: Imposter Syndrome, Perfectionism, and People Pleasing (IPPs). In an effort to do well and grow our careers, we are vulnerable to our inner saboteurs, constantly at the edge of burnout. Negative mental patterns can undermine our leadership potential and even our well-being.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to identify these 3 roadblocks and shift your perspective. You’ll walk away from this workshop feeling empowered with new self-awareness and effective tools to manage yourself mindfully.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) learn how to identify their Imposter Syndrome, Perfectionism, and People Pleasing (IPPs) tendencies, 2) understand how their mindset affects their emotions and behaviors, 3) learn how to reframe their mindset in challenging situations, and 4) learn how to regulate their nervous system with self-compassion.

Developing Your Emotional Intelligence – How to Do It and Why It’s More Important Than Your IQ and Personality

View Recording Here

Wed. 10/18/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenter: Alex Wallash, MA-ODL, ACC (he/him), Coach & Founder, Blue Goldfish

Compared to IQ and personality, Emotional Intelligence (EQ) has been identified as the most influential predictor of career success and is strongly linked to effective leadership. This workshop will focus on the significance of EQ in career progression and provide practical practices to develop the four key skills of EQ: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. The first two skills focus on personal competence, while the latter two skills emphasize social competence.

In this session, attendees will take part in playful exercises designed to create a safe environment for practicing EQ. These practices can be carried forward beyond the workshop, allowing participants to continue their development of EQ skills.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) learn what EQ is, 2) understand why EQ is important for career progression and leadership, and 3) identify at least one practice in each of the four areas of EQ to continue to develop beyond the workshop.

The Next Chapter: Exploring Options and Opportunities in Late Career

View Recording Here

Wed. 10/25/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenters: Sigrid Mueller (she/her), Program Manager UC Berkeley Emeriti Academy and Cary Sweeney, MS (she/her/they), Director UC Berkeley Retirement Center

Employees in early and mid-career usually receive a lot of attention and resources about career development. For late-career employees this is not necessarily the case, especially when it involves questions beyond the basics of financial planning and health care -- such as finding purpose and meaningful engagement in retirement. This workshop serves late career staff curious to explore and envision their remaining time at Berkeley and their retirement years. Participants who complete this workshop should expect to gain more clarity about the last phase of their career and will have the opportunity to create individual strategies and plans for their transition into retirement.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) gain a deeper understanding of their values, strengths, and aspirations in the later stages of their careers to make informed decisions about their professional paths, 2) create a community among participants that will encourage the exchange of experiences, advice, and resources for mutual support and collaboration in the late career stage, and 3) discuss and address common concerns and challenges specific to the late career stage, such as dealing with ageism, navigating work dynamics, and adapting to technological advancements.

Become a Certified Campus Sustainability Advisor!

View Recording Here

Tues. 11/7/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenters: Britney Wu (she/her), Sameer Ameen (he/him), and Alina Halstenberg (she/her), Student Fellows, Office of Sustainability

Are you passionate about sustainability and looking for ways to increase your impact on campus? Join the Office of Sustainability and learn more about how UC Berkeley is championing sustainability on campus and how you can get involved. Learn how to connect with campus resources to reimagine a more sustainable workplace. Get an introduction to the recently-launched Sustainability Staff Training and Certification Program, a training series in the UC Learning Center that will certify you as a Certified Campus Sustainability Advisor. Whether you work on campus or remotely, you will leave this session with a better understanding of campus sustainability goals and the resources available to help foster a culture of sustainability and social justice in your workplaces.

We will introduce you to various campus sustainability initiatives including zero waste, climate resiliency, environmental justice, sustainable food, and more. We will provide an overview of the major climate issues that drive UC Berkeley’s sustainability initiatives and current and future projects that the Office of Sustainability is working on to provide solutions to these larger problems. Staff can dive deeper into each topic after the session by getting certified as a peer-to-peer campus sustainability advisor, helping to continue to build a widespread culture of sustainability at Berkeley. We will provide attendees with actionable next steps, training materials, discussion questions, and professional development tips to become a sustainability advisor in their current job.

We welcome UC Berkeley staff to come to connect with each other and our Office so together we can reimagine a more sustainable workplace.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) leverage campus resources effectively to cultivate a sustainable lifestyle, fostering a more sustainable environment at UC Berkeley, 2) contribute to UC Berkeley sustainability goals by serving as catalysts for the initiatives being implemented by the Office of Sustainability, inspiring sustainable efforts across the campus community, and 3) understand the steps to obtain certification as a Staff Sustainability Advisor through the Office of Sustainability Staff Training and Certification Program in the UC Learning Center.

Leveraging Achieve Together for Your Next Role

Wed. 11/29/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenter: Jan Crosbie-Taylor (she/her), Asst. Director, Foundational Skills Development, People & Organization Development, People & Culture

Is Berkeley’s Achieve Together your performance program? Then join this session to recharge your engagement in this performance program for Berkeley’s non-represented employees. Reconnect with the benefits of Achieve Together and learn how to leverage your Achieve Together Check-in conversations to plan, grow and advance your career. We’ll cover some nuts and bolts of Achieve Together to be sure you know how to most effectively engage with the Achieve Together performance program. We’ll also offer time to reflect and share ideas about how you might use the Achieve Together Check-in conversation to support your next career move. Take control of your career and own your growth through Achieve Together. Supervisors and individual contributors will gain insight from this session.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) become familiar with the Achieve Together performance program and related resources (training, website, etc.), 2) get ideas about how to talk to their supervisor about helpful professional development activities, and 3) help supervisors to improve their performance as a leader and engage their employees.

Leveling Up: Leading Service Teams to Organizational Excellence

Tues. 12/5/23, 11:30 am – 12:45 pm

Presenters: Robyn Doughty (she/her), Director, Data Quality & Management, University Development and Alumni Relations and Orsolya Nadasdi (she/her), PMP, Associate Director, Data Quality and Management University Development and Alumni Relations

The technological landscape has dramatically changed the way teams work together. Oftentimes, the service teams supporting the business have not kept up with organizational changes and demands. Updating skills, setting expectations, and shifting team culture in ways that make staff feel valued, respected, and safe can be tricky. This session focuses on how leaders can help team members “level up” in ways that lead to higher productivity, more professionalism, and better flexibility to meet future needs. This workshop will also focus on connecting teams that may be experiencing similar issues for discussion and problem-solving, helping teams and leaders see this is a common problem that is not insurmountable, and inviting everyone to reimagine a new future with tips, ideas, and resources that are shared.

Learning Outcomes: Attendees will 1) leave with a deeper understanding of the importance of psychological safety and change management with ideas on practical application, 2) identify ways to hold people accountable while also respecting their ideas and work styles, and 3) create "toolboxes" for staff to help with problem-solving, increased skills, and other resources for success.

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