The Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) has been on a short pause due to COVID. Eligible Assessees who were offered spots prior to the program pause will be offered spots in the April and October 2023 cohorts. Applications for 2024 will open in late 2023.
Overview
MSAP is designed to help engage and prepare high potential early-career staff supervisors through an intensive, off-site assessment center experience.
There are typically two program offerings of this intensive residential program, both of which are located at the UCLA Conference Center in Lake Arrowhead during the following times:
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Spring 2023 Program: April 10 - 13
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Fall 2023 Program: October 9 -12
UC Berkeley will participate with up to 6 Assessees (participants) per program.
Cost
- The program fee is $1,900 per Assessee (participant). This fee covers: lodging, meals, in-person program delivery, and all program resources, tools, and support. All travel costs and incidentals are the responsibility of the Assessee and/or their department.
- Aside from the travel and incidentals, the cost of participation in this program is covered by UC Berkeley People & Culture.
- Cancellations: If an Assessee cancels prior to the program cancellation deadline, UC Berkeley People & Culture will receive a refund for their program fee from the MSAP program coordinator. However, if an Assessee cancels after the cancellation deadline, a refund will not be given. In this instance, the program fee ($1,900) must be repaid by the Assessee's department to People & Culture.
- Chartstrings + supervisor recognition of this policy will be requested at the time of acceptance to the program.
- No charges will be made unless a cancellation occurs after the cancellation deadline.
- Cancellation deadline for April 2023 session: February 24, 2023
- Cancellation deadline for October 2023 session: August 25, 2023
- Travel costs and incidental expenses must be approved by the Assessee's direct line supervisor and be covered by the Assessee and/or their department.
Program Description
This four-day Management Skills Assessment Program provides insights and experiences that have a profound impact on participants’ professional development. Through a variety of simulated experiences and observational feedback, MSAP enables Assessees to identify their managerial strengths, determine areas for improvement, learn about the range of skills necessary for effective management, and practice those skills in a supportive environment. Assessees work with their assigned Assessor to begin designing an individualized professional development plan. Significant pre-work is required of Assessees prior to the program, including a 360-degree feedback process and a 90-minute simulation exercise.
Supervisor’s Role
The supervisor's role in supporting an employee's participation in the MSAP is crucial to the ultimate success of that employee's experience of the program as a whole. Supervisors who agree to sponsor employee's MSAP applications are agreeing to make a commitment to participate in preparatory and follow-up activities with that employee. Without this commitment on the part of the supervisor, MSAP Assessees cannot fully take advantage of the information and energy they will get from the MSAP program.
Selection Process
Applicants must obtain their supervisor’s written statement of support (see Assessee applicant’s supervisor section below) and submit it along with their application prior to the application deadline.
Eligibility
The assessment program is intended for UC Berkeley staff with high potential, strong commitment to developing management skills, and demonstrated interest in a managerial career. It is especially suited for those early in their development as a manager.
Eligibility Criteria
- Have one or more years of service at UC (career status, past probation) as of the application deadline.
- Intended for individuals who have one to five years of experience supervising people or projects.
- Be on the UC Berkeley staff in one of the following Career Compass title codes: Professional level 3, 4 or 5, Supervisor 1 or 2, or Manager 1 or 2.
- You may view your primary job title just below your name at the top left section of your UCPath home page. The job title contains a number, such as Project Policy Analyst 3. The number following the descriptor will determine whether your title code is a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.
- You may also review your current job description to verify your job title and job category (such as Professional 4, Supervisor 1).
- Please consult with your supervisor or your HR manager, if you have any questions about your current job title to meet the above criteria.
- Complete all modules in the Berkeley People Management, Grow Today, certificate (~ 9 hours, fully online curriculum) by the application deadline.
- Supervisor recommendation submitted in the online application system by the application deadline.
- Demonstrated interest in a career as a manager or leader (demonstrated through education and/or experience.)
Information Needed to Prepare Your Application
Assessee applicants will be asked for the following:
- Information about your current position (Department, Payroll Title, Title Code, Personnel Program, Length of UC Service, Length of service at present job level, and campus mailing address.
- Educational background.
- Position history, including supervisory experience.
- A self-statement about the nature of your interest in MSAP; experience with supervision, management; and team/project leadership.
- The areas you perceive as your management strengths and growth areas; and how MSAP will assist in your current job and professional/career development plans.
- Your supervisor’s name, title, email and campus mailing address.
Assessee applicant’s supervisor
Once the Assessee applicant completes all portions of their application, they will click on Submit Application. When that step is complete, the supervisor will then receive an email notice with a link to complete their portion in the application. Please comment on the following, within the application, and be as specific as possible to provide a complete, clear statement of support about the employee's participation:
- Your reason for recommending and supporting your employee's participation in MSAP.
- How you believe your employee's participation in MSAP will benefit the employee, the department and the university.
- How you plan to support your employee in his/her professional and career development.
- Any special circumstances affecting the employee's job or the department, such as a major shift in employee's position, redirection of department goals or reorganization.
Questions
The link to the UC systemwide MSAP page and application can be found at https://msap.ucr.edu/. If additional assistance is needed after reviewing the site, please contact Andrea Parthasarathy, Career and Professional Development Specialist, at andream@berkeley.edu.
