Dear Colleagues,
With local schools back in session and our UC Berkeley fall semester well underway, it seems like everyone has the chance to learn something new in the coming months. Why should you be any different? Here are just a few of the many opportunities for you to plug in intellectually beyond your day jobs, and learn, grow and contribute to your career:
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Professional Development Goal: To reflect the importance of professional development for all staff, we are requiring that at least one of your performance goals for FY18 be focused on professional development. A professional development goal can include anything from committing to network with 4 people in different departments, to taking a training/course, to employing a different approach to work. Check out Wisdom Cafe’s latest Spotlight for more inspiration. And be sure you and your manager hold yourself to this professional development goal as you do all other goals!
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Free Courses: You have free resources, such as LinkedIn Learning, UC Learning Center and University Extension (UNEX) at your disposal. LinkedIn Learning has over 5,500 online training classes available 24/7, while our partnership with UNEX gives all staff one free course a year. Did you know those who took advantage of our UNEX courses were 22% more likely to have some kind of career mobility over those who did not? Popular UNEX examples include project management certification and business writing, while LinkedIn Learning has everything from photography to basic web skills. We’ve gathered many terrific resources together in one page on Wisdom Cafe so you don’t have to go far to get the ball rolling.
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Career Development Workshops: Making and acting on plans for your career development involves specific skills as well as perspective on your goals and strengths. Sign-up for our Fall classes here!
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Communities of Practice & Staff Organizations: Be sure to check out our Staff Orgs website to find like-minded communities of practice and affinity groups made up entirely from our Cal staff. Another way to engage is to get or be a mentor through the BSA mentorship program. You can also join the Chancellor’s Staff Advisory Council (CSAC) or take part in the community voice with the Intersect Conference in early October (details coming soon).
And you don’t have to go it alone. Wisdom Cafe is a supportive online space for staff to learn and share. Comment on their boards or start your own thread.
I understand and recognize that with our daily work commitments, finding time for professional development can be hard, but know you are well worth the investment. Oftentimes, I personally find the time away from my day job to take a course or network with a different group spurs new thinking that allows me to do my regular work better. Do drop me a line and let me know what professional development opportunities are working for you… or if there are courses or programs that we could add to further your professional development.
Warmest wishes,
Jo Mackness, Interim AVC-HR