UA News

The Center for Professional Development helps employees develop more transferable skills through free programs and courses.

University of Arizona employees looking for help in reaching their professional goals are invited to participate in the Professional Success Institute, a certificate program that gets under way next week.

The institute is an "experiential-based program and a skills-building program" that provides employees with skills they can transfer to other positions, said Linda Heffernan, director of Change Initiatives within Human Resources. "It could apply to any employee at any stage."

During the 10-course program, participants learn about the UA as an organization, maximizing personal work performance, conflict resolution and other topics while also networking. Most employees earn their certificate in two semesters.

The program is offered to all benefits-eligible employees through the Center for Professional Development, which is part of Human Resources. Orientation  for new participants will be held Aug. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Registration for the institute, and other offerings provided by the center – covering topics including ethics, individual performance, management, organizational change, performance and ways to foster collaborative working environments – is required and may be completed by visiting the center's Web site.

Some of the other professional development programs offered through the center include:

• The Successful Supervisor Series, a program created for supervisors of varying levels of experience to aid in the understanding of University policies and procedures related to staffing, complaints and disciplinary action. 
• The University Leadership Institute is for UA managers and supervisors who work with classified staff and appointed personnel that addresses collaboration, leadership roles and styles, policies, coaching and other issues.
• Career Success Strategies Workshops, which are designed for all UA employees interested in learning about ways to manage their individual careers, cover resumes, interviewing, career strategy and performance reviews.
• General Human Resources courses, which cover a range of topics, such as stress management, self-care and ways to supervise, among other things.

All of the opportunities represent the University's commitment to helping employees along in their career paths, which is outlined in a UA policy that enables full-time benefits-eligible employees to use a minimum of 16 paid hours to participate in professional development activities (the amount of time is prorated for employees who work less than full time).

The center began offering the Professional Success Institute and the University Leadership Institute years ago and later broadened the range of workshops and courses.

"The center has greatly expanded its services over the years and continues to evolve with the need," said Leslie Porter, director of Human Resources consulting and talent management. 

Porter noted that the center is evaluating both its content and delivery modes. This is particularly important given recent changes at the department level and across colleges, she noted.

Also, the center is considering adding Web-based courses, as well as classes that focus on creating efficient and effective business practices though project management, data analysis, and process reengineering to aid those moving into management positions.

Heffernan said is it increasingly important for employees to be involved in their own personal and professional development.

"We're in the middle of a microcosm of change here," she said. "We are changing how our colleges and departments look and technology is changing how our jobs work."

"The moments now are all about adaptability and resiliency; being able to create opportunity for yourself and how to decide what to do in the midst of change," Herrernan added.

To find out about upcoming professional development opportunities, visit the center's Web site or visit the UA Master Calendar and click on the "Professional Development" category. Employees dealing with changes as part of the UA's Transformation Plan can find resources, including online tools, on the HR Career Transformation Support site.