Human Resources: Upcoming Programs
January 29, 2008, Volume 54, No. 19	Print Issue

Professional and Personal Development

Improve your skills and get ahead in your career by taking advantage of the many development opportunities provided by Human Resources! You can pre-register for programs by visiting the online Course Catalog at www.hr.upenn.edu (click “Course Catalog” at the top of the page), or by contacting Learning and Education at (215) 898-3400.

Brown Bag Matinee—If Looks Could Kill, February 12; noon–1 p.m.; free. This video explores the ways that behavior can be a powerful tool—or a dangerous weapon. We can act for the good of everyone, or we can attack with negative behavior. Find out why an individual can be pleasant to one person, then offensive to another, simply in response to that person’s behavior.

American Management Association Program—Get Sharp: Critical Thinking Skills for Administrative Professionals; February 14 and 15; 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; $75. Improve your critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills at this two-day seminar, which will help you ask the “right questions” to make complex decisions. Learn how to act with greater confidence and independence, and be more proactive and persuasive. Strong critical thinking skills can also reduce the stress involved in making critical decisions, and allow you to enhance your professional recognition and credibility with management.

Career Focus Brown Bag—Managing Your Career at Penn, February 18; noon–1 p.m.; free. Whether you’re still growing in your current job or ready to move up to your next one, this workshop can help you develop your career here at Penn. Discover the importance of effective networking, and learn how to write an effective resume and conduct an internal job search. The session will include a question and answer period.

Getting Ahead: A Series for Young Professionals

Today’s young professionals face new and different challenges in the workplace. That’s why Human Resources has developed Getting Ahead: A Series for Young Professionals, an informational program designed specifically for young professional staff members. Monthly sessions will cover topics including money management, building professional relationships in the internet age, taking advantage of Penn’s benefits and more. For details, including dates, times, locations and session subjects, please access the program flyer at www.hr.upenn.edu/learning/GettingAhead.pdf. To register for courses, visit www.hr.upenn.edu and click on “Course Catalog” at the top of the page, then select the series under the “Browse by Category” section.

Introductory Session, February 20; noon–1:30 p.m.; free. If you’re in the early years of your career, you’ve got a lot to think about and we’re here to help. In this series, we will be covering a variety of topics from managing your money to networking, to continuing your education. This introductory session is all about you. We will provide demographic information about the generations in today’s workplace and the impact of Gen X and the Millennials. Also, we will introduce you to a new way to think about your professional development, focusing on what you already do best!

Managing Cross-Cultural Communication in a Global Penn

Penn is a multicultural institution, with students, faculty and staff from all over the world. This makes for a very diverse, vibrant community—and at times, a rather confusing one. Human Resources and the Office of International Programs provide training on enhancing communication in this cross-cultural workplace. To register, visit the online Course Catalog at www.hr.upenn.edu (click “Course Catalog” at the top of the page), or call (215) 898-3400.

For PIs, BAs and Managers—What You Need to Know to Support Your International Scholars and Staff, February 22; 9 a.m.–noon; free. This session will help you develop a greater understanding of the behaviors and practices international scholars and staff may bring with them from their home cultures. Having a global understanding will help you better support the international scholars and staff in your department. Learn how values, perceptions and expectations differ between cultures; how to manage conflicts and problems with international scholars/staff; what you need to know about the workplace dynamics in international cultures; and practical tips for dealing with international staff.

Focus on Fitness

It’s easy to recognize the benefits of physical fitness: exercise improves health, gives you more energy to get through the day, and channels stress and nervous energy into something positive. Knowing that exercise is good for you and actually finding a way to fit it into your life are two very different things, however. The spring wellness series Focus on Fitness can help you figure out how to create a workout routine that meets your needs. For more information about Focus on Fitness sessions and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/workshops.asp or contact Human Resources at (215) 898-5116 or suzsmith@hr.upenn.edu.

Baby Boomers—Work it Out! February 26; noon–1 p.m.; free. With age comes many benefits—wisdom, professional accomplishment and financial stability among them. Unfortunately, aging can also take a toll on your body, which may not shrug off stressors like lack of sleep and exercise as easily as it used to. That’s why it’s critical to maintain an exercise program once you reach middle age: Becoming more physically fit can be a great defense against the negative effects of aging. This session will help give you the skills and knowledge you need to improve your physical fitness as you age. You should leave this workshop feeling confident in your ability to make the changes to your eating, exercise and lifestyle habits that are necessary for better health as you age.

Stress Management

Resolve to improve your quality of life this year by taking part in the new spring Stress Management wellness series. Jobs, families and relationships can all be sources of stress in today’s world—it’s important to have an effective coping strategy to help you manage these pieces and more. For details on Stress Management sessions and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/quality/wellness/workshops.asp or contact Human Resources at pcousins@hr.upenn.edu or (215) 573-2471.

Relaxing Ways for a Stressful World, February 21; 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; free. This session will help give you the skills and knowledge you need to better manage feelings of stress or relaxation, as well as tools to use these emotions to improve your quality of life. You should leave the workshop feeling confident in your ability to better determine your response to relaxation, identify the physical and mental signs of relaxation, and utilize specific relaxation exercises and techniques.

—Division of Human Resources