Summer get-together

You asked for it!

You're getting it!

This summer, we'll make a date for a lollapalooza* of Q&A.

At this summer UExplore session, you are invited to participate in a panel discussion with Academic Affairs human resource managers. At this session, you can bring all the questions you haven't had answered yet, and these hiring authorities will share all their pearls of wisdom.

Don't know what I'm talking about?

Well, I'm thinking of questions I've heard, read, (and overheard) like:
1) What do I need to say in an interview to get the job?
2) When is it appropriate to break out my professional portfolio?
3) How do I make a great first impression?
4) What do I write in a "thank you" note?
5) How can I present myself as the best candidate for the job?
6) At what point in time can I negotiate salary?
7) Is it a good idea for me to send my resume and cover letter to the HR manager even before my application has been referred?
8) What are the prospects for my hire in this field?
9) What are the biggest "no-no's" in a job interview?
10) What can I ask in an interview to figure out if this is the right job and department for me?

More details to come....

**lol⋅la⋅pa⋅loo⋅za 
[lol-uh-puh-loo-zuh]
–noun
Slang
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
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Certificates of Completion

When you look in the mirror each morning, you know what you see?

I'll tell you what: a UExplorer!

And, next month, we'll be celebrating your completion of the UExplore program. Woo hoo!

UExplorers scheduled to receive their certificates of completion are those whose total pre-approved Program absences will not have exceeded two (2) by June 17, 2009.

For UExplorers with more than 2 pre-approved absences, you may receive your Certificate of Completion if you make-up the missed classes at next year's program.

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MBTI Homework

Take initiative to make UExplore work for you!

Consider completing the following readings and exercises prior to June 17th that were assigned by John Gates:

• Read the chapter devoted to your type in Do What You Are
• Complete the exercises in Chapter 24

In the chapter devoted to your type:

• 3 profiles of career professionals with that type
• why those careers work for that person
• common threads and themes in their chosen professions
• what career satisfaction means for them
• popular occupations for that type
• customizing your job search
• pathways to success by using your strengths
• possible pitfalls
• the final piece: changing or keeping your job...the key to success for your type

In chapter 24, the idea is to put it all together so that you match your personality to a career that you can looooove. That chapter breaks down that plan into 10 simple-and-easy steps. I've scanned those steps, and we've steadily been working through those steps via UExplore. Now, is your chance to review what you've accomplished through the program and put it all together.

• Step 1: Identify your unique personality strengths and weaknesses (Resource ideas: Do What Your Are chapter devoted to your personality type; handout from Your Listening Profile)
• Step 2: Identify and rank your work-related strengths and weaknesses (Resource ideas: Handout from Assessing Your Transferable Skills; Your Professional Portfolio)
• Step 3: Record and evaluate your criteria for career satisfaction (Resource ideas: Handouts from Career Planning)
• Step 4: Record your observations of specific situations where your current or past jobs met your career satisfacton criteria (Resource ideas: Your Professional Portfolio)
• Step 5: Think about your strongest interests, as in what activities do you enjoy so much that you would do them for free (Resource ideas: Handout from Goal Setting)
• Step 6: Identify your skills (Resource ideas: Checklist inside Do What You Are)
• Step 7: Generate a list of possible careers or jobs that are of interest to you at this point (Resource ideas: Career Field Overviews and Career Panels)
• Step 8: Analyze each career option asking: how well does it make use of your best skills and abilities; how well does it make use of my work-related strengths; and how well does it meet my top five criteria for career satisfaction? (Resource ideas: Career Field Overviews and Career Panels; Your Professional Portfolio;
• Step 9: Research your potential career options (Resource ideas: Career Field Overviews and Career Panels)
• Step 10: Celebrate your successes (Resource ideas: Your Professional Portfolio)

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Questions about MBTI?

We introduced you to the MBTI tool and type theory almost 9 months ago. By assessing your own personality type and knowledge of your preferences for taking in information, making decisions, and attitudes in interacting with your environment, you gained additional tools for understanding and identifying your natural interests and work values.

In June, we'll be revisiting MBTI and type theory. This is another chance for you to evaluate how your type connects to a best‐fit career.

To make this session work for you, what essential questions do you want to be addressed by our guest presenter, Grace Balch?

What is it that you'd like to learn more about in order to help you identify and meet your professional goals?

Email me and call me with what we can do to make this an effective session for you!
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Enroll for credit

And,

drum roll, please!

Enroll for credit for IT, Laboratory Research, and Facilities Management by visiting this link:
https://enrollmentcentral.ucsd.edu/sed_course.cfm?&cdcrs=XUXPLORFAM

NOTICE: There is a current error with this link where you will be placed on "Standby". Enroll anyway. I am working on fixing it.
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What do you want to know about IT, Lab Research, and Facilities Management?

Great news!

For next month's session, we've got three career field overviews.

It will be a jam-packed session and to make the most of our time, our speakers welcome your questions ahead of time.

Do you have questions for:

Debbie Morrow -- System Administrator, Literature

Erica Stein -- Staff Research Associate, Division of Biological Sciences

Erwin Milan -- Asst Dir of Operations and Facilities, Rady School of Management

If so, bring 'em on! Email lindathai@ucsd.edu.
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Training Scholarships from Staff Association

Have you heard of the Staff Association Scholarship Program?

I'd met some award winners at last year's Staff Picnic, but I just saw the call for applications on today's BLINK homepage.

The 2008-2009 application deadline is Monday, June 1, 2009.
Awards will be given at the staff picnic on Friday, August 21, 2009.

The UCSD Staff Association Scholarship Program annually awards scholarships up to $350 each to eligible UCSD Staff Association members for completed training activities that aid in their career development. The scholarship program subcommittee of the UCSD Staff Association executive board shall be responsible for implementing the annual scholarship program in accordance with the guidelines and procedures contained in this document, subject to amendment by the executive board.

The current UCSD Staff Association Scholarship Application submission deadline is Monday, June 1, 2009, 4:30 p.m. The application is available in Word or PDF format.

Procedure:

The scholarship program subcommittee shall consist of the UCSD Staff Association Chair, Chair-elect, and a subcommittee chair chosen annually by the Staff Association Chair.

The subcommittee shall communicate to Staff Association members a call for scholarship applications during the Spring quarter, but not later than the first week of May.

Applications must be returned to the subcommittee chair by close of business on the first working day of June. Late applications will not be accepted.

The subcommittee will review applications to verify eligibility.

During its June meeting, the Staff Association executive board will review the amount of scholarship funds available, the number of scholarships to be awarded, and the scholarship amount for each award. Qualified applications will be presented to the executive board at that same meeting for final approval.

If the number of eligible applications exceeds the funding available, award selection will be based on a lottery process.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicant must be a UC San Diego career staff employee who has completed the probationary period.
• Applicant must be a current, dues-paying member (Word file) of the UCSD Staff Association as of May 31 of the current year, and at the time of application and award of scholarships.
• Qualified career development training activities include courses, seminars, and conferences. Items not eligible for scholarship funding are travel or other incidental expenses (such as food, parking, lodging, etc.), courses offered through Enrollment Central, courses required to maintain a current license or board certification, and any training paid by or reimbursed from university funds.
• Completion of training activities must occur between June 1 of the prior calendar year and May 31 of the current calendar year.
• Scholarship allocation will be considered only for successfully completed training activities. Proof of completion with a passing grade must accompany applications for courses or seminars (i.e., grade report, transcript, certificate, etc.).
• Original receipts for all expenses eligible for reimbursement must be submitted with the application.
• Applicants are required to utilize UC San Diego employee discounts for UC and Extension courses.