Good-bye to blogspot.com

We've migrated!

The UExplore Blog has now migrated to a new location on Sharepoint, accessible to UExplorers 08-09 via single sign on.

Enjoy the new site.

Hoorah for Student Affairs!

UExplore Student Affairs Career Panel Facilitator, Rafael Acevedo, has rolled out the details on the first-ever UCSD Graduate Staff Mini-conference!

If you work with Student Affairs and you haven't yet received your EVITE, please contact Erin Burgoon.

*****

Surfing the Waves of Change
Monday, August 31, 20098:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Light lunch and refreshments provided!
Institute of the Americas: Weaver Conference Room

As Graduate Staff, we have cultivated some informal relationships with each other, but the opportunities are scarce and brief -- often the result of chance, divisional memberships, OGS sponsored meetings, etc. -- and sometimes we don't get a chance to talk to each other for months. Who do you call at 4:15 when you are suddenly faced with a new (to you) and critical student or administrative crisis? Who do you trust with the stupid questions?

Our goal is to create a venue that not only facilitates information sharing and networking, but also empowers UCSD Graduate Staff to better manage "more with less" as we start an academic year filled with unknown challenges in graduate student affairs. With a strong sense of support from our peers, and an organized network of resources, we will truly be able to meet every crisis as an opportunity.A program will be specifically developed and presented by Human Recourses Staff Member Dr. Bernadette Han and small group discussion sessions will be conducted to address your top concerns.
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Student Affairs Networking & Learning Opportunity

Surfing the Waves of Change
Monday, August 31, 2009
8:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Light lunch and refreshments provided!
Institute of the Americas: Weaver Conference Room

Please join us for the inaugural UCSD Graduate Staff Mini-conference. Our goal is to create a venue that not only facilitates information sharing and networking, but also empowers UCSD Graduate Staff to better manage “more with less” as we start an academic year filled with unknown challenges in graduate student affairs. A program will be specifically developed and presented by Human Recourses Staff Member Dr. Bernadette Han and small group discussion sessions will be conducted to address your top concerns.

Please respond with your top 4 discussion topics for the afternoon break-out sessions ASAP and no later than August 14, 2009; the top most requested topics will be discussed. Examples: 1. Graduate Travel and Research Grants and 2. Developing Graduate Enrichment Programs.

RSVP’s will be collected via EVITE (link sent in a follow-up email, so stay tuned). We’re looking forward to seeing you there- PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS. Let us know if you have any questions.

Warmest regards,

Rafael Acevedo, Economics
Theresa Aitchison, Ethnic Studies
Erin Burgoon, Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies
Emmanuel de la Paz, Sociology
Corie Gochicoa, Linguistics
Betty Gunderson, Bioengineering
Gennie Miranda, Electrical and Computer Engineering
Leanne Nordeman, Biomedical Sciences
Cathy Pugh, Biological Sciences
Diana Platero-Lopez, Music

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Staff Equal Opportunity Enrichment Program - Notifications

Did you get your notification letter?

The Staff Equal Opportunity Enrichment Program (SEOEP) sent out notices at the beginning of this month to those who applied for funding.

Congratulations to all those who put your professional goals on paper and took a leap of faith with the application!
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Thank you for submitting final evaluations

Thank you for filling out the UExplore final evaluations!

It was definitely meant to be a comprehensive survey, and I really appreciate the time you invested in answering the questions and submitting comments too.

Your honest feedback really does help, and I am taking it all in to consideration in programming next year's curriculum.

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Applications for 2009-2010

Woo hoo!

The online application for 2009-2010 will be up-and-running by the beginning of August.

In the meantime, I've let folks know that this year's application will be similar to the one that you filled out.

Message on UExplore website:

Interested individuals must complete and submit an online application - no paper applications will be accepted. The online application for the 2009-2010 program year will be open August 2009. As you fill out the online application, please save your work every 15 minutes to protect your work-in-progress answers.

This year's application will be similar to the previous year's application (08-09 Application).
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Appppllaaauuussseeee

It should probably not come as any surprise to you that I have a special pair of plastic hands that can clap really loud. If I could clap for all of you over the internet, then you would all be treated to a really great, big round of applause.

Since I lack the ability to project myself over the wireless networks, I can only reiterate how truly proud I am of all of you.

And remember the celebration we had Wednesday...

Marble cake with rasperry filling and whipped cream frosting!

And cutting the cake! Oh my goodness, I cut really big pieces.
And, I still had about 1/3 of the cake left.

And, oooh, your Certificates of Completion.

So prettty...

And then you all surprised me!

I was so nervous.

I didn't know what to do with myself.

So, i just tugged on my shirt and smiled awkwardly.

I couldn't search for the right words of appreciation in my head.

I tried to go into my brain, but my heart was thumping.

I was speechless.

THANK YOU!

is not enough
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Congratulations to KESHA!!!!

Congratulations to our very own Kesha Miller!

She will be new Student Affairs Advisor

at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology!
This is a brand new position, and

we are so proud of you!

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Good-bye to Alexis!

Alexis O'Banion said her farewells to her department at UC San Diego Medical Center Marketing on last Friday, and she mentioned how she would not have "traded a minute of [her four years at UCSD] for all of the money in the world." She resigned from the position, and she' welcomes anyone to reach her anytime at alexis.obanion@gmail.com.

Farewell, Alexis!
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Final Survey Evaluation -- Postponed until early next week

Instead of rolling out the final survey evaluation out today, I'll be sending it out early next week instead. In conjunction with this final survey, you will receive a PDF copy of your original application of the program.

Many of the questions ask you to reflect on your original expectations of the program and compare those to what you actually experienced and learned.

Thanks for being patient about this last survey.

U Rock!
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MBTI Revisited Slides

Are you ready?

Here you go...

To check out the slides from Grace Balch's MBTI Revisited presentation, you'll be directed to the Sharepoint site.

Sharepoint is the wave of the future. You'll see that this site has been set up for all the Staff Ed classes. I poked around, and it looks like Staff Ed hasn't put any on there yet, but I bet they're coming.

If the link does not work, then visit the site the old-fashioned way:
Click on: https://hrpartners.ucsd.edu/Training/CourseMaterials/default.aspx
Click on "Course Materials" (located on the left side bar)
Click on "Professional Skills and Course Development" (see middle of the page)
Click on "Academic Affairs UExplore" (first folder in the middle of the page)

Enjoy!
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Final Program Evaluation Coming Soon!

On Friday, I'll send you the Final Program Evaluation!

Thanks in advance for sharing your feedback!
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Survey Monkey is calling!

What did you think?

Please let us know what you thought about today's presentations.

Your opinions count--we use your feedback to improve the Program and better meet your professional needs.

And…would you please consider filling them out by Friday, June 26th?

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Revisited (June 17, 2009)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=a0QlNXyuCHhQPb89XMtMpQ_3d_3d

Information Technology Career Overview (June 17, 2009)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=ZgmbdJgq8f_2fQfxK7TL0Hgw_3d_3d

Facilities Management Career Overview (June 17, 2009)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=NihzizFpDnCPLUEHWTsa8w_3d_3d

Laboratory Research Career Overview (June 17, 2009)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=iMApR9KO5ezeN2YIumJBlw_3d_3d

Thank you for filling our your surveys!!!!

If you have questions, just give me a bzzzz at ext 2-7990.

Congratulations on completing UExplore!

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.