UMass HR Insider—March 2024 | Volume 2, Issue 3
Content
We’re Here for the Opportunity!
Every one of us who has made a career at UMass Amherst is here for a reason and a purpose. It's this shared commitment that unites us and motivates us every day. We’re all here for the opportunity.
I encourage you to seize the opportunities and take advantage of the many resources across campus, like our new LinkedIn Learning tracks, designed to enhance your professional development and contribute to your effectiveness in your current role. Attend the Employee Wellness Fair and check out WorkWell@UMass to prioritize your well-being and discover ways to lead a healthier, more balanced life. Consider volunteeringfor our community. Volunteering offers enriching experiences that not only benefit others but also enhance our own lives. We invite you to join us in making a positive difference.
Together, let's take these opportunities and continue to thrive, grow, and make a positive impact here at UMass.
—Kevin Kerwood, Interim Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer
Did You Know?
Set the Stage for Career Growth With New LinkedIn Learning Tracks
The Office of Human Resources and Workplace Learning and Development is pleased to roll out two comprehensive learning tracks through LinkedIn Learning that can enrich your current role and set the stage for career growth. These learning tracks are curated to support those looking to advance to the next level within their roles and enhance current skills for current roles. By acquiring new skills, you're not just learning: You're investing in your future growth.
Learning Tracks Overview:
Staff Competencies Track: These curated learning tracks allow you to expand your professional toolkit with extensive courses on productivity, change management, diversity, equity and inclusion, conflict resolution, and communication.
Role-Specific Career Paths (for Clerks and Accountants): Tailored courses designed for those in clerk and accountant roles in partnership with our USA union leadership. Develop skills crafted to enhance your current role and open doors for future opportunities.
How to Get Started:
Visit Workplace Learning and Development’s page and consider joining an info session to get more insights about the learning tracks.
For any questions or assistance, please reach out through AskHR.
News You Can Use
2nd Annual Employee Wellness Fair
April 11, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
All faculty and staff are invited to attend the 2nd annual Employee Wellness Fair! Held in the Campus Center Auditorium, the fair strives to educate and celebrate the ongoing efforts to promote integrated approaches to wellness in support of being a health-promoting university through the Okanagan Charterand the Okanagan Well-Being Collective. The day-long event will feature screenings, activities, student engagement, giveaways, and raffles, including day passes to RecWell and a chance to win a year membership.
Employees should work with their supervisor to request release time, if available, to attend the wellness fair. For more information about the fair, please contact jblabran [at] kin [dot] umass [dot] edu (subject: 2nd%20Annual%20Employee%20Wellness%20Fair) (Judi LaBranche).
It’s Beneficial
Serving Your Community: State Employees Responding as Volunteers Program
Did you know that the State Employees Responding as Volunteers Program gives state employees the opportunity to provide volunteer services to assist in the improvement of the community at accredited nonprofit organizations and public entities? Learn more about making a volunteer request and coordinate with your area’s HR director to request approval.
Our People Are Here for Good!
“I work with the different areas of Central HR like Talent Acquisition or Operations to help them create training and support materials, as well as running workshops for staff on topics like using Excel or LinkedIn Learning. My favorite part of the job has been getting to learn about the different people who work here.”
—Gordon Hall, HR Community Training Specialist
Creativity Across Campus
7th Annual Building Bridges Showcase
Bromery Center for the Arts
April 2, 12 p.m.–7 p.m.
This day-long event features the creative work of more than 75 UMass staff members, including stained glass, fly fishing flies, chainmail, medieval costumes, felting, beadwork, quilting, mosaics, mixed media, and more!
The exhibition also includes large-scale displays from the Our Immigrant Voices group, which uses participatory action research to share personal narratives, images, and storytelling. All are welcome to attend. The opening reception begins at noon.
Career Opportunities—Tell a Friend!
Lead Systems Engineer
This position implements, monitors, and continually improves procedures and resource allocations to ensure technology support and services to the Administration and Finance division. The lead systems engineer also researches and recommends new technologies, helps plan the future directions of Administration and Finance Information Technology, and leads implementation projects through leadership, training, and mentoring. Learn more.