Professional & Personal Development Programs

Improve your skills and get ahead in your career by taking advantage of the many development opportunities provided by HR. You can register for programs by visiting knowledgelink.upenn.edu or contacting Learning and Education at (215) 898-3400.

STEP UP: Introduction; 2/7; 9 a.m.-noon; $150. STEP UP is a pre-supervisory training program designed for motivated individuals who aspire to be supervisors or managers. This initial course, First Steps to Excellence, is the entry point for the seven-course STEP UP Pre-Supervisory Curriculum and must be completed as the first course in the curriculum. For your convenience, all seven courses are offered multiple times on a rotating basis throughout the year. Please also enroll in the STEP UP Pre-Supervisory Curriculum, which tracks your program completion.

Emotional Intelligence; 2/8; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. Professionals who have a high level of awareness and control over their emotions, and use their emotions to connect with others and develop positive relationships, often find greater success in the workplace. This soft skill is known as emotional intelligence, and it is an essential element in the business world, especially in high-stress environments.

This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge and tools to develop your emotional intelligence. You’ll learn how to avoid self-sabotaging outcomes by altering how you perceive and respond to emotionally-charged situations. In addition, you’ll improve your ability to resolve conflict constructively, create a productive work environment, build and mend relationships, and bounce back from setbacks and disappointment.

Brown Bag: Learning with Lynda—Disrupting Yourself; 2/8; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. “Disruptors” secure a foothold by coming up with ideas and innovations that eventually upend their entire community or industry. Disrupting yourself is the secret to breaking into a new field, never settling for less, and achieving more. In this course, author, Harvard Business Review blogger, and consultant Whitney Johnson walks you through her seven-step model to disrupt yourself and move to the next level in your career. Discover how to take the right risks, play to your strengths, embrace constraints and more in this short course.

Learning with Lynda utilizes the University’s enterprise-wide license of Lynda.com to provide a blended learning solution to the Penn campus. Prior to attending the in-class session it is strongly recommended that you take the online Lynda module. During the classroom session, we will apply the concepts from the online module.

Words at Work; 2/14; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. Are you ready to improve your business writing skills? This three-part workshop (you must attend all sessions: Feb. 14, Feb. 17, Feb. 28) is designed to provide you with an updated, practical, no-nonsense perspective on today’s business writing. The workshop challenges many long-held assumptions about the “right” way to communicate. By the end of this course, you will gain a better understanding of the dynamics of written communication; try out a group of the latest writing tools; transform tentative, imprecise writing into effective communication; energize your writing style; develop appropriateness, clarity and powerful expression; and learn how to revise your own work.

Brown Bag: Coaching Conversations; 2/15; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Coaching is a method and technique that can be used for guiding an individual to new learning within defined timeframes and puts the responsibility on the individual to become more proactive in defining goals and reaching them. Managers can utilize coaching as a tool to support and develop staff. This session will review the techniques managers can use to coach staff.

TED Talk Tuesday: Brene Brown–Listening to Shame; 2/21; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Shame is a cultural epidemic. It feeds on secrecy, silence, and judgment and isolates people in a way that prevents constructive discourse. In the video before the discussion, researcher Brene Brown delves into vulnerability and human connection with insights on shame. She encourages viewers to stop listening to shame, to practice empathy and to dare to reveal their authentic selves.

The Art of Presentation, Part 1; 2/22; 9 a.m.-noon; $75. The Art of Presentation is a two-part skills seminar that will help you improve your presentations skills whether you are persuading, educating or informing. This interactive workshop focuses on professional business communication including preparation, structure, delivery and strategy. Personal presentations will be followed by peer evaluations and coaching and personalized one-on-one feedback from the instructor. Participants will receive a tool-kit containing information on the use of visual aids, PowerPoint “Do’s and Don’ts” and handling Q&A. Part two is scheduled for March 22.

Brown Bag: Managing Conflict; 2/22; 12:30- 1:30 p.m.; free. Conflict is a natural part of working with others, and is typically the result of stress in a relationship. Conflict in the workplace should be addressed in order to maintain productivity, increase retention rates and improve morale. Failure to address conflict often leads to an escalation of the problem and may lead to unproductive behaviors such as resentment, displacement or defensiveness. In this program we will explore how conflict can be helpful and strategies to better manage conflict at work. 

Brown Bag: Learning with Lynda–Communicating Across Culture; 2/28; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. When you travel, some differences are easy to identify: language, food, music. But in order to communicate effectively in a cross-cultural business setting, it’s important to understand your international colleagues’ underlying values, beliefs and history. In this course, Kelley School of Business professor and executive coach Tatiana Kolovou demonstrates simple techniques to communicate well across cultures as a manager, peer and coworker.

Learning with Lynda utilizes the University’s enterprise-wide license of Lynda.com to provide a blended learning solution to the Penn campus. Prior to attending the in-class session it is strongly recommended that you take the online Lynda module. During the classroom session, we will apply the concepts from the online module.

Quality of Worklife Workshops

Dealing with the demands of work and your personal life can be challenging. These free workshops, sponsored by Human Resources and led by experts from Penn’s Employee Assistance Program and Quality of Worklife Department, offer information and support for your personal and professional life challenges. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact HR at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu

Protecting Yourself and Your Dependents from Identify Theft; 2/2; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. More of our everyday activities from banking to shopping are moving on-line. With the greater convenience these services offer also comes a greater risk of identity theft. This seminar will help participants learn how to keep personal information personal. This informative and eye-opening seminar will give you the tools you need to minimize your risk and increase your security.

Guided Meditation: Take a Breath and Relax; 2/10; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

Mindfulness Monday; 2/13; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Mindfulness is “paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn. Mindfulness practice develops awareness of your present thoughts and feelings to help you manage different situations. In this once-a-month experiential workshop, you’ll see how mindfulness can help you become more engaged and effective both at home and in the workplace. No prior meditation experience necessary.

Navigating Tuition Benefits and Financial Aid for Your College-Age Dependents; 2/14; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Join staff from Penn’s Student Financial Services (SFS) and Human Resources Tuition Benefits Office to learn more about the tuition benefit program for dependents and the financial aid process. The session will provide an overview of Penn’s two dependent child tuition benefit plans and help clarify how the tuition benefit interacts with financial aid packages. This session will also offer tips for reading and comparing financial aid package components and communications with financial aid offices.

Choosing High School Classes for Next Year? Navigating the Curricular Waters; 2/16; 12:30-1:30 p.m.; free. Join staff from Penn’s Undergraduate Admissions office for a discussion about the role of the high school transcript and course selection in the holistic admissions review. This may be particularly timely for parents of high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors as course selection will be happening in the spring.

Mindfulness Skills Course; 2/20; 3-4:30 p.m.; free. The four-week mindfulness skills course, offered by Penn’s Employee Assistance Program, is designed to teach you the core principles and practices of mindfulness, which include breathing meditation, body scan, sitting meditation, and movement meditation. In addition, each class will focus on a theme linking mindfulness, stress and quality of life. Ample time will be devoted to experiential guided meditations. To be added to the waiting list, call EAP at 1-888-321-4433, select option 3, and ask to register for an upcoming mindfulness course.

Guided Meditation: Take a Breath and Relax; 2/21; 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; free. Practice mindful breathing that focuses your attention on the present moment with kindness, compassion and awareness. Self-massage and gentle mindful movements that promote relaxation and reduce stress may also be included in the workshop. No experience necessary.

Tips for Managing Stress; 2/23; 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.; free. Learn to identify when you are relaxed, how to manage it, and how to use it to improve your quality of life. Participants will discover responses to relaxation, the physical and mental signs of relaxation, and specific relaxation exercises and techniques. Please feel free to bring your lunch.

Healthy Living Workshops

Get the tools you need to live well year-round. From expert nutrition and weight loss advice to exercise and disease prevention strategies, we can help you kick-start your body and embrace a healthy lifestyle. These free workshops are sponsored by HR. For complete details and to register, visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/registration or contact Human Resources at (215) 573-2471 or qowl@hr.upenn.edu

February Wellness Walk (Indoors); 2/3; noon– 1 p.m.; free. A special someone may hold the key to your heart, but taking care of yourself by eating well and being physically active can be the key to a healthier heart! Meet the Center for Public Health Initiatives staff inside the Palestra for some heart-healthy exercise. Although candy hearts and heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are often a main feature of Valentine’s Day festivities, February is also American Heart Month and an appropriate time to pay attention to one of the most important organs in your body. As the center of your circulatory system, your heart is vitally responsible for just about everything that gives your body life. In keeping with this month’s Valentine’s Day and heart health theme, participants are encouraged to wear red for this 1-2 mile walk. Bring your water bottle and don’t forget your sneakers!

Gentle Yoga; 2/7; noon-1 p.m.; free. Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders, and wrists. And as an added bonus, you’ll get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

Body Pump; 2/15; 1-2 p.m.; free. A toning and conditioning class with weights that is for everybody! It’s perfect for anyone who wants to add strength training into their aerobic workout. You won’t know if you don’t go. So meet the challenge and reap the rewards!

Get to Know What’s Healthy at Houston Market; 2/21; 11–11:30 a.m.; free. Join Dan Connolly, Bon Appétit’s registered dietitian nutritionist, on an interesting tour of the many delicious, healthy options in Houston Market. You will meet Dan at Houston Hall’s Information Desk, where he will give a brief history of Bon Appétit and explain the elements of a healthy meal. Then, you’ll follow Dan downstairs to Houston Market, where he’ll walk you through the various food stations and explain how you, too, can eat healthy at Houston Market!

Spinning; 2/23; 11:30 a.m-12:15 p.m.; free. Pedal your way to a fantastic workout indoors! With the use of stationary cycles, each class is led on a “virtual” outdoor road, complete with a variety of exercises. This class will give you an energizing, calorie-burning, fun workout. It is great for all fitness levels because you will always ride at a self-directed pace.

Relax with Free Yoga; 2/26; 3-4 p.m.; free. Open to all levels: Join Campus Recreation and Campus Health in a 50-minute yoga practice to calm your mind and strengthen your body through movement and breath. A limited amount of mats will be provided, so we encourage you to bring your own! Registration opens 15 minutes prior to class. Free to all faculty and staff. No membership required. For location updates follow @healthypenn and @pennrecreations

Gentle Yoga; 2/28; noon-1 p.m.; free. Let your body reward itself with movement! Join us for this Gentle Yoga session and explore the natural movements of the spine with slow and fluid moving bends and soft twists. During this session, you will flow into modified sun salutations that loosen those tightened muscles and joints of the lower back, neck, shoulders and wrists. And as an added bonus, you will get a workout in the process. Mats and props will be provided.

—Division of Human Resources