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Take Action Now to Reduce End of Year Stress

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Ready or not, December is almost here. When you think about the remainder of the year, how do you feel? If thoughts of work deadlines, family get-togethers, or planning for the holidays and new year ahead have you feeling overwhelmed or anxious, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are practices and resources we can utilize to help us center ourselves and approach this time of year with a healthier mindset. 

Consider Your Sphere of Influence 

We all know allowing worry to grow uninhibited can lead to a number of negative consequences, be it with our health, work performance, or relationships. So, why do we allow our minds to spend so much time in a state of worry?  In a previous blog post, Jennie Schaeffer, Director of MSU Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs, discussed how worry can seem very active — spending time in that mindset can feel like you are working on something productive — but in reality, you are burning through energy that could be better spent. 

When you notice yourself worrying about what might happen, stop and ask yourself, “What can I do about it now?” One way to visualize this is the Sphere of Influence. 

Three circles on top of each other. The inner circle is labeled "control," the middle circle is labeled "possible influence, but no control," and the outer circle is labeled "no control."

Within the Sphere, there are three areas: 

  • No Control. If there is absolutely nothing you can do to change or influence a situation, you can only assess whether you can learn from it, then let it go and refocus on something else. This would apply to things like the weather, supply chain issues this season, or flight cancelations. To reduce feelings of worry and improve your well-being, spend minimal time and energy regarding any matters that fall within this area of the sphere. 
  • Possible Influence but No Control. If there is a step you can take that may influence an outcome, person, or situation, determine what action you can take to maximize that influence, follow through, and then let it go. Resist the temptation to convince yourself that worrying about it means it is within your control. 
  • Control. If the issue you are wrestling with is completely within your control, then you have control over your decisions, attitude, and behavior. What action can you take that you’ve been putting off? What self-care practice can you initiate to support your well-being? When you practice shifting your focus and attention to what is within your control rather than allowing what is out of your control to consume your time and thoughts, feelings of helplessness and overwhelm decrease significantly. 

Make Yourself a Priority 

When asked why we don’t make our well-being a higher priority, the most common answer is: not enough time. Although we can’t add more hours to the day (No Control area of the Sphere of Influence), we can take actionable steps to better manage our time and carve out space to improve our overall wellness (Control area of the sphere). 

Here are a few ideas to help you focus your energy on areas you can control when it comes to your well-being this time of year. 

  • Schedule downtime. Block downtime off on your Outlook calendar like you would for a meeting or other work engagement. 
  • Set positive boundaries. Check out the following articles as a starting point: 
  • Be selective. Most of us have an extraordinary number of demands placed on us, and this time of year often brings on even more. Before you commit to anything additional, give yourself a little time to consider: do I really need to do this right now? 
  • Get back to the basics. Consider your current relationship with sleep, physical activity, and eating. What are one or two simple steps you could take to improve your physical health? Even something as small as not having your cell phone next to your bed at night or scheduling short blocks of time on your calendar to stretch at your desk can have a tremendous impact. Ensuring your basic, physical needs are met helps ensure a solid foundation for all aspects of your well-being. 

Utilize Your Resources 

One major goal within MSU’s strategic plan is to support the “well-being of staff, faculty, and postdoctoral research associates at MSU, focusing on creating a best-in-class workplace culture and environment in which excellence and opportunity thrive.” From one-on-one counseling to self-paced learning opportunities, many resources are available to you as an MSU employee to improve your well-being and take care of yourself this year and beyond. Recommendations to get you started are listed below, along with contact information for specialists at MSU who can provide extra support. 

Spartan Resilience Programs  |  Spartan Resilience sees to provide opportunities for any Spartan, anywhere to develop (or strengthen) the skills needed to effectively respond to their unique collection of challenges. Courses include Informal Mindfulness, Developing Emotional Resilience, Navigating Hard Times with Empathy and Self-Compassion, and much more. 

elevateU  | Free, self-paced resources including short videos, online courses, and books around a wide variety of topics. Highlighted topics include: 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)  | Free, confidential counseling for all faculty, staff, retirees, graduate student employees, and their families. 

Opening Image Credit: Centre for Aging Better Age-Positive Image Library 

Job of The Week: Overnight Emergency Veterinary Clinic Receptionist

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Overnight Emergency Clinic Receptionist for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (1003806). If you are interested in working the front desk and assisting clients and their pets, this may be the role for you. 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be greeting and directing clients at the reception desk, creating, reviewing, and updating electronic client and health records, and organizing appointments in the electronic scheduling system. You will also collect payments at the time of the patient’s discharge and be responsible for accurately logging the payments into electronic records. You should be prepared to work 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. shifts as this is an overnight position. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school diploma, one year of customer service experience, and related/progressively more expansive work in a medical office, clinic, or mental health office. You should have excellent communication and computer skills, as well as grammar and spelling. You must be able to work in a fast-paced work environment and have proven empathy skills. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine Here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by November 19th.

There’s still time! Take a professional development course this year.

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It’s not too late to take a professional development course this year! Find learning opportunities offered through HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) and our campus partners below.  Did we miss a training opportunity for employees? Let us know in the comments.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Throughout November – Native American Heritage Month Events and Educational Programs: As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month throughout November, MSU kicks off the month with back-to-back events, amplifying the voices of Indigenous students, staff, faculty, and organizations on campus. Events include lectures from MSU or invited speakers, craft workshops and participation in discussions, and social lunch events that will help attendees learn more about North American Indigenous people, culture, history, and customs and help build community among each other.

November 19 – Trans Allyship Practices: In this 90-minute workshop, learn in-depth information about gender diversity at MSU. This session is intended for cisgender students, faculty, and staff who want to improve their understanding and allyship practices in working with transgender and nonbinary community members. Participants will learn about intersecting oppressions; key definitions of gender terms; information about changing identities, demographics, and political contexts; and promising practices for supporting transgender and nonbinary students, coworkers, family, and community members. Fall 2024 Open Trans Allyship Practices Workshop: Tuesday, November 19 from 1:30-3:00, 110 Student Services Building. Register here.

Personal Development 

November 19 –  Identify and Maximize Your Strengths Part 2 Unlock the Full 34: Unlock your 34 strengths report and learn more about yourself through a series of reflective and interactive exercises in this two-hour workshop. This section is intended for those who have previously attended the Identify and Maximize Your Strengths course through OPD. 

December 3rd – Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Tap into your unique talents and complete the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Learn more about your natural patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving and how it applies to your role in the workplace. Use your research to express what you do best and grow your overall confidence.

Communication

December 10 – Business Writing for Results: This course is designed to increase the productivity, efficiency, and quality of your writing and make a big difference in your overall career success. Improve your readability, strengthen your writing with active voice, conquer commonly misused word pairs, and more in this in-person workshop.

December 11 & 12 – Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue: This course teaches techniques that allow you to learn how to understand different opinions, find mutual respect, and work openly through disagreements. You will also learn ways to help foster inclusivity, psychological safety, and inclusion in this two-day course. 

December 12 – Conflict Management: Learn how to resolve conflict, de-escalate situations, and manage crises in the workplace. This training will help you apply these tactics to real-life situations. 

Leadership

December 3-5 – Crucial Influence: This course targets mid to high-level leaders who are responsible for leading change in the workplace. It is designed to enlighten you on why people do what they do and how leaders can impact those at any level. 

Faculty and Academic Staff-Specific Opportunities

Review the events available on the Office of Faculty and Academic Staff Development website. OFASD is a unit within the Office of the Provost that facilitates cross-institutional connections among individuals and entities in support of the advancement of academic careers.

Opening Image Credit: The Vice Gender Spectrum Collection

Job of The Week: Prevention Program Specialist

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Prevention Program Specialist for Title IX Prevention Outreach and Education (POE) Department (job posting 1000994). If you are passionate about educating the university on anti-discrimination, relationship violence, stalking prevention, and more, this may be the role for you.  

The Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance supports the MSU campus community in creating a safe and respectful environment for all. Their goal is to educate all campus members in regards to how to prevent, identify, report, and respond to discrimination, harassment, assault, relationship violence, hate, and more. They pride themselves on ensuring the MSU campus community has equal opportunity regardless of your background and work daily to redress systemic inequities and make MSU a more inclusive space for all.

In this position, you will work collaboratively with a team, and focus on supporting and educating the MSU community on the anti-discrimination policy. You will assist with creating training and educational opportunities for employees, facilitate and coordinate events to engage the campus community and increase conversation about anti-discrimination, conduct listening sessions, and assist in response to climate needs through MSU. You will also facilitate training, workshops, and presentations as needed, remain current on relevant research in assault, relationship violence, and stalking, and partner with other groups across campus. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, student affairs, public health, psychology, or similar, and experience working with organizations designed to help those impacted by discrimination, sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and more. You should also know relevant federal policies including Title VII, Title IX, and Clery Act. This role requires you to be confident in your confidentiality, sensitivity, and neutrality, as well as have the ability to make sound decisions in urgent situations. 

Learn more about the Office for Civil Rights and Title IX Education and Compliance on their website. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references and should be submitted by November 26th!

Job of the Week: Veterinary Surgery Nurse

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as Surgery Nurse for the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine (job posting 998848). If you are passionate about providing patient care for ill and injured animals and interested in working in the Surgery unit of the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC), this may be the role for you! 

The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine prides itself on diversity, innovation, integrity, compassion, and collaboration. Their vision states, “Together we will be the destination for teaching, innovation, care, and service,” with a mission of learning, discovering, healing, and protecting. 

In this position, you will be responsible for patient care of injured and sick animals primarily in the Small Animal Unit of the VMC. You will occasionally work in the Large Animal Unit, Anesthesia Support Center, and Emergency and Critical Care as well. This role instructs and demonstrates techniques, skills, cleanliness, and more to students, assistant students, and clinicians within the VMC. This job entails afternoon and evening shifts, as well as weekend shifts with overtime if necessary. Physical tasks include the ability to lift medical equipment and animals into cages, push gurneys and carts containing animals and equipment, climb stairs carrying lab equipment, and restrain animals. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include two to three years of college, technical, or vocational schooling in Veterinary Technology, six months to one year of related or more responsible work in the realm of extensive patient care, surgery, anesthesia, sterilization, and drug-dosing. You should also have experience and knowledge in spreadsheets and other word processing software and past work in a veterinary research setting. You must be licensed as a Veterinary Technician with the state of Michigan within one year from your date of hire. 

Learn more about the College of Veterinary Medicine on their website. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references and should be submitted by November 5th!

Job of The Week: Marketing Analyst & Social Media Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Marketing Analyst and Social Media Coordinator for the MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences (job posting 998830). If you are innovative and detail-oriented, interested in program marketing for the college, and looking to play a pivotal role in marketing and enrollment efforts, this may be the position for you! This job posting is for a one-year limited-term role with the possibility of renewal based on success in the position and the needs of the college.

The MSU College of Communication Arts and Sciences (sometimes referred to as ComArtSci) is one of the largest and most respected communication colleges in the nation, as well as the first of its kind. It prides itself on offering world-class training to students through innovation, dedication, individual strength, and collaboration, all in order to shape a better tomorrow.

In this position, you will manage paid social media campaigns, search ads, and enhance ComArtSci’s social media presence on all platforms. You will create and distribute content to a diverse audience and be responsible for active engagement. The candidate will also work on future projects and align them with the college’s strategic priorities to demonstrate ongoing education and enrollment. Additionally, you will conduct keyword research, work with ad trafficking to direct students to programs, use short-form video content to leverage current trends and audience engagement, and strengthen collaboration between the colleges. This fast-paced role offers a hybrid schedule with a minimum of three days per week in the office.

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in telecommunications, journalism, or public relations, and one to three years of related work in public or media relations, editing, print media, broadcasting, or similar. You should also have experience with Google Analytics, Google Ads, and Google Tag Manager, as well as experience with paid social media management tools. In this role, you should be familiar with AP style, have a good understanding of X, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, as well as a thorough understanding of current trends, excellent communication skills, and great interpersonal skills.


Learn more about the MSU College of Communication Arts and Science on their website. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter, and should be submitted by November 5th!

Happy International Pronouns Day!

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This article was written in partnership with the EVPA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Today is International Pronouns Day! Using correct pronouns respects each other’s identity and fosters inclusivity. Pronouns are used every day to communicate with one another in and out of the workplace, and often they are assigned based on preconceived biases and perceptions. By educating about personal pronouns, we promote understanding and celebrate everyone’s intersecting identities.

What is International Pronouns Day? 

International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. This day raises the MSU community’s awareness to be gender inclusive and reminds us of the basic human dignity of appreciating and celebrating everyone’s multiple, intersecting identities. As we explore the significance of this day, learn about how MSU is implementing changes to promote gender inclusivity to create a beneficial environment for all. For more information, you can visit https://pronounsday.org. 

How can I contribute to a gender-inclusive environment? 

  • Speak and write in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender, or gender identity and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes 
  • Share your pronouns when introducing yourself to people or during meetings 
  • Don’t make assumptions; ask people to share their pronouns 
  • Always use the pronouns that a person asks you to use 
  • Include your pronouns in your email signature or other digital communications 
  • Complete the Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion online education program 
  • Check out the course, Introduction to Name, Gender and Pronouns, to learn more about how to practice gender inclusivity with students and staff at MSU. 

What events are being held across campus? 

The MSU Gender and Sexuality Campus Center is here to provide you with answers to any questions you may have and with resources you may need! The center provides educational programs and resources to make MSU a more inclusive space for students, staff, and faculty. Tuesday, November 19th, the GSCC is hosting a Trans Allyship Zoom course for cisgender students and staff to learn more about working with non-binary and transgender peers on campus. Learn more about the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center here, and be sure to register for the course here. 

What action is the university taking to advance gender inclusion? 

At MSU, we are committed to ensuring your identity is accurately represented and respected throughout our campus community while maintaining privacy. Additionally, there’s work underway with the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, along with the Office of the Executive Vice President for Administration to advance the name, gender, pronoun data policy recommendations across our information technology systems. We are collaborating with the project management office and system owners to create an implementation road map to advance the policy requirements across enterprise data systems. In the interim, MSU encourages all employees to indicate their gender pronouns, if desired, on email signatures and other written communication.  

Are there resources to explore this further? 

We look forward to continuing our work – together – to foster a culture that C.A.R.E.S (communication, appreciation, respect, empathy, and sensitivity).

SafePlace Operations Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Operations Coordinator for MSU Safe Place, a division of University Health and Wellbeing (job posting 997270). If you are interested in supporting the Center for Survivors and maintaining the legal responsibilities of this important job, this may be the position for you!

The Michigan State University Center for Survivors provides free and confidential group and individual counseling to MSU Students who are survivors of sexual assault and abuse. The Center for Survivors stands with survivors against all forms of social injustice through empowerment and an inclusive community, priding itself on integrity, compassion, and collaboration. 

In this role, you will carry out day-to-day operations at the Center for Survivors Safe Place shelter and provide a clean, safe and supportive environment for those who are or have experienced violence. This role does have ethical and legal responsibilities as you must protect client confidentiality, and you will work under guidelines provided by Michigan State University and the state of Michigan, as well as VOCA. You will coordinate community donations, support residential clients with transportation and basic needs, oversee food and inventory supply, and participate in a shared case management system that supports collaboration and consultation with clients. In addition, you will coordinate with UHW Safety and Operations to ensure the physical shelter is up to date on fire drills, routine inspections, sanitation, emergency procedures and more. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include an associate’s degree in any business-related field, one to three years of related work experience, and basic knowledge of computer terminology and operations. You should also have previous training experience with the dynamic of intimate partner violence and its effect on children, as well as experience in a 24-hour residential job setting. Physical demands include the ability to lift and push/pull 5-40lbs, work onsite, shovel snow and salt walkways, travel throughout the community, and work 24-hour shifts.
Learn more about the Center for Survivors here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications require a resume and a cover letter and should be submitted by October 29th.

Job of The Week: Accounting Clerk

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as an Accounting Clerk for the College of Education in the Department of Teacher Education (job posting 994967). If you are interested in supporting the Fiscal Office and a College with five education programs ranked number one in U.S. News and World Report, this may be the position for you! 

The MSU College of Education’s mission is planted in Leadership, Scholarship and Service. They strive to develop and implement excellence in the community, and strive to sustain the college as a scholarly space for the community, staff, and students. Focusing heavily on information education reform and policy in schools all around, the College of Education is constantly pushing to better the preparation of educators. 

In this position, you will initiate payments to outside vendors and students via disbursement vouchers, fellowships, and other items needed for transactions. You will also support faculty, graduate students and their associates by coordinating and managing all travel requests and expense reports. In this role, you would maintain monthly procurement card transactions and manage account files, keeping track of their most relevant information. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a high school education, and one to three years of progressively more expansive work in accounting, bookkeeping, and database software. You will also be expected to attend necessary courses to maintain certifications and enhance the work environment while in this role. You should also have excellent communication, customer service, and multi-tasking skills, and be knowledgeable in software such as Excel, Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat Professional, and more. 

Learn more about the College of Education here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the Careers @ MSU website for more information. Applications should be submitted by October 22nd!

Happy World Mental Health Day!

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October 10th is World Mental Health Day! While mental health is one of the foundations of health and well-being, it can often fall low on the list of priorities in the work setting. The World Health Organization has established this year’s theme of “It Is Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace” to promote mental health awareness at work.  

Good mental health is vital to our overall well-being. Yet one in eight people globally are living with mental health conditions, which can impact their physical health, their well-being, how they connect with others, and their livelihoods. Mental health conditions are also affecting an increasing number of adolescents and young people. 

Work should never get in the way of maintaining good mental health, however, a busy schedule may make resources appear inaccessible. In honor of World Mental Health Day, here are some resources you can use at MSU and in your personal life. 

MSU Resources: 

Teladoc: MSU faculty and staff and their dependents currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc – an online medical care service that gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. Teladoc’s services extend to behavioral health (anxiety, depression, grief counseling, etc.). 

University Health and Wellbeing: MSU employees have access to an Employee Assistance Program which provides confidential counseling at no cost. To best fit your work schedule, MSU offers both Zoom and in-person appointments.  

Health4U: Health4U focuses on all aspects of health with resources, support groups and educational courses. They offer a variety of resources dealing with mindfulness, psychological flexibility and more.  

Local Resources: 

24-Hour Crisis Services (Walk-In and Mobile):  The City of East Lansing provides walk-in or mobile crisis counseling and mental health assistance around the clock. 

Online Mental Health Screening: Ingham County Health Department offers free and anonymous behavioral health screening, linking resources connected to your results. 

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Behavioral Health Services: Sparrow Hospital offers psychiatric and behavioral health services including holistic care in an external environment and art, music and yoga therapy.  

You matter, your mental health matters, so join us in celebrating the 75th annual World Mental Health Day by taking charge of your own mental health with these resources and more. MSU resources and benefits are available to get you—or keep you—on the path to a healthy body and healthy mind. Learn more about World Mental Health Day on the World Health Organization website.