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Job of The Week: Career Services Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Career Services Coordinator for the Student Development and Leadership Department’s Career Services Network (job posting 1013039). If you are interested in providing career advising to students and recent alumni from all areas of campus, this may be the role for you.

Career Services Network’s mission is to lead MSU in providing valued career resources and connections that empower students and allow them to grow professionally. The Career Services Network helps students and recent alumni (within 2 years of graduation) declare their major, explore career fields and industries, apply for part-time jobs and internships, prepare for interviews, and more through one-on-one virtual and in-person advising sessions.

In this position, you will support the development of early-stage career planning and education through tabling events, programs, presentations, and resource development. You will provide career advising to Spartans and administer career assessments in individual and group settings utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Strong Interest Inventory, and Focus 2. Additionally, you will partner with colleagues across campus to deliver joint programming including general and career exposure workshops, and provide referrals to specific college career staff as students progress in their career paths. The Career Services Coordinator will promote the Career Services Network at large-scale events, including orientation and admissions, and connect students and alumni with staff and administrators for further resources.

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a master’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field, as well as one to three years of related work experience with university students in an advising role or human resources. You should have excellent communication and customer service skills and the ability to build relationships with other units and departments at MSU. You should be willing to take initiative and function as a team player with a common goal in this role. 


Learn more about the Career Services Network here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and professional references, and should be submitted by January 28.

Job of The Week: Farm to Youth Network Coordinator

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Farm to Youth Network Coordinator for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (job posting 1008512). If you are interested in collaborative work with the Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS) to develop regionally integrated and sustainable food systems, this may be the role for you.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources provides students with an academically challenging environment where they put their knowledge and skills into practice not only on campus but around the globe. The Center for Regional Food Systems’ vision is a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability for Michigan, the country, and the planet with a mission of engaging the people of Michigan in applied research and education to develop sustainable food systems. 

In this position, you will collaborate with statewide stakeholders both virtually and in-person to grow partnerships in early care and education and farm-to-school programs. You will actively engage in outreach, technical assistance, and collaboration with CRFS colleagues and partners. You will manage newsletter communications across networks, work with the Communications Team to manage social media, write grant proposals and reports, pursue future grant funding, and attend quarterly staff retreats and workshops. Additionally, you will build connections to improve school spaces in partnership with the Lake Michigan School Food Systems Innovation Hub Grant Technical Assistance Fund.  

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in Educational Theory and Methodology or a similar area and one to three years of work experience. You should have experience overseeing conferences, organizing training materials, budgeting and maintaining records, and supervising.. Experience in Farm to Youth, Farm to Institution, or food systems-related programming is desired. You should be willing to do minimal traveling, demonstrate strong leadership and teamwork skills, and have a high ability to self-direct and balance a combination of these tasks. 

Learn more about the College of Agriculture here and the Center for Regional Food Systems 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 with a resume, cover letter, and references should be submitted by December 3rd. 

Professional Goals and the Resources to Help You Reach Them

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For many, the start of a new year brings a desire to set new goals – both professionally and personally. As you think about the past year, try to pinpoint areas you’d like to work on. Check out What’s Your Plan: Six Steps to Align Your Goals with What’s Important to You if you don’t know where to start. You’ll learn how creating a personal strategic plan can provide a “vision and structure for your professional life and an anchor for you to connect with during periods of change.”

Review the common work-related goals below to see if any resonate with you and use the articles and learning opportunities provided by HR’s Organization and Professional Development (OPD) department to help you reach them.

As you think about what you want to work on in the coming year and beyond, consider tying them to your Performance Excellence goals (for support staff). For more information about how to set yourself up for success as you identify goals, check out this When SMART Meets HARD: Setting Goals that Matter article.

Job of the Week: Development Associate

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Development Associate for University Advancement (job posting 40001226). The Development Associates Program in University Advancement provides entry-level positions allowing the university to recruit and hire individuals with the skills to be successful fundraisers. If you are interested in fundraising, this may be the role for you.

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and its mission is to advance the Spartan impact. By securing support through talent, service, gifts, advocacy, and more, University Advancement’s main goal is to create long-lasting connections with the Spartan community, building a better tomorrow for MSU. 

In this position, you will work within an environment heavily concentrated on mentorship and professional coaching to teach the art and science of fundraising at MSU. You will coordinate prospect identification efforts with college and unit teams, annual giving, and alumni engagement officers while building and managing a development portfolio. You will cultivate, solicit, and steward leadership annual and entry-level major gift prospects, and meet first-year fundraising benchmarks. Additionally, you will collaborate with the annual giving team to follow up on leads and ensure timely and efficient engagement with potential donors. You will also be responsible for developing personalized fundraising approaches to achieve goals and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders. 

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a degree in communications, public relations, or marketing and up to six months of progressively more responsible work in professional fundraising or related fields. You should have strong organizational, interpersonal, written, oral, and communication skills. Additionally, both in-state and out-of-state travel is required throughout the year. 
Learn more about University Advancement here. To learn more about this position or if you are interested in applying online, please visit the MSU Careers website for more information. Applications require a resume and cover letter and should be submitted by January 2nd.

Job of the Week: Executive Assistant and Administrative Coordinator for MSU Human Resources

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Come work with us! This week, we are featuring a job posting as an Executive Assistant and Administration Coordinator for the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at MSU Human Resources (job posting 1002586). If you are looking to make a true difference in the day-to-day lives of MSU employees and serve as a critical resource for the Vice President and MSU Human Resources, this may be the role for you.

At MSU Human Resources, our mission is to provide strategic human resources expertise, counsel, support, and services for the MSU community. We have a firm commitment to serve the university with thoughtfulness and professionalism. The person in this position will support diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in every aspect and responsibility associated with the job.

In this position, you will manage an extremely active calendar of appointments and ensure the Vice President’s schedule is followed and respected. You will create win-win situations for effective time management, implement improvements to enhance operations, arrange complex and detailed travel plans, and coordinate hiring, onboarding, and other HR duties for the Vice President and other HR executives. Additionally, you will oversee departmental parking, badge access, key distribution, and space allocation requests. View the job listing for a more complete list of job duties.

The education, experience, and skills desired for this role include a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. You should have a comprehensive customer service background, with significant experience in providing administrative support. Experience in maintaining account ledgers, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation and editing software is desired. You will thrive in this role if you have proficiency in Microsoft editing software, strong organizational and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, the ability to maintain relationships in the workplace, commitment to the organization’s mission and values, and the ability to handle confidential information.. 

Learn more about MSU Human Resources 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 December 3rd. 

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!