Taking care of our own:
Aiming High
By Kelly, Human Resources Director, UMHS
A lesson in ongoing career development services
Employees have told us they’d value help with career development. We’ve heard this message a lot—in a 2006 Health System employee retention focus group report and many other feedback venues since then. There are pockets of decentralized career resources across the University and it’s difficult for staff to know what’s available and how to get access.
The 2006 focus groups were part of the Workforce Investment Plan, developed with units and Human Resources in an effort to “re-recruit” Health System employees to retain and nurture a positive work environment. The question was: How? HR applied for a Fostering Innovation Grant to test a variety of career development services to determine the best way to offer ongoing career development resources to employees.
The FIG enabled HR to conduct two pilot programs. Because some Health Information Management positions were being eliminated, those employees became part of the pilot. These staff members needed immediate help with career development. Matt Woods, HR project manager, acted as a career development counselor and helped participants with issues like:
- Deciding on potential careers
- Breaking into an identified profession
- Enhancing skills for current positions
- Developing résumés and interviewing skills
- Identifying career paths for current jobs and identified professions
What did we learn? First and foremost, we now know all the career development resources at the University and how to access them. Visit www.hr.umich.edu/career for a look at all that’s available to help you grow.
Many participants received a boost to begin the next journey of their careers. Some returned to college, others increased engagement in their current job and some discovered what they didn’t want to do.
Ultimately, HR aims to have an ongoing career development resource center. The FIG has prepared us to move forward when resources become available in the future.
"This is article is somewhat helpful. There are tons of benefits that are extended to us as UM employees, but finding about all of them takes a lot of time and networking. There are some loan forgiveness programs for certain positions that I just learned about. Hopefully I will find the above link useful and I will pass help spread the word. Thanks." - Larry Slate, Transplant Center
Inside View Editorial Advisory Group
Constance Bridges, Office of the Dean, Medical School
Paula Greeno, Office of the EVPMA
Teri Grieb, MSA Office of Research
Judy Hallberg, S.P.H.R., UMMS Human Resources
Kelly, UMHS Human Resources
Erin Koenigsknecht, UMHS Marketing Communications
Eric Kratochwill, UMHHC Office of the CEO
Allison Krieger, Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Rick Krupinski, Editor, Medicine at Michigan
Alisa Morningstar, UMHS, MFit Health Promotion
Sara Nielsen, Safety Management Services
Tammy Nipper, UMMS Human Resources
Juanita Parry, Nurse Recruitment & Retention
Steve Raymond, UMHHC Leadership & Staff Development
Karen Schlueter, Livonia Health Center
Connie Standiford, Medical School Administration
Carole Strong, House Officers Association
Public Relations & Marketing Communications Staff
Michael Harrison, chief public relations and marketing officer
Kara Gavin, director of public relations
Beth Johnson, editor and senior writer
Jessica Soulliere, assistant editor
Anne Rueter, senior public relations representative
Cathy Mellett, contributing writer
Dana Pine, contributing writer
Juliet Fuller, photography coordinator
Geoff O’Connor, Web developer