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The Regents of the University of California
 

what's on my mind

CHR program helped him reach his career goals

BY RICK NOGUCHI

When I first started working at UCLA, I knew I was joining a renowned institution, “a beacon of excellence in higher education,” to quote Chancellor Albert Carnesale. But I didn’t know I was joining an institution that maintains a strong commitment to, and investment in, its most important resource — human potential.

Last year, I participated in the Professional Development Program (PDP) offered through Campus Human Resources. A yearlong program to promote career and leadership development for mid-level administrators, PDP offers an array of opportunities to enhance managerial skills and to learn about the challenges confronting us. As program manager of the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program, I was seeking innovative strategies to better address immediate and long-term issues. I wanted to grow professionally by gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the university.

PDP fulfilled my every expectation, and more. The career assessment retreat, advanced skills training, seminars and activities provided invaluable learning opportunities. One of the most rewarding experiences was working on a team project assessing the Museum Studies Program in the Department of Art History. As a team of six individuals from diverse campus departments, my PDP teammates and I developed an intense cohesiveness that has outlasted our project. We continue to meet regularly.

The program’s most valuable aspect was interaction with effective university leaders. In-depth discussions with my “buddy,” James Muh, director of Mail, Document and Distribution Services, and my mentor, Peter Hayashida, assistant vice chancellor of External Affairs, challenged me to assess my current job and possible next steps in my career. Peter also served as a gateway to numerous other assistant vice chancellors, deans and directors, all of whom generously shared their thoughts and ideas.

My new network immediately went into action. When a job vacancy in corporate and foundation relations at the UCLA Anderson School of Management became probable, Joe Ward, a teammate, arranged for me to talk with the director to learn more about the job. It was precisely what I was searching for, fitting in with my skills, experiences and interests. While the director was interested in hiring me, a reclassification and hiring waiver held up the process. So I started applying to similar positions at various nonprofit organizations, with favorable responses.

In the end, I turned down numerous job offers from highly respected cultural institutions with national reputations (a few of which offered 20% pay increases) in order to continue at UCLA. An unexpected outcome of the PDP experience was my deepened sense of loyalty to the campus. So impressed was I by the university’s commitment to training staff — carried through by such people as Marsha Coutin, coordinator of PDP, buddies and mentors who generously volunteer their time and expertise, and supervisors who grant release time to participants — that I decided UCLA was the only employer I could consider. After eight months of waiting, I finally accepted the job as Anderson’s associate director of corporate and foundation relations.

If you are interested in learning more about PDP, go to www.chr.ucla.edu/chr/sod/pdp/pdp2004.html. Application deadline is May 21.