Open Career Avenues with Duke鈥檚 Foundational Skills Program

Deadline to register for the 36-week program is April 7

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is now open for 2023-24 edition of the 36-week program. The deadline for applications is April 7, 2023.

The Foundational Skills Program helped Marquita Mangum find new career opportunities at Duke. Photo by Stephen Schramm.

鈥淚t can be intimidating to go back to school or learn something new, but with this program, we create a safe and fostering environment where people can learn together,said Duke Learning & Organization Academy Senior Practitioner Marjorie Siegert, who oversees the program. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no better way to fill needs than to develop people in house who have the skills and the knowledge they can get through this program.鈥

The 36-week program, which runs from May 2023 until January 2024, requires a commitment of 12 hours per week.

Participants will be paid for the time they devote the program.

The program features three phases. The first phase consists of in-person courses on general office administration skills as well as opportunities to learn about soft skills and leadership. The second phase includes coursework specific to university or medical office settings and time spent shadowing experienced office professionals. The final phase will have participants receive on-the-job training with peer mentors.

鈥淚t was very hands-on, we actually got to do the work,鈥 Mangum said. 鈥淲e got to see people in action and then got to do the actions, too.鈥

The Foundational Skills Program is open to full-time Duke staff members working in job levels 2-5, B1, B2 or in service areas within 老牛影视 or 老牛影视 Health System. Among the are a current resume, a guided essay and recommendations from a current manager or supervisor and peer or former manager.

鈥淭his program was the foundation of my growth,鈥 Mangum said. 鈥淚 tell my employees about it whenever I can. If it wasn鈥檛 for that program, I wouldn鈥檛 have as many doors open.鈥

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