• Notes from the Chair
• Former Chair Video on Professional Development
• Event Recap: Career Panel: Student Affairs Officer
• Reflection of the Year & Rebuilding for the Next Year
• Professional Development & Empowerment- Part 5: The 2022 Narrative: How can you change it in order to start the new year stronger? 
• Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence Leadership Skills in 2023: Tools & Tips for Managing Your Employees in the New World of Work
• AMG Board Spotlight: Julio Gonzalez
• Recommended LinkedIn Learning Courses
• Media Recommendations of the Month
• Monthly Thoughts

As we close the books on 2022, it is a great time to reflect on how we spent the past year to think about what changes we might want to make for the upcoming year. Studies from our very own faculty member, Hengchen Dai, suggest that there are specific times when we are more likely to act; they termed it the “Fresh Start Effect.” The start of the new year is a perfect opportunity to consider renewing your commitment to your professional growth or looking for ways to improve your health. UCLA has so many resources for you to help you fulfill those goals. We encourage you to explore them and, over the break, make a commitment to yourself to start working on one thing that will bring you a sense of satisfaction.

At AMG, we want to partner with you to renew your commitment to professional and personal development. We are working on a career workshop series to help you move closer to your career goals. We are also partnering with the UCLA Staff and Faculty Counseling Center on a series of four workshops for managers dealing with mental health, change & transition, communication, and the world of work and diversity.  

We hope you will join us in 2023 for our conference and the many events we have planned for you!
 

Patty Gonzalez Johnson 
Chair, Administrative Management Group

Professional Development & Empowerment- Part 5: 
The 2022 Narrative: How can you change it in order to start the new year stronger? 

By Quenesha Caballero and Carla Gonzalez

As professionals, we are accustomed to hearing different responses to the ideas we pitch and the concerns we vocalize, of which a  percentage can be negative. These can cause us to develop self-doubt leading us to change our perception of ourselves. So what now? 

Focusing on what we think others perceive of us can be tiring, so change the narrative. Starting this year, make a pledge to stay true to your internal voice. Your voice is powerful. To further develop your professional voice, we can start with three steps: 

1. Assess how other's perceptions and responses affect your own choices 
2. Change the narrative by taking feedback and advice that is supportive of your professional growth and development. 
3. Negative feedback should not be considered. Not to be confused with constructive criticism.  
4. Based on your assessments, challenge yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone. 

Reference: https://www.kornferry.com/insights/featured-topics/diversity-equity-inclusion/empower-underrepresented-groups-in-the-workplace

Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence Leadership Skills in 2023:
Tools & Tips for Managing Your Employees in the New World of Work

The UCLA Staff & Faculty Counseling Center (SFCC) will be facilitating a 4 session Leadership Skills series in 2023. The goal is for leaders to learn tools and tips for managing employees in the new work of work and to take these tools back to their departments and share them with other leaders. The group sessions will be offered on Thursdays, 1/26/2023, 2/2/2023, 2/9/2023, and 2/23/2023, from 12 noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom. Leaders will learn emotional intelligence skills, gain peer support from other leaders, increase self-care coping skills, build confidence, and feel more empowered. Topics will include: Managing in a Hybrid Work Environment & Supporting Employee Well-being, Coping with Change and Transition, Effective Communication, and How to Manage a Diverse Workforce. Facilitators: Jorge Cherbosque, Ph.D., Co-Director, and Angela DiBlasi, LCSW, PCC, Counselor. We are accepting up to 25 participants. The hope is for leaders to feel safe and have enough time to share with each other. For further information and to register, please email or call Caleb Kim, Office Coordinator: CKIM@CHR.UCLA.EDU, 310 794-0245. 

What is your name, title, and department?

My name is Julio Gonzalez, and I am the Budget and Personnel Coordinator for the Dashew Center for International Students and Scholars.

How did you get started at UCLA (and how long ago)? What do you see as your greatest accomplishments?

I started at UCLA as an undergraduate student in 2013, transferring from East Los Angeles College (ELAC). My first job at the university was being a student librarian for the Geology Building under Anthony Ragan. After graduating in 2015, I took other positions outside UCLA but eventually returned in 2017 and took work as the Organic Divisional Assistant for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department under Jin Lee. In 2018, I concurrently became the Professional Development Director for the Latino Staff and Faculty Association (LSFA). In 2022, I took on the position I'm currently in under the supervision of Yadira Cano. That same year, I also became the Communication Liaison for the Administrative Management Group (AMG). Thinking back, I've been with UCLA for about seven years, but it feels shorter than that. Still, I look forward to continuing my growth at UCLA and further developing as a professional. 

Regarding my greatest accomplishment, I would have to say it was when I created my first website for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. I was still learning to code, but Jin Lee and Prof. Neil Garg believed I was up for the task. The success of that project led me to create other sites and marketing material for the department. It was also a huge confidence boost as I pursued computer programming more seriously. 

What advice would you share with individuals who seek to further develop their career at UCLA?

My advice would be not to stay stagnant in your position. You don't stop growing after college or getting that one job. If there are avenues of growth, I implore you to explore them. If there are none, look for them or create them. Not only does UCLA offer many courses for professional development, but it also has many people you can connect with who share similar interests. Even if it doesn't spark a significant amount of curiosity, you should try it anyway. You may surprise yourself! (I know I was when I explored computer programming -- thank you, Jason Mersel!). 

What is the best advice you ever received? What do you consider as one of the most important skills to succeed at UCLA?

The best advice I ever received came from a friend I met at ELAC. When I was doubtful of my intelligence and skills, he simply said, "you have to do the best with what you got." As simple as that message was, it was so powerful to me at the time. I stayed focused and dedicated my time at ELAC to developing myself. I eventually applied to UCLA and was admitted just a week before my birthday. 

Maintaining a positive attitude is an important skill that helps me succeed at UCLA. It can be stressful working at UCLA; sometimes, that stress can spill over to others unintentionally. I understand that these things can happen, and they can create tension within the workplace. I make it a habit to stay positive whenever possible and understand that others may be going through things behind the scenes. So, whenever I meet or talk to someone, I give them a smile and my complete and earnest attention. 

Recommended LinkedIn Learning Courses

Article

Videos

Books

 Reinvent Your Reality: A Positively Practical Guide to Revitalize Your Life & Work Paperback by Sally Anne Carroll