myHR Archives
myHR: October 15, 2014
Career Forward: Penn Staff Pathways
Karen Brann
Three years ago, Karen Brann was a stay-at-home mom looking for a way to test the workplace waters. Employment at Penn appealed to her, but she wanted to make sure that reentering the workforce would mesh with her family life. So she signed on as a temp with the Penn Job Center, managed by UA Staffing. Her experiment resulted in a permanent position as an administrative coordinator within Penn Engineering’s Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics department. From there, she recently moved on to become Assistant to Dr. Vijay Kumar and Associate Director of Research and Publications at the GRASP Lab.
“UA Staffing was very supportive and helpful,” says Karen. At first, they gave her a three-month post with a business office at the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) which exposed her to many fascinating groups like the Positive Psychology Center. These “cool programs,” as she calls them, along with the collaborative environment, strengthened her interest in permanent work at Penn. As the SAS job was winding down, UA Staffing presented Karen with an opportune temp-to-permanent prospect.
Penn Engineering was looking for an administrative coordinator with the right organizational skills to support the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program along with the Nanotechnology and Energy Commercialization Institutes. After interviewing with key players from these teams, Karen started the job on a temporary basis in January 2012. By March, they hired her as a full-fledged staff member.
After establishing a routine, Karen added new projects to her responsibilities. She coordinated and marketed a nanotechnology workshop and developed and implemented a social media plan for the Engineering Entrepreneurship Program. Building on those accomplishments, she was able to take on a new position as assistant to Dr. Vijay Kumar and Associate Director of Research and Publications in the GRASP Lab.
An admitted “geek at heart,” Karen loves being close to cutting-edge technology such as the quadrotor micro aerial robots and award-winning robotic Titan Arm.
Karen’s formula for success is simple. She acknowledges that some of it comes down to being in the right place at the right time, but it’s wise to be prepared. “If someone hires you for a temporary assignment, even for one week, take it seriously. Show up on time and do the job effectively and with enthusiasm.” Karen’s positive attitude matches her colleagues’ intensity. Although each professor has a different specialty and style, they’re all passionate about teaching and research. “You don’t get tired when you work with people like that because you can feed off that energy,” Karen says.
Outside of her everyday job, Karen takes advantage of Penn’s extensive library system to support her reading habit, and has used Penn’s tuition benefit to take classes at Penn’s Graduate School of Education and the School of Social Policy & Practice. In the not-too-distant future, she hopes to put the tuition benefit to additional use to fulfill the higher education goals of her three children. In her words, “Penn is a great place to work and a great place to learn.”
Models of Excellence Nominations Due November 3
Don’t miss the opportunity to nominate your outstanding coworkers for Penn’s 2015 Models of Excellence award program. If you know of a Penn staff member or team who has made exceptional contributions to the University during the previous academic year, recognize their achievements with a nomination. Nominations for 2015 will be accepted until November 3, 2014.
Each year, the rotating Models of Excellence Selection Committee choses staff members to receive the following honors:
The Models of Excellence Award recognizing staff member accomplishments that reflect initiative, leadership, increased efficiency, and a deep commitment to service.
The Model Supervisor Award honoring supervisors who contribute to Penn's success.
The Pillars of Excellence Award recognizing the important support that weekly-paid staff members provide to promote Penn’s success.
All staff and faculty are welcome to submit nominations.
The Models of Excellence Nomination Preparation Guide shows you how to prepare and submit your nomination materials. You can also contact Human Resources at models@hr.upenn.edu or 215-898-1012 for more detailed instructions.
All nominees will receive a certificate of appreciation for their service. Nominees chosen as Models of Excellence, Pillars of Excellence, and Model Supervisor recognition will each receive $500 and a symbolic award. Nominees who selected for honorable mention will receive $250 and a symbolic award. These awards will be presented at the Models of Excellence ceremony on March 24, 2015 in Irvine Auditorium.
For more information visit the Models of Excellence Program website.
Protect Your Income
Now through October 24, eligible staff and faculty have a unique opportunity to enroll in Penn’s Supplemental Long Term Disability Insurance program. Long term disability insurance can protect your financial security in case an accident or illness prevents you from working. While Penn provides a quality Group Long Term Disability Insurance plan, we recognize that you may need and want additional income protection with tax-free benefits.
How to Enroll
You should have received a customized enrollment kit at your home address if you’re a full-time faculty or staff member working at least 35 hours per week and you have not purchased this coverage already. To enroll, please return your application by October 24.
Learn More
At these on campus and online and online sessions, representatives from the Baker Benefit Group, our plan administrator, will share information about the program and answer any questions you might have.
Campus Information Sessions
| Date | Time | Location | |
| 10/16 | 10am - 11am 12pm - 1:00pm | Perelman School of Medicine | BRB Auditorium and Lobby |
Online Webinars
| Date | Time | Program |
| 10/15 | 12:00 PM | Supplemental LTD Webinar Audio - dial: US TOLL: +1-415-655-0001 Access code: 668 866 181 If the above link does not work, please copy and paste this address into your browser: https://bbg.webex.com/bbg/onstage/g.php?MTID=ed1b7519ee15aa59773132ffafd0da8cb |
| 10/15 | 2:00 PM | Supplemental LTD Webinar Audio - dial: US TOLL: +1-415-655-0001 Access code: 664 461 237 If the above link does not work, please copy and paste this address into your browser: https://bbg.webex.com/bbg/onstage/g.php?MTID=eae686f322b92e437342c187997651f6a |
| 10/22 | 10:00 AM | Supplemental LTD Webinar Audio - dial: US TOLL: +1-415-655-0001 Access code: 667 333 753 If the above link does not work, please copy and paste this address into your browser: https://bbg.webex.com/bbg/onstage/g.php?d=667333753&t=a |
| 10/22 | 12:00 PM | Supplemental LTD Webinar Audio - dial: US TOLL: +1-415-655-0001 Access code: 666 363 459 If the above link does not work, please copy and paste this address into your browser: https://bbg.webex.com/bbg/onstage/g.php?d=666363459&t=a |
You can also contact the Baker Benefit Group directly at 877-321-4427 or UPenn@tbbgroup.net.
Why Chose Penn’s Supplemental LTD?
The Penn-sponsored Supplemental Long Term Disability Insurance plan offers several advantages, including:
- Discounted pricing
- Tax-free benefits
- Premiums guaranteed not to change prior to age 67
- Guaranteed acceptance into the plan as long as you have been actively at work for the past six consecutive months at Penn or with a previous employer. There is no medical underwriting or need to prove good health. The policy includes a 12/12 pre-existing condition exclusion.
- Portable coverage. You own the policy individually and can take it with you if you leave Penn with no change to benefits or cost.
This benefit is offered through the Standard Insurance Company, a recognized leader in the disability insurance industry.
For more information about Penn’s disability coverage for eligible faculty and staff, visit the Benefits website.
Write It Down to Get It Done
“If you have a goal, write it down. If you do not write it down, you do not have a goal—you have a wish.”—Steve Maraboli, author of Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience
Do your career plans seem a bit hazy? Make sure your career goals are clear, measurable, time-bound, and written down. For instance, you may decide to pursue further education to move ahead in a new field. Which goal statement best translates your idea into a clear, measurable, and time-bound goal?
“I want to learn about physical therapy.”
“I want to enroll in a physical therapy degree program and finish the program by 2017.”
The first goal is so vague that you could put it off for years. The second, time-bound goal statement makes it much easier to understand exactly what you need to take your idea from wish to reality. Writing down the specifics helps you to break down your overall goal into smaller action steps. From there, you can plot out each move to your ultimate destination. Choosing a deadline allows you to set the best times to work toward your goal.
Once you’ve stated your goal clearly, it’s easier to recognize your own success. Tracking your progress on a calendar, in a journal, or with an app helps you stay motivated. When you hit a mark on time, don’t forget to celebrate. Reward yourself with something enjoyable.
Keep in mind that career goals are not set in stone. Life can have detours and set-backs, so be ready to make changes and revisions to your goals as needed. No matter what, always remember to keep moving forward and stick with it.
Finally—and most importantly—once you establish a plan, start working immediately towards achieving it.
For more career management information, visit Penn’s Career Coaching web page. Eligible full-and part-time staff can sign up for free, confidential career support services such as self-assessments and one-on-one coaching.
Did You Know?
Penn’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers expert consultations with faculty and staff in how to support and talk to students and coworkers who are dealing with a crisis situation or tragedy.