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Career Enhancement and Electives

Please note: Career enhancement courses are open for all to register. You do not have to be enrolled in a specific program to register for a career enhancement/elective course.
Mississippi Certified Public Manager Program (CPM)
Creating Your Own Personal Brand

Creating Your Own Personal Brand encompasses a worker’s behavior, appearance, and workplace ethics. Employees who have high standards of professionalism are frequently perceived as being more credible and reliable than their coworkers. As a result, these employees are frequently regarded as their company’s leaders. With the workplace more and more competitive, this course is designed to train employees on how to showcase themselves and stand out among the crowd. 
Objectives:
•    Understand the impact of cultural influences from the 19th century to present day
•    Learn how generational influences introduce stereotypes and how to break through the stereotypical mindset
•    Gain insight into personal branding, including professionalism, character, attitude, competency, and conduct
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Crucial Accountability

A culture with weak accountability is one where those who see problems say nothing because they assume they don’t have the authority or skills to raise a concern. This course teaches a straightforward, step-by-step process for identifying and resolving performance gaps, strengthening accountability, eliminating inconsistency, and reducing resentment. 
The course teaches participants how to:
• Hold anyone accountable, regardless of the person’s power, position, or temperament
• Motivate others and permanently resolve problems without using power, by clearly and concisely explaining specific, natural consequences
• Manage projects without taking over by creatively helping others avoid excuses
• Keep projects on track and resolve performance barriers
• Move to action by agreeing on a plan, following up, engaging in good reporting
practices, and managing new expectations
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit for Crucial Conversations® graduates
HRCP participants should not take this class since it is part of the HRCP curriculum. 

Crucial Conversations

When experiencing strained relationships and undesirable results, it’s likely that a “crucial conversation” is needed to get things on track. This highly interactive course teaches skills for creating alignment and agreement by fostering open dialogue around high-stakes, emotional, or sensitive topics – at all levels of the organization. By learning how to speak and be heard (and encouraging others to do the same), you’ll surface the best ideas and make high-quality decisions.
Objectives:
•   Speak persuasively, not abrasively
•   Foster teamwork and better decision making
•   Build acceptance rather than resistance
•   Resolve individual and group disagreements
Participant materials provided as part of the course include:
•   Participant workbook
•   Cue cards for each lesson, in a desktop display case
•   The Crucial Conversations Model card
•   A copy of the NY Times bestselling book, Crucial Conversations
•   The Crucial Conversations Audio Companion
•   A course completion certificate
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, or
Those who manage people, projects, or programs
2 Hours CPM Elective Credit
HRCP participants should not take this class since it is part of the HRCP curriculum.

Defending Personnel Decisions before the EAB and EEOC

With the EEOC reporting an ever-increasing number of workplace harassment complaints, it is more important than ever for agency personnel to know how to handle complaints. Employers have a legal duty to promptly and thoroughly investigate complaints of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation that occur in the workplace.  This course will review:

  • The MSPB grievance procedure and best practices for effectively responding to a grievance 
  • The jurisdiction and rules of the EAB
  • Best practices in the EAB hearing process
  • Best practices in the EEOC mediation, investigation, and agency response process 
  • The EEOC Determination and litigation.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who interact with the public,
Those who are on a management track,
Those who deliver critical services, 
Those who manage people, projects, or programs, or
Human Resources professionals
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Demonstrating Adaptability for Success

Adaptability is a critical skill in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing workplace. This course is designed to help professionals navigate change with confidence and flexibility. Through interactive discussions, real-world case studies, and practical exercises, participants will explore the science of adaptability, identify personal and organizational barriers to change, and learn strategies to stay resilient and resourceful in uncertain environments. By the end of the course, attendees will have actionable tools and a personalized plan to build adaptability, empowering them to embrace challenges, seize opportunities, and thrive in dynamic work settings.

Develop Your EQ: Emotional Quotient
Effective Communication

Communication is often taken for granted; after all, it is something we do on a daily basis. However, it is one of the most important aspects of your life and touches on all areas of your career, home life, friendships, relationships as well as interactions to total strangers.

Objectives:

  • Understand communication styles
  • Methods to getting your message across
  • Understanding others views
  • Managing criticism
  • Putting into practice

TARGET AUDIENCE: All employees

6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Effective Interviewing Part 2

Find the right fit for vacant positions by learning best practices for the interviewing process. Participants will learn how to develop strong interview questions that lead to discovering the best candidate for positions under recruitment.
Objectives:
•   Examine the importance of the interviewing process
•   Compare types of interviews and the types of questions used for interviews
•   Develop communication skills that will enhance interview sessions
TARGET AUDIENCE: Individuals who participate in the interviewing process
Human Resources professionals
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Effective Teamwork in the Changing Workplace

This interactive course uses small group exercises and guided discussions to explore the key differences between groups and high-performing teams. Participants will examine the functional and psychological distinctions that shape team dynamics and uncover strategies to build trust, enhance collaboration, and improve problem-solving capabilities. Through consensus-building techniques and practical insights, learners will discover how to leverage individual behavior styles for greater team cohesion and effectiveness. The course also delves into managing organizational change and harnessing the power of synergy—where the whole truly becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Ideal for professionals at all levels who want to foster stronger, more productive teams.

Effectively Managing Change

This course will equip leaders and professionals with the tools and strategies to navigate organizational change successfully. Participants will explore the psychology of change, learn proven frameworks like Kotter’s 8 Steps and ADKAR, and develop practical skills to address resistance, engage stakeholders, and sustain long-term change. Through interactive activities, case studies, and hands-on exercises, attendees will create actionable plans to apply change management practices effectively in real-world scenarios.