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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)
Generations at Work

Several recent studies have cited conflict between different generations as a main contributor to relationships being negatively impacted in the workplace.  Learning to respect generations and the diversity each brings to the workplace improves productivity, communication, and customer service.
Objectives:
•    Recognize and identify the strengths each generation brings to the workplace
•    Commit to seeing generational respect as a diversity issue, rather than an age issue
•    Develop skills to open dialogue between generations
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
3 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Grant Writing

This class is ideal for employees who are new to obtaining grant funding. Participants will learn the fundamentals of grant writing and how to identify funding sources.
Objectives:
•    Explain the phases of grantsmanship (the art of obtaining grants)
•    Define and explain the components of a proposal
•    Increase knowledge and skills required to write effective grants for government and private foundations
•    Identify sources of potential funding
TARGET AUDIENCE: All staff responsible for securing funding
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Grants Management

This class is ideal for those that manage multiple grants in different phases. Financial management, rules & regulations, working with grant partners obstacles to success, and different grant reports are discussed. 
Objectives:
•    Gain increased understanding of the grants management process
•    Provide an overview of reporting requirements for grants
•    Understand the role monitoring and audits have in the grant process
TARGET AUDIENCE: All staff responsible for securing funding
3 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Guide to Talent Development

Talent development reflects an agency's commitment to continual improvement. Developing employees can have a big impact on an agency when the development leads to improvement in agency services. Developmental activities increase technical, interpersonal, and managerial skills. When employees are equipped to work better, the agency's overall performance improves.
Objectives:
•    Learn about the steps in the development planning cycle
•    Become familiar with performance-potential grid 
•    Learn to recognize where your employee is on the performance/potential grid 
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
3 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Leading a Cross-Generational Workforce

The generation we belong to is one of the many differences we may have with our coworkers. Those differences can cause stress, discomfort, conflict, and frustration for supervisors.
Objectives:

  • To understand the changing demographics
  • To better understand the impact of having all generations working together in the workplace
  • To increase understanding and communicating with all generations
  • Increase organizational effectiveness and meet changing needs

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

Leading Through Crisis

Being prepared for the unexpected is vital to a healthy organization. Leaders should know who is responsible for speaking on behalf of the agency during any crisis or emergency.  This session involves the development of a plan that is communicated to all staff. 
Objectives:
•    Learn how to diffuse emotional responses and think clearly during crisis
•    Identify the areas where critical services must be available during crisis
•    Develop a template for a crisis communications plan 
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

Managerial Courage

In this class, participants will learn how to communicate effectively as a supervisor and how to approach
difficult conversations.
Objectives:
• Identify misconceptions about workplace communication.
• Discuss environmental barriers to courageous conversations.
• Learn how to appropriately respond to difficult situations.
TARGET AUDIENCE: All Staff/Supervisors/Management
Credit: 6 Hours CPM Elective Credit

Managing Stress with MBTI

This class explores conflict in relation to the individual differences that are caused by personality type. Participants are introduced to conflict pairs that can sometimes make interactions stressful and nonproductive.
Objectives:
• Identify likely causes of conflict.
• Predict desired outcomes versus satisfactory outcomes.
• Understand the role of emotion.
• Evaluate others’ impressions.
• Analyze blind spots and hot buttons.
TARGET AUDIENCE: All Staff/Supervisors/Management
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit
Prerequisite: Myers-Briggs (MBTI) Assessment
 

One You, Multiple Priorities

Multi-tasking is a learned skill that can lead to increased productivity and greater confidence in one’s job duties. This class teaches participants how to balance multiple tasks, even during periods of high stress.
Objectives:
•    Identify and develop methods to prioritize tasks
•    Recognize the importance of communication in achieving maximum productivity in a multi-tasking world
•    Develop strategies for maintaining positive relationships during high stress periods
TARGET AUDIENCE: All staff 
6 Hours CPM Elective Credit 

Performance Review System

It is the duty of MSPB to “provide a uniform system of personnel management that enhances efficiency and effectiveness with regard to the use of personnel resources.”  Effective January 1, 2021, the uniform system changed from the Performance Development System (PDS) to the Performance Review System (PRS). 
A performance review system serves several distinct purposes and functions, including aligns, corrects, and leverages the performance of each employee; allows managers to make effective decisions regarding workforce performance issues; and promotes quality services. Annual performance reviews must be administered in a fair manner and in compliance with state and federal laws. 
•    Performance Factors
•    PRS Scoring
•    PRS Process
•    Documenting Job Performance
•    Addressing Unsatisfactory Job Performance
•    Important Dates to Remember