Office Staff Development Program

Professional Development Institute

The Professional Development Institute is a center dedicated to providing tailored development programs to foster career growth for targeted employee groups and to support Duke's staffing needs. 

Applications for the Office Staff Development Program are not being accepted at this time.

Programs provided by Duke's Professional Development Institute focus on developing clerical office management skills and capabilities of Duke staff to help them qualify for a variety of career opportunities within Duke.

For more information, please see a list of frequently asked questions for applicants and managers.

Target Audience

Duke staff currently working in levels 2-6, B1, B2, or B3 administrative/clerical and service areas positions within either the University or Health System.

Goal

To help participants develop the skills and knowledge they need to qualify for career advancement opportunities within Duke.

Program Features

  • Skill training and internship opportunities will take place at Duke.
  • Participants will be paid for onsite training.
  • Departments will actively support training and coaching of participants.
  • Participants will have mentors and PDI resources that will provide support throughout the program.
  • Participants will commit to a retention agreement of 18 months of post-graduation employment at Duke.
  • Resources from Duke Recruitment will be available.

Curriculum

During the first 20 weeks of the program, participants will take general office administration courses. Topics include the following:

  • Keyboarding
  • MS Windows
  • MS Word
  • MS Excel
  • MS PowerPoint
  • Career Planning
  • Effective Communication
  • Business English
  • Time Management
  • Customer Service
  • Office Protocols
  • Elements of Mentoring
  • Information Management
  • Intro to Duke Financial Systems
  • Resume Writing
  • Interviewing
During the second 24 weeks of the program, in addition to class work, class members will participate in an assigned internship opportunity where they can apply knowledge and skills obtained through coursework in a supervised work environment.

Selection Criteria

  • Full-time Duke staff with a minimum of two years of continuous service, successful performance and no disciplinary issues
  • Currently working in levels 2-5, B1 or B2 administrative/clerical and service areas positions
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Completion of an application, including a letter of interest and a resume
  • Recommendation from current manager
  • Recommendation by Professional Development Institute Selection Committee (based on program application and structured interview)
  • Commitment to remain at Duke for a minimum of 18 months after graduation from the program

Training Time Commitments

Selected individuals will participate in training and internship opportunities during the 44-week period. This time will be structured from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm three days per week plus 1 monthly 8:30 am - 5:00 pm session. This one day session will be held the second Monday of each month. A program schedule will be provided to applicants and supervisors during the application process.

  • During the 44-week period, participants are to be released from their regular work schedule to cover training time. Some training time may be outside a participant's normal work schedule.
  • Participants will be paid for training time per week.
  • Wages will be paid by the department to the participant. PDI will reimburse a department for half the training time based on the participant's normal hourly wage.

Mentor/Mentee Partnership Component

  • Each participant will work with a mentor.
  • Mentors will be selected based on their role in the organization, ability to meet with participants at least once per month, and willingness to participate in required training and check-in sessions.
  • Mentors will:
  • Provide guidance on setting and achieving developmental goals
  • Share insight into building and maintaining effective office relationships.
  • Insight into work culture and workplace expectations
  • Mentor/Mentee partnerships will last for a minimum of six months after the completion of the program.

Internship Phase

The second phase of the program will include an internship to provide participants with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills obtained through coursework in a supervised work environment. During the internship, participants will:

  • Apply skills and knowledge from coursework to an actual job
  • Develop key job skills
  • Improve job prospects
  • Secure potential references
  • Gain exposure to a department of interest
  • Provide a valuable service
  • Be involved in specific project work or work within current job or new placement

For more information, please contact the Professional Development Institute at 919 684-5406 or by email at PDI@duke.edu.