Professional Development Program Opens Doors for Duke staff
Thursday, October 11, 2007
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Durham, NC -- Cindy Shelton Wicker has come a long way from the Duke mail room where she started working 10 years ago.
While delivering mail, she built a rapport with customers. One day while at the Office of Licensing and Ventures, she was encouraged to apply for a position there. She was reluctant at first because she didn’t have any computer skills, but after some urging, Wicker applied and landed a Level 6 position in the late 1990s.
She worked in the Office of Licensing and Ventures for the next eight years, taking computer classes at Duke to enhance her skills. Wicker later learned about the Office Staff Development Program, the 11-month Professional Development Institute for training in clerical office management skills.
Wicker applied to the program, and after a competitive selection process, she was picked to participate in the training, which began last September. She and 16 other Duke staff members graduated July 13.
“At the time, I didn’t know what I was looking for or where I wanted to go with my career, but I knew that it was a good program and it would enhance my resume and skills,” Wicker said.
The Office Staff Development Program helps staff members qualify for a variety of Duke career opportunities. Participants are paired with mentors at Duke, and the program includes a four-month internship at Duke. Participants are encouraged to intern outside of their department to learn new skills and develop professional relationships.
“The program is structured to help participants develop their strengths and discover their career possibilities,” said Sally Allison, Professional Development Institute manager.
When Wicker was in the Office of Licensing and Ventures, she worked on patents for various scientific and medical technologies developed at Duke, which fascinated her.
During the Office Staff Development Program, one of Wicker’s mentors, Courtney Orning, suggested that Wicker consider an internship in grant work. Orning, a public relations specialist at the Social Science Research Institute, connected Wicker with Ellen Brearley, senior specialist of sponsored programs at the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy. Brearley offered Wicker an internship, and she learned how to manage grants.
“I was shocked and very excited to be given the opportunity to go into the field because I had no previous experience with grants,” Wicker said. “I was really interested in it because I knew there was a lot to learn and it would be challenging.”
Wicker completed the internship and was offered a Level 9 staff specialist position working for Brearley at the Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, a promotion. Wicker said she has many to credit for her professional leap and success in the office staff program. She is one of eight promoted so far from the July graduating class.
