Author: Donna Day

The Harvard Business School’s Comprehensive Leadership Programs

Posted on by Donna Day

Harvard Business School (HBS) provides several opportunities for leadership courses/programs for individuals. Designed at a variety of levels …from executives to managers to new leaders to business owners, the goal of each is to improve corporate performance, become a visionary and drive competitive advantage. These comprehensive programs are aimed at developing additional responsibilities: Owner/President Management (OPM), Advanced Management (AMP), General Management (GMP), and the Program for Leadership Development (PLD). With an opportunity for candidates at all career levels, each program is uniquely designed to fit a specific need with an end result of a visionary leader who can improve corporate performance and drive competitive advantage.

New Business Innovation (3D crossword orange series)

The General Management Program (GMP)

Great experience for general managers in industry whose function involves profit/loss; 15-20 years work experience is preferable. Specifically, those managers who have the responsibility to work with profit/loss and perhaps a cross functional, expanding role will benefit. With a myriad of coursework that consists of on-campus and distance learning, the knowledge base is expanded.  In addition, with time away from your daily duties, investment is maximized and leadership skills and growth maximized. You will be exposed to the best practices surrounding global leadership, competition, capitalization, emerging opportunities, growth potentials and the basics of running a business from beginning to end. A strategic program, the GMP is a great option for all aspiring managers.

The Program for Leadership Development (PLD).

Tailored to leadership goals and objectives for individuals with 10-15 years of experience seeking the fast track to leadership in lieu of an MBA. Specifically, with its focus on challenges and unique leadership skills and goals, this option is a more personalized experience. With a four module format, participants are exposed to core operations, key functions and best practices for success. Topics to include: leadership, change, and strategic innovation serve as the core for the learning portfolio that will boost your confidence. Participants will obtain a broader grasp of management and be ready to hit the ground running after working with high performing global and cross functional teams, driving change and working through challenging and functional initiatives. The PLD is an opportunity to excel in your current position and beyond.

The Owner/President Management (OPM)

This program is for business owners with at least 10 years experience; great for CEOs, COOs, Presidents, Exec Directors, etc. with sales exceeding $10M/year. Specifically, participants will work as though they were in charge of the business; an intensive three unit format runs the course of 24 months which maximizes time away from work yet provides significant value. Topics include: finance, marketing, sales, negotiation, leadership and global sales; a comprehensive portfolio, the OPM offers navigation through entrepreneurial challenges and uncovering new opportunities.

The Advanced Management Program (AMP)

A custom program for senior executives with at least 20 years of experience; great for CEO with annual revenues in excess of $250 million. Specifically for those central to an organization’s succession plan, AMP immerses individuals with a highly integrated format. Personal and professional growth are explored in 7 weeks on campus; coursework includes: leading change, driving innovation and positioning a company for success. The AMP offering is a must for those wanting to lead companies around the world, perhaps as a CEO.

Testimonial

Derek Porter, a CEO of a Beauty Industry Group who attended coursework as part of the HBS program, found that the program was unique in that it “teaches participants how to actually build a successful and sustainable enterprise.” In addition, he felt that it offered critical and applicable information on theories to include continuous improvement and sustainable enterprise. This learning was a key factor for success for him in growing a large business with sustainment at the next level.

Derek also felt that it was “invaluable to hear the perceptions of such a wide range of executives from different cultures.”  HBS focuses on diversity as part of its participant selection which makes for an even more attractive learning environment.

Finally, Derek felt the case-based learning methodology was valuable since it “explored unique circumstances underneath problems, identifying things that could be done to solve them.”  HBS uses this method instead of traditional learning so as to deepen one’s understanding through a different set of perspectives and scenarios.

References & Career Planning Tools 

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)

Posted on by Donna Day

This program, sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was established as a joint effort in 2004. The program focuses on cyerbsecurity and the reduction of vulnerabilities in our information structure through the promotion of higher education and research. There are several options with this program to include two and four year opportunities at accredited institutions across the United States. Schools must meet extremely stringent criteria before approval of a core cyber curriculum and U.S. Government recognition.

Cyber Security concept. Cloud containing words related to Cyber Security.

Institutions receive prestige for their status as CAE-CD and represent the goal of vulnerability reduction in national information infrastructure. Promoting cyber defense in higher education and through research fosters critical cyber expertise and professionalism, worldwide.

In addition to NSA and DHS, CAE funding is available from other sources such as the National Science Foundation. The programs as such include critical technologies surrounding cyber operations and specialties (collection, exploitation, etc.) that protect our national security infrastructure and are key elements for intelligence, law enforcement and military operations.

As a CAE for the academic years 2014-2021, the University Maryland, University College (UMUC), serves as a leader in educating cybersecurity workforces worldwide. As a participant in the Cybsercurity Management and Policy program, I was exposed to the most innovative, strategic, world class program in cyber. Specifically, the coursework, milestones and deliverables that surround the core principles of leadership, strategic and critical thinking and innovation in the application of cybersecurity.

Students from all corners of the globe flock to UMUC and to this program, bringing a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities to share in the fight against cyber terror and crime. The value of this diversity, worldwide, for one cause is dynamic and as a CAE, an opportunity that UMUC prides themselves upon. To date, I have worked with a myriad of students with diverse backgrounds within the intelligence community; my classmates are military, contractors and civilians, engineers, mathematicians, computer scientists, CEOs and company Presidents. Each aspect of learning within a CAE encompasses real world scenarios, hands-on expertise, solution-oriented learning as well as cooperative decision making, resulting in a well-rounded, fully educated cyber warrior. A challenging and technical environment, the ability to absorb this information under one roof with a multitude of talent is limitless. New and emerging areas are constantly offered, continuously preparing students for a variety of careers and positions in the cyber sector.

Overall, CAEs provide students with the holistic knowledge, skills and abilities they need to develop protections vital for our nation’s security. Some of the benefits achieved when participating in CAEs include: specialized education and experiences, exposures to other cultures, languages and organizations, interaction with the intelligence community, opportunities for employment, internships, and more. Students also have the ability to supplement their cyber interests with forensics, policy, software or networks, for example, all while obtaining a thorough understanding of legal and ethical issues surrounding cybersecurity and cyber operations as part of the coursework offered by the CAE.

For more information on program guidance, requirements and resources as well as a link to CAE schools, please visit the reference below.

References & Career Planning Tools 

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program (NSA)

Posted on by Donna Day

This full-time scholarship program replaced the Undergraduate Training Program (UTP). The Stokes Educational Scholarship Program is available to high school students (seniors) who have demonstrated skills in the critical areas of computer science and electrical engineering and are planning to major in them. The Stokes program offers up to $30,000 a year for tuition as well as an opportunity to work in the summer at NSA for 3 months in those areas mentioned above; housing and entitlements are provided in excess of 75 miles. The student will also receive a salary for the entire year along with guaranteed employment at NSA after graduation. As a program recipient, benefits, including paid leave, holidays, insurance and 401K plans are included. There are several requirements in conjunction with the application, selection and post-selection of the award.

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Specifically, a student must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA for each semester in their freshman year and then a 3.0 GPA going forward. In addition, once selected, there is a requirement to work in your chosen area of study at NSA post-graduation for at least one and a half times the length of study; any prior departure from this employment will require reimbursement of tuition received. The requirement includes the ability to major in computer science where there is an opportunity to work on applications programming, security, graphics, design and implementation and more, or computer/electrical engineering challenges in applied research, design, testing and development, project management, and system analysis.

You must be a U.S. citizen, eligible to receive a security clearance, 3.0 or higher GPA (preferred), high school senior at time of application, minimum SAT or college board score of 1200 or ACT of 25, and demonstrate leadership abilities.

Applications are accepted in the Fall (September-October) and include an application, resume submission, letter of recommendation, essay requirement, transcripts and testing scores. More information and additional details can be found on the website below or by calling: 1-866-NSA-HIRE.

There are many programs available for students to explore including the High School Work Study Program.  If the Stokes Educational Scholarship Program doesn’t fit your interests or qualifications checkout other internships and learn how to apply and submit applications.

References & Career Planning Tools 

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

 

The After Hours College Program – Federal Government (NSA)

Posted on by Donna Day

The After-Hours College Program at the National Security Agency (NSA) provides an opportunity for civilian employees to pursue college coursework to enhance their professional development and careers. Specifically, permanent civilian employees are able to utilize this amazing program to pursue a myriad of degrees at a variety of colleges and universities. Courses do require approval and are expected to be job related and/or mission related; they are available at the undergraduate or graduate level through an accredited college or university. Through this program, NSA pays for all tuition associated with the coursework and students are responsible for any lab fees and books. This program is eligible for employees who wish to work during the day and perhaps pursue their degree “after-hours.” Employees are not eligible for time off to attend the coursework as they are expected to take the coursework during the evenings and/or weekends.

 

Evening College Class
Evening College Class

A fantastic opportunity to attend college courses without the burden of a bill and/or student loans, NSA’s program is a great option to those pursuing a degree at a college or university. Many students take advantage of this, currently, and are extremely grateful for the program. There are a few rules in conjunction with the program; grade requirements are strict (B or better is needed for payment or the student will need to pay the course fee back to the Agency) and courses must be taken “after” the student’s working hours. Many find these rules amenable and are able to successfully meet the minimum guidelines for the program.

Given the increasing expenses for college, the After Hours College Program is a great option for NSA employees to obtain funding for coursework in conjunction with a degree and/or professional development. Coursework is usually taken in the areas of: cybersecurity, information assurance, business, language, engineering, math and computer security, just to name a few. The employee/student will need to fill out an internal form and course justification for each class they would like to take as part of the program; a supervisor signature is required as well. Students can apply at any time, but usually for the Fall and Spring semesters. The After Hours College Program can be an integral part of a federal employee’s Individual Development Plan (IDP) and can help them achieve their short and long term career goals.

As a long-time participant in the After Hours College Program, I was able to achieve an AA, BS, MBA, MS and Doctorate from the University of Baltimore and University of Maryland through this endeavor. Grateful for this opportunity, the knowledge obtained through a vast amount of coursework and instruction has enhanced my personal and professional development as well as opened a myriad of doors at the agency for my career. With my knowledge, skills and abilities sharpened throughout my tenure at NSA, I was able to move to/from a variety of organizations, learn a tremendous amount of information in a variety of disciplines, travel the world and gain valuable hands-on experience.

Although many other companies offer tuition support, NSA has one of the most generous and flexible programs in the After Hours College Program. The minimal requirements needed to participate as well as the opportunity to take coursework at any time, gives this program an extremely high rating from its students and employees.

Those interested in this After Hours Program, or other tuition supported programs should expand their searches to additional agencies within the federal, state, local governments as there are a myriad of opportunities in addition to those in the intelligence community. The Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, and Defense Intelligence Agency, for example, have similar tuition-paid programs, and there are a host of others. Contact your appropriate training office and/or HR representative, as appropriate, to check on the availability of these student programs within your organization.

References & Career Planning Tools 

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

High School Work Study Program | NSA Government Jobs

Posted on by Donna Day

The High School Work Study Program (HSWS) at the National Security Agency (NSA) offers high school students a chance to participate as a part-time NSA employee while continuing to attend their high school classes. This opportunity is designed for those students enrolled in computer, technical and/or business classes at their local high school who wish to jump start or excel in their future careers. The program begins and continues through the student’s senior year and requires no less than 20 hours a week and no more than 32 hours during the school year.

Puzzle pieces concept for employment within the United States of America.

Most high schools in the local area (Maryland/DC/Virginia), participate in the HSWS; a simple phone call to the school’s guidance counselor can confirm their participation. Students selected for the program will be required to submit a formal application and undergo security clearance testing as part of their employment; this process can take up to ~12 months. Students interested in the HSWS, therefore, should think about applying early in their junior year of high school. The high schools and NSA work as partners to ensure coursework requirements are met simultaneously while achieving valuable employment experience, skill enhancement and professional development.

Students will participate in the HSWS for the school year (September – June), after which time they will apply for a full-time position at NSA (if they choose). Most students attend classes in the morning at their high schools (8-11AM perhaps and then work at the NSA from 12-4PM); there are limitations on the number of hours they can work in a day and the HSWS program manager will explain all of the details to include working additional hours on non-school days, weather days, etc. Students will be given the opportunity to work with a myriad of individuals to include: contractors, civilian and military personnel and on a wide range of subject areas, depending on their specialty skill set (cyber, engineering, language or administrative are a few examples).

As a HSWS program graduate myself, I can tell you that the program is extremely beneficial and serves as a fantastic jump to those looking for a career in the federal government and beyond. I was able to work with colleagues and gain experience in so many areas from security, computing, engineering, administration, training, marketing, etc. Most importantly, the opportunity gave me insight into the “working world” even while I was completing my senior year of high school. Once an NSA employee, students can explore a variety of programs, tasks, contracts, projects, etc. and volunteer for those they would like to participate in. HSWS participants are exposed to a variety of education and training opportunities as well, both internal and external to NSA. Some students also have an opportunity for travel in conjunction with their offices and mission sets and can also visit many of the intelligence community agencies to learn about their missions. Overall, tenured employees were very eager to assist a HSWS which makes the experience one of the best decisions I had made for my career; over 30 years later, I find myself consistently mentoring other HSWS employees.

The HSWS program is a valuable opportunity for those students seeking on-the-job training and expertise to sharpen their existing skill set and/or field. The successful HSWS program has proven time and time again to provide valuable work, socialization and skill experiences with NSA, all while earning a salary.

Those interested in the HSWS Program should expand their searches to additional agencies within the federal, state, and local governments as there are a myriad of opportunities in addition to those in the intelligence community. The Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, and Defense Intelligence Agency, for example, have part-time student programs, and there are a host of others. Contact your high school’s guidance counselor to check on the availability of similar programs in your area and/or other opportunities in major metropolitan areas.

Reference and Career Planning Tools:

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The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.