University Human Resources

Navigating Your Career

The possibilities are endless when you take the initiative to learn and grow as a professional at Brown University. The University provides extensive opportunities to develop your skills and grow—within or beyond your current role—throughout your entire Brown career.

Brown University is committed to investing in the professional development of its staff by offering paths to education and training, and to providing opportunities when business needs, staff career goals and qualifications align. Through the Hire Brown First initiative, any internal candidate who applies to and meets the minimum qualifications of the position will be eligible to receive an interview. If an internal candidate is not selected for the position, the hiring manager will be responsible for providing feedback to the internal candidate to aid development opportunities.

As a best practice, it is recommended that an internal candidate be in their current role for 9-12 months before seeking another opportunity. It is important to note that employees who are transferred or promoted through this process will serve a new three month probationary period.

Learning, Development & Engagement

Learning, Development and Engagement is a conduit of knowledge, information, and services. We facilitate learning and assist staff in maximizing job performance. Our offerings are designed to help staff:

  1. Prepare themselves to assume new or different responsibilities
  2. Develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to perform effectively in their current position
  3. Forge internal and external partnerships to improve organizational effectiveness

Explore the resources below to build your skills, advance your knowledge, and connect with opportunities across Brown University.

Competencies are the knowledge, skills and attributes needed to effectively perform in your role or the role to which you aspire. Organizational competencies are clusters of behaviors that positively impact work behavior.
Brown University is committed to investing in the professional development of its staff by offering paths to education and training, and to providing opportunities when business needs, staff career goals and qualifications align.
Develop your leadership skills at Brown through programs for new and experienced managers and individual contributors. Earn digital badges to showcase your achievements and share your skills online.
Learn more about instructor-led courses, self-paced training, and career resources to develop your skills, engage with others, and invest in yourself throughout your Brown journey.

Professional Development Updates

Recent Professional Development Updates

University Human Resources

December Professional Development Updates

December is a natural time to pause, reflect, and prepare for what’s ahead. As we close out the year, Learning, Development & Engagement (LDE) invites you to take stock of your growth, celebrate successes, and embrace practices that foster gratitude and resilience, leading to renewal. Reflection isn’t only about looking back; it is also about carrying forward the lessons, strengths, and connections you’ve cultivated.
University Human Resources

November Professional Development Updates

Connection and care are at the heart of a healthy, thriving workplace. When we take the time to listen, acknowledge one another, and offer support, even in small ways, we create environments where people feel valued, seen, and empowered to contribute their best. This month, Learning Development and Engagement (LDE) is highlighting resources designed to help you nurture these qualities in yourself and others.
University Human Resources

October Professional Development Updates

As the leaves change, it’s a natural time to reflect on how we work and how to work better. This month Learning Development and Engagement highlights process improvement, the practice of analyzing and refining how we do things to boost results, reduce inefficiencies, and enhance quality.

Connect and Collaborate

For information on University Advisory Boards and Committees, Affinity Groups, and Communities of Practice, please visit this link.

LDE Lending Library

Interested in borrowing one of our professional development books? We have a wide selection covering career development, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), communication, team building, and management, offering hundreds of choices to enhance your skills and knowledge.

Borrowing is as easy as 1-2-3…

  1. Browse selections at our lending library.
  2. Fill out the brief LDE Lending Library Form or email ldeteam@brown.edu to request books. 
  3. Books are conveniently dispatched and received through campus mail. After one month, kindly return the books to Samantha Rathbun at Box 1879.

Workday Learning

Workday Learning is your go-to platform to explore courses, develop new skills, and advance your career at Brown. From goal-setting to career planning, the platform offers a variety of opportunities to grow professionally.

Featured Courses

Goal setting is a process of carefully thinking about what you want to achieve, devising a plan, and then putting that plan into action. The online module, Individual Development Plan, will provide you with methods, tools, and examples for creating your own development plan.​
This course is for people who want to be excited to go into work each day. It’s designed to teach practical skills to write an eye-catching resume and excel in a job interview. But it also encourages you to take the time to decide what job will truly make you happy and enhance your talents.

Once you enroll, Workday Learning will send automated email confirmations and Google Calendar invitations for virtual or in-person sessions, including all the details you need to attend. Ready to start learning?Go to Workday Learning