To help build leaders in urban planning in the planning field, The Leading Institute at Rutgers University's Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in January will offer career and leadership development sessions by videoconference. The sessions will be available free to Fellows and graduates of the Leading from the Middle program as well as those actively pursuing a Bloustein Professional Certificate.

Modeled on the peer leadership sessions in the Leading from the Middle program, the videoconferences will explore various topics. Most of them will be chosen by the participants themselves. Among the topics expected are: managing conflict, building high-performing teams, marketing oneself, increasing self-awareness, and making effective ‘elevator speeches.'

Each one-hour session will include guidance from a seasoned professional and facilitated peer-to-peer coaching among session participants. In this way, participants build a number of skills.

The sessions will begin in late January and are expected to be offered about every two weeks. You can help select the times, days and topics. Please take the short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5F985L3

The Leading Institute (TLI) provides training and development to help good land use professionals become effective leaders. TLI offers Leading from the Middle, a distinct program that combines workshops, peer coaching and performance coaching. There is no other program like it developed by and for urban planners. The next set of classes will be from March to July in New Jersey. Please visit http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/pdi/tli for more information.

TLI's sister organization, the Professional Development Institute, produces high quality, convenient and affordable continuing education for land use professionals. This includes the Bloustein Online Continuing Education Program, which holds online courses in various topics: community development, economic development, planning law, professional practice, sustainable development and urban design. The next set of courses begins in January. All 2010 courses are eligible for AICP Certification Maintenance credit. Please visit http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/bocep for more information.

The Bloustein School offers non-credit Professional Certificates through its Professional Development Institute. Learners can earn a Certificate of Completion, Master Practitioner Certificate or Expert Practitioner Certificate by passing (not just participating in) courses approved by the Professional Development Institute.

To learn more about how to pursue a Bloustein Professional Certificate, or about the Professional Development Institute, please visit http://www.policy.rutgers.edu/pdi or contact Director Leonardo Vazquez, AICP/PP at 732-932-3822, x711 or [email protected]