Stay engaged in your professional development with classes from Optivation!

 It's September and time for kids to go back to school. But what about adults like you? Successful professionals know that you can't just sit back and wait for success to come to you. Shaping your future requires active and ongoing commitment to your professional education and development. The staff, consultants, and instructors at Optivation know how to support the learning process for busy professionals by offering in-person and online short term classes with high value content. Learn how we can help you get to the next level of success!

Learn on your own schedule with Optivation online courses
Want to gain some new skills over your lunch breaks, in the evening, or on weekends? Online course from Optivation give you this option. While class start and end dates are set by Optivation, you decide which hours work for you to login to complete your online readings and assignments. Students in the "Home Health Aide Online Course" even get to decide which day to begin the course, as it starts daily. Still want to know more about online learning? Learn about our upcoming online courses below or go to our Frequently Asked Questions page for more information.

Are you ready to lead projects and guide changes in your workplace?
Take advantage of Optivation online classes and develop your skills, confidence, and effectiveness. In "Effective Succession Planning," human resources expert Brian Mathews teaches students how to handle personnel transitions while maintaining organizational strength and efficiency. This online class begins September 13. Later in the month, Michael Wellcome teaches an excellent hands-on "Project Management" class. Students will get the most out of this online class by using an existing or planned project from their workplace for the course. In the "Art of Leadership I" (beginning October 11), students develop a better understanding of themselves as well as the potential of the leadership role. This online class, taught by Karen Pikula, promotes skills applicable to any stage of your career.

Raise money effectively and lead the way to success
Take control of your professional destiny by developing skills that allow you to be your own boss. In the brand new "Become a Consultant"online course, students will learn strategies for success as a "consultant business." Learn everything from marketing to contracts in this great class beginning September 13. In addition, in the upcoming online "Grant Writing" class, we will again offer students the chance to learn how to write a winning grant proposal from the letter of intent to letters of support. This class will be led by successful federal, state, and private grant-writer, Nate Dorr, and begins October 4.

Optivation wins grant to expand online learning opportunities
The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Office of the Chancellor recently recognized Optivation with an Innovation Award. This grant supports Optivation's work to expand our online professional development offerings. It's an exciting time for online learning!

Learning over lunch: Brown Bags are back!
After a summer break, Brown Bag discussion events return to Optivation this fall. Bring your lunch to the "Introduction to Hazardous Waste Management for Minnesota" Brown Bag event on October 6. This free presentation is a preview event for a full "Hazardous Waste Management" class that will begin in December. Both classes will be led by Headwaters Environmental, Inc. founder, Michael Twite.

Learn the business of blogging!
Want to use the power of a blog to gain customers and develop your brand? Optivation will be hosting another October Brown Bag discussion,"An Introduction to Blogging for Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Artists," on getting started as a blogger. Mark your calendar today!

Adventures in Lifelong Learning fall series begins
A number of great fall classes are just around the corner. All are free and open to the public, except for the ALL MN Fall Conference (for which registration and pre-payment are required). Click on the links below for all the details!

Why People Don't Like Music, September 21, 2010
An Introduction to Latin America: Wealth, Poverty, and Class, September 28, 2010
POLST (Providers Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment): Filling a Gap in End of Life Care for Patients and Health Care Professionals, October 5, 2010
ALL MN Fall Conference, October 14-15, 2010

Watch our calendar for all the details on upcoming Optivation classes!