Mississippi State Vice President for Campus Services Amy Tuck helped launch a new professional development series sponsored by the university’s Human Resources Management office Wednesday [Jan. 27].

“PRO Chats” is a new HR series designed to provide faculty and professional staff at MSU with insightful and practical information for improving their professional and personal lives.

Delivered by engaging speakers from on and off campus, these motivational presentations last 30-45 minutes in length and are followed by Q & A sessions.

During her talk on “Fostering Confidence,” Tuck shared several tips with participants.

“Confidence is not walking into a room with your nose in the air and thinking you’re better than everyone else; it’s walking into a room and not having to compare yourself to anyone else in the first place,” Tuck said. “You are priceless to those that know you, and the worth of your life comes not in what you do or who you know, but who you are.”

Among others, Tuck shared these steps to building and fostering confidence:

-- Be positive and look for the good in every situation.

-- Stay away from negative thoughts and negative people. Surround yourself with positive, confident and successful people who can instill confidence in you.

-- Do what you love.

-- Make a list of your strong points, and choose at least two items on that list to improve.

-- Set goals that you wish to attain.

-- Maximize your ability and your future potential. Do not let others hold you back.

“There are three types of people: individuals who make things happen, individuals who watch things happen, and individuals who wonder what happened,” Tuck said. “Make a difference where you are because there are incredible opportunities and challenges, and it’s just a matter of whether you view them as stepping stones or stumbling blocks.”

“I encourage you to lead with a purpose, and then you will lead with passion and with confidence,” she emphasized.

Future “PRO Chat” topics will include managing conflict, building meaningful relationships, stress management and healthy lifestyle, keys to success, leadership and motivation, setting and achieving goals, building strong teams, project management, creativity and innovation, and next level communication.

Registration for upcoming PRO Chats may be completed online at www.hrm.msstate.edu/development/upcoming. Future workshops will show up approximately 60 days in advance.

For more information about PRO Chats and other MSU Human Resources Management-sponsored events, contact Darrell Easley at 662-325-3713 or deasley@hrm.msstate.edu.

Sasha Steinberg | Public Affairs