Welcome to MIT’s resource for supporting learning and development for Administrative Officers (AOs) and Fiscal Officers (FOs).
Below you'll find an array of courses and tools to help you grow and develop as a steward of MIT’s finances and administrative responsibilities.
You can use the information on this page to:
- navigate needs of a new position
- help identify learning goals for mentees or
- build and strengthen knowledge and skills to help advance your career.
Who is this content for and how can I use it?
Roles and responsibilities vary widely across MIT’s complex and innovative teaching and research culture. An AO in one area might have vastly different responsibilities than one in another area, and not all AOs have the same title. At MIT, job titles are less important than what individuals do—and how well they meet their responsibilities. This website is geared toward increasing knowledge and skills important to carrying out financial and administrative oversight at MIT.
It will be useful to:
- Administrative Officers, Fiscal Officers, and others involved in financial, administrative, and research management activities
- Managers or mentors may use this site as a developmental tool to identify learning goals and match them with available resources
- Individuals aspiring to AO or FO roles
How to use this resource
To support diverse responsibilities and individual learning and development needs, the courses and tools featured below are grouped according to skills and competencies identified by current AOs, Assistant Deans and other key stakeholders. Select the skills and competencies of importance to you below and focus on the relevant courses and tools.
Where to begin
Start with a plan that is tied to both your current needs and your career goals. If you are currently in an administrative or financial role, work with your manager to identify the skills and competencies that you want to develop or strengthen. Then, identify which courses and tools are of interest, set a plan and schedule, and begin.
If you aspire to move into such a role someday, you might speak with your manager or human resources representative about which learning opportunities to pursue. A supportive manager, mentor or colleague can be helpful in thinking through your career goals and preparing a sound learning and development plan.
Competencies
Our learning resources are organized according to the competencies below.
AO/FO Learn: Technical competencies
Technical competencies are skills that will help the AO or FO to function effectively in the MIT environment.
AO/FO Learn: Leadership competencies
Leadership competencies enable the AO or FO to lead others with excellence.
| Being Resourceful/Showing a Bias for Action | |
|---|---|
| Implementing Proactively and Decisively (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Leading Change | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Diversity & Inclusion | |
| Diversity Makes You Brighter, Sheen Levine and David Stark, The New York Times, 2015 | Article |
| Fostering Diversity & Inclusion (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Demonstrating Organizational Awareness | |
| Managing Attitudes During Difficult Times | Skillsoft |
| Managing for Rapid Change and Uncertainty | Skillsoft |
| Edgar Schein on Culture, Tim Kuppler, Leadership and Change, 2015 | Online article |
| Effective Meetings | |
Planning Meetings Fit for Purpose
| Skillsoft Online and classroom |
| Integrity & Credibility | |
| Integrity and Credibility (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Leadership Fundamentals (Developing Resilience) | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Leadership & Accountability | |
| Judgment and Decisiveness | Skillsoft Book |
| Becoming Your Own Best Boss | Skillsoft |
| Good to Great, Jim Collins, FastCompany, 2001 | Online article |
* Learning Bundles are training/learning resources that include a variety of specially reviewed and selected learning methods, including classroom courses, online learning, videos and opportunities to practice skills.
AO/FO Learn: Communications competencies
Communications competencies increase the ability of the AO or FO to communicate more effectively with all levels of the MIT community and beyond.
| Effective Communications | |
|---|---|
| Building Business Relationships | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Communicating with Influence (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Giving Presentations with Confidence (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Effective Team Communication | Skillsoft |
| Having Difficult Conversations | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Ability to Influence | |
| Influencing Others | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Listening Essentials | |
| Active Listening | Classroom |
| Active Listening for Managers | Classroom |
| Become a Great Listener | Skillsoft |
| Negotiation/Mediation Skills | |
| Negotiation Fundamentals | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
* Learning Bundles are training/learning resources that include a variety of specially reviewed and selected learning methods, including classroom courses, online learning, videos and opportunities to practice skills
AO/FO Learn: Managing people competencies
These competencies help the AO or FO to effectively manage staff.
| Coaching Skills for Managers (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Collaborate and Build Relationships (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Delegating for Success | (Learning Bundle*) |
| Developing the Potential of Others (Learning Bundle*) | |
| Learning Bundle for Performance Reviews | Web-based |
| Managing Diversity & Inclusion (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
* Learning Bundles are training/learning resources that include a variety of specially reviewed and selected learning methods, including classroom courses, online learning, videos and opportunities to practice skills
AO/FO Learn: Personal development competencies
These competencies help develop the potential of the AO or FO to deal effectively with the demands of the AO or FO position.
| Demonstrating Strategic Agility | |
|---|---|
| Demonstrating Strategic Agility (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Emotional Intelligence | |
| Developing Your Emotional Intelligence | LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com) |
| Problem-Solving Skills | |
| Implementing Proactively and Decisively (Learning Bundle*) | Web-based |
| Time Management Skills | |
| Tips and Techniques for Time Management | Classroom |
| Overcoming Procrastination | Skillsoft |
* Learning Bundles are training/learning resources that include a variety of specially reviewed and selected learning methods, including classroom courses, online learning, videos and opportunities to practice skills.
More Information
More about MIT
MIT is a complex and dynamic place, with unique practices and traditions and a decentralized organizational structure. Here are a few tools to help with navigating the organization and culture of the Institute.
- Org Chart: Shows the Institute’s senior leaders including the reporting structures for each area
- AdminConnect: AdminConnect is a support system designed to help administrators work together by providing key information and resources and opportunities for connection. See especially:
- See our guide for new employees and onboarding information for managers
Have questions or need help?
For more information or to give feedback on this site, please contact learn@mit.edu.
