Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Performance Expectations

forMBA Graduate Assistants

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Why Talk About This?

• Fulfilling the College’s mission• Reputation of the program• Continuing GAs in future years• Keeping your GA funding

– Over $80K in value with out-of-state tuition, stipend, and health insurance…

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Corporate

• Managers• MBA and business

experience• Revenue/Profitability• Clients, shareholders

Academic

• Professors• Ph.D. and university

experience• Teaching excellence• Students

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Expectations for All GAs/TAs• 10 Hours per Week• 18 Week Semester Appointments

– Excludes Fall, Winter, & Spring Breaks– Includes Immersions and Finals Weeks

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Expectations for All GAs/TAs• Excellent GA/TA Performance• Academic and Professional Integrity• Appreciation of opportunity and

respect for those who have a GA/TA, and those who don’t.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Proactive Performance Management

1. Clear expectations and goals

2. Regular “check in” meetings

3. Problem performance process “P3”

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

3 Ways to Clarify Expectations

1. Position Description2. Project Description3. SMART Goals

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Sample: Position Description

MBA Admissions Visit CoordinatorOur Mission• Efficiently and effectively recruit and admit great Smeal MBA students and future Penn

State alumni.

Primary Roles & Responsibilities• Schedule, organize, and plan prospective student visits including packets, agendas,

communications, and logistics. • Help coordinate recruitment events such as chats, webcasts, and on-campus events.

Additional Admissions Roles & Responsibilities• Contribute to overall MBA Office needs such as reception, and event preparation.• Answer prospective students’ questions via email and telephone.• Conduct any requested admissions/marketing activities such as website contributions and

telephone or e-mail outreach.• Help assemble applicant files, and general help with the application and admissions

process.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Sample: Project Description

Project Name Event Surveys

Goal/Description

We conduct an online Zoomerang survey to assess the effectiveness of our events in recruiting. The survey needs to be revised, then launched, conducted, analyzed, and recommendations given.

Tasks Complete the creation, administration, analysis, and recommendations based on the survey.

Required Resources http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=U26LWY7TYAMM

Deliverable(s) Full results and recommendation document.

Effort Anticipated 8 hours

Due Date October 15, 2011

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Set SMART Goals• Specific• Measurable• Actionable• Realistic• Time-bounded

SMART Goal?Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bounded

Set up office hours and help your students.

Set up office hours for 2 hours in the afternoon every week. Help students with academic needs such that you score above a 6 on your student survey.

SMART Goal?Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Realistic, Time-bounded

Put all these alumni in a spreadsheet.

Put these alumni in a spreadsheet, with these rows & columns, and that will import into our database. It should take you about 4 hours and should be completed by Friday at noon.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

When to Have Check In Meetings• At the end of each Module!

– Good timing for you to address changes• Undergrad class schedule

– Not on “Module” – on semesters– Need time to correct mid-stream

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Performance “Check In”

Things Going Well:Behavior – Specific positive behavior.Impact – Why this performance matters.

Areas for Improvement or Change:Behavior – Specific negative/improvable behavior.Impact – Why this performance matters.

Performance Problem Examples

• Complaints from students or other stakeholders• Poor or “sloppy” performance• Lateness or missing office hours• Failing to report/over-reporting hours weekly• Failure to deliver on project commitments

– Deadlines, detail, quality, etc.

What’s likely to get in your way?

1. Don’t have the skills

2. Unclear expectations of the tasks or hours

3. Conflicting priorities

What’s likely to get in your way?

1. Don’t have the skills

2. Unclear expectations of the tasks or hours

3. Conflicting priorities:a. Classes, assignments, team projectsb. Company info sessions, career fairs, interviews, c. Travel around holiday breaksd. Personal situations, illness, etc.

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

1st Issue Performance problem is documented and a feedback discussion is conducted with your supervisor.

2nd IssuePerformance problem is documented and a feedback discussion conducted with your supervisor and Carrie Marcinkevage (MBA Managing Director)

3rd Issue

Performance problem is documented and your Supervisor informs Carrie Marcinkevage, who will meet with the supervisor and you to discuss possible revocation of your GA award.

Problem Performance Process (P3)

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Performance Problem Template

GA Name Date

Department Supervisor

Performance Problem Short description of the problem

Behaviors Observed/Impact • List of specific problem behaviors & impacts

Changes Needed /Actions to Take

• List of specific actions, changes, and deliverables with due dates

Progress Review Date Perf. Process Stage Is this

Stage 1, 2, or 3?

Supervisor Signature GA Signature

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

GA Quiz Time…

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

How could you lose your GA?1. Not meeting departmental performance

standards (P3)2. Falling below a 3.0 GPA3. Academic or professional integrity

violation sanction

QUIZ

Penn State Smeal MBA Program

Templates and Aids

1. Position Description2. GA Project Description3. Check In Meeting4. Performance Problem (P3) Meeting5. Timesheet