DMV1102 Posted June 4, 2012 Report Share Posted June 4, 2012 Good Afternoon Wifconners, The agency I work for has started a program in which funds are made available for non-managerial employees to develop a development track that would run for about a semesters worth of time starting this summer and running up to the New Year. I was hoping your collective knowledge and background might be able to point me in a good direction regarding institutions and educational programs in the Baltimore/DC Metro area eg. NCMA programs, University classes/programs/certifications, or other Long Distance Learning opportunities, etc. I have 2 years of 1102 experience at this point and feel as if this program would be something to take advantage of in regards to my professional development. The program requires me to come up with a unique development need as well as back-up education to help serve this. I believe that government contracting and procurement is a hot topic these days and that something like a shadowing program in varying institutions, and supplemental course-work or certification would be a something very beneficial to me. The major limiting factor is that we are only provided funding up to $10,000, so rigorous or very expensive education may be out of reach, although I am doing research into some local institutional costs at the moment, and it may be even possible to supplement these costs with my own money in the case that it leads to an further educational goal. Some generalized topics I have thought of include: · Federal Government Contracting/Procurement Policy (more specifically on how it affects Healthcare Agencies like CMS OR Comparative studies on how policy affects contracting operations across different types of agencies) · Contract/Procurement Law (Although at this time I don’t believe I am going for any sort of law degree) · Organizational or Cultural differences among varying Departments or Agencies in the Federal Gov’t · The evolution of procurement as a science and how lessons learned and practices can be more effective · Current Events, Contracting in the News, applying lessons learned As experienced contracting professionals I thought you may have ideas on important contracting topics these days or resources I can use. In true Federal Government fashion they have not given us much time to construct a curriculum so I am reaching out to people like you who may be able to help. I know you are all busy so let me know if you have any advice for a young 1102 like me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DMV1102 Posted June 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Well it appears there may be some sort of hold on this program due to funding issues, however any suggestions regarding development programs/certifications or general education for early-career 1102's is still welcome and appreciated. We are being given all the classes needed for our FAC-C certification which is important, but still have received varied views on other forms of continued education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vern Edwards Posted June 6, 2012 Report Share Posted June 6, 2012 I guess I might as well say what I'm thinking. If your goal is to increase your knowledge and become really good at what you want to do, then skip the programs and the certifications. Instead, buy or borrow some good books and sit up late and get up early to read them and take notes, and then think long and hard about what you've read and written and try to put it to good use. Did you see the movie "Good Will Hunting"? If you did you might remember the scene in which the main character puts down the snob from Harvard with this line: "You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for a $1.50 in late fees at the public library." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gboyle Posted July 6, 2012 Report Share Posted July 6, 2012 Vern, can you suggest some good books? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue1234 Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 What books would be good for increasing your knowledge and developing your contracting skills? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vern Edwards Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 See http://www.wifcon.co...ndedReading.pdf I'll update that list next week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailers Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 While it's too late for this year, I will recommend the Nash&Cibinic Roundtable in DC. It's wrapping up right now, but it's been absolutely fascinating and informative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts