We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
The second Master of Remote Work certification course offered by Montana State University (MSU) Extension will launch today, June 2. This course is designed to equip workers with the tools and skills needed to work from home as a remote worker, freelancer, or entrepreneur. The first course wrapped up last week.
“Things are changing due to more people working from home during COVID. The prospect of working from home is intriguing to me,” states course participant Nicole Buerkle who lives on a farm north of Plevna. “Working remotely would save me nearly an hour of driving each day and give me more time with my family.”
According to local MSU Blaine County Ag, Natural Resources & 4-H Extension Agent, Julianne Snedigar, nine participants from Montana took the month-long course in May. That program consisted of nine core modules delivered in a self-paced, online format along with four discussion-based virtual workshops.
As with the first course, participants in this second session will learn many of the on-line tools common to remote work, in addition to the soft skills crucial to working with a remote team. These include written communication, problem solving, time management, collaboration, goal setting, organization, and accountability.
“I’ve been taking some time to figure out how I can use my skills to transition to remote work since the retail store I managed was closed last year,” reports Mike Arney of Polson. “I wanted to stay in my community and not spend an hour or more driving each way to a job out of town. This course is exactly what I needed to know to jump into a remote position since I haven’t worked remotely before.”
MSU-Extension faculty will serve as coaches for Montana participants through the course. Once they complete the course, graduates will receive assistance from Job Service of Montana in finding a remote job. Graduates interested in creating or expanding a remote business will have access to Accelerate Montana’s Rural Innovation Initiative at the University of Montana to help them take their business to the next level.
Because enrollment for the June class closes tomorrow, June 3, interested persons need to act immediately. Those seeking additional information about course dates, content descriptions, or registration details are encouraged to go online and visit msuextension.org/communitydevelopment/remote-work-certificate.html. Part of the Remote Online Initiative, the cost of the course is $199.
For more information about the Master Remote Work Professional Certification program, individuals can contact Tara Mastel via email at tara.mastel@montana.edu or by calling (406) 994-1750. Mastel is MSU Extension’s Associate Specialist for Rural Leadership Development and Program Leader for Community Development.
For anyone who is too late to join this session on working remotely, Snedigar reported that Master of Remote Work certification course will be offered monthly through MSU Extension. So, interested people can plan ahead for future launches of the program.
“Completing our first session here in Montana during the month of May proved to be a learning experience, not only for the participants but for us program coordinators as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what this program can help people here in Montana accomplish in the future,” Snedigar said.
