Be Connected
One of the best ways to take care of yourself is to maintain your connection to others, and to seek the help you need, when you need it. Be Connected is here to support you along the way.
Be Connected supports the well-being of City of Boston employees through community, connection and education. Visit this page to find commonly needed City programs and helpful resources, discover new tools, information, and activities. You'll learn about what’s available and accessible to you to stay connected and maintain your well-being.
Be Connected newsletters
NewslettersTools and resources
Tools and resourcesWe create and provide online and in-person group and one-on-one training for the City of Boston. Free classes available in project management, Microsoft Office, and Google Suite. Visit this page (on the Hub) to learn about available workshops and trainings.
Educational OpportunitiesThe City offers scholarships and tuition reimbursement opportunities for higher education. Depending on the union you belong to, you are either eligible for scholarships or tuition reimbursement. Visit this page (on the Hub) to learn more about the process and how to apply.
Youth Career DevelopmentThe City of Boston is proud to provide employment opportunities, career development training, and other resources for Boston's youth workers. Learn more about our Youth Career Development programs.
Job Seekers Guide
This comprehensive Job Seekers guide from the Boston Public Library contains resources and suggestions to help you develop marketable skills, land a new position, and navigate your career path, including:
- researching careers
- job hunting sources
- resumes
- cover letters
- interviewing
- skill building, and
- much more!
Employees can gain access to the online learning platform Lynda.com through the Boston Public Library. The online learning platform can help you learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.
To gain access, you first will need to sign up for a BPL eCard, and then sign up for Lynda with the eCard.
More Free VIRTUAL COURSES
To help navigate these challenging times, many online learning platforms are offering free virtual courses. Courses range from career development to professional skills and resilience. Here's a few to check out:
- Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills, Coursera
- Beyond the To Do List, iTunes
- Productivity: Time Management, Focus and Success, Udemy
- Introduction to Project Management, Udemy
- Career Development: Your Next Career Move, Udemy
- Thriving @ Work: The Connection Between Wellbeing and Productivity, Linkedin Learning
- The Seven Essential Steps to Getting Your Dream Career, Udemy
- Personal and Professional Skills Fitness Courses, Kaplan
- ICMA is the world’s leading association of professional City and county managers and other employees who serve local governments. You don't have to be a member to access many of the professional development resources available on their website. These include career guides, webinars, and more.
- GovLoop is an online knowledge network for government employees at every level. It's a great resource to connect with peers, share best practices, and find career-building opportunities. They have a list of professional development materials you can download for free.
- GovTech.com is an online portal for research and stories about public-sector innovation and the dynamics of governing in the information age. Don't miss their podcast "In the Arena". It features government officials who are truly making a difference and challenging the status quo.
- Idealist is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to supports people in the pursuit of social impact careers. Check out their Career Advice blog. They have tips and guidance to advance your career in the public sector.
- Teaching Tolerance: Professional Development Resources help teachers improve their practice. They also help K–12 leaders shape their schools into strong, equitable communities.
- City of Boston manager's toolkit for onboarding new employees (Please note: We recommend downloading the interactive guide to your desktop and opening it with the Adobe App. Avoid opening it with your web browser, as the clickable functionality may not work.)
- The Boston Public Library offers free access to articles published daily in the Boston Globe (text-only, not page reproductions) with your BPL eCard. Each issue is indexed thoroughly, so you can access top news stories or quickly find the news information you need.
Employee programs and services
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
EAP's trained clinicians offer a safe and supportive environment for City of Boston employees. You can resolve concerns that may impact health, well-being, social functioning, and productivity issues in the workplace. It's confidential and free.
Employee Resource Groups
Through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), coworkers can connect around shared interests.
meQuilibrium for City employees
A special platform for City workers updated daily with new mindfulness activities and content focused on developing personal resilience.