These seminars offer training in many skills you won't find included in your coursework—skills that can prepare you for success in your current educational endeavors as well as your life beyond graduate school or your postdoctoral training. These seminars address topics within five core competency areas: communication (COM), leadership (L), career development (CD), professional adaptability (PA), and self-awareness (S-A). Developing all five competencies can provide graduate students and psotdocs with a foundation of transferable skills for future professional development.
Graduate students and postdocs are welcome to register for one seminar or many, according to their interests and schedule.
These seminars count toward the 2011-12 PFL Season Pass.
Spring 2012 Seminars
On Demand| February | March | Past Seminars | Competency Areas
On Demand
PFL On Demand workshops and seminars are available 24/7 to fit the schedules of busy graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. No registration required!
How Business Ideas are Born [PA]
Mr. Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks.com
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1 [CD]
The PFL Team
*In order to earn credit for this workshop toward the PFL Season Pass, you must complete the final quiz.
Writing Federal Research Proposals [COM]
Ms. Jaine Place, Director, Proposal Development Unit
In-Person Events
Registration is required for all in-person events and opens January 9 for events taking place prior to Spring Break (March 5th-9th). Registration for events after Spring Break opens on March 1.
February
Adapting Your Research Presentation for U.S. Industry Culture [COM]
Dr. Tim Flood, Associate Professor of Management and Corporate Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School
Monday, 2/13, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
To find success in your discipline, you’ve learned the standards for effective academic presentations . But how do you sell your research to those in the private sector? This seminar will teach you how to prepare and present your research in a manner that appeals to those in the U.S. corporate world. Whether you’re an international or domestic graduate student or postdoctoral scholar, this seminar can help you succeed in industry interviews. Register now
Emotional Intelligence: A Different Type of Intellect
[S-A]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Tuesday, 2/14, 12:00-2:00pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
You might know your IQ, but do you know your emotional intelligence “score”? This seminar will introduce you to the core elements of emotional intelligence and teach you how to “increase” your intelligence to benefit your health, relationships, and work. You’ll leave with a better understanding of how your emotional intelligence can improve your leadership abilities. Register now
Personal Branding: Your Career “Value Add” [CD]
Kelly Welch, Career Coach and Branding Strategist, YES Career Services
Wednesday, 2/22, 12:00-2:00pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Understanding and aligning your personal brand can make you a preferred candidate for the life of your career. Learn more about how to create your own personal brand so that you can effectively convey to employers the value you can bring to their organizations. Register now
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 2: In-Person Workshop [CD]
Dr. Melissa Bostrom, Director of Graduate Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School
Thursday, 2/23, 12-1:30pm, Conference Room 230, Research Building 3
This workshop provides an opportunity for you to practice the skills you've learned from the On-Demand seminar "How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1." Please note that all attendees to this workshop must have completed the On-Demand seminar prior to participating in this in-person workshop. Register now
*The in-person workshop is not required to earn PFL Season Pass credit.
LinkedIn: Your Networking Linchpin [CD]
Kelly Welch, Career Coach and Branding Strategist, YES Career Services
Wednesday, 2/29, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Are you familiar with LinkedIn and do you have a LinkedIn profile? This tool is essential for your career success! This seminar will provide you with guidance on how you can use LinkedIn to approach networking in your career. Register now
March
Suggestions for Successful Lab Management [PA]
Melissa Cox, Lab Manager for the Biotechnology Education Facility; David Black, Lab Manager for the Environmental Engineering Lab
Thursday, 3/1, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
There are many facets to managing a lab, and understanding how to skillfully oversee these is essential to successful lab management. This panel consists of laboratory managers and supervisors who will share their experiences and offer suggestions for how to effectively manage both teaching and research labs. Register now
How to Pick a Postdoc [CD]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Monday, 3/19, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with Graduate Education Week
As you consider life after your doctoral degree, you may wonder whether to pursue a position as a postdoctoral scholar as a stepping stone on your career path. Dr. Rhonda Sutton will share her perspective as Director of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs on the reasons you might choose a postdoc position, how to select the right postdoctoral research experience, and how to make the most of your postdoc. (Registration opens March 1st)
Presentation Skills for Corporate Culture [COM]
Dr. Melissa Bostrom, Director of Graduate Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School
Thursday, 3/22, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) and Graduate Education Week
You may be an expert at delivering academic-style presentations, but are you prepared to give presentations in a U.S. business environment? You’ll learn tips for organizing your content, delivering with confidence, and complementing your talk with effective PowerPoint slides. The speaker is a former faculty member in Management and Corporate Communication at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. (Registration opens March 1st)
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 2: In-Person Workshop [CD]
Dr. Melissa Bostrom, Director of Graduate Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School
Monday, 3/26, 12-1:30pm, Conference Room 230, Research Building 3
This workshop provides an opportunity for you to practice the skills you've learned from the On-Demand seminar "How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1." Please note that all attendees to this workshop must have completed the On-Demand seminar prior to participating in this in-person workshop. (Registration opens March 1st)
*The in-person workshop is not required to earn PFL Season Pass credit.
Best Practices for Today’s Leaders: Skills for Success [L]
Dr. Kevin Rice, Director for Training and Organizational Development, NC State University
Wednesday, 3/28, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Do you plan to manage or supervise people in the future? Do you envision yourself in some type of leadership role in your career? If so, are you aware of the most important skills you will need to be successful? Join Dr. Kevin Rice, Director for NC State University's Training and Organizational Development Unit, as he shares the best practices used by leaders today. (Registration opens March 1st)
Past Seminars
Time Management [S-A]
Ms. Angel Johnson, Counselor, Counseling Center
Tuesday, 1/17, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
As a graduate student, you may balance many demands on your time: research, work responsibilities, coursework, and personal commitments. How can you budget your time to meet these competing demands? Learn how to manage your time wisely, including strategies for managing large projects to stay on deadline, as well as stress management techniques that can help you stay calm while you balance it all.
The Academic Job Search: Guidance from Department Heads and Senior Faculty [CD]
Dr. Margo Daub, Department Head for Plant Biology; Dr. Chris Gorman, Professor of Chemistry; Dr. Christine McGahan, Department Head for Molecular Biomedical Sciences, and Dr. Michael Paesler, former Department Head for Physics
Wednesday, 1/18, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Want to know more about the academic hiring process for faculty positions? Join our panel of department heads and full professors as they share information regarding the faculty interview process as well as what they are looking for in their new faculty hires.
Finding Your Passion [S-A]
Marcy Bullock, Director, CALS Career Services
Thursday, 1/19, 12:00-2:00pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
How can you incorporate more of your passion in your personal and professional life? Passion is not just for zillionaires. You do not have to mash your nose to the grindstone. This workshop will help you identify your values, mission and genius. You will learn steps to take to identify and pursue what matters most to you. Today is not a dress rehearsal. Get started finding more meaning and feeling more fulfilled.
How to Write a Research Introduction [COM]
Dr. Mike Carter, Associate Dean, Graduate School and Professor, English Friday, 1/20, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
How do you make the case for the originality of your research contribution? The research introduction of your thesis, dissertation, or grant proposal can benefit from this seminar. Dr. Carter is an expert in teaching scientific writing and has been principal investigator on two projects funded by the National Science Foundation to study ways to teach students science writing. This event is open only to participants currently at the writing stage of their thesis or dissertation.
Cross-Cultural Communication: A Key to Success at NC State and Beyond [COM]
Dr. Tim Flood, Associate Professor of Management and Corporate Communication, UNC-Chapel Hill Kenan-Flagler Business School
Monday, 1/23, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
While you’re at NC State, you’ll have the chance to interact with other graduate students and postdoctoral scholars as well as faculty and staff from around the world. How can you work effectively with people from other cultures and backgrounds to succeed in your role at NC State? More importantly, how can you transfer the skills you develop to your career? This seminar will focus on cross-cultural communication skills that both international and domestic participants can use to succeed in our increasingly globalizing world.
The Academic Job Search: Perspectives from Recent Assistant Professor Hires [CD]
Dr. Hong Wang, Physics; Dr. Chase Beisel, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering; and Dr. April Fogleman, Food, Bioprocessing & Nutrition Sciences
Wednesday, 1/25, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Last week, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offered a panel discussion on the academic hiring process featuring the perspectives of department heads and senior faculty. This week there is an opportunity to hear from recently hired assistant professors who can share what worked for them in terms of how they approached the faculty interview process. The panelists will share their own experiences regarding their job search, their interviews and their negotiation strategies.
Transferable Skills: The Key to Career Reinvention [PA]
Dara Wilson-Grant, Associate Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at UNC-Chapel Hill; and Owner of Careers in Bloom
Thursday, 1/26, 12:00-2:00pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
A common question asked by postdoctoral scholars and graduate students preparing to compete in the non-academic job market is, “How can I sell my qualifications without having direct industry experience?” The key is learning how to translate your graduate education and postdoctoral training into a language that broad audiences understand – a skills enriched language. Skills are the main currency outside of the academic market, not publications. This workshop focuses on helping participants identify and assess their strongest and most transferable skills, plus learn specific strategies for promoting their qualifications in the most effective way possible.
Interview to Impress [CD]
Dr. Woody Catoe, Assistant Director, University Career Center
Friday, 1/27, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
How do you leave a strong impression during a job interview? In this session, the Associate Director of the University Career Center will share tips and strategies that he’s learned from employers about the best way to present yourself as a job candidate. The session will include the chance to practice what you learn from the presentation in a mock interview.
Writing for Graduate School and Beyond: Creating an Effective Writing Group [COM]
Ms. Brandy Grabow, Coordinator of Writing and Speaking Tutorial Services, Undergraduate Tutorial Center
Thursday, 2/2, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Whether it’s research proposals, academic papers, or emails, graduate students are constantly writing. This seminar, facilitated by Brandy Grabow, a Coordinator at NCSU’s Tutorial Center, will help you create a writing group that can help you improve your writing and your accountability for producing it. While writing groups often aid writers during the thesis or dissertation stage, they can be useful in supporting any regular writing practice that you’d like to undertake. The bottom line: if you want to write more productively, this is the seminar for you!
Leadership in the Corporate Sector [L]
Dr. Vivian Doelling, Consultant and Senior Scientist at Integrated Laboratory Systems
Monday, 2/6, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
With a Ph.D in Biochemistry from Purdue University, Dr. Doelling found great success in the corporate sector serving as a Manager, Director, Senior Director, and Vice-President in the Research & Development departments of companies such as Embrex and Pfizer. She’ll share leadership lessons from her 20 years of senior executive experience in industry.
Insights into Entrepreneurship [PA]
Dr. Ann Black, Immunoreagents; Dr. Steven Michelsen, LaamScience; Dr. C.L. Niblett, Venganza
Wednesday, 2/8, 12:00-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Have you ever thought about owning your own business? Do you have a research idea or invention you could envision taking to market? Are you interested in finding out what it means to be an entrepreneur? Attend this panel discussion to learn about the skills, challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 2: In-Person Workshop [CD]
Dr. Melissa Bostrom, Director of Graduate Academic and Professional Development, The Graduate School
Thursday, 2/9, 12-1:30pm, Conference Room 230, Research Building 3
This workshop provides an opportunity for you to practice the skills you've learned from the On-Demand seminar "How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1." Please note that all attendees to this workshop must have completed the On-Demand seminar prior to participating in this in-person workshop.
*The in-person workshop is not required to earn PFL Season Pass credit.
Competency Areas
Communication (COM)
Adapting Your Research Presentation to U.S. Industry Culture
Cross-Cultural Communication: A Key to Success at NC State and Beyond
Presentation Skills for Corporate Culture
Writing a Research Introduction
Writing Federal Research Proposals [On Demand]
Writing for Graduate School and Beyond: Creating an Effective Writing Group
Leadership (L)
Best Practices for Today’s Leaders: Skills for Success
Leadership in the Corporate Sector
Career Development (CD)
The Academic Job Search: Guidance from Department Heads and Senior Faculty
The Academic Job Search: Perspectives from Recent Assistant Professor Hires
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1 [On Demand]
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 2: In-Person Workshop
How to Pick a Postdoc
Interview to Impress
LinkedIn: Your Networking Linchpin
Personal Branding: Your Career "Value Add"
Professional Adaptability (PA)
How Business Ideas are Born [On Demand]
Insights into Entrepreneurship
Suggestions for Successful Lab Management
Transferable Skills: The Key to Career Reinvention
Self-Awareness (S-A)
Emotional Intelligence: A Different Type of Intellect
Finding Your Passion
Time Management
Have a suggestion for a future Professional Development Seminar? Email Dr. Melissa Bostrom with your idea!
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served more effectively if notice is provided at least 14 days before the event. Direct accommodation requests to pfl-assistant@ncsu.edu.