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 postdocs 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.
Spring 2013 Seminars
On Demand | Special Spring Events | January | 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
The Informational Interview [CD]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Preparing for the Job Interview [CD]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Writing an Effective Cover Letter [CD]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Writing an Effective Research Statement [CD]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Writing Federal Research Proposals [COM]
Ms. Jaine Place, Director, Proposal Development Unit
Special Spring Events
Career Symposium for Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Scholars
Saturday, February 9, 8am-5pm
Frank Porter Graham Student Union, UNC-Chapel Hill
UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State are co-sponsoring a full day of career workshops and networking opportunities open only to graduate students and postdocs. Registration required: http://tinyurl.com/bhv3zpa. Registration fee of $15 includes lunch.
PhD and Master’s Virtual Career Fair
Tuesday, February 19
Online through Career ECO
This event is the first-ever national online career fair for PhD and master's degree holders, open to graduate students and postdocs from 25 major universities across the United States. Join employers online from the comfort of your office or lab. Registration and résumé upload required: http://gradtalent.careereco.net/students-alumni/virtual-career-fair-registration/
In-Person and Online Events
January
Conflict Resolution [COM, S-A]
Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Owner, Innersights Counseling and Consultation, Inc.
Friday, 1/11, 12-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
The stress of graduate school and postdoctoral fellowships creates many opportunities for conflict, whether it's in your lab, with a classmate or colleague, or at home. This interactive seminar will provide you with strategies to resolve those conflicts and minimize your stress, leaving you more focused and productive. Register here
Time Management [S-A]
Ms. Angel Bowers, Counselor, Counseling Center
Monday, January 14, 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. Register here
Sustainable Leadership and Creativity [L, S-A]
Ms. Annelies Gentile, Facilitator and Founder, Conduit for Change
Tuesday, 1/15, 12-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Develop a sense of sustainable leadership through self-awareness, mindfulness and collaboration. Learn fundamentals of the creative process and explore what critical-thinking tools spark innovation and lead to problem-solving. Explore outside the box! Keywords: creativity, open-source collaboration, sustainability, leadership, process. Register here
Alternative Careers in the Social Sciences and Humanities: A Panel Discussion [PA]
Dr. Sarah Broome, Director of Economic Research, North Carolina Hospital Association
Dr. Meredith Walther, Assistant Dean, School of Education, UNC Greensboro
Dr. Susan Pearsall, Information Architect at CA Technologies
Dr. Paul Miceli, Assistant Director, Graduate Student Career Services, Duke University
Dr. Wanida Lewis, Scientist II, General Mills
Friday, 1/18, 12-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Co-sponsored with the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD)
Each panel member is a social scientist or humanist by training who currently works in a non-faculty position, whether in industry, government, or academia. They will discuss how they landed their current positions and why they sought careers outside traditional faculty roles. In addition, the panelists will discuss their current positions and offer insights into what you can expect in alternative careers. Register here
Communicating Your Research [COM]
Dr. Brian Rybarczyk, Director, Graduate Student Academic & Professional Development, UNC Chapel Hill
Wednesday, 1/23, 12-1pm, Room 201, Witherspoon
Being able to communicate what your research involves and the impact of the outcomes are important aspects of your professional career. Learn about strategies to clearly, concisely and accurately depict your science to a wide range of audiences. Attendees will be asked to participate in exercises to craft messages about their research and gain feedback on how to improve the effectiveness of their communication. Register here
How to Prepare for the Academic Job Market (Even If You're Still in Grad School) [CD]
Dr. Karen Kelsky, author, The Professor Is In
Wednesday, 1/23, 3-5pm, Room 215, Park Shops
Co-sponsored with the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD)
In this webinar, participants will learn how productive practices in balancing research with other responsibilities can help them prepare for success in seeking a faculty position. Register here
Interview Skills for International Students [CD]
Career Development Center Staff
Friday, 1/25, 12-1:30 pm, Room 3118, Talley Student Center
Co-Sponsored with the Career Development Center and The Office Of International Services
Students must register through ePACK
This workshop will focus on providing international students at NC State with tips and strategies for interviewing for internships and full-time employment opportunities. Lunch will be provided (wraps, sandwiches, sides, and drinks). If you have any questions about this workshop, please email Dr. Kelly Laraway or call the Career Development Center at 919-515-2300.
Space is limited so please register by January 18! Students must register through ePACK
Thinking Inside the Box: An Alternative Approach to Career Networking [CD]
Ms. Mona Nour, M.Ed., Counselor Education
Monday, 1/28, 12-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Today's employers typically hire people they know, making networking an imperative part of the application process. Does it seem like only outgoing extraverts are able to network easily? In this session, participants will learn how to create useful networks with people they already know, so that they can network successfully whether they see themselves as introverts or extraverts. They will also get the opportunity to practice making new connections and learn the secrets of successful networkers. Register here
From Academia to Entrepreneur: How to Start Your Own Company [PA]
Dr. Elizabeth Iorns, Co-Founder and CEO of Science Exchange
Dr. William Gunn, Head of Academic Outreach for Mendeley
Tuesday, 1/29, 12-1:30 pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
The speakers will discuss what made leaving academia to work on a startup seem like an attractive career choice, how to find the right opportunities, and how to be competitive in the business world. Dr. Iorns will share the lessons she’s learned from her experience as a founder of Science Exchange as well as the collective wisdom shared within Silicon Valley’s thriving startup community. In particular, she will talk about the lessons she learned from taking part in Y Combinator, a startup accelerator program (www.ycombinator.com). Dr. Gunn will discuss making the transition from academia, finding the right opportunity, and tips for working with people from non-academic backgrounds including engineers and marketers. Register here
Negotiating an Academic Job Offer [CD]
Dr. Tamah Morant, Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Program, Economics
Thursday, 1/31, 12-1:30pm, Walnut Room, Talley Student Center
Dr. Morant will help participants navigate the process of negotiating for their first faculty positions. This seminar will help participants consider creative and flexible options beyond just salary in their negotiations. Register here
February
Career Choices in the Age of Biotech: How to Decide What Path is Right for You [PA]
Dr. William Schrader, Deputy Scientific Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
Thursday, 2/7, 11am-12 noon, Room, Witherspoon
Co-Sponsored with the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
Interested in a career in research but not sure which path to take? Dr. Schrader has extensive experience working in all three major sectors: government, academia, and industry. He will compare and contrast working in the different sectors and provide insight into the research expectations of each. Register here
Interview to Impress [CD]
Dr. Woody Catoe, Associate Director, University Career Development Center
Friday, 2/8, 12-1:30pm, 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. Register here
Special Two-Part Workshop Series:
Special Two-Part Workshop Series:
KNOW THYSELF: Self-Awareness and Professional Development for Aspiring Leaders [L, S-A]
Mr. Christopher M. Hanes, Vice President and Chief Learning Officer at Plaid
Monday, 2/11, 1-5pm, Room 201, Witherspoon
Monday, 2/18, 1-5pm, Room 201, Witherspoon
There are three types of relationships in life: one’s relationship with self, with other people, and with the things we do. Self is the common denominator in all relationships so if perception of self is off then every other relationship will be skewed. Achieving self-awareness and committing to personal growth and development is critical to success in relationships and life in general.
Self-awareness is widely recognized as a critical factor for success by employers, academicians, managers and others. As such, self-awareness is included in the Student Learning and Developmental Outcomes created by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) (NASPA & ACPA, 2004). Self-awareness is also included in student learning outcomes created by the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS). Participants will analyze who and why they are and create a personal development plan.
Note: Participants must agree to participate in both workshop sessions and complete a self-assessment prior to the first workshop session in order to register for this special series. Register here
Leadership in the Corporate Sector [L]
Dr. Vivian Doelling, Senior Scientist, Integrated Laboratory Systems
Wednesday, 2/13, 12-1:30pm, Room 3118, Talley Student Center
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. Register here
March
How to Make a More Effective Scientific Poster and Improve Poster Presentation Skills [COM, CD]
Dr. George Hess, Associate Professor of Forestry and Environmental Resources Academic Research, North Carolina State University
Alison Wynn, Director of Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, The Graduate School, North Carolina State University
Online: Tuesday, March 12 – Wednesday, March 20, 2013
In association with Graduate Education Week and The 8th Annual NC State University Graduate Student Research Symposium
At some point in your academic career, you will most probably present a scientific poster to communicate your research. Dr. George Hess is a nationally recognized authority on scientific posters and poster presentations. Through this 9-day online course, you will watch videos in which he will explain how to make a poster, critique posters, and go over the basics of making an effective poster presentation at a conference.
Outcomes: After completing this workshop, participants will be able to:
- explain how poster presentations differ from other types of presentations
- evaluate posters critically for strengths and weaknesses
- create an effective scientific posters that will attract viewers, and identify the qualities that make them effective
- know how to engage viewers in conversation when they come to see their posters
- list and explain common pitfalls when creating and presenting a poster, and describe how they can avoided.
This online course will be broken into 4 parts, with a total of 6 assignments. All assignments must be completed in order to get credit for taking the course. Registration is required. Limited to 20 participants. Register here
Put Your Science To Work: Practical Advice and Proven Techniques to Land the Job of Your Dreams [CD, PA]
Dr. Peter Fiske, CEO of PAX Mixer, Inc. and the author of Put Your Science to Work: The Take Charge Career Guide for Scientists
Wednesday, 3/20, 12-2pm, Room 126, Witherspoon
Part of Graduate Education Week
Co-sponsored with the Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD)
Young scientists in nearly every field are finding today’s job market a confusing and frustrating place. More new PhDs, postdocs and master’s degree holders are considering a wider range of careers in and out of science, but feel ill-prepared and uninformed about their options. Dr. Peter Fiske, author of 22 technical articles and a former member of the technical staff of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will share with the audience:
• Current and future employment trends and your option
• An overview of effective career planning and job hunting
• The TRUE breadth of career opportunities for Ph.D.
• Sought-after skills and experience
• Developing a compelling CV, resume and cover letter
And much more! Register here
Competency Areas
Communication (COM)
Communicating Your Research
Conflict Resolution
Writing Federal Research Proposals [On Demand]
Leadership (L)
Leadership in the Corporate Sector
Special Two-Part Workshop Series: KNOW THYSELF: Self-Awareness and Professional Development for Aspiring Leaders
Sustainable Leadership and Creativity
Career Development (CD)
How to Handle a Phone Interview Part 1 [On Demand]
How to Prepare for the Academic Job Market (Even If You're Still in Grad School)
The Informational Interview [On Demand]
Interview to Impress
Interview Skills for International Students
Negotiating an Academic Job Offer
Preparing for the Job Interview [On Demand]
Put Your Science To Work: Practical Advice and Proven Techniques to Land the Job of Your Dreams
Thinking Inside the Box: An Alternative Approach to Career Networking
Writing an Effective Cover Letter [On Demand]
Writing an Effective Research Statement [On Demand]
Professional Adaptability (PA)
Alternative Careers in the Social Sciences and Humanities: A Panel Discussion
Career Choices in the Age of Biotech: How to Decide What Path is Right for You
From Academia to Entrepreneur: How to Start Your Own Company
How Business Ideas are Born [On Demand]
Put Your Science To Work: Practical Advice and Proven Techniques to Land the Job of Your Dreams
Self-Awareness (S-A)
Conflict Resolution
Special Two-Part Workshop Series: KNOW THYSELF: Self-Awareness and Professional Development for Aspiring Leaders
Sustainable Leadership and Creativity
Time Management
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.