Career Assessment Series

This 3-part series is designed for graduate students & postdocs interested in exploring career choices, interests and aptitudes. Whether you are pursuing a career in academia or beyond, this series can assist you in identifying key strengths and help determine future career directions.

Part 1: The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment
Friday, April 4
1:00-3:00pm | Registration Required - sign-up here

Part 2: SkillScan and Values Assessments
Tuesday, April 15
2:00-4:00pm | Registration Required - sign-up here

Part 3: The Strong Interest Inventory
Thursday, May 15
2:00-4:00pm | Registration Required - sign-up here

Attend one or all three! You must sign-up in advance to receive room locations and to take any online assessments before attending the workshops.

Sponsored by the Internship and Career Center and the Office of Graduate Studies (Professional Development Series).

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Translating the Advanced Degree: Transferable Skills Workshop

Tuesday, April 8
Noon-1:30pm | Mee Room, Memorial Union

Every graduate student and postdoctoral scholar has a wealth of skills that can be transferred outside of academia.  Join us for this interactive workshop/ discussion to help you identify what these skills are and how they can be your ticket to many different types of exciting career opportunities beyond academia.  Even if you do not plan to leave academia, you will want to take stock of the many skills and abilities you've developed as a graduate student or postdoc. No registration necessary.

Workshop Leaders: Janice Morand, Coordinator, Health & Biological Sciences, Internship and Career Center and Teresa Dillinger, Career and Professional Development Coordinator, Office of Graduate Studies & Internship & Career Center

Sponsored by the Internship and Career Center & the Office of Graduate Studies (Professional Development Series).

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Writing a Curriculum Vitae

For doctoral and master's candidates seeking academic careers or high-level research positions in industry or government, this 50-minute workshop provides the format, content and purpose of the CV. No registration necessary.

Wednesday, April 9
Noon-1:00pm | Garrison Room

Thursday, April 24
Noon-1:00pm | Garrison Room

Tuesday, May 6
Noon-1:00pm | Garrison Room

Workshop Leader: Kathi Shull, Coordinator, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Career Services, Internship and Career Center

Co-sponsored by Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Career Services at the Internship and Career Center, and the Office of Graduate Studies (Professional Development Series).

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CANCELLED - Entry Point! Information Session - Internships for Students with Disabilities

THIS WORKSHOP CANCELLED DUE TO SPEAKER UNAVAILABILITY - We apologize for any inconvenience!

Please feel free to contact either Entry Point! representative below. They will be happy to answer any of your questions or to assist with the application process.

ENTRY POINT!, a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), offers outstanding paid, 10-week internships and semester co-ops in major companies throughout the United States, including NASA, IBM, NOAA Merck, Google, CVS, NAVAIR and Lockheed Martin.

ENTRY POINT! is available to graduate and undergraduate STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES majoring in life sciences, physical sciences, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and some social science and business fields.

Jean Morrell is a retired IBM manager. She worked with AAAS as a loaned executive to help coordinate IBM's participation in Entry Point.  Jean has managed many aspects of technical computing including software development organizations, software maintenance and systems engineering integration projects both domestically and in Asia.  After a 32 year career, she retired and now works as an Entry Point recruiter from her home Reno and on the road. Her email is jeanlmorrell@aol.com

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Cross-Cultural Communication Between North American Students and International Instructors

Thursday, April 17
4:10-6:00pm | Wellman 25

Are you befuddled and bemused by your students? To be an effective instructor it is essential to have a working knowledge of your students.

This seminar will explore the diverse backgrounds, cultures and expectations of both ITAs and domestic students. We will focus on reconciling your teaching styles with student learning styles. Participants will learn concrete ideas on how to diversify their teaching to cater to your students, as well as some tips on what to expect from and how to approach your students and teachers with different educational and cultural backgrounds.

This seminar is part 1 of a 3-part series is designed for international teaching assistants seeking to build their skills in the classroom and as professors in North American universities.

Sponsored by the Teaching Resources Center, Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Aiming for Academia: Roles and Responsibilities of an Academic Career, Part 1 - A Comparison of the Research/Teaching/Service Balance at Different Universities

Wednesday, April 30
9:00-11:00am | Garrison Room, MU

Are you interested in pursuing an academic career, but don’t really know where? Would you like to learn more about the nuts and bolts of academic careers at different universities? This seminar will explore how the successful balance of research, teaching, and service compares between different types of universities. Faculty speakers from UC Davis, San Francisco State University, and the University of the Pacific will share their personal experiences with balancing research, teaching, and service obligations, and will provide insight into how these responsibilities change depending on the goals of their particular university. The speaker presentations will be followed by a question and answer session, and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information contact: Robin Altman raltman@ucdavis.edu

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Money, Jobs, and Professionalism: Becoming an Academic in the United States

Thursday, May 1
4:10-6:00pm | Wellman 25

As ITAs, sometimes we have more questions than answers. What are the tacit expectations of academic life? How do I communicate effectively as a second language speaker? What are the sources of funding and how do I apply for them? What does the job market really look like? What shall I do now as an international graduate student to get ready for a professorship in research and teaching? Join us in a colloquium with several accomplished international professors who will share their experiences navigating professional life in American academia. We will learn in this workshop how to keep the balance between teaching, research and other professional responsibilities and we’ll hear some tips on facilitating a future successful career in an American university.

This seminar is part 2 of a 3-part series is designed for international teaching assistants seeking to build their skills in the classroom and as professors in North American universities.

Sponsored by the Teaching Resources Center, Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Pathways Career Symposium

Saturday, May 3
8:30am-3pm | Registration now open - free lunch given to the first 200 grad students & postdocs who register!

All graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are invited to attend this professional and career development symposium. There will be 12 panel discussions and workshops offered throughout the day, as well as a networking luncheon where free lunch will be provided. Workshop and panel discussions will focus on both academic and non-academic careers. Topics include:

• An Inside Look at an Academic Search Committee
• Writing the Teaching Philosophy Statement
• Negotiating Your First Position (Beyond Academia)
• Finding a Postdoc Position & Getting the Most Out of It
• Social Sciences & Humanities Careers Beyond Academia
• Engineering & Physical Sciences Careers Beyond Academia
• The Academic Job Talk
• Agricultural & Environmental Science Careers Beyond Academia
• Interview Etiquette: Strategies for Success
• Negotiating Your First Faculty Position
• Biological Sciences Careers Beyond Academia
• An Inside Look at an Interview in Industry

Sponsored by the Internship and Career Center and the Office of Graduate Studies.

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Bridging the Gap from Scientist to Science Journalist

Mondays, May 5, 12, 19, 2008
3:30-5:00pm | Click Here to Register

Have you vaguely considered a career in science journalism, but you don’t have any training or exposure to the field? Have you found that you’re more interested in sharing today’s exciting and important scientific discoveries with the public than in working away at the lab bench? Join us for a series of 3 sessions designed to introduce you to the broad field of science journalism, the style and grammatical tools of the trade, and a local environmental journalist’s perspective and experience as a reporter for the Sacramento Bee. In addition, you may have the opportunity to develop ideas for your own journalistic piece in a constructive environment.

In order to keep the sessions most productive, registration is limited to the first 35 participants. Participants are expected to try to attend all three workshops.

For more information contact: Wes Dowd wwdowd@ucdavis.edu

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Aiming for Academia: Roles and Responsibilities of an Academic Career, Part 2- A Comparison of Merit Review and the Tenure Process at Different Universities

Tuesday, May 6
4:00-6:00pm | De Carli Room, MU

Are you interested in pursuing an academic career, but don’t really know where? Would you like to learn more about the nuts and bolts of academic careers at different universities? This seminar will explore how merit review and the tenure process compare between different types of universities. Faculty speakers from UC Davis, Sacramento State University, and the University of the Pacific will share their personal experiences with merit review and tenure, and will provide insight into how these processes change depending on the goals of their particular university. The speaker presentations will be followed by a question and answer session, and light refreshments will be provided.

For more information contact: Robin Altman raltman@ucdavis.edu

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Diversifying The Academic Pipeline in the Physical and Biological Sciences: Choosing a Career in Academia

Tuesday, May 13
4:00-5:00pm | De Carli, Memorial Union

This panel discussion will provide an opportunity for students and post-doctoral researchers to ask questions pertinent to working in an academic setting of experienced, top female scientists from a variety of disciplines.  The speakers will briefly recount important features and issues encountered in their faculty careers, providing a platform for a subsequent, open-audience question and answer forum.  Though the panel is constituted of female scientists from UC Davis, the panel discussion is intended to provide information for anyone generally interested in pursuing an academic career, or in diversifying the academic environment.

Panelists:
Dr. Hidegarde Heymann– Department of Viticulture and Enology
Dr. Susan Kauzlarich – Department of Chemistry
Dr. Angelique Louie – Department of Biomedical Engineering
Dr. Rebecca Parales – Department of Microbiology

Hosted By:
Andrea Goforth – Post-Doctoral Researcher, Department of Chemistry for more information contact:  amgoforth@ucdavis.edu

Light refreshments will be served.

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Making An Impact: Outreach and the Broader Impacts Section for NSF

Wednesday, May 14
9:00-10:00am | Weir Room, Meyer Hall

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Life After Dissertation: Deriving Maximum Value From Career Investments

Wednesday, May 14
Noon-1:30pm | Registration Required - Click here to register

In order to keep the workshop most productive, registration is limited to the first 35 participants.
Pizza will be served

After your hood, robe and parchment are safely stored away, life AD (after dissertation) begins.  How sure are you that you will be satisfied with the results? What is "success", and how will you measure it? Regardless of the job offer that you accept, how can you be assured that you derive maximum value from your career investments?

Please participate in this discussion of how emotional intelligence shapes your professional success. Don’t miss this opportunity to begin to cultivate a skill set that is typically ignored in graduate school. These skills (or competencies) directly impact interpersonal relationships among colleagues and dictates your efficacy as a leader.

Workshop leader:
Caryle Vann, PE, PMP
Senior Project Manager and Chemical Engineer, Genentech, Inc.

Hosted by:
David Sela, Ph.D. Candidate, Microbiology Graduate Group
Contact: dasela@ucdavis.edu

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Comparing Educational Cultures: An Examination of Higher Education Practices Around the World

Thursday, May 15
4:10-6:00pm | Wellman 25

Have you ever wondered what a Provost does? Are you planning on teaching and researching abroad in the future? In this workshop, we will investigate the similarities and differences between higher education in the United States and many of the countries where our faculty and students come from.

We will begin with a description of the administrative and academic culture of UC Davis and then move into comparisons with different systems around the world. Participants will share their many perspectives on higher education and learn specific tips for navigating U.S. academe. The workshop is geared toward ITAs and anyone who plans to teach, research, or live abroad in the future.

This seminar is part 3 of a 3-part series is designed for international teaching assistants seeking to build their skills in the classroom and as professors in North American universities.

Sponsored by the Teaching Resources Center, Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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Grammar for Grads

Friday, May 16, 2008
9:00-11:30am | Click Here to Register

A workshop for graduate students seeking to improve their writing skills. Grammar for Grads will teach you how to use grammar to shape the style of your writing. You will learn to how to use the active and passive voice, modifying clauses, parallel structure, action verbs, and concrete nouns to make your style clear, concise, and effective. Space is limited and those who register in advance will have priority.

Workshop Leader: Gary Sue Goodman is the Assistant Director of the University Writing Program. Dr. Goodman began lecturing at UC Davis in 1986. Previously, she taught as a visiting lecturer for the UCLA Writing Programs and served as the director of special programs for the UCLA's Center for the Study of Women. Her areas of interest are American literature and history, with emphases on the American Renaissance, women's literature, multi-ethnic literature, 19th-century social history, history of feminism, and feminist theory. Her most recent publication is a teacher's guide for Clarence Major's The Garden Thrives and Calling the Wind.

Sponsored by the University Writing Program and the Office of Graduate Studies (Professional Development Series).

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Ergomonics for Grad Students & Postdocs

Tuesday, May 20
Noon -1:30pm | 106 Hoagland Hall

• Do you use a laptop regularly at home and on campus?
• Do you ever experience any aches or pain associated with computer use? 
• Do you know what resources exist to help you develop habits to last you a lifetime?

Join Craig Carrero, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Specialist, for a workshop on ergonomics that takes the special needs of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars into consideration. Not only will we talk about how to set up your computer in a way that fits your needs, but also work habits, how to find equipment, access resources and also how to help spread awareness on campus.

Lunch will be provided. For more information contact Margareta Lelea at malelea@ucdavis.edu

Sponsored by Professors for the Future and the Professional Development Series (Office of Graduate Studies).

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