GECDI hosted a networking event open to all graduate students and faculty on campus. Offering a break on reading day to enjoy some hors d'oeuvres and meet some new people, there was a brief introduction about the role of the Graduate Education and Career Development Initiative at UMass as well as the importance of networking. Attendees were challenged to meet 3 new people during this event as a great opportunity to network with people from outside their department in a relaxed atmosphere.

Wayne Devonport and Lester McIntosh are scientists by day, corporate recruiters by night. They discussed the key elements to a successful graduate career search. Topics included goal setting, establishing a targeted marketing campaign, networking, effective resumes, presentations and interviews. The session focused on how to effectively package yourself to be noticed by a recruiter and take the first steps towards your industrial career.

The organizer for this event was GECDI co-founder Jessica McCoy.

After spending some years learning the ropes of your specialty, one of the next possible steps is to move to a position as an academic researcher. UMass Professor Klaus Nüsslein shared experiences and advice about negotiating a new investigator position and setting up a laboratory. Other issues addressed included hiring and managing staff, writing the first grant application, and seeking advice from colleagues and mentors. Some questions addressed at this workshop included:

• What should be included in a start-up package?
• How do you decide what equipment you need for your research (what is a necessity and what is a bonus)?
• How to create a comprehensive list?
• How much space do you need?
• How much space can you negotiate?
• How do you negotiate your initial teaching load to allow you time to write grants to start your research?
• How do you select lab personnel?
• Are people friendly in terms of sharing equipment (on campus and at surrounding universities)?

Having mentors to provide advice as you navigate your career from graduate student to professional can make that transition easier. Yet, some graduate students can be confused by, and unsure of, developing mentor relationships. This workshop featured Professor Pat Schloss, a microbiologist at UMass Amherst, who discussed some of the issues surrounding mentoring. The workshop addressed what mentoring is and isn't, different forms of mentoring, finding and developing relationships with mentors, and being a mentor.

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Dr. Wilmore Webley, Assistant Professor in the Microbiology Department at UMASS Amherst, addressed how to improve interpersonal communication skills.

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Professor Soren Bisgaard, of the Isenberg School of Managment at UMASS Amherst, led a discussion of Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship in the University setting.

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Caroline Gould, Assistant Director for Career Planning at UMASS Amherst Career Services, hosted this workshop on exploring career skills and understanding personal value structure.

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Dr. Peter Fiske, author of a career advancement advice column for AAAS, gave a workshop discussing many aspects of, and resources for, professional development for graduate students.

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The second event was designed to provide both incoming and advanced-level graduate students with information on succeeding in graduate skills and what to expect in the work world. Two concurrent workshops were held - one for incoming students, which featured an address by Dr. Wilmore Webley of UMASS Amherst and a panel of upper-level graduate students, and one for advanced graduate students, which featured a panel of industry professionals. Over 200 people registered for the event, further underscoring the need for events designed for professional development for graduate students.

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The inaugural event saw the author of A Ph.D. Is Not Enough!, Dr. Peter Feibelman of Sandia National Laboratories, come to campus to conduct a day-long workshop for event-registered faculty and graduate students. He also gave a lecture entitled "Junior Scientist Survival Training" that was open to the public. this event was tremendously received by students, faculty, and university administrators and served as the springboard for further events and the formation of GECDI.

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Last Updated July 30, 2007