Explore OPD’s Winter Workshop Series
Make the most of your winter break! We have bundled OPD programming into series, allowing you to pursue professional development in areas you want to work on. As always, attend one session in a series or attend them all! Join us early and often this winter break!
- Bryan, Heidi, Johanna, Pat, and Shana
↓ Getting to Work on Your Own Research and Writing
↓ Thrive in Academia: Manage Your Time
↓ Don’t Just Talk! Communicate Your Research Effectively!
↓ Applying for Research Funds from the Graduate School
↓ Develop Competitive Funding Applications
↓ A Leader’s Toolkit
↓ Are You a Competitive Job Applicant?
↓ Teaching Tips
Getting to Work on Your Own Research and Writing
The quiet time between semesters is the perfect opportunity to advance your research and writing projects. Join our workshops designed to support your goals and keep you moving forward no matter where you are in your grad school journey!
5 Questions to Ask About the Comprehensive Exams
Tuesday, January 7th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Writing Literature Reviews
Wednesday, January 15th - 1:00-2:15pm (online)
How to Get More Out of Your Reading by Doing Less
Tuesday, January 21st - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Ways Generative AI Might Help and Inhibit Success with Writing and Researching
Thursday, January 23rd - 1:00-2:00pm (online)
Drafting Clinic
Monday, January 27th - 10:30am-12:00pm (online)
Thrive in Academia: Manage Your Time
If your to-do list is overwhelming, this workshop series is for you!
Thrive in Academia: Understanding Your Time and Setting Goals
Tuesday, January 7th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Thrive in Academia: Mastering Your Schedule and Avoiding Procrastination
Tuesday, January 14th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Thrive in Academia: Building Habits and Creating a Focused Work Environment
Tuesday, January 21st - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Don’t Just Talk! Communicate Your Research Effectively!
It's easy to talk about your research, it's hard to do it well every time. Come learn how to give a great presentation, pitch your research, and make your research accessible to anyone you meet!
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, January 8th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Thursday, January 16th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Using Simple Words for Big Ideas
Wednesday, January 22nd - 1:00-2:00pm (online)
Communicating Your Expertise Quickly
Tuesday, January 28th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Applying for Research Funds from the Graduate School
The Graduate School offers competitive Predissertation and Fieldwork Grants, which are designed to support research-related expenses for doctoral students. Additionally, the new MFA Research Grant supports thesis research for MFA students in English, Theater, and Studio Arts. This series will help you prepare your application materials for the February 15th deadline!
Graduate School Grants: Info Session
Tuesday, December 17th - 2:00-3:00pm (online)
Graduate School Grants: Proposal Introductions & Research Objectives
Wednesday, January 8th - 9:30-11:00am (online)
Graduate School Grants: Methods & Research Approvals
Wednesday, January 15th - 9:30-11:00am (online)
Graduate School Grants: Research Contributions & Project Budgets
Wednesday, January 22nd - 9:30-11:00am (online)
Develop Competitive Funding Applications
Planning to apply for a grant or fellowship in the next 6-12 months? This series will help you get started!
Grant Series Part I: Funding Search Strategies
Thursday, December 12th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Wednesday, January 8th - 2:00-3:00pm (online)
Grant Series Part II: Framing & Writing the Proposal
Wednesday, December 18th - 10:00-11:30am (online) OR
Thursday, January 16th - 9:30-11:00am (online)
Convincing Funders that Your Work Matters
Tuesday, January 21st - 2:00-3:00pm (online)
A Leader’s Toolkit
Effective leaders are not born, they are developed. In this interactive in-person series, participants will learn strategies for recognizing and managing emotions, pursuing interest-based negotiations, and managing difficult conversations.
Emotional Intelligence – It Starts with You
Thursday, January 9th - 11:30am-1:30pm (209 Bartlett)
Emotional Intelligence – Emotions as Data
Tuesday, January 14th - 11:30am-1:30pm (209 Bartlett)
Developing an Effective Negotiation Strategy
Thursday, January 16th - 11:30am-1:30pm (209 Bartlett)
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Thursday, January 23rd - 11:30am-1:30pm (201 Bartlett)
Are You a Competitive Job Applicant?
A graduate degree isn’t enough – if you’re not actively preparing and showcasing the skills employers demand, you risk being overlooked in an increasingly competitive job market. Learn how employers evaluate candidates and how to showcase the skills they value. Waiting could cost you opportunities.
You Have to Start Looking for a Job 6 Months Before You Graduate - And Yes, We Know That’s a Lot of Work While Finishing Your Degree
Thursday, December 12th - 12:00-12:45pm (online)
Resume Basics
Thursday, December 19th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Thursday, January 9th - 2:00-3:30pm (online)
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Friday, January 10th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
Interview Strategies
Friday, January 17th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
Negotiating a Job Offer
Friday, January 24th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
Teaching Tips
Prepare for spring semester with some new ideas!
Discovering Your Authentic Teaching Persona
Wednesday, January 22nd - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Teaching Essentials for New TAs
Friday, January 24th - 10:00-11:15am (online)
Teaching Strategies for the First Day of Class
Tuesday, January 28th - 1:00-2:30pm (online)