Office of Professional Development
About
Welcome to the Office of Professional Development (OPD)! Our goal is to support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in achieving success at UMass and beyond.
We recognize the importance of both technical and academic expertise, which is why we offer professional skills training in career preparation, communication, grants and fellowships, personal development, and teaching. Our programs include virtual and in-person workshops (400+ each year), daylong conferences, weeklong writing retreats, and experiential learning opportunities.
We warmly encourage all current graduate students and postdocs to get involved early in your time at UMass. By checking out the workshops we have coming up, you’ll find there is something for everyone. We are excited to see you at our events and support you in reaching your goals!
If you are a faculty or staff member, here are some ways that OPD can support and augment the way you support your graduate students! Many departments and college are already partnering with us - and we want to work with you!
Here are all of the upcoming workshops!
You can contact OPD with any questions at opd [at] umass [dot] edu
Workshops
OPD offers about 400 events per year. Our extensive programming—created in collaboration with a far-reaching network of partners—prepares participants to thrive in academia, industry, government, and the nonprofit sector.
Dissertation Writing Retreats
Three annual dissertation-writing retreats offer grad student participants time to write and develop effective writing strategies alongside fellow dissertators.
Three Minute Thesis
A flagship event for the Graduate School, the Three Minute Thesis challenges students to communicate to a general audience what they do, how they do it, and why it matters, all in three minutes or less.
Teaching Academy
At the start of each fall semester, we offer a series of teaching workshops on topics like inclusive classrooms, active learning, preparing for class, ungrading, getting your students to discuss and write, and more! There will be something for everyone, from new TAs to experienced instructors.
Teaching at Teaching Intensive Institutions
Many faculty enjoy rewarding careers at colleges and universities that primarily emphasize teaching. This free, annual, one-day regional conference brings together graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to discuss what it’s like to work at teaching-intensive institutions and how to apply!
Expand Your Skills (and Your Resume!)
Looking for opportunities to acquire practical (work) experience beyond the classroom? Want a chance to apply the knowledge and skills you've gained through graduate school? Practice your skills and expand your possibilities through these really cool opportunities.
