Upcoming Career Preparation Workshops!
OPD helps graduate students and postdocs plan and prepare for careers beyond UMass Amherst—and it’s never too early to start!
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Tuesday, May 5th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Have you heard that you should be doing informational interviews in order to explore your career options or to become a better job applicant? Not sure how to go about this? Come learn how to reach out to a potential contact, what questions to ask, and how to use the information for your job search.
Resume Basics
Thursday, May 7th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
Preparing for a job or internship search? This session will talk about the differences between a CV and a resume, help you understand how employers screen resumes, and provide tips for making yours stand out.
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Thursday, May 14th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting companies find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn and Handshake to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.
5 Things You Must Do Before Going on the Academic Job Market
Tuesday, May 19th - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
There are less than 4 months until the faculty job applications are due in the fall. It is time to start preparing now! Come learn the 5 things that you must do this summer to prepare for an ultra-competitive faculty job market. (Even if you won’t be on the market yet, I invite you to this session to better prepare for the faculty job market!)
Interview Strategies
Tuesday, May 19th - 1:00-2:30pm (online)
The thought of interviewing can feel stressful when we don't know what to expect or how candidates will be evaluated. Whether interviewing in person or online, this session will offer a framework that can help reduce anxiety and boost confidence. If you are considering jobs outside academia or non-faculty positions inside academia, this session is for you.
Negotiating a Job Offer
Wednesday, May 27th - 1:00-2:30pm (online)
Are you hearing that you should negotiate your job offer, but feeling unsure about how to do this? If you are considering jobs outside academia or non-faculty positions inside academia, join this session to learn concrete strategies to negotiate with confidence.
CV Clinic
Thursday, May 28th - 12:00-2:00pm (online)
Now, while all your recent achievements from this year are fresh in your mind, it’s time to update your CV! Whether starting a new CV or adding to an existing one, this interactive clinic is for you. Part 1 (12-1pm) will be a presentation on CV standards and common mistakes. Part 2 (1-2pm) will provide an opportunity to work on your CV, ask questions, and receive feedback. Plan to come for part 1, part 2, or both!
Start Drafting a Teaching Statement or Diversity Statement
Friday, June 5th - 12:00-2:00pm (515 Goodell)
If you are looking ahead to the faculty job market, you might want to start writing your application, even before jobs ads are posted. Join us for this interactive work session focused on teaching or diversity statements! You will be coached on drafting those first few paragraphs (or making some major revisions). You will write and receive feedback - so bring your laptop and come ready to work!
Applying to Faculty Jobs in Europe
Tuesday, June 16th - 12:00-1:15pm (515 Goodell)
Get a clearer picture of how the European faculty job market really works and what to change in your materials so you stand out! Join OPD for an encore viewing of a recent webinar with Dr. Melanie Sindelar (Charles University Prague) and discussion.
Research Statements for the Faculty Job Market
Thursday, June 25th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
How can you make your research stand out among a sea of applications? Participants will draft language about their research that can be used in all facets of the faculty application, including the research statement, cover letter, and interviews.
Faculty Cover Letters
Wednesday, July 15th - 10:30am-12:00pm (online)
Crafting the perfect faculty cover letter can be stressful! What do I write about? Should I use letterhead? How much of the cover letter overlaps with my statements? Come to this workshop for an outline of cover letter expectations and get all your questions answered!
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Thursday, July 16th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
In an oversaturated job market, demonstrating “fit" is critical - and the cover letter is the best place to make the persuasive argument that you are right for this job! We’ll discuss common cover letter mistakes and discover some foolproof ways to write a cover letter that will make employers take notice. This workshop will be helpful whether you are writing your first or fiftieth cover letter! (Please note that this workshop focuses on cover letters for non-faculty jobs.)
Tailor Your Faculty Application: Highlight Your Fit Without Wasting Time
Monday, August 3rd - 1:30-3:00pm (online)
As you read the job ads for an “Assistant Professor,” you are faced with interpreting vague job descriptions and scrolling through college websites in hopes of finding something to help your application stand out from the pack. Learn to tailor your application in this workshop! We will look at how certain words in job ads carry important information and how these minor differences should change your application.
Teaching Statements for the Faculty Job Market
Thursday, August 13th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
How do you talk about teaching on the faculty job market? What are search committees looking for? This interactive workshop will cover the basics, as well as what makes an excellent statement stand out!
Teaching Portfolios: Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
Thursday, August 13th - 11:45am-12:30pm (online)
In this workshop, you will learn the essentials of crafting a teaching portfolio that showcases your effectiveness in the classroom. Topics will include the purpose, content, and format of the teaching portfolio.