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!
 
Start Drafting a Teaching Statement or Diversity Statement
Friday, May 23rd - 11:30am-1:30pm (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!
 
CV Clinic
Thursday, May 29th - 12:30-2:15pm (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 (12:30-1:30pm) will be a brief presentation on CV standards and common mistakes. Part 2 (1:30-2:15pm) will provide an opportunity to work on your CV, ask questions, and receive feedback. Plan to come for part 1, part 2, or both!
 
Negotiating a Job Offer
Friday, May 30th - 11:30am-1:00pm (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.
 
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Friday, June 6th - 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.
 
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Thursday, June 12th - 12:00-1:00pm (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.
 
Faculty Job Document Drafting Party
Friday, June 13th - 1:00-3:00pm (515 Goodell)
Are you working on drafts of faculty cover letters, teaching statements, diversity statements, or research statements? Have your eye on an upcoming deadline? Drop-in and work in our quiet space! You will also have the option to ask questions or receive feedback on your drafts throughout the afternoon. 
 
Resume Basics
Thursday, June 26th - 10:00-11:30am (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, July 3rd - 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.
 
Interview Strategies
Wednesday, July 9th - 10:00-11:30am (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.
 
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Tuesday, July 15th - 1:00-2:30pm (online)
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) provides students with a framework for building skills with intentionality and aligning graduate training with career aspirations. This workshop will introduce participants to the UMass IDP, recommend resources for assessing skills, interests, and values, and offer strategies for effective goal setting. 
 
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Wednesday, 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.)
 
Research Statements for the Academic Job Market
Wednesday, July 16th - 12:00-1:30pm (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.
 
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Thursday, July 17th - 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.
 
Negotiating a Job Offer
Thursday, July 24th - 10:00-11:30am (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.
 
Diversity Statements for the Academic Job Market
Thursday, July 24th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
If you are applying to faculty jobs, you are likely going to be asked to submit a diversity statement. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the two things that every statement should include, as well as tips and examples!
 
Teaching Statements for the Academic Job Market
Thursday, July 31st - 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! In addition, we will review examples of teaching statements.
 
Teaching Portfolios: Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
Thursday, July 31st - 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. 
 
Resume Basics
Wednesday, August 6th - 10:00-11:30am (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.
 
Interview Strategies
Thursday, August 7th - 10:00-11:30am (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.
 
Faculty Cover Letters
Thursday, August 7th - 1:00-2:30pm (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!
 
Tailor Your Faculty Application: Highlight Your Fit Without Wasting Time
Wednesday, August 13th - 10:30am-12:00pm (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.
 
Negotiating a Job Offer
Thursday, August 21st - 11:30am-1:00pm (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.