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!
Negotiating a Job Offer
Friday, May 3rd - 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.
Resume Basics
Thursday, May 9th - 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.
5 Things You Must Do Before Going on the Academic Job Market
Wednesday, May 22nd - 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
Thursday, May 23rd - 11:30am-1:00pm (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.
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Friday, May 24th - 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.
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Tuesday, May 28th - 12:00-1:00pm (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.
Negotiating a Job Offer
Wednesday, May 29th - 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.
Start Drafting a Teaching Statement or Diversity Statement
Friday, May 31st - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
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 come ready to work!
CV Clinic
Tuesday, June 4th - 12:45-2:00pm (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 (12:45-1:30pm) will be a brief presentation on CV standards and common mistakes. Part 2 (1:30-2:00pm) will provide an opportunity to work on your CV, ask questions, and receive feedback. Plan to come for part 1, part 2, or both!
Resume Basics
Thursday, June 6th - 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.
Faculty Job Document Drafting Party
Tuesday, June 11th - 1:00-3:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Are you working on drafts of 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.
Interview Strategies
Thursday, June 13th - 11:30am-1:00pm (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
Thursday, June 20th - 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.
Resume Basics
Thursday, July 11th - 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
Wednesday, July 17th - 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.
Faculty Cover Letters
Thursday, July 18th - 10:00-11:30am (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!
Research Statements for the Academic Job Market
Wednesday, July 24th - 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.
Diversity Statements for the Academic Job Market
Tuesday, July 30th - 1:00-2:30pm (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!
Negotiating a Job Offer
Thursday, August 1st - 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.
Teaching Portfolios
Wednesday, August 7th - 10:15-10:45am (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.
Teaching Statements for the Academic Job Market
Wednesday, August 7th - 11:00am-12:15pm (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.
How to Demonstrate “Fit” on the Faculty Job Market
Thursday, August 15th - 12:00-1:15pm (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.