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!
 
Faculty Interviews: Tips for the Campus Visit
Tuesday, December 16th - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
Join us for a discussion about what to expect, how to prepare, who to impress, things to avoid, and how candidates are often judged in a faculty interview.
 
Careers in Medical Writing
Thursday, December 18th - 12:30-1:30pm (online)
Do you love science? Do you enjoy writing?Learn how you can leverage both passions as a medical writer. Join Maureen Piotrowski, UMass alumna, to learn how medical writers at Whitsell Innovations, Inc. contribute to scientific communication and drug development.
 
Resume Basics
Friday, December 19th - 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.
 
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Thursday, January 8th - 11:30am-12:30pm (online)
Have you heard that you should be doing informational interviews to explore your career options or to become a better job applicant? Not sure how to go about this? In this session, you will learn how to reach out to a potential contact, what questions to ask, and how to use the information for your job search. 
 
Interview Strategies
Friday, January 9th - 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.
 
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Thursday, January 15th - 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.
 
Negotiating a Job Offer
Friday, January 16th - 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.
 
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Wednesday, January 21st - 11:45am-1:00pm (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.)
 
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Friday, January 23rd - 10:00-11:30am (online)
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) provides a framework for building skills with intentionality and aligning 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.