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 Cover Letters
Thursday, September 5th - 11:30am-1:00pm (209 Bartlett)
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! Please feel free to bring your lunch!
Negotiating a Job Offer
Thursday, September 12th - 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 Demonstrate “Fit” on the Faculty Job Market
Monday, September 16th - 1:30-2:45pm (209 Bartlett)
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.
Resume Basics
Thursday, September 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.
Diversity Statements for the Academic Job Market
Wednesday, September 25th - 12:30-2:00pm (209 Bartlett)
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! Please feel free to bring your lunch!
Interview Strategies
Wednesday, September 25th - 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.
Teaching at Teaching Intensive Institutions Conference
Friday, September 27th - 9:00am-3:00pm (Worcester State University, Student Center, Worcester, MA)
Many faculty enjoy rewarding careers at colleges and universities that primarily emphasize teaching, including liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and regional comprehensive universities. This free 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 for these faculty positions. Graduate students and postdocs will engage with faculty and deans from a range of teaching-intensive institutions across the New England region through a series of talks, panel presentations, and networking opportunities. Information will be continually updated on the TTII conference website.
Research Statements for the Academic Job Market
Tuesday, October 1st - 12:15-1:45pm (209 Bartlett)
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. Please feel free to bring your lunch!
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Wednesday, October 9th - 10:00-11:30am (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.
Teaching Statements for the Academic Job Market
Thursday, October 10th - 11:30am-1:00pm (209 Bartlett)
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. Please feel free to bring your lunch!
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Tuesday, October 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.
Working in the US: OPT/CPT for Graduate Students
Wednesday, October 16th - 4:00-5:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Ken Reade, Director of International Student & Scholar Services in the International Programs Office (IPO), will present the guidelines, limitations, and application strategies for working/interning in the US with F-1 or J-1 Visas. Bring your employment questions about post-graduation, internships, OPT, and CPT.
Resume Basics
Friday, October 18th - 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.
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Tuesday, October 22nd - 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.
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Wednesday, October 23rd - 10:00-11:15am (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.)
First Round Faculty Interview Practice
Wednesday, October 30th - 12:15-1:45pm (209 Bartlett)
Are you hoping to interview for a faculty job this year? Often first-round screening interviews are scheduled with little notice, so it’s good to be prepared! Join us for pizza lunch and practice your answers to some of the most common questions and discuss strategies for a successful Zoom or phone interview.
Interview Strategies
Friday, November 1st - 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
Friday, November 15th - 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.
Faculty Interviews: Tips for the Campus Visit
Wednesday, November 20th - 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 an faculty interview.
Resume Basics
Thursday, November 21st - 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 Interviews: The Teaching Demonstration
Wednesday, December 4th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
A majority of faculty searches now include a teaching demo. Although the content of the demo is important, it is your engaging and interactive pedagogy on display. Learn how to plan a lesson that makes a positive impression on both the students and the committee!
Faculty Interviews: Giving a Job Talk
Wednesday, December 4th - 1:15-2:00pm (online)
At research institutions, the success of your interview may be determined by your job talk (and following Q+A). In this short session, we will discuss the expectations of your audience, the structure of your talk, and how to handle challenging questions.
You Have to Start Looking for a Job 6 Months Before You Graduate - And Yes, We Know That’s a Lot of Work While Finishing Your Degree
Thursday, December 12th - 12:00-12:45pm (online)
This workshop emphasizes the importance of beginning your job search six months before graduation, acknowledging the challenges of balancing this with degree requirements. It offers strategies and tips to effectively manage your time and make the job search process more efficient and less overwhelming.