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  1. Home
  2. Office of Professional Development
  3. Upcoming OPD Workshops!

Upcoming Personal Development Workshops!

Personal development programs help you develop self-awareness, learn new strategies (time management, negotiation), engage others (mentors, networks), and overcome challenges (impostor syndrome, perfectionism, conflict resolution).
  
Getting the Most from Your Reading
Tuesday, August 18th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
A lot of your time is spent reading. Is your reading productive? Learn to read quickly and effectively. Keep track of your reading and keep up with your ever-expanding field. We’ll share tips from the pros and talk about how to keep up and stay organized.
 
How Does the US Classroom Work?
Thursday, August 20th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Whether you are a student stepping into a US classroom for the first time, returning to school after many years away, or simply wondering if things actually work the way you think they do, join us for tips to start the semester strong. We will talk about faculty expectations, classroom norms, the importance of grades, and more!
 
Strategies for the First Month of Classes
Friday, August 28th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
First impressions influence our reputations – in good and bad ways. Classes are your first introduction to many faculty and peers, so what can you do to make a good impression? Our checklist will help you plan, act professionally, impress faculty, and support team projects to achieve maximum value from your coursework.

How Does the US Classroom Work?
Thursday, September 17th - 2:30-3:30pm (online)
Whether you are a student stepping into a US classroom for the first time, returning to school after many years away, or simply wondering if things actually work the way you think they do, join us for tips to start the semester strong. We will talk about faculty expectations, classroom norms, the importance of grades, and more!
 
Strategies for the First Month of Classes
Friday, September 18th - 1:30-2:30pm (online)
First impressions influence our reputations – in good and bad ways. Classes are your first introduction to many faculty and peers, so what can you do to make a good impression? Our checklist will help you plan, act professionally, impress faculty, and support team projects to achieve maximum value from your coursework.
 
Building a Mentoring Network
Wednesday, September 23rd - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
Research has shown that mentors play a vital role in training and career success, but how do you know what mentors you need? Or how to reach out to them? This session will provide tips and an action plan for building your mentoring network. 
 
Adopting a Growth Mindset
Tuesday, September 29th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Do you take failure hard? We all do, but the most successful people view failure as an opportunity. Learn how to grow from setbacks by adopting a growth mindset. While a fixed mindset tells us that we cannot change, a growth mindset turns failure into an opportunity to learn and improve.
 
The Art of Introducing Yourself 
Tuesday, October 13th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Whether hoping to meet people in your department, impress faculty, or simply address your fear of public speaking, a great first step is learning how to introduce yourself. This session will demystify the process and set you on a path for success.
 
Getting the Most from Your Reading
Friday, October 16th - 2:30-3:30pm (online)
A lot of your time is spent reading. Is your reading productive? Learn to read quickly and effectively. Keep track of your reading and keep up with your ever-expanding field. We’ll share tips from the pros and talk about how to keep up and stay organized.
 
Understanding Your Time and Setting Goals
Thursday, October 22nd - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Learn to identify what steals your focus and disrupts your productivity. In this workshop, we’ll work through several fun and interactive activities to understand how to better manage your time. We’ll then learn the power of SMART goals and create a personalized roadmap for success. Sign up today and take control of your workload!
 
Mastering Your Schedule and Avoiding Procrastination
Thursday, October 29th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Tired of deadlines looming? Learn effective scheduling techniques to maximize your time and stay ahead. Uncover the root causes of procrastination and develop strategies to overcome them. Register now and transform your productivity!
 
Building Habits and Creating a Focused Work Environment
Thursday, November 5th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Does your focus fizzle at the smallest distraction? Our workshop can help! Explore your existing routines and brainstorm ways to integrate focused work sessions. Design your ideal distraction-free zone to maximize productivity. Learn strategies for staying accountable and discuss self-motivation methods with your peers. Join us and create an environment that fuels your success!
 
Working with Your Cognitive Distortions
Thursday, November 12th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
The human brain is amazing! But it can also be fooled by cognitive biases that influence our decision making in ways we may not see or intend. In this session, we'll tap into neuroscience to identify these predictable patterns and promote better decision making.
 
Adopting a Growth Mindset
Wednesday, November 18th - 4:00-5:00pm (online)
Do you take failure hard? We all do, but the most successful people view failure as an opportunity. Learn how to grow from setbacks by adopting a growth mindset. While a fixed mindset tells us that we cannot change, a growth mindset turns failure into an opportunity to learn and improve.
 
Understanding Your Time and Setting Goals
Wednesday, December 2nd - 4:00-5:00pm (online)
Learn to identify what steals your focus and disrupts your productivity. In this workshop, we’ll work through several fun and interactive activities to understand how to better manage your time. We’ll then learn the power of SMART goals and create a personalized roadmap for success. Sign up today and take control of your workload!
 
Mastering Your Schedule and Avoiding Procrastination
Wednesday, December 9th - 4:00-5:00pm (online)
Tired of deadlines looming? Learn effective scheduling techniques to maximize your time and stay ahead. Uncover the root causes of procrastination and develop strategies to overcome them. Register now and transform your productivity!
 
Building Habits and Creating a Focused Work Environment
Wednesday, December 16th - 4:00-5:00pm (online)
Does your focus fizzle at the smallest distraction? Our workshop can help! Explore your existing routines and brainstorm ways to integrate focused work sessions. Design your ideal distraction-free zone to maximize productivity. Learn strategies for staying accountable and discuss self-motivation methods with your peers. Join us and create an environment that fuels your success!

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Upcoming OPD Workshops!
Career Preparation Workshops
Communication Workshops
Grants and Fellowships Workshops
Personal Development Workshops
Teaching Workshops

Contact

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Bryan Monesson-Olson

Bryan Monesson-Olson

Associate Director, Office of Professional Development
Email: bolson [at] grad [dot] umass [dot] edu

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