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!
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Friday, August 21st - 11:00am-12:00pm (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting organizations find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.
Interview Strategies
Wednesday, August 26th - 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, September 10th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting organizations find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.
Faculty Cover Letters
Friday, September 18th - 11:45am-1:15pm (551 Goodell)
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!
Resume Basics
Thursday, September 24th - 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.
Research Statements for the Faculty Job Market
Thursday, September 24th - 1:00-2:30pm (551 Goodell)
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.
Teaching Statements for the Faculty Job Market
Tuesday, September 29th - 12:15-1:30pm (515 Goodell)
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
Tuesday, September 29th - 1:45-2:15pm (515 Goodell)
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.
Interview Strategies
Wednesday, September 30th - 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 - Registration coming soon!
Friday, October 2nd - 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.
Negotiating a Job Offer
Wednesday, October 7th - 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.
Tailor Your Faculty Application: Highlight Your Fit Without Wasting Time
Wednesday, October 7th - 12:15-1:45pm (515 Goodell)
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.
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Friday, October 16th - 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 LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Tuesday, October 20th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting organizations find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.
Resume Basics
Wednesday, October 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.
Looking for an Easy Way to Network?
Tuesday, October 27th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Job candidates referred through connections are more likely to bypass application screeners and learn of opportunities not publicly advertised. Do you have a network of people to support your future job search? Building a network takes time - don't wait! This session will teach you how to reach out to a contact, ask strategic questions, and use the information to support your job search.
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Tuesday, November 3rd - 12:00-1:30pm (515 Goodell)
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) provides participants with 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. Pizza and salad will be served.
Interview Strategies
Wednesday, November 4th - 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.
Applying to be a Lecturer, Instructor, or Adjunct
Friday, November 6th - 12:15-1:13pm (online)
Many of the upcoming faculty job postings will be for adjunct or non-tenure track instructors and lecturers. In this workshop, we’ll consider the pros and cons of such positions, as well as how to tailor the application materials.
First Round Faculty Interview Practice
Thursday, November 12th - 11:15am-1:00pm (515 Goodell)
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 and to practice your answers to some of the most common questions. Learn the strategies for a successful Zoom or phone interview!
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Monday, November 16th - 4:00-5:00pm (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting organizations find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.
Life After UMass: Immigration Discussion
Tuesday, November 17th - 5:00-7:00pm (Life Science Laboratories S330)
Immigration attorney Dan Berger from the leading immigration law firm, Green & Spiegel, will join representatives from the UMass Office of Global Affairs to discuss a variety of longer-term U.S. immigration strategies. Topics will include employment-based visas, inter-company transfers, and U.S. permanent residency (“green cards”). Co-sponsored with the Office of Global Affairs and open to all international students, scholars, and postdocs. Pizza will be served.
Negotiating a Job Offer
Thursday, November 19th - 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.
Looking for an Easy Way to Network?
Thursday, November 19th - 2:30-3:30pm (online)
Job candidates referred through connections are more likely to bypass application screeners and learn of opportunities not publicly advertised. Do you have a network of people to support your future job search? Building a network takes time - don't wait! This session will teach you how to reach out to a contact, ask strategic questions, and use the information to support your job search.
Faculty Interviews: Giving a Job Talk
Wednesday, December 2nd - 12:15-1:00pm (515 Goodell)
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.
Faculty Interviews: Tips for the Campus Visit
Thursday, December 10th - 12:00-1:00pm (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.
Faculty Interviews: The Teaching Demonstration
Tuesday, December 15th - 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!
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Wednesday, December 16th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) provides participants with 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.
Looking for an Easy Way to Network?
Thursday, December 17th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Job candidates referred through connections are more likely to bypass application screeners and learn of opportunities not publicly advertised. Do you have a network of people to support your future job search? Building a network takes time - don't wait! This session will teach you how to reach out to a contact, ask strategic questions, and use the information to support your job search.
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Friday, December 18th - 11:30am-12:30pm (online)
Are you missing out on jobs and internships? Searching in the right place is important, and so is letting organizations find you! Learn how to use LinkedIn to find opportunities and set up a profile that will establish your reputation online.