Graduate Student Professional Development Conference
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bryan Center, West Campus
The Graduate Student Professional Development Conference is the centerpiece of Duke Graduate School's activities during the nationally celebrated Graduate Student Appreciation Week, April 6-10. The conference offers a select number of opportunities for students to showcase their research while supplementing these presentations with a slate of helpful professional development workshops and lectures. The day concludes with a celebration to recognize all graduate students who have completed the milestone of passing their preliminary examinations. Come join us for any or all of this not-to-be-missed event!
Graduate Student Professional Development Conference Schedule
8:30 am – 9:45 am
Graduate Student Research Presentations
Meeting Room A
10:00 am – 11:30 am
“Transferable Skills” Workshop for Social Science and Humanities students
Presenter: Dr. Richard Schramm
Von Canon B
Dr. Richard Schramm will talk about what he does in a typical day and the skills his work requires. He will demonstrate how to transfer research and writing skills along with organizational and presentation skills to other working environments.
Please Register.
11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Postdocs and the like: What You Should Know Before You Go
Von Canon B
In recent years, graduate students may have noticed that many articles on graduate education and navigating career paths discuss the challenges associated with finding postdoctoral work and fellowships. Graduate students may find themselves entering one-year faculty or postdoctoral positions, frantically applying for postdoctoral fellowships to fund research projects of their choice, searching for the right faculty and university match for a postdoctoral research, applying to special postdoctoral programs with a teaching focus, or just trying to figure out what to do with the rest of their life. The panel discussion promises to address many career-related concerns facing graduate students.
Please Register.
1:15 pm – 2:45 pm
Graduate Student Research Presentations
Meeting Room A
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
“Putting Your Science to Work” – A workshop for graduate students and postdocs in all fields of science by Dr. Peter S. Fiske
Von Canon B
Young scientists in nearly every field are finding today's job market a confusing and frustrating place. More new Ph.D.s, post-docs and Master's degree holders are considering a wider range of careers in and out of science, but feel ill-prepared and uninformed about their options. Some feel their Ph.D. training has led them to a dead-end. This workshop presents a thorough and practical overview to the process of career planning and job hunting in today's job market, from the perspective of a young scientist. It covers specific steps that young scientists can take to broaden their horizons, strengthen their skills, and present their best face to potential employers. An important part of this is the realization that most young scientists possess a range of valuable "transferable skills" that are highly sought after by employers in and out of science.
Please Register.
5:15 pm – 6:30 pm
Milestone Recognition Reception: Celebrating Doctoral Candidacy
Von Canon A
Celebration for those who have passed their preliminary exam since March 1, 2008. Sponsored by Graduate Student Affairs and the Office of Alumni Affairs.
Please Register.
6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Meditation Session with John Orr
Von Canon C
John received Theravada Buddhist ordination and training for a period of eight years while living in Thailand and India. He has been teaching meditation and leading retreats around the country since 1980. John is an Interfaith minister and teaches at Duke University. He is the guiding teacher of New Hope Sangha.
Please Register.