Events in the Professional Development Series can help students evaluate and prepare for the range of career options open to master's- and PhD-prepared professionals. This series is designed to broaden graduate students’ career perspectives and develop competencies in communication, self-awareness, professional adaptability, leadership, and professionalism.
Programming is offered on a two-year cycle and change each semester; over the course of two years, the series includes opportunities to learn about career paths in each of the five major career sectors available to alumni of The Graduate School: academia, business, entrepreneurship, government, and nonprofit.
Fall 2017 Events
Academic Job Search Series
Graduate students and postdocs interested in exploring career options in academia can participate in the Academic Job Search Series throughout the 2017-18 academic year. The series addresses tenure-track faculty positions during the fall semester and broad career options in academia during the spring semester. You can find topics relevant to all students as well as specialized panels for two broad disciplinary areas: the humanities and social sciences, and sciences and engineering. This series is offered every two years and is co-sponsored with the Duke Career Center and the Office of Postdoctoral Services.
Visit the Academic Job Search Series webpage for a complete listing of events; an updated schedule of Fall 2017 events will go live in late August.
Core Competencies
An Introduction to Your Professional Development at Duke: A Workshop for Master's Students
Friday, September 8, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Whether you’re a new master's student or about to finish your program, this workshop will help you familiarize yourself with the career and professional development resources, programs, and opportunities available at Duke and beyond. More information
Graduate Etiquette Workshop and Luncheon
Saturday, September 16, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Learn how to project a professional image and optimize your confidence in professional interactions. This workshop will be centered around a catered lunch to demonstrate the art of dining graciously. All attendees must register and pay $10 to reserve a seat by September 8, 4 pm. More information
Cultivating a Culture of Mentoring
Tuesday, September 12, 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
How can you establish supportive mentoring relationships? What is the role of good mentoring in your success as a graduate student? Join in the conversation in this interactive workshop. More information
Preparing for Corporate America
Friday, September 22, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
This talk will help you identify key skills and competencies that will help position you for a successful career launch and upward professional trajectory in corporate America. More information
How Do You Lead People Who are Not Like You? A Myers-Briggs Type Workshop
Tuesday, September 26, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
This interactive workshop will help you learn not only about your own behaviors and preferences but also how people with different personality types might perceive them, impacting your effectiveness as a leader. More information
Cultivating Intercultural Communication for Collaboration
Friday, September 29, 12:00 to 2:00 pm
In this workshop, you will learn the three major cultural communication styles and how your preferences might interact with those of the people you work with; all participants must complete an assessment of communication preferences by September 20. More information
The Two-Hour Job Search, Featuring Steve Dalton
Tuesday, October 3, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
In this workshop, Fuqua career coach and The 2-Hour Job Search author Steve Dalton offers an exact process – rather than a series of tips – for effectively turning strangers into advocates, leading to more internal referrals and more job interviews. More information
An Introduction to Your Professional Development at Duke: A Workshop for Ph.D. Students
Tuesday, October 3, 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
Whether you’re a new PhD student or about to finish your program, this workshop will help you familiarize yourself with the career and professional development resources, programs, and opportunities available at Duke and beyond. More information
Presenting Your Research in U.S. Industry Culture
Ph.D. Career Paths
Translational Science Training Program
August 28 to August 29
The TSTP is an innovative training program that, in one two-day course, intertwines interdisciplinary scientific content, understanding of the drug development process, professional skills development, clinical trial terminology, and career exploration for graduate students and postdocs. Application deadline July 28. More information
Info Session: Duke DIscovering Career Options in Translational Science (DICOTS)
August 29, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Learn about the DICOTS Network, which supports graduate students who are interested in exploring career options outside the traditional academic track, such as public policy, global health, industry, and regulatory affairs. Applications close 9/15. More information
Ask Me Anything with Dr. Desney Tan, Microsoft Health
September 6 to September 8 (online)
Join Desney Tan, Senior Director of Microsoft's Clinical Sensing and Analytics group, for an AMA hosted by Versatile PhD. More information
Insight Data Science Fellowship Info Session
October 3, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Greg Antell, Program Director for Insight Data Science Boston, will discuss careers in data science and data engineering and will share information on the Insight Data Fellows Programs, tuition-free professional fellowships for students and postdocs looking to transition to these careers. More information
Ask Me Anything with Dr. Peter Fiske, Technology Entrepreneur
October 11 to October 13 (online)
Join Peter Fiske, author of the science careers classic "Put Your Science to WORK!", for an AMA hosted by Versatile PhD. More information
“Career Opportunities Beyond the Bench: One Man’s Journey through Big Pharma, Consulting, and Government” with Nader Halim, Ph.D., MPH, Senior Director, Pfizer
October 26, 9:30 am to 11:00 am
Nader Halim, Ph.D., MPH, will discuss how he made the leap from academia to industry, describe his job duties and what a typical day is like at Pfizer, and give first-hand advice to grad students and postdocs who are considering moving from academia to industry.
Past Events
- Spring 2017
- Fall 2016
- Summer 2016
- Spring 2016
- Fall 2015
- Spring 2015
- Fall 2014
- Spring 2014
- Fall 2013
- Summer 2013
Contact
Melissa Bostrom, PhD
Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Professional Development
Duke University Graduate School
melissa.bostrom@duke.edu