Graduate Student Success Week Fall 2026

Academic, Industry, or Both? Navigating Career Options After Graduate School

Date and Time: 9/14 4:30pm

Location: Alderson Auditorium 

This session helps graduate students and postdoctoral scholars explore and prepare for both academic and non-academic career opportunities. Participants will gain insight into current job market trends, learn how academic and non-academic career pathways differ, and develop strategies for navigating each type of job search. Through presentations, facilitated discussions, and targeted breakout workshops, attendees will examine how their graduate training translates across sectors and gain practical guidance on preparing competitive application materials.

By the end of this workshop, students will…

• Analyze current trends in academic and non-academic job markets and identify opportunities aligned with their interests and goals
• Compare key differences between academic and non-academic career pathways, including hiring processes, application materials, workplace expectations, and career progression
• Develop strategies for creating effective job search materials, such as CVs, resumes, teaching statements, research statements, and cover letters
• Translate graduate and postdoctoral experiences into skills and competencies valued by employers across sectors
• Identify resources, networks, and next steps to support their ongoing career exploration and job search

Time Management Workshop

Date and Time:  9/15 12:00pm

Location:  Registration Link 

This session introduces participants to practical time management techniques. Attendees will learn how time management, through techniques such as time blocking and prioritization, can maximize their academic success and professional growth.

By the end of this workshop, students will:

• Engage with different time management tools to identify techniques that apply to their own academic, professional, and personal goals
• Learn the ways that bullet journaling can be individualized and applied to a variety of academic and professional tasks

AI in the Job Search

Date and Time:  9/16 10:30 AM

Location: Alderson Auditorium 

This session introduces participants to practical ways AI tools can support and streamline the job search, from exploring career paths to preparing application materials. Attendees will learn how generative technologies can help them clarify their interests, identify roles that align with their strengths, and craft polished résumés, cover letters, and interview responses.

By the end of this workshop, students will…

• Use AI tools to support career exploration and identify job roles that fit their goals
• Apply AI effectively to enhance job search materials while maintaining authenticity
• Recognize common pitfalls and ethical considerations when using AI in the application process
• Tailor AI‑generated content to reflect their own voice, values, and professional identity

Mentoring Workshop 

Date and Time:   9/16 2:00 PM 

Location: Alderson Auditorium 

Communicating your Research to a Non-specialist audience: a 3MT Workshop 

Date and Time: 9/16 3:00pm 

Location: Watson 455 

This session prepares participants to communicate complex research concepts in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. Using principles from the Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, attendees will learn techniques for crafting concise research narratives that resonate with non-specialist audiences.

By the end of this workshop, students will…

• Identify the key message and broader significance of their research for non-specialist audiences
• Apply storytelling and audience-centered communication techniques to explain complex concepts clearly
• Develop a concise and engaging research presentation suitable for a Three Minute Thesis format
• Evaluate and refine their communication style to increase clarity, impact, and audience engagement

Skills Translation Workshop 

Date and Time: 9/17 10:00am 

Location:  Alderson Auditorium 

This session helps participants identify and articulate the transferable skills they have developed through academic, research, teaching, service, and extracurricular experiences. Attendees will learn strategies for translating these experiences into language that resonates with employers across industries and professional sectors.

By the end of this workshop, students will…

• Identify transferable skills gained through academic, research, teaching, and leadership experiences
• Translate discipline-specific experiences into language that is clear and meaningful to diverse employers
• Connect their skills and accomplishments to qualifications commonly listed in job descriptions

Developing budget documents for grants 

Date and Time: 9/17 

Location: Watson 455

This session introduces participants to basic grant budgeting and explores how it can support their academic, professional, or personal success. Attendees will engage with Pivot, Excel, and other grants databases to build confidence and practical strategies they can apply immediately.

Linked In Workshop

Date and Time:  9/18 12:00pm

Location: ONLINE

This session introduces participants to strategies for building a strong professional presence on LinkedIn. Attendees will learn how to create an effective profile, expand their professional network, and leverage LinkedIn tools to support career exploration, networking, and job searching.

By the end of this workshop, students will…

• Create or optimize a LinkedIn profile that effectively communicates their skills, experiences, and career goals
• Apply networking strategies to build and maintain professional connections on LinkedIn
• Use LinkedIn features to explore career paths, research organizations, and identify job opportunities
• Develop a professional online presence that supports their long-term career development