The Careers Beyond Academia Series is sponsored by the Office of Postdoctoral Services and The Graduate School.
Tues Jan 31, 1-1:30 pm
WHAT: Senior Leadership Insights: A Conversation with Dennis Gilmore, PhD, President, Crosslynk Research Consulting
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1EUoxV7SgCpW5lc
Dennis Gilmore, PhD ’78 is President of Crosslynk Research Consulting, where he provides professional services to start-ups involved in transforming new technologies into products. This role builds on his leadership background across a broad spectrum of industries and around the world. Over a career spanning nearly 40 years, he has led the development and commercialization of more than 200 new products and processes for global, science-driven companies such as Royal Dutch Shell and PPG industries. In addition to his previous role as senior director for technology advancement at RTI and executive director of a technology start-up in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, Dr. Gilmore has extensive experience with international joint venture formation and operation across functions and countries. He is a member of the American Chemical Society, SAE International Aerospace, and several other organizations. Dr. Gilmore received his BS from Missouri State University and his PhD in chemistry from Duke University
Dr. Gilmore will be joined in conversation by Professor of Chemistry Dr. Benjamin J. Wiley. The discussion will focus on six key questions:
- Tell us about your background. What was your path to your current role?
- Can you tell us about your organization, and describe a typical day for a Ph.D.-level hire?
- What do you see as the value that doctoral training has added to your professional trajectory?
- Beyond strong research skills, what other skills, experience and/or training are important for success in your field?
- Are there any skills, training, or experiences you wish you’d had in graduate school to prepare you for your current career path?
- What can students who would like to work in this field (or explore it further) do to prepare?
Thurs Feb 2, 11 am-12 pm
WHAT: Dress for Success: A Workshop
WHERE: Carpenter Conference Room, Rubenstein Rare Book and Manuscript Library (rm 249)
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXmJq6WRXBAb8Y6
While workplaces have become more casual since 2020, there are still expectations of what “professional dress” looks like in different industries. This workshop will address first impressions, dressing authentically, and tailoring your professional image. We will discuss how to determine an organization’s unofficial dress code, dressing appropriately for the occasion (career fair, coffee chat, networking event, interview, etc.), and shopping on a budget. Attendees will have the opportunity to put what they’ve learned into action in a short exercise.
Time will be allotted for participant questions, and pizza will be provided; bring your own beverage to enjoy.
Thurs Feb 9, 10-11:30 am
WHAT: Managing Your Research Career Using an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_etG2ezMFrpaNnng
For better or for worse, your experiences and the training you receive as postdoctoral researchers and graduate students can greatly shape the rest of your career. However, there are strategies and resources that can increase your chances of getting what you came for. During this program, participants will learn how to develop clear and specific goals and objectives, along with a plan for executing them.
Topics include:
- The importance of setting goals and developing an IDP.
- Introduction to the SMART goals model.
- Resources for crafting and executing your IDP.
- Strategies for establishing expectations and effectively communicating research and career goals with your mentor/PI.
Speaker: Dara Wilson-Grant is the Associate Director at the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor. With over fifteen years experience providing career management education and counseling, Dara’s mission is to help individuals develop a framework for choosing a meaningful and rewarding career path, plus develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of career success.
NOTE: This seminar provides Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) credit. Note that you will not receive credit if you arrive for this event late or leave early. Questions? Email grad-rcr@duke.edu
Tues Feb 14, 4-5 pm
WHAT: What’s Next? Making the Transition from Academia to Consulting
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9ZAM9iESfv7fZL8
For many of us, our career aspirations at the beginning of our PhD program differ greatly from the actual prospects we have when our program is complete. Consulting is a great option for many, but how do you make that transition? Join Ryan LaRanger, PhD to hear about his personal journey from Yale University postdoc to Technical Director in R&D Innovation at PreScouter.
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube Channel
Tues Feb 21, 3-3:30 pm
WHAT: Senior Leadership Insights: A Conversation with Wanda Wallace, PhD, Managing Partner, Leadership Forum
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3PjR2pIy9a8ew2G
Wanda Wallace, PhD is founder and Managing Partner of Leadership Forum, where she provides leadership coaching, workshops, and business consulting globally. This role builds on her experience as a public speaker, businesswoman, and professor of marketing to train effective leaders and facilitate advances in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is also the host of the podcast Out of the Comfort Zone and author of the 2019 book You Can’t Know It All: Leading in the Era of Deep Expertise. Her book addresses the tricky balance between the necessity for leaders to be deeply knowledgeable about their fields and the recognition that, in today’s world, leaders will inevitably find themselves managing teams whose expertise exceeds their own. Dr. Wallace received her BA in Mathematics and Psychology from Duke University, and then went on to receive both her MAT and a PhD in Psychology at Duke.
Dr. Wallace will be joined in conversation by Jiayue Liu, PhD candidate in Psychology and Neuroscience and an intern with the Accelerate to Industry initiative at the Duke Career Center. The discussion will focus on six key questions:
- Tell us about your background. What was your path to your current role?
- Can you tell us about your organization, and describe a typical day for a Ph.D.-level hire?
- What do you see as the value that doctoral training has added to your professional trajectory?
- Beyond strong research skills, what other skills, experience and/or training are important for success in your field?
- Are there any skills, training, or experiences you wish you’d had in graduate school to prepare you for your current career path?
- What can students and postdocs who would like to work in this field (or explore it further) do to prepare?
Thurs Feb 23, 10-11:30 am
WHAT: Networking: How to Build Professional Relationships for Long-Term Career Success
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cSYeiYvYh7o64qG
The world of work and how we navigate our professional lives have changed significantly due to the pandemic. However, networking remains one of the most effective approaches to getting your career on the fast track. It can help to inform your next steps, expand your connections and influence and enhance your professional reputation. This informative session will show you techniques for effective and tactful networking in this post-pandemic era. Participants will leave this session with a networking action plan that can be implemented immediately.
Speaker: Dara Wilson-Grant is the Associate Director at the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and a Licensed Professional Counselor. With over fifteen years experience providing career management education and counseling, Dara’s mission is to help individuals develop a framework for choosing a meaningful and rewarding career path, plus develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of career success.