Fall 2018 | Careers Beyond Academia

The 2018-19 Careers Beyond Academia Series is co-sponsored by the Office of Postdoctoral Services, The Graduate School, and the Career Center.

Tues Aug 28, 11:45 am-1 pm (repeats Thurs Oct 11, 12–1:30 pm in Brodhead Ctr, Rm 068)

WHAT: Job and Internship Search Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Environment Hall 2102
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/10-11-Workshop

Make the most of your time and energy when searching for a job or internship. Learn how to identify your skills, plan a targeted search, conduct informational interviews and build a job and internship search plan that works for YOU. Leave with resources for where and how to search for opportunities and clear next steps to take in your process.

Weds Aug 29, 12:15-1:30 pm

WHAT: Postdoc and Grad Student Lunch & Learn: Careers in Science Communication and Outreach
WHERE: Rm 232 North Bldg (pizza served beginning at 12:15 pm)
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/Fall2018SciComm

Jory Weintraub, PhD, is the Science Communication Program Director and a Senior Lecturing Fellow with the Duke Initiative for Science & Society. In this position, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in science communication and runs science communication workshops for Duke faculty and postdocs. Prior to this, he served for over 10 years as the Assistant Director of Education and Outreach at NESCent (The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center), where he developed and ran programs in evolution education/outreach for K-12 students and teachers, undergraduates, and the general public. Before coming to NESCent, Jory taught undergraduate biology courses at UNC-Chapel Hill and ran science outreach programs for underrepresented minority students.

Jory received his BS in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from The University of California at San Diego, and his PhD in Immunology from UNC-Chapel Hill. After completing his graduate studies, he completed an NSF Postdoctoral Fellowship in STEM Education. His work focuses on minority outreach, science communication/education/outreach, and faculty development.

Jory will talk about what the field of science communication/outreach is like and types of jobs that are typically available. He will also give tips on applying for these types of jobs, and give postdocs advice on how to build their resumes and get their foot in the door for science/communication/outreach positions.

This will be a small, informal lunch discussion, so bring your questions!

Questions? Contact Molly Starback, Director of Duke Postdoc Services, at molly.starback@duke.edu .

Tues Sept 4, 11:45 am-1 pm (repeats Weds Oct 17, 10–11:30 am in Brodhead Ctr, Rm 303)

WHAT: Networking Can Be Awkward but You Don’t Have to Be! A Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Environment Hall 2102
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/10-17-Workshop

We’ve all heard that networking in essential for your career but many of us find it awkward and aren’t sure how to do it effectively. In this session, you’ll learn strategies for approaching networking events (ranging from academic conferences to industry events) and practice the actual conversations you might have in those settings. We’ll also teach you about the best ways to conduct outreach meetings and how to maintain your professional relationships over time.

Tues Sept 11, 9:30-10:30 am

WHAT: “Creating a Resume that Stands Out in a Crowd” with Stacy Schnieber, Vice President of People and Culture, Camargo Pharmaceutical Services
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/Fall2018Stands

Research has shown that recruiters, on average, spend 6.25 seconds reviewing a resume. Scary, right? So how can you ensure that your resume gets to the top of the pile? By building one that is organized, tailored, skill-based and visually pleasing. This workshop will provide you a framework for getting started, converting a CV to an industry resume, and ways to increase your likelihood of getting that initial phone screen or interview.

Key Takeaways:
• Characteristics of an effective resume
• How to transition your CV to an industry resume
• Importance of knowing your audience
• Making connections with current employees
• Follow-up – what happens after you apply

Speaker: Camargo Pharmaceutical Services is a global strategist providing comprehensive drug development services specialized for the 505(b)(2) approval pathway and global equivalent processes. Stacy Schnieber brings more than eighteen years of experience in Human Resources to Camargo, where she works as Vice President of People and Culture. She draws on diverse industry experiences in both large and small organizations, including Staples, Communicare Health Services, and Trak Group executive search firm.

Tues Sept 11, 11:45 am-1 pm (repeats Weds Oct 24, 1–2:30 pm in Brodhead Ctr, Rm 303)

WHAT: Cover Letter Writing for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Environment Hall 2102
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/10-24-Workshop

Cover letters are very common in the U.S. and provide you with an opportunity to convey your interest in a position and how you can contribute to the organization’s success. In this session, you’ll discover what employers are really looking for, how to analyze a job description and create a persuasive cover letter. Please bring a laptop in order to create or polish up your draft and get feedback.

Mon Sept 17, 12-1:30 pm To be rescheduled

WHAT: Teaching Ideas Workshop: Take Your Teaching Skills Anywhere
WHERE: Rubenstein Library, Room 249 (lunch provided)
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/professional-development/programs/teaching-ideas-series/2018-2019-teaching-ideas-series-0

How can you capitalize on the skills you’ve developed through the many hours you’ve devoted to teaching? These skills can help you position yourself for success in industry, government, nonprofit, or academic careers beyond faculty positions. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Melissa Bostrom, assistant dean for graduate student professional development, will discuss how our teaching experiences are an ideal way to help potential employers understand the crucial skills we’ve learned in graduate school—skills that are transferable to careers beyond a university setting. Lunch will be provided.

Weds Sept 19, 10-11:30 am (repeats Tues Nov 6, 12–1:30 pm in Brodhead Ctr, Rm 303)

WHAT: Preparing for Career Fairs and Employer Events: A Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Brodhead Center, Rm 068
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/11-6-Workshop

Career fairs and other types of employer events are great opportunities to connect with recruiters or hiring managers, explore career opportunities and practice your communication and networking skills. Preparation is key in order to have a successful experience. This interactive session will focus on the strategies and tools you can incorporate in order to prepare for these events and stand out as a candidate.

Weds Sept 19, 12-1:30 pm

WHAT: Developing Your Personal Leadership Brand
WHERE: Holst-Anderson Family Assembly Room, Rubenstein Library, rm 153 (lunch provided)
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/student-life/events/developing-your-personal-leadership-brand-0

If you start out on a journey without a destination or a map, don’t be surprised if you end up in places you didn’t want to be. In this workshop, you will learn how to determine your destination and create your map by defining your purpose, values and principles through development of a Leadership Brand. Besides providing you with a “life compass,” this will differentiate you from others and allow you to present yourself in a consistent manner to everyone with whom you interact and lead. Learn why you need a Leadership Brand and what it can do for you.

Speaker: Duke alumnus George L. Grody (class of 1981) spent 26 years at Procter & Gamble in Sales, Marketing, and General Management across the globe. His last assignment prior to retiring was as Director for Global Strategic Alliances, which entailed working with other companies and governments on co-technology and co-marketing deals. He’s been teaching in the Markets & Management Studies program at Duke University since 2008.

Tues Sept 25, 11:45 am-1 pm

WHAT: Interview Practice for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Environment Hall 2102
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/9-25-Workshop

Whether conducted in-person, virtually or via phone, interviews are a time to tell your story while clearly conveying your skills, interest and overall fit for a specific position and organization. In this session, you will learn useful strategies to prepare responses and practice answering some of the most common behavioral interview questions while receiving constructive feedback. You do not have to have an upcoming interview to attend this workshop but please bring along a description of an opportunity (job, internship, fellowship, etc.) that you’d like to get some practice interviewing for.

Mon Oct 1, 12-1 pm

WHAT: Careers in Assessment and Evaluation: Lunch and Learn for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Perkins Library rm 218
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/student-life/events/careers-assessment-and-evaluation-lunch-and-learn-graduate-students-and-postdocs

Jessica Sperling, PhD, is Lead, Evaluation & Engagement for the Duke Social Science Research Institute (SSRI). In this Lunch and Learn session, Jessica will discuss her path to a career in evaluation – an area of work that utilizes PhD conceptual and empirical training in applied settings. Pizza lunch provided.

Speaker: Jessica Sperling is Lead, Evaluation & Engagement for the Duke Social Science Research Institute. She is dedicated to developing community-engaged and applied research, improving programs through responsive and collaborative evaluation, as well as developing educational programming with hands-on learning opportunities. Prior to joining SSRI, she was a Research Analyst in the CUNY Office of Research, Evaluation, and Program Support and also managed the research and evaluation program for StoryCorps, where she developed an overall framework for evaluation, as well as specific data collection and analysis projects. She holds a PhD in sociology from the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, where she focused on immigration, race/ethnicity, and inequality.

Tues Oct 2, 9:30-10:30 am

WHAT: Articulating Your Accomplishments: Tips for Building a High-Impact Job Application
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/ArticulatingAccomplishments

When you sit down to write your resume, you probably spend a great deal of time thinking about how to translate your research into accomplishments that will be read by hiring managers. Simply stating that you served as a committee leader—or that you researched a given topic—doesn’t convey the full impact and depth of your accomplishments. This workshop will provide you with a step-by-step guide to articulating your achievements, as well as a step-by-step framework for tailoring your resume to a specific job announcement. We will also briefly discuss cover letters. Participants will walk away feeling confident that they can create a high-impact job application for any position they choose to apply for.

Speaker: Tammy Collins, PhD, Director, NIEHS Office of Fellows’ Career Development

Power Point Presentation: Articulating Your Accomplishments

Tues Oct 2, 11:45 am-1 pm

WHAT: Small Talk Practice for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: Environment Hall 2102
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/Small-Talk-Workshop

Making small talk is an essential skill that is important for your professional and personal life. Events like conferences, department gatherings, industry sessions and other social situations may require you to be adept at this. It is even important during the interview process. If small talk makes you nervous or you’re unsure what to talk about, come to this interactive workshop where you can practice topics to discuss, strategies for approaching people, entering/exiting conversations gracefully and how to follow-up with people afterwards.

Weds Oct 3, 1-2 pm

WHAT: Exploring Careers Where Computer Science & Genomics Intersect
WHERE: Brodhead Center: Multi Purpose Room 068
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs may attend without registering.

Join us and hear from Victor Weigman, PhD, as he talks about his PhD journey, research, and his role as Director of Translational Genomics at Q2 Solutions—a Quintiles-Quest Joint Venture. Weigman leads this group with a goal of continued facilitation of pre-clinical drug development through biomarker identification. Ongoing research revolves around the genomic profiling of cancer using both DNA and RNA approaches including the development and deployment of robust assays that can be leveraged clinically as laboratory developed tests.

Speaker: Dr. Weigman brings more than 13 years of biomarker discovery research with genomics, with a majority of them dedicated to Expression Analysis (EA), a Q2 Solutions Company. This includes leadership of the Bioinformatics organization and software development to derive utility from Precision Medicine data. He has published papers on biomarker identification and assay development and has contributed to the development and launch of several genomic CLIA Assays and facilitation of genomics based Companion Diagnositcs. Dr. Weigman obtained his PhD at the University of North Carolina in Biology and Bioinformatics within the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Thurs Oct 4, 9:30-11:30 am

WHAT: Managing Your Research Career Using an Individual Development Plan (IDP)
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cMGI1iYinYTbE33

For better or for worse, your experiences and the training you receive as graduate students and postdoctoral researchers can greatly impact and shape the rest of your career. However, there are strategies and resources that can enhance 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 covered 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 National Certified Career 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.

Fri Oct 12, 10:30-11:30 am

WHAT: Exploring Careers in Pharmacy & Biotech
WHERE: Brodhead Center: Multi Purpose Room 068
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs may attend without registering.

Hear from Sarah Thacker, PhD, about her journey from pharmacy school to a career in biotech. Sarah is the biology lead for San Francisco-based Vitrisa Therapeutics, a biotech firm with research labs right here in Durham. In this position, Sarah works to validate the biological activity of novel therapeutics for ocular diseases.

Speaker: Sarah E. Thacker received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Washington College and continued to the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy to complete her PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2015. After her graduate studies, Sarah pursued a postdoctoral fellowship with the UNC Institute for Drug Safety Sciences (formerly part of the Hamner Institute) where she worked on an industry sponsored project aiming to discover biomarkers for idiosyncratic drug induced liver injury. Currently, Sarah is a Lead Biologist for Vitrisa Therapeutics in Durham NC.

Mon Oct 15, 6-7:30 pm

WHAT: Date Night with Data: Exploring Careers in Data Analytics & Data Science
WHERE: Duke University Career Center, Smith Warehouse -114 S. Buchanan Blvd., Bay 5 South, 2nd Floor
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs may attend without registering.

The University Career Center is hosting a new event this fall for all students and postdocs, Date Night with Data: Exploring Careers in Data Analytics & Data Science. Employers across all industries with data science and/or data analytics positions are attending, including Roivant Sciences, Deloitte, Dimensional Fund Advisors, Earnest Research, Wellington Management Company, IQVIA, SAS, Icimo, Opera Solutions LLC, K4Connect.

Over the past few years, data analytics and data science have consistently ranked as one of the top careers. Employers across every industry are creating and recruiting for these types of roles, and they want to meet you. This multi-company networking event will provide you with a great opportunity to talk with employers to learn more about data analytics and data science within their organization as well as trends in the industry. Attend this event to talk with representatives, learn about available and future job opportunities, and share your resume.

Tues Oct 16, 9:30-10:30 am

WHAT: “Leave a Lasting Impression: Interviewing Tips & Tricks from a Recovering Recruiter” with Stacy Schnieber, Vice President of People and Culture, Camargo Pharmaceutical Services
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/Fall2018Lasting

Preparing for an interview can be exhausting, even for the most seasoned professional. It takes a lot more than practicing standard interview questions you may find from a quick Google search! From researching the job and company, to making that first great impression, this session will give you insider information from a veteran HR professional. Come prepared to learn about connecting with the interviewer, answering interview questions and general etiquette. You’ll leave armed with the confidence to ace that next interview!

Weds Oct 17, 3-4 pm

WHAT: Scholarly Publishing and Diversity: Talk and Roundtable
WHERE: Franklin Humanities Institute, Smith Warehouse Bay 4
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/student-life/events/scholarly-publishing-and-diversity-talk-and-roundtable

What are the challenges for scholarly publishing in the humanities and social sciences in the context of today’s shrinking library budgets and the continued publish-or-perish demands of academia? How does the largest university press in the world steer its publishing strategy to influence positive change and continue to succeed as a self-sustaining nonprofit business? Niko Pfund, President and Academic Publisher of Oxford University Press USA, will provide an overview of what every aspiring author of serious non-fiction should know, with a particular emphasis on the diversity initiatives of Oxford and the industry.

Following Pfund’s talk, faculty members Kamela Hayward-Rotimi and Adriane Lentz-Smith, and Duke University Press editor Gisela Fosado will share their perspectives on diversity and publishing and engage Pfund and the audience in conversation. A reception will follow.

Thurs Oct 18, 10-11:30 am

WHAT: Exploring Careers in Science Policy and STEM Diversity
WHERE: BioSci rm 130
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/RichardWatkins

Dr. Richard L. Watkins is a scientist, politician, community organizer, academic and entrepreneur. In this session, Richard will share insights and advice from his own professional journey, encouraging students and postdocs to design a career that fits their unique talents and interests.

Richard is the founder and CEO of The Science Policy Action Network, Inc. (SPAN), which focuses on enhancing science education, advocacy and outreach for the benefit of all North Carolinians. He also serves as a program coordinator for the Chancellor’s Science Scholars Program at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he mentors undergraduates and develops STEM diversity initiatives to directly impact the next generation of leaders in science and technology. Richard is also a former board member of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society. He now serves as president of the UNC-Chapel Hill Chapter of Sigma Xi. Richard earned his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2014.

Tues Oct 23, 6:30-4 pm

WHAT: Women in Industry Panel Discussion
WHERE: Gross Hall rm 270
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0B8t2s0ti3slISV

Join WiSE for our fourth annual Women in Industry panel discussion. Our panelists will discuss opportunities for women in industry, how to move from academia into industry, and answer your questions. Dinner will be served.
Submit your questions in advance through the registration survey.

Panelists:

Sophia Cui, PhD, Senior Scientist in MRI Collaborations at Siemens Healthineers
Janice Hessling MD, PhD, Corporate Medical Director at Solstas Lab Partners/Quest Diagnostics
Shweta Krishnan, PhD, Licensing Analyst in Biological Sciences at Duke University
Alana Sullivan, PhD, Manager of Medical Operations in Medical Affairs at INC Research

This event is sponsored by WiSE, co-sponsored by The Graduate School, and offered as part of the 2018-19 Careers Beyond Academia series. Questions? Contact Jocelyn Hoye at jocelyn.hoye@duke.edu.

Thurs Oct 25, 9:30-11:30 am

WHAT: Finding the Right Fit: How to Choose a Rewarding Career
WHERE: Rm 384 Nanaline Duke Bldg
WHO: Class size is limited to 25 participants to facilitate small group discussion. Because space is limited, please do not register unless you are sure you can attend. Those who register but fail to attend will have a $100 course fee assessed to their faculty mentor.
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/Fall2018Fit

This workshop will help postdocs understand what makes a career the right or wrong fit, and provide them with a framework for choosing a rewarding career path. Through a series of self-assessments and small group activities, participants will have an opportunity to identify and explore key factors that contribute to career satisfaction. This is an ideal workshop for postdocs and graduate students who are contemplating a career change or looking to further clarify their career direction.

Speaker: Dara Wilson-Grant, MSEd, NCC, is Associate Director at UNC Chapel Hill’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and a National Certified Career Counselor. With over fifteen years experience providing professional development 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.

Friday Oct 26, 12-1 pm

WHAT: A Career Path as an Internet Entrepreneur: Lunch and Learn with Vick Khera PhD ’94
WHERE: 1425 CIEMAS (BME Conference Room)
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0TEhHBgGGq6Kx01

Since receiving his PhD in Computer Science at Duke, Vivek “Vick” Khera has co-founded a number of internet startups:

MailerMailer LLC, providing email marketing tools for business, where he served as CTO
DiscussThis LLC, an email discussion list service
FilterPoint LLC, which provides anti-spam and anti-virus email filtering
GovCon, Inc., a portal for government contractors, where he served as CTO

All four businesses were later acquired by other entities. In addition to these experiences taking startups from beginning to sale, he serves as a reviewer for the Maryland Innovation Initiative, recommending submissions for funding. Currently, Dr. Khera serves as API Architect at WealthEngine. Join us for an informal lunch conversation about Dr. Khera’s career path as an internet entrepreneur and to learn his insights on how to succeed in the startup world. Lunch provided. Registration is limited to promote the opportunity for conversation.

Tues Oct 30, 2-4 pm

WHAT: Business Skills All Graduate Students/Postdocs Need
WHERE: Bryan Center – Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity
REGISTER: Graduate students register through Career Connections. Postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/businessskillsworkshop

You might be thinking, “But, I’m not going into business!” This event is still for you! Skills related to business operations are often necessary in a wide variety of industries and roles. Join us for this round table event where you will learn from several professionals who transitioned from graduate students to proficient employees. They’ll share what they learned about these key business skills along the way and how you can build them before you enter the job market.

Speakers:

Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director, NC Council of Churches
Dr. Micah Gilmer, Senior Partner, Frontline Solutions
Dr. Paul Klenk, Principal Financial Analyst, Research Square
Dr. Shweta Krishnan, Licensing Analyst, Biological Sciences; Duke Office of Licensing and Ventures
Dr. Javier Pabon, Chair, Department of Modern Languages and Literatures/Associate Professor of Spanish; Methodist University

Mon Nov 5, 12-1 pm

WHAT: Preparing for a Career Spanning Academia and Public Service with Fannie Mitchell Expert in Residence, Thad Williamson, PhD
WHERE:Sanford School Rubenstein Hall, Rm 200
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1NBwGJJybx1ERmt

Are you considering a career that spans academia and public service? Would you like to know more about how you can prepare for public service? Join us to learn about how to build an academic career that crosses traditional lines.

Dr. Williamson earned a BA in History and Religious Studies at Brown University, an MA in Religion at Union Theological Seminary and PhD in Political Science at Harvard University. He has taught at the Jepson School of Leadership Studies at the University of Richmond since 2005. Dr. Thad Williamson is a scholar, writer and policy expert focused on building practical politics of social justice and deepened democracy in the United States. He has been deeply involved in the City of Richmond policy and governance, formerly on the Mayor’s Anti-Poverty Commission and as the Director of the Office of Community Wealth Building. He worked for Mayor Levar Stoney to develop his mayoral platform, served as the Transition Director to the Mayor-Elect, and as Senior Policy Advisor for the first 18 months of his term. He is also a scholar of urban politics, property-owning democracy, democratic theory, and policy and governance.

Weds Nov 7, 1-2:30 pm

WHAT: Managing Stress During the Job Search: A Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdocs
WHERE: CAPS- Student Wellness Center, R340
REGISTER: Graduate students register at Career Connections; postdocs register at https://tinyurl.com/y7y8rp7g

Searching for a job or internship can be a stressful experience. In this workshop, learn techniques for managing stress and how to apply those techniques throughout the job search process.

Weds Nov 7, 5:30-7 pm

WHAT: AAAS Mass Media Fellowship: Alumni Panel
WHERE: MSRB 0001
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/student-life/events/aaas-mass-media-fellowship-alumni-panel

Curious about science communication? How about spending next summer as a working news reporter through the AAAS Mass Media Fellows Program (https://www.aaas.org/programs/mass-media-science-engineering-fellows/about).

Hear from program alumni at this panel discussion:

Joanna Downer, PhD, Associate Dean, Research Development, Duke School of Medicine
Abby Olena, PhD, Science Writer and Communications Consultant, Chapel Hill
Sheena (Faherty) Scruggs, PhD, Science Writer, NIH-NIEHS
Anne West, MD/PhD, Associate Professor of Neurobiology, Duke School of Medicine

To be eligible for the AAAS Fellowship, you must be a graduate student or postdoctoral trainee in the life, physical, health, engineering, computer, or social sciences or mathematics and related fields. After training in Washington DC, fellows spend 10 weeks as a science reporter in newsrooms across the country, including places like National Geographic, Washington Post and Scientific American.

Thurs Nov 8, 9:30-11:30 am

WHAT: How to Identify and Leverage Your Transferable Skills
WHERE: Rm 384 Nanaline Duke Bldg
WHO: Class size is limited to 25 participants to facilitate small group discussion. Because space is limited, please do not register unless you are sure you can attend. Those who register but fail to attend will have a $100 course fee assessed to their faculty mentor.
REGISTER: https://tinyurl.com/Fall2018Skills

A common question asked by postdocs and graduate students is, “How do I prove that I am qualified for a non-academic job when I don’t have any experience?” The key is learning how to translate your graduate education and postdoctoral training into a language that is understood beyond academia. This workshop will help postdocs and students identify their core strengths and learn specific strategies for communicating their skills and experience to a broad audience via the cover letter and resume. Participants will also gain insight into the skills and personal traits most desired by employers. This workshop is ideal for postdocs and graduate students interested in pursuing careers beyond academia where a heavy emphasis is placed on “soft” skills (eg, teamwork, communication, leadership).

Speaker: Dara Wilson-Grant, MSEd, NCC, is Associate Director at UNC Chapel Hill’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and a National Certified Career Counselor. With over fifteen years experience providing professional development 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.

Mon Nov 12, 12-1:30 pm

WHAT: VH@Duke Conversation with Humanities PhD Alumni: “The Learning Curve”
WHERE: The Graduate School, Room 102
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8w9QKcvL0PkZbcF

We’ll be hosting a videoconference with three midcareer Duke humanities PhDs (Romance Studies, History, and English). One is currently an Associate Professor. The other two transitioned to the corporate world after establishing first careers on the tenure track. They will discuss with us their professional trajectories, and advise students on how best to prepare for the learning curves that may await them – in academia and beyond. Lunch provided.

Nicholas Dobelbower (PhD ’01 Romance Studies): Senior Vice President, Practices Leader, Global Benefits at Lockton Companies
Hillary Ecklund (PhD ’08 English): Associate Professor of English, Loyola University New Orleans
Joselyn Zivin (PhD ’94 History): Director of Constituent Research, Higher Education, Huron Consulting Group

Tues Nov 13, 6-8 pm

WHAT: The 2-Hour Job Search with Steve Dalton, Author and Career Coach, Fuqua School of Business
WHERE: Gross Hall rm107
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcndc6ZFPaZ9ZC5

Learn from Fuqua career coach and The 2-Hour Job Search author Steve Dalton as he offers an exact process for effectively turning strangers into advocates, leading to more internal referrals and more job interviews.

This session proposes an efficient alternative to endlessly applying to online job postings by turning the difficult topic of networking into something finite and replicable. To create this process, Dalton drew upon the latest science–ranging from behavioral economics to operations theory to social psychology–to split networking into three components. Each part will be discussed to help job seekers harness free and simple technology to get the right job faster.

You must register for this workshop and have a LinkedIn profile in order to attend. Take a look at Steve’s book, available online and through Duke Libraries, prior to the workshop.

Tues Nov 13, 12-4 pm

WHAT: 18th Annual NC Master’s & Doctoral Career Fair
WHERE: The Friday Center, UNC-Chapel Hill
REGISTER: https://sites.google.com/view/nc-masters-doctoral-fair/home/information-for-students-alumni

The annual NC Master’s & Doctoral Career Fair is an opportunity for you to interact with a diverse group of employers interested in graduate students and postdocs. Over 500 advanced degree candidates from Duke, UNC-Chapel Hill, NC State University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, and Wake Forest University participate in this event. You can see the list of employers registered to attend, together with a list of their open positions and visa sponsorship policies, at https://sites.google.com/view/nc-masters-doctoral-fair.

When you arrive on-site, you will need to check in with your school. Doors open at 12 pm. Please note that due to space limitations, no lunch or refreshments will be provided.

New event this year: “Behind the Scenes: Chat with HR”. Come early for the “Behind the Scenes: Chat with HR” at the NC Master’s & Doctoral Career Fair from 11-11:45 am (before the career fair begins at 12 pm) at the Friday Center. The conversation with HR representatives is an educational and interactive gathering that will allow a few registered students and postdocs to hear from employers who will share information about the various ATS systems and how they work, discovering trends in interviewing, and gaining general recommendations for the application and interview process. To register for the pre-session: https://sites.google.com/view/nc-masters-doctoral-fair/home/information-for-students-postdocs-alumni

For more information: https://sites.google.com/view/nc-masters-doctoral-fair/

Weds Dec 5, 12-1 pm

WHAT: A Career in Academia, Industry, and Government: Lunch and Learn with Michael Kurilla, MD, PhD ’85
WHERE: Carpenter Conference Room, Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library (rm 249)
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_40YOVHY1ncyXKNn

After receiving his MD-PhD at Duke, Michael Kurilla at first followed a traditional academic path, leveraging his research training in microbiology and his clinical training first as a pathology resident at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, followed by a postdoc at Harvard Medical School, then landing a position as faculty member in Pathology at the University of Virginia. After some time, he transitioned to industry, working first at DuPont and then at Wyeth. Finally, his career took him to the NIH (National Institutes of Health), where he soon became Director of the Office of Biodefense Research Affairs at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). In his current role at NIH he serves as Director for the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Division of Clinical Innovation, which manages the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program. He has also chaired the Scientific and Technical Advisory committee that advised the WHO (World Health Organization) on Ebola interventions.

Learn how Dr. Kurilla navigated the transitions between these sectors at this limited-enrollment lunch conversation.