The 2015-16 Careers Beyond Academia Series is co-sponsored by the Office of Postdoctoral Services, The Graduate School, and the Career Center.
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- Science and Engineering Seminars
- Humanities and Social Sciences Seminars
- Seminars for All Postdocs and Graduate Students
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Science and Engineering Seminars
Tues Jan 19, 11:30-12:30 pm
WHAT: An Engineering PhD’s Career Path in Venture Capital
WHERE: Perkins Library rm 218
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Venture
Join us for an informal conversation and networking lunch with Duke PhD Mudit K. Jain. Learn how he launched a successful career in venture capital through his PhD in Biomedical Engineering. Mudit is a Managing Director at Synergy Life Science Partners, and brings nearly two decades of experience in various functional roles including research, product development, business development, M&A, and venture capital. Mudit’s career has been focused on identifying, developing, and investing in new medical device technologies serving large unmet clinical needs. Most recently, Mudit was with Johnson and Johnson Development Corporation (JJDC) as part of their management team and focused on all aspects of medical device venture investments.
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Thurs Jan 21, 4:30-5:30 pm
WHAT: Life Sciences Consulting for PhDs
WHERE: Rm 147 Nanaline Duke (ground floor auditorium)
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/jknyddc
Consulting is an exciting career option for PhDs who are interested in leveraging their problem solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and knowledge to solve critical business problems.
The Duke University Postdoctoral Association invites you to an informational networking event with life sciences consultants (with a PhD degree) from Triangle Insights Group (TIG). TIG is a fast-growing strategy consulting firm located in Durham, NC that provides guidance on critical business issues to leaders in life sciences organizations.
The session will include a brief company presentation on the nature of work, roles and recruitment for PhDs, as well as a general discussion on the PhD-to-consulting transition, transferable skills, and preparation for interviews, including life science case studies.
Sponsored by the Duke University Postdoc Association (DUPA). Questions? Contact chintan.oza@duke.edu.
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Thurs Jan 28, 9:30-10:30 am
WHAT: Whitsell Innovations Medical Writing Internship Session: “Scope of Medical Communications”
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Whitsell
Whitsell Innovations (WI) Inc is a certified woman-owned, full-service medical and scientific writing company headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC. Robin Whitsell, Founder and President of WI, will be hosting an informational session entitled “Scope of Medical Communications.” This presentation will provide an overview of medical-writing careers and discuss the WI Internship Program, an 18-month, part-time, paid internship available to postdoctoral researchers in the life sciences who are interested in medical, scientific, and technical writing.
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Mon Feb 22 through Fri Feb 26
WHAT: Webinar: Careers in Software Engineering for STEM PhDs
WHERE: Online at Versatile PhD
REGISTER: No registration required; more information at http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Software
Software Development is a well-known non-academic path for STEM PhDs, especially those in Computer Science and Software Engineering, but there is much to learn from the on-the-ground experiences of PhDs actually in that field. This discussion will feature STEM PhDs who have become software developers in a variety of different settings. Panelists introduce themselves on Monday and take questions all week. You can interact with panelists through the discussion forum or follow the conversation via email. All questions welcome, from the most general to the very specific.
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Weds Apr 6, 9:30-11 am
WHAT: “Speaking about Science” with Scott Morgan
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Science
In evaluations, postdocs say that this workshop is one of the most useful they have ever attended! This interactive seminar addresses the main issues of good scientific presentations. The core of the workshop is a 7-step preparation process that will help you deliver a clear and engaging talk for a variety of audiences. Topics include:
1) Identifying the theme and focus,
2) How to create effective visual aids, and
3) How to begin and end a talk.
SPEAKER: Scott Morgan has been teaching presentation skills for over 10 years to a variety of clients including the National Institutes of Health, Merck, NASA, and universities including Cornell, Maryland, Minnesota, and UNC-Chapel Hill. He co-authored the book “Speaking about Science”, published by Cambridge University Press (2006).
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Tues Apr 19, 9:30-11 am
WHAT: Careers in Research, Writing and Technology Development at Affinergy
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Affinergy
Do you want to use your doctoral training to spark translation of original research into new technology? Perhaps you enjoy thinking critically about science and research, but the thrill of bench work has faded? Affinergy, LLC (http://www.affinergy.com) has exciting opportunities for PhD researchers to remain actively engaged in groundbreaking original research with our team of enthusiastic and collaborative scientists. Affinergy, located in RTP NC, is developing cutting edge assays and research tools that will lead to improved scientific and diagnostic outcomes. Come to this info session to learn more about what PhD scientists at Affinergy do, and about job opportunities open to PhDs. A light breakfast and coffee will be provided.
AGENDA:
- 9:30-10:30 am: Panel discussion on PhD career paths and Affinergy hiring process
- 10:30-11 am: Networking and one-on-one discussion with speakers
SPEAKERS:
- Lindsay Marjoram, PhD, Grant Writer, Affinergy
- Martyn Darby, PhD, Director of Research, Affinergy
- Emily Vaughan, PhD, Senior Scientist, Biology
- Matt Axtman, MS, Chemist
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Fri Apr 22 , 11:30-1 pm
WHAT: Graduate Student/Postdoc Talk: “What Do I Want to Be with My PhD?”
WHERE: Rubenstein Library 153
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016DrGibbs
Research confirms that interest in faculty careers decreases as biomedical sciences graduate training progresses; however, the process through which career interest develops is poorly defined in the research. To better understand this process and whether/how it differs across social identity (i.e., race, ethnicity, and gender), Dr. Gibbs and his colleagues conducted focus groups with recent PhD graduates in the biomedical sciences, including doctoral degree-holders from both well-represented groups and underrepresented groups. In this talk, Dr. Gibbs will address key points from these focus groups, in order to demystify the complex process of choosing a career after graduating with a PhD.
SPEAKER: Kenneth (Kenny) Gibbs, Jr., PhD, is a program analyst in the Office of Program Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (OPAE) at the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). In this role, Dr. Gibbs utilizes his experience as a bench scientist and in science policy to lead evaluation and innovation efforts of NIGMS Training, Workforce Development and Workforce Diversity programs, and to develop and support trans-NIH strategic and programmatic evaluative efforts.
Lunch will be served; please bring your own beverage to enjoy.
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Humanities and Social Sciences Seminars
Fri Jan 15, 11-12:30 pm
WHAT: Careers Beyond Academia for Humanities & Social Sciences PhDs
WHERE: Perkins Library rm 217
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Beyond
Interested in keeping your post-graduate options open? What career options are available beyond academia? Are you applying for jobs but just don’t know where to start? Come join Career Center staff and your fellow graduate students as we explore the many career options beyond academia available to Humanities and Social Science graduate students. We will discuss resumes, networking, online resources, transferable skills and much more. Get informed, get connected and get prepared to find the job that is right for you.
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Mon Jan 25 through Fri Jan 29
WHAT: Webinar: Careers in Business for Humanities and Social Sciences PhDs
WHERE: Online at Versatile PhD
REGISTER: No registration required; more information at http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016VersatilePhD
In this free online panel discussion, several humanities or social science PhDs currently working in Communications, Sales Strategy, Learning & Development, and Business Development will answer your questions. They work in a wide variety of large businesses; some are relatively new to business while others have been advancing for a long time. All are satisfied by their careers and look forward to telling their stories and answering your questions. Panelists introduce themselves on Monday and take questions all week. You can interact with panelists through the discussion forum or follow the conversation via email. All questions welcome, from the most general to the very specific.
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Mon Mar 14 through Fri Mar 18
WHAT: Webinar: Careers in Technical Writing for Humanities and Social Sciences PhDs
WHERE: Online at Versatile PhD
REGISTER: No registration required; more information at http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016TechWriting
Technical writing offers a nice way for those with humanities and social science doctorates to use their writing and research skills toward the very practical end of clarifying complex topics for others. Technical writers reduce stress in the world by first understanding, then helping others understand. In this free online panel discussion, several humanities or social science PhDs working in technical writing answer your questions. Panelists introduce themselves on Monday and take questions all week. You can interact with panelists through the discussion forum or follow the conversation via email. All questions welcome, from the most general to the very specific.
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Seminars for All Postdocs and Graduate Students
Tues Jan 19, 12:30-1:30 pm
WHAT: Resume Workshop for Graduate Students & Postdocs
WHERE: Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105 “Garage”
What are the essential accomplishments to include in a resume? How do you identify the relevant qualifications that highlight the best of what you have to offer? Attend this Career Center workshop to learn about constructing a focused, tailored document that creates a compelling depiction of your significant skills and experiences. You’ll discover the differences between a resume and CV while gaining knowledge about how to demonstrate a strong professional presence. Postdocs are welcome to attend this event; no need to register in advance.
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Tues Feb 2, 11-12:30 pm
WHAT: Cover Letter Workshop for Graduate Students & Postdocs
WHERE: Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105 “Garage” (repeats Weds Mar 9, 10-11:30 am, at Rubenstein Library Carpenter Conference Room 249)
According to employers, job applicants who write persuasive cover letters can surge ahead in the competition for interviews. Cover letters are your opportunity to expand on the information in your resume, tell your story for an employer in a way that makes it explicit how and why you would add value to their organization, and illustrate your communication and persuasion skills all at once. In this Career Center workshop you will learn a powerful structure for your cover letters and how to make explicit the fit between what you bring and what the employer wants. Postdocs are welcome to attend this event; no need to register in advance.
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Tues Feb 16, 11-12:30 pm
WHAT: Job Search Workshop for Graduate Students & Postdocs
WHERE: Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105 “Garage” (repeats Weds Mar 23, 10-11:30 am, at Rubenstein Library Carpenter Conference Room 249)
Make the most of your time and energy when searching for a job. Join the Duke Career Center staff to 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. Postdocs are welcome to attend this event; no need to register in advance.
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Tues Feb 23, 11-12:30 pm
WHAT: Networking Workshop for Graduate Students & Postdocs
WHERE: Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105 “Garage”
Join the Duke Career Center staff to learn ways to build mutually beneficial professional relationships, including tips for creating conversation with people you don’t yet know, networking norms and strategies, and effective ways to follow up to sustain those relationships. Postdocs are welcome to attend this event; no need to register in advance.
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Thurs Apr 7, 9:30-11 am
WHAT: “Interviewing Skills” with Scott Morgan
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Interviewing
This workshop will help you make a strong impression during a job interview. It focuses on how to give specific, compelling answers to common interview questions. The seminar will also teach you how to answer difficult questions, how to behave during an interview, and how to follow up after the interview.
SPEAKER: Scott Morgan has been teaching presentation skills for over 15 years to a variety of clients including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Merck, NASA, and universities including Cornell, Maryland, Minnesota, OSU, and UNC-Chapel Hill. He co-authored the book “Speaking about Science”, published by Cambridge University Press (2006).
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Tues Apr 12, 10-11 am
WHAT: “Leaving the Ivory Tower: Managing the Emotional Side of Career Change” with Dara Wilson Grant
WHERE: Rm 143 Jones Bldg
REGISTER: http://tinyurl.com/Spring2016Ivory
A large part of how we define ourselves and how others define us is based on what we do for a living – our professional identity. But what happens when we are no longer a [fill in the blank]? How do we deal with the loss of self, the loss of professional status, the loss of affiliation with an elite group that we’ve been aligned with as long as we can remember?
The overall loss of identity that we feel when we decide to leave academia is comparable to healing after the loss of a loved one or after the breakup of a long-term, and possibly dysfunctional, relationship. Letting go can be difficult, but we have to let go and give ourselves permission to grieve before reaching a point where we are ready to commit to making a career change.
In this informative session, participants will learn about the emotional obstacles that can keep us stuck in an academic career path that is no longer fulfilling. Participants will also learn how former postdocs and graduate students found the courage to follow a more rewarding career path.
SPEAKER: Dara Wilson-Grant, LPC, Associate Director, UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
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