Spring 2023

Duke's Springtime Traditions | Duke Today

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:

  1. Tell us about your background. What was your path to your current role?
  2. Can you tell us about your organization, and describe a typical day for a Ph.D.-level hire?
  3. What do you see as the value that doctoral training has added to your professional trajectory?
  4. Beyond strong research skills, what other skills, experience and/or training are important for success in your field?
  5. Are there any skills, training, or experiences you wish you’d had in graduate school to prepare you for your current career path?
  6. 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:

  1. Tell us about your background. What was your path to your current role?
  2. Can you tell us about your organization, and describe a typical day for a Ph.D.-level hire?
  3. What do you see as the value that doctoral training has added to your professional trajectory?
  4. Beyond strong research skills, what other skills, experience and/or training are important for success in your field?
  5. Are there any skills, training, or experiences you wish you’d had in graduate school to prepare you for your current career path?
  6. 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.

May 1-6

WHAT: Beyond the Professoriate 10th Annual Online Career Conference for PhDs
REGISTER: https://beyondprof.com/conference/
COST: Free for Duke Institutional Members (live + replay)

Over the past ten years, Beyond Prof’s annual online career conference has helped nearly 12,000 postdocs, grad students, and faculty build careers beyond the professoriate. This year’s conference continues our mission to empower PhDs to explore their career options and build meaningful careers. After years of being successful in academia, it can be daunting and overwhelming to launch a professional job search. Every one of our speakers has been where you are now, but they have successfully made the leap to industry and are thriving. They want to help you do the same.

Join us May 1-5 for workshops that will help you build a foundation for your job search strategy. On May 6, attend career panels that will help you learn about career options and what it takes to pursue a nonacademic career with a Humanities, Social Science, or STEM PhD.

Agenda:

  • Mon May 1, 12-1 pm:   What Employers Actually Value About Your Degree
  • Tues May 2, 12-1 pm:   How to Write a Résumé
  • Weds May 3, 12-1 pm:  How to Network When You Don’t Have a Network
  • Thurs May 4, 12-1 pm:  Using LinkedIn in Your Job Search
  • Fri May 5, 12-1 pm:   How to Find Jobs During Times of Mass Layoffs/Recessions
  • Sat May 6, 11-11:45 am:   Advice for Finding a Job as a Humanities PhD
  • Sat May 6, 12-12:45 pm:   Advice for Finding a Job as a Social Science PhD
  • Sat May 6, 1-1:45 pm:   Advice for Finding a Job as a Biological Life Science PhD
  • Sat May 6, 2-2:45 pm:   Advice for Finding a Job as a STEM PhD

Duke is an Institutional Member of Beyond the Professoriate, featuring information and strategies you need to confidently apply for faculty/academic jobs, or to build a nonacademic career. No matter what academic discipline you’re coming from – Humanities, Education, Social Sciences, STEM, or Biological Life Sciences – you’ll find information to help you prepare for your job search. Log in at https:/institutions.beyondprof.com/your-account/ to set up your Duke account.

May 16-25

WHAT: The SciPhD Business of Science Program
APPLY: https://gradschool.duke.edu/event/sciphd-business-science-program/ Application deadline: May 5, 11:59 pm.

The SciPhD Business of Science program is designed to offer in-depth, hands-on training and resources to identify and develop skills in communications, leadership, negotiations, team building, networking, and project management to prepare STEM trainees to launch their careers in industry. This program will be available to Duke trainees in May 2023 in a two-week virtual format. Due to limited capacity, priority enrollment will be offered to Duke Graduate School students (PhD and MS), Postdoctoral Associates and Postdoctoral Scholars.

Find a competitive advantage for interviewing and launching a career in industry through this program’s interactive, fun, and experiential practical learning. The SciPhD team has been training PhD students and postdocs in how to navigate getting their first job for over 10 years. The results:

  1. Participants typically get interviews from the first three jobs to which they apply
  2. Participants are successful at negotiating excellent compensation packages

The program will address these topics:

  • The kinds of jobs you can do with a PhD
  • The kinds of companies that value PhDs
  • How to match all your skills and accomplishments with specific job requirements
  • How to identify and articulate your competitive advantage
  • How to build your network to get your résumé to the right people
  • How to score big in your interview
  • How to negotiate the best possible compensation

Required session dates (all virtual):

  • Tuesday, May 16, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 18, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Tuesday, May 23, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Wednesday, May 24, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • Thursday, May 25, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
  • SciPhD alumni VIP Networking event on June 1, 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Recommended (optional): Participate in STEM PhD Careers Networking event in person at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center on the morning of Fri May 26 [see below]. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stem-networking-event-tickets-619977327877

Tues May 22, 2:00-2:30 pm

WHAT: Senior Leadership Insights: A Conversation with Heather Megosh, Ph.D., Global Director of Strategy and Operations, Social, Healthcare, and Public Entities Practice at McKinsey & Company
REGISTER: https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1zD0oQnW2SWbvIq 

Heather Megosh, Ph.D.’06 (Pharmacology) is Global Director of Strategy and Operations for the Social, Healthcare and Public Entities Practice at McKinsey & Company. This role builds on her 16 years of experience at McKinsey, first as a consultant and then as a manager in the Global Public Health, Social Innovation, and Pharmaceutical and Medical Products practices. Over the course of her career, she has served a mix of private, public and social sector clients on topics ranging from pharmaceutical R&D, portfolio and emerging market strategies; K-12 and higher education system transformation; and global public health policy and advocacy strategies to reduce health inequities. Dr. Megosh received her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Duke in 2006. Before coming to Duke, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Harvard University and worked for several years as a teacher and coach at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia, PA. (You can read her alum profile to learn more.)

Dr. Megosh will be joined in conversation by Dr. Brigid L. M. Hogan, Professor of Cell Biology and Pediatrics. The discussion will focus on six key questions:

  1. Tell us about your background. What was your path to your current role?
  2. Can you tell us about your organization, and describe a typical day for a Ph.D.-level hire?
  3. What do you see as the value that doctoral training has added to your professional trajectory?
  4. Beyond strong research skills, what other skills, experience and/or training are important for success in your field?
  5. Are there any skills, training, or experiences you wish you’d had in graduate school to prepare you for your current career path?
  6. What can students and postdocs who would like to work in this field (or explore it further) do to prepare?

Fri May 26, 8:30 am  – 12 pm

WHAT: Networking Event: Career Options for STEM PhDs
WHERE: NC Biotech Center, 15 TW Alexander Dr, RTP NC
REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stem-networking-event-tickets-619977327877
Registration is REQUIRED for admission. This event is NOT at Duke, but at the NC Biotech Center in RTP. Transportation to this event is not provided.
COST: $10

Want to build connections with the local biotech/pharma community and learn more about industry careers? Postdocs and graduate students are invited to attend a networking event at the NC Biotech Center. Guests will include local researchers, entrepreneurs, consultants, CEOs, venture capitalists, tech transfer specialists, and patent specialists from companies like Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Enzerna, Immunai, Incyclix Bio, Metabolon, MethodSense, Myers Bigel PA, Scion NeuroStim, and many others. This event is a networking and career education opportunity, not a job fair. You do not need to bring your CV. Professional attire is recommended.

Sponsored by Sigma Xi, Duke Office of Biomedical Graduate Education, Duke Graduate School, Duke Postdoctoral Services, UNC Office of Science, Training and Diversity, and the NC Biotech Center.

Thurs July 20, 12-1:30 pm

WHAT: Communicating Your Strengths: A CliftonStrengths Workshop
WHERE:  Conference Room 102, The Graduate School (2127 Campus Drive)
REGISTER: https://gradschool.duke.edu/event/communicating-your-strengths-cliftonstrengths-workshop-0/

How do you describe your five greatest strengths? How can you leverage this information to communicate your capabilities to colleagues and potential employers? Using the CliftonStrengths assessment, this workshop will help you explore a new way to talk about your skills. We will investigate strategies for communicating your strengths to others, the challenges that your strengths might pose for you, and ways you can use information about your strengths to thrive in a team setting. The online CliftonStrengths assessment is offered to all registered participants in this limited-enrollment workshop. Our facilitator is Melissa Bostrom, PhD, Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Professional Development.

Curious about the value of this workshop? Lucy Chikwetu, PhD student in Electrical & Computer Engineering, reflected on what she learned from a past workshop: “That experience gave me the language that I needed to articulate my strengths and identify how they’ve helped me succeed.”

Seats for this in-person workshop are very limited. All registrants must agree to complete the online assessment by Tues July 18  and to attend the 90-minute workshop on Thurs July 20. Registrants who complete the assessment but do not attend the workshop may be asked to reimburse The Graduate School for the cost of the assessment.