GRAD STUDENT WORKSHOP

10:30-11:30am
Building self-confidence
Cecilia Aragon (University of Washington)
Patty Lopez (Intel Corporation)
This session will address the confidence crisis that graduate students often face: how to recover from not doing as well as desired in a course, from not passing the PhD candidacy exams on your first try, from the feeling that you don’t know as much as your peers. The discussion will focus on issues and rewards of continuing towards your goals and milestones in grad school where persistence is needed.

 EARLY CAREER WORKSHOP

10:30-11:30am
The Tenure Process
Joan Francioni (Winona State University)
Julia Hirschberg (Columbia University)
This session will focus on the overall tenure process, i.e., research, teaching, service, expectations of department, annual reviews, letter writers, and the typical process. The session will also discuss the importance of understanding the local culture, and how networking and strategic collaborations can enhance impact and strengthen your case.  Lastly, the discussion will include what to do when things don’t go as planned.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

10:30-11:30am
Gaining Recognition
Mary Jane Irwin (Pennsylvania State University)
Deb Agrawal (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory)
Being known and gaining recognition for your accomplishments is key for career advancement. This session will discuss the different types of opportunities for recognition that exist for researchers (academia, national lab, or industry). The discussion will include strategies for gaining recognition for your accomplishments and for helping others to be recognized both within and outside your organization.

GRAD STUDENT WORKSHOP

12:00-1:00pm
Presentation and other verbal communication skills
Kathryn McKinley (Microsoft Research)
Susan Rodger (Duke University)
Explaining your ideas clearly and engagingly in formal presentations, small groups, and one on one is a skill set that will greatly benefit you, your relationships, and your entire career. We will give you tips on how to communicate better, using structure, motivation, and speaking techniques with a focus on formal presentations.

EARLY CAREER WORKSHOP

12:00-1:00pm
Advising/Supervising Students
Lori Pollock (University of Delaware)
Maria Gini (University of Minnesota)
This session will discuss successful strategies for advising and supervising graduate students in research, e.g.,  strategies for effective communication, creating a productive environment, guiding professional development, assisting students in defining and reaching their research goals, helping students handling doubts as well as over-confidence, and helping ensure their success. The session will also discuss promoting and managing research with undergraduates.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

12:00-1:00pm
Mid-Career/Senior Faculty Mentoring
Nancy Amato (Texas A&M)
Dilma Da Silva (Texas A&M)
This session will consist of small discussion tables for mid-career/senior academic mentoring. What do you need help on to advance to the next level? Mentors will be available to discuss several pre-planned topics (e.g., building collaborations, finding advocates/mentors, and leading new initiatives). In addition, the session will dynamically form mentoring tables on other topics of interest from attendees. Attendees will then head to local restaurant together for lunch and more discussion.

GRAD STUDENT WORKSHOP

2:15-3:15pm
Finding a Research Topic
AJ Brush (Microsoft)
Valerie Taylor (Texas A&M)
This session will focus on strategies for actively identifying a viable research topic for your dissertation. How to choose between several topics? What should you look for in a topic/advisor? How should your career plans influence your choice? The discussion will also describe the various aspects of a research topic, and how to set reasonable goals and milestones so that you can successfully finish in a reasonable time frame.

EARLY CAREER WORKSHOP

2:15-3:15pm
Effective Leadership
Carla Brodley (University of Northeastern)
Kathleen Fisher (Tufts University)
What is leadership? What does it take to become a leader? Why is it important to be a leader? What does it take to lead effectively? This session will cover strategies for building a long-term leadership role in your organization including communicating clearly, developing consensus, delegating, and recognizing others.  This workshop is relevant to both academia and industry.

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP

2:15-3:15pm
What’s Next? Career Success Post-Tenure
Mary Lou Soffa (University of Virginia)
Jan Cuny (National Science Foundation)
The goal of this session is to discuss “what’s next?” for mid-career/senior academics. What are the opportunities for faculty post-tenure? How can you prepare yourself for new opportunities? How do you know when it’s time to “re-pot” yourself? Session speakers and participants will discuss how to get a handle on thinking about the future and new opportunities for growth.

10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Searching for a job in industry, academia or government? Looking for an internship or research opportunity? Thinking about continuing your studies? If you answered yes to any of these questions, the interactive Student Opportunity Lab (SOL) might be the session for you. Mentors and speakers will hold brief sessions at their own tables. Navigate your own path through the tables featuring topics of interest to you.

CRA-W Tables:

• Undergraduate Research Topics
• How to Get Accepted to Graduate School
• What Happens in Graduate School
• Masters or Ph.D