Grace Hopper Celebration (GHC) Returning Scholars Program
PLEASE NOTE: This program has been retired and will no longer accept submissions.
The objective of the GHC Returning Scholars program is to increase the number of women in research-focused careers.
The program provides talks, mentors, and role models for industry professionals interested in a research-focused career change.
Professionals in the computing industry are constantly learning, growing, and refocusing. This program meets industry professionals where many of them gather — at GHC — to provide programming and mentoring for those interested in returning to graduate school and to research.
CRA-WP will present talks, such as “I’m a Student Again: Heading to Graduate School after a Break”, that are open to all GHC attendees, as well as mentoring circles on topics such as “How to Successfully Apply to Graduate School.”
Additionally, this program includes a lunchtime mentoring event, where industry professionals can connect with mentors.
Check out our full list of Resources
Recommended Sessions for at 2019 GHC:
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Time: 11:30 AM – 12:40 PM & 1:00 – 2:15 PM | Location: OCCC WF2
Mentoring Circles
Before you meet with organizations in the Expo Hall, be sure to attend this interactive mentoring session, where you’ll receive great tips on job searching, interviews, and furthering your career. Each of the 50 tables is hosted by a mentor focusing on a particular topic. Attendees choose a topic and chat with a mentor for 20 min. Every 20 min, attendees switch tables and chat with another mentor.
Mentors: Deb Agarwal (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory), Nancy Amato (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
What does a research career in computing look like? What are the options in academia? Industry? government? What can you do to best prepare yourself for one of these careers? How do you successfully apply for them? Come chat with researchers in academia, industry, and government about these questions and more.
Mentors: Susan Rodger (Duke University), Yerika Jimenez (University of Florida)
Is graduate school in computer science and engineering for you? What benefits do you get once you have a graduate degree? Come chat with students and professionals from industry and academia who will help you understand what it’s like to be in graduate school, and the options you’ll have when you finish. Bring your questions.
Mentors: Maria Gini (University of Minnesota), Ming Lin (University of Maryland at College Park)
How do you choose the right graduate school for you? Is there anything you can do during college to improve your chances of being admitted? What if you’ve been out of school and working for a while? How do you apply? What is the time line? What about letters of recommendation? Funding? Come talk with professors about how to apply successfully to graduate school.
Mentors: Ayanna Howard (Georgia Institute of Technology), Maria Jump (Northeastern University)
You are well on your way to earning a bachelor’s degree (congratulations!). What’s next? Should you consider graduate school? a full-time job? What are the pros and cons of these career decisions, and how can you set yourself up to be successful post-bachelor’s? Come chat with professionals about the types of doors that are open with a bachelor’s degree in computing. Bring your questions.
Mentors: Bushra Anjum (Doximity), Diane Woodbridge (Data Science, University of San Francisco)
Considering either a Master’s or Ph.D.? Not sure about the difference? Come chat about the main differences in career options and in graduate studies between a Master’s and Ph.D. degree. Topics include realistic goals and expectations for each degree and various strategies for deciding which degree to pursue. Bring your questions.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Time: 11:30 AM-12:30 PM | Location: OCCC W307D | Speakers: Claudia Roberts, Anna Gommerstadt
I’m a Student Again: Heading to Graduate School after a Break
Considering graduate school after some time working? Already back in school? This session will cover how to position yourself to apply to graduate school, the differences between professional masters and Ph.D. programs, and tips for being successful in graduate school. We’ll have plenty of time for questions, so bring yours.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Time: 1:00-2:00 PM | Location: OCCC W307D | Speakers: James Mickens, Kristin Stephens-Martinez
It’s a Marathon, not a Sprint: Balancing Work and Life in Grad School and Beyond
Feeling overwhelmed? We’ll discuss strategies for maintaining balance in your life during graduate school and your career. Topics include achieving personal satisfaction in your career and family life, balancing your TA duties, courses, and research, and decision-making strategies when career and family priorities seem to collide. Plus time for self-reflection and questions, so bring yours.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Time: 2:30 – 3:30PM | Location: OCCC W307D | Speakers: Ming Lin, Jaime Moreno
Sponsors & Mentors: Building Your Academic Professional Network
Effective networking is a very powerful tools in advancing your professional career. This skill can connect you to your community in meaningful ways, land you a dream job and help you score awards or promotions. Join us to learn how to present yourself and your ideas in a concise and appealing way, as well as how to deliberately build and nurture your professional network of sponsors and mentors.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
9:45-10:45 AM | Location: OCCC W308D | Speakers: Deb Agarwal, Stefanie Mueller, Raquel Romano
Finding Your Dream Job with a Ph.D.
Curious about the range of post-Ph.D. career options including academia and industry? Join us for a panel session with speakers who will give you a sense of the wide range of job options from working at a company to teaching. This session is aimed at late stage graduate students and post-docs. We’ll have practical advice on how to apply for jobs, interview and negotiate.
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Time: 4:00-5:00 PM | Location: OCCC W308D | Speakers: Andrea Danyluk, Ayanna Howard
Building Your Professional Persona
Social media, oh my! This session addresses the dos and don’ts of building a professional image. Topics will include web presence (personal pages and social media), social media postings, dissemination of technical contributions, and professional ethics.
