Past Professional Development Workshops
Spring 2021
Thursday, April 22, 3-4pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Presenting Your Research Effectively: Tips from Research Days Award Winners
This panel features four 2021 Research Days video presentation competition Dean's Award winners: Lauren Ammerman (Biological Sciences), Madison Arcemont (Law), Robyn Pinilla (Education), and Tiffini Pruitt-Britton (Education). Panelists will take you through their award-winning presentations and explain the techniques and strategies they used to make their presentations effective. Register here.
Wednesday, April 7, 5-6pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Tips for Online Interviews
Nearly all job interviews now involve some level of online interaction. In this workshop, we’ll go over general interview prep, with information to help you be successful in online situations! Register here.
Thursday, March 4, 12-1pm CST, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
From CV to Resume
For careers in nonprofits, business/industry, government or education (non-tenure track), you will need a resume. If you have created an academic CV, this workshop will help you start the process of creating a resume to showcase your skills and experience. Register here.
Wednesday, February 17, 12-1pm CST, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Introduction to Research Data Management
With the increasing emphasis on data at the university level, and the growing importance of the need for students and researchers to be able to effectively manage their research data, it is imperative for all graduate students to have a basic understanding of data, and the resources the library has to support research data needs on campus. The following topics will be covered: What are research data? What is research data management? What services does the library provide? The seminar will also briefly address: What data storage options are available? Register here.
Thursday, January 21, 12-1pm CST, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Aurora Career Development Platform Info Session
This virtual info session about the Aurora career-development platform will be led by Beyond the Professoriate Founder, Maren Wood. The session will introduce you to the Aurora platform and help you to get the most out of it. This is an excellent way to get a head start on your career planning before the start of the spring term! Register here.
Fall 2020
Wednesday, September 16, 12-1pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Best Practices for Online Teaching
Join us by Zoom for a virtual brown bag session for graduate students with Adeline Tolliver, Senior Instructional Designer at the Center for Teaching Excellence. Many graduate students are currently engaged in online teaching, will be in future semesters, or may be embarking on careers involving online teaching. Dr. Tolliver will share information with you about best practices for online teaching, offer advice on issues and concerns related to online teaching, and answer questions you have about online teaching. Register here.
Wednesday, October 7, 12-1pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Application Required)
Technical Writing for Early Career Doctoral Students
Technical writing is unlike typical writing and can be a difficult skill to master. Join Drs. Carie King and Debra Burleson, experienced teachers of technical writing, to learn about this special skill. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to create better flow in paragraphs and to clarify the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) currently in coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Attendance is limited to 25. Application deadline: Sept. 30. Apply here.
Wednesday, October 14, 12-1pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Application Required)
Technical Writing for Later Career Doctoral Students
Technical writing is unlike typical writing and can be a difficult skill to master. Join Drs. Carie King and Debra Burleson, experienced teachers of technical writing, to learn about this special skill. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to create better flow in paragraphs and to clarify the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) finished with coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Attendance is limited to 25. Application deadline: Oct. 7. Apply here.
Friday, December 4, 12-1pm CDT, Zoom Meeting (Registration Required)
Career Exploration During the Break
Do the words chaos, unpredictability, resilience, and anxiety describe your fall semester? We thought so. Time for a brain-break! At this workshop, we’ll discuss small steps you could take during the winter break to think about and prepare for your career. We’ll look at resources and help you get started. Maybe you only want to do one thing career-related? You’ll have ideas to choose from! Or you’re graduating soon and need more intense guidance? You can use all the ideas! No matter where you are in your degree progress, you’ll find something of use here. This workshop will be led by Dr. Ruth Schemmer, Career Development Specialist. Registration is required. Register here.
Spring 2020
Thursday, January 23, 12-1pm CT, Huitt-Zollars Pavilion (Embrey Engineering Building 115)
Research Grant and Dissertation Completion Fellowship Application Information Session
Graduate student research grants provide essential funding for field and archival research. Dissertation completion fellowships provide essential funding for finishing the Ph.D. degree. Both are important qualifications for academic jobs. Join us as Rachel Ball-Phillips, Director of the National Student Fellowships and President's Scholars Programs, shares information and answers questions about the application process and selection criteria for research grants, including the Fulbright and Boren Fellowships, and dissertation completion fellowships from external funding organizations. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by following the link above.
Tuesday, February 11, 12-1pm, Fondren Library Red 109
Introduction to Research Data Management
With the increasing emphasis on data at the university level, and the growing importance of the need for students and researchers to be able to effectively manage their research data, it is imperative for all graduate students to have a basic understanding of Data, and the resources the library has to support research data needs on campus. The following topics will be covered:
Introduction to Research Data Management: What are research data? What is research data management? What services does the library provide?
Storage, Access, and Preservation: What data storage options are available?
Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by following the link above.
Monday, March 16-Friday, March 20, 8:30am-1:00pm, Fondren Library Red 323
Spring Break Dissertation Writing Workshop
Doctoral students in the dissertation writing phase of their degrees often struggle to maintain the steady progress in their writing necessary to complete a quality dissertation in the expected amount of time. This workshop will provide the dedicated writing time, accountability, advice, and support necessary for dissertating students to stay on track and complete a dissertation they are proud of within the time frame agreed upon with their committee. Participants are required to sign a letter of commitment stating their intention to attend the workshop for the full time every day. Coffee and light breakfast items will be provided. The daily schedule will be:
8:30-8:40am: share goals for the day with the group
8:40am-12:20pm: dedicated writing time with 10 minute breaks each hour
12:20-12:30pm: share progress for the day with the group
12:30-1:00pm: presentations on library research, dissertation formatting, etc., designed to help participants complete their dissertations
Applications will open in February. Space is limited.
Wednesday, April 15, 12-1pm, location TBD
Job Search Interview Skills and Language for International Students EVENT CANCELED
International graduate students, join Linda Evans from the ESL Office to learn more about what to expect in a job interview! Bring any questions you may have on the topic as well! Lunch will be provided.
Fall 2019
Tuesday, September 24, 12-1pm CT, Dr. Bob Smith Health Center Classroom 121
From TA to Faculty Teacher: Making the Leap
How can you make yourself competitive with teaching evidence? How can you show your instructional experience? In this session, featuring Adeline Tolliver, Instructional Designer at the Center for Teaching Excellence, participants will learn about the different strategies that can help them stand out when searching for a faculty position. Additionally, participants will learn how to draft a teaching philosophy that will help them stand out in their faculty search. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by clicking the link above.
Thursday, October 3, 12-1:30pm CT, Dr. Bob Smith Health Center Classroom 121
American English Pronunciation for International Students
Are you an international graduate student looking to refine your pronunciation of American English for your academics or as you go out on the job market? Join Linda Evans, Interim Director of SMU's English as a Second Language Program, for a workshop on taking your verbal skills to the next level. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by clicking the link above.
Thursday, October 10, 12-1pm CT, Hughes Trigg Student Center Atrium CD
Versatile Ph.D.: A Career-Building Tool for Graduate Students
Join Kristin Smart, Career Counselor at the Hegi Career Center, and Alan Itkin, Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, as we teach you how to use this powerful tool to develop your post-graduate school career and expand your career options. Versatile Ph.D. provides unique and instructive content, networks, job analytics, and readiness tools, to help you move into a career you want. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by clicking the link above.
Wednesday, October 23, 11am-12pm CT, Hughes Trigg Student Center Atrium CD
Career-Building with Versatile Ph.D.
Due to popular demand, we are offering this workshop for the second time this semester. Join Kristin Smart, Career Counselor at the Hegi Career Center, and Alan Itkin, Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies, as we teach you how to use this powerful tool to develop your post-graduate school career and expand your career options. Versatile Ph.D. provides unique and instructive content, networks, job analytics, and readiness tools, to help you move into a career you want. Coffee and pastries will be served. Please note: If possible, you should bring a laptop or other web-browsing device with you to the workshop. Before the workshop: Please follow the instructions here to log into Handshake and create an account on Versatile Ph.D.: https://www.smu.edu/graduate/CurrentStudents/VersatilePhD. This should take you about 10 minutes. Please RSVP by clicking the link above.
Friday, October 25, 12:00-1:00 pm CT, Hughes Trigg Student Center Atrium CD
Technical Writing for Doctoral Students (Early Career)
Technical writing is unlike typical writing, and this can be a difficult skill to master. Join Dr. Carie King, Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Rhetoric at UT Dallas, to learn about these special skills. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to allow the flow of narrative in paragraphs and to improve and follow the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) currently in coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Lunch will be served. Please register by clicking the link above. In addition to registering, you will be asked to submit a brief writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to smugrad@smu.edu.
Friday, November 8, 12:00-1:00 pm CT, Hughes Trigg Student Center Atrium CD
Technical Writing for Doctoral Students (Later Career)
Technical writing is unlike typical writing, and this can be a difficult skill to master. Join Dr. Carie King, Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Rhetoric at UT Dallas, to learn about these special skills. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to allow the flow of narrative in paragraphs and to improve and follow the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) finished with coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Lunch will be served. Please register by clicking the link above. In addition to registering, you will be asked to submit a brief writing sample (no more than 10 pages) to smugrad@smu.edu.
Thursday, November 14, 12-1:30pm CT, Dr. Bob Smith Health Center Classroom 121
Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication for International Students
As with verbal language, there are particular habits and styles that are common among Americans in body language and non-verbal communication. This workshop with Linda Evans, Interim Director of SMU's English as a Second Language program, helps international students become more familiar with American styles, and can help your prepare for presentations and interactions in the United States. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP by clicking the link above.
Spring 2019
Wednesday, February 6, 2019, 1:00 - 2:30 pm CT
Daily Writing for Academic Scientists and Engineers
Alice Pawley will be hosting this webinar for the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity. The webinar will explore experimenting with some new tools or ways of thinking about making daily writing work in a science or engineering context, including writing grant applications and reports.
Tuesday, April 9, 2019, 12:00-1:00 pm CT, Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall 208
Research Grant Application Information Session
Graduate student research grants provide essential funding for field and archival research and are an important qualification for academic jobs. Join us as Rachel Ball-Phillips, Director of the National Student Fellowships and President's Scholars Programs, shares information and answers questions about the application process and selection criteria for research grants, including the Fulbright and Boren Fellowships among others. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019, 12:00-1:00 pm CT, Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall 208
Dissertation Completion Fellowship Information Session
Dissertation completion fellowships provide essential funding for finishing the Ph.D. degree and are an important qualification for academic jobs. Join us as Rachel Ball-Phillips, Director of the National Student Fellowships and President's Scholars Programs, shares information and answers questions about the application process and selection criteria for dissertation completion fellowships offered by external funding organizations. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP.
Thursday, April 25, 2019, 12:00-1:00 pm CT, Hughes Trigg Student Center Atrium CD
Job Search Interview Skills and Language for International Students
International Grad Students, join Linda Evans from the ESL Office to learn more about what to expect in a job interview! Bring any questions you may have on the topic as well! Lunch will be provided. Please RSVP.
Thursday, May 2, 2019, 3:00-4:30 pm CT, Bob Smith Health Center Classroom 121
End-of-the-Semester Stress Buster
Graduate students, join Juli Hobdy, Ph.D. for an informative and practical session on stress management! The practical stress management session will be from 3-4PM followed by a Q&A from 4-4:30pm. Please RSVP.
Fall 2018
Tuesday, September 25, 2018, 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
American English Pronunciation for International Graduate Students
Are you an international graduate student looking to refine your pronunciation of American English for your academics or as you go out on the job market? Join Linda Evans from SMU's ESL office for a workshop on taking your verbal skills to the next level.
Wednesday, October 24, 2018, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm CT
Writing for a Broader Audience: How to Convey Complex Ideas in Clear, Accessible Prose
Sarah Grey will be hosting this webinar for the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity. This workshop helps researchers think about how to adapt their writing style from their specialized researcher into a book, magazine article, or essay. In the webinar, participants will learn about authorial voice and how to vary it; using basic principles of plain language without losing meaning; integrating creativity, humor, and passion into your writing; crediting sources without burdening the text; and avoiding common "academese" pitfalls.
Friday, October 26, 2018, 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
Technical Writing for Doctoral Students (early career)
Technical writing is unlike typical writing, and this can be a difficult skill to master. Join Dr. Carie King from UT Dallas to learn about these special skills. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to allow the flow of narrative in paragraphs and to improve and follow the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) currently in coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Eligible students, please email smugrad@smu.edu for a copy of the application. Applications are due October 12, 2018.
Monday, November 5, 2018, 1:00 - 2:30 pm CT
Networking for Introverts (and Extroverts, Too!): How to Make the Most of Your Next Conference
Robbie Samuels will be hosting this webinar for the the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity. Career progression often depends on fostering a strong and supportive professional network, but how do you make new connections? This webinar will help you learn how to be more strategic, effective, and inclusive while building great relationships.
Friday, November 9, 2018, 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
Technical Writing for Doctoral Students (later career)
Technical writing is unlike typical writing, and this can be a difficult skill to master. Join Dr. Carie King from UT Dallas to learn about these special skills. The workshop will cover citations, transitions between sentences to allow the flow of narrative in paragraphs and to improve and follow the writer's logic, and concision in sentence structure. To be eligible for this workshop, you must be (1) a doctoral student, (2) finished with coursework, and (3) in a field that uses technical writing. Eligible students, please email smugrad@smu.edu for a copy of the application. Applications are due October 12, 2018.
Wednesday, November 16, 2018, 12:00 - 1:00 pm CT
Body Language and Non-Verbal Communication for International Students
As with verbal language, there are particular habits and styles that are common among Americans in body language and non-verbal communication. This workshop with Linda Evans from the ESL Office helps international students become more familiar with American styles, and can help your prepare for presentations and interactions in the United States.