Professional and career development workshop series

In collaboration with the Graduate School and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Graduate Student Association is pleased to offer a series of seminars and workshops to help graduate students and postdoctoral fellows develop and enhance their professional skills to succeed in their current positions and future careers.

Registration is available a few weeks before each workshop. Note that some workshops will be held in person and others will be held virtually. Registration for all workshops is required in order to obtain the Zoom link to attend virtual workshops.

Fall 2026 workshop schedule coming soon!

Beyond Graduate School

Beyond Graduate School is a one-of-a-kind, online platform that helps master’s students make the most out of their investment and build their careers. From video lessons on career exploration, to writing application materials, to interviewing and negotiating for that next career step — Beyond Grad School helps master’s students through each stage of their job search.

When logging in, select University of Nevada, Reno and enter your NetID and password.

Log into Beyond Graduate School

Beyond the Professoriate

Beyond the Professoriate’s Career Training Platform is an online professional development tool where doctoral students and postdocs can explore career options and learn job search strategies. Through two programs of study (Academic Careers and Professional Careers), students and postdocs are empowered to make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies from other Ph.D.s.

When logging in, select University of Nevada, Reno and enter your NetID and password.

Log into Beyond the Professoriate

All workshops

  • 9/2/2026: How to Use the PhD Career Training Platform in Your Job Search
    • Date and time: Wednesday, September 2, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Platform: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how to use the PhD Career Training Platform to organize an academic or nonacademic job search, explore career options, build a network, and plan strategic next steps.

  • 9/2/2026: How Master's Students Can Make the Most of Career Fairs
    • Date and time: Wednesday, September 2, 2026; 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how to prepare for career fairs, set realistic goals, connect with employers, and use the experience as part of a broader job search strategy.

  • 9/3/2026: Navigating the Job Market in Higher Education
    • Date/Time: Thursday, September 3, 2026, 4-5 p.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Nicholas Murray PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Neuromechanics Lab, University of Nevada, Reno

    Register for the workshop

    1) Attendees should be able to identify the job type (i.e, teaching, research, administrative)

    2) Attendees should be able to understand the timeline of an academic search

    3) Attendees should be able to understand the expectations of an academic search

    LinkedIn Skills Endorsed: Job Market Research

  • 9/10/2026: Preparing Academic Job Application Cover Letters and Personal Statements
    • Date and time: Tuesday, September 10, 2026; 4-5 p.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Maureen McBride PhD, Executive Director of Academic Support and Student Learning

    Register for the workshop

    Attendees should be able to learn effective strategies for reading job descriptions and develop strategies for creating job application materials that are competitive.

    LinkedIn Skills Endorsed: Professional Writing, Professional Presentation

  • 9/14/2026 - 9/18/2026: Don't Wait: What New Master's Students Need to Know About Finding a Job
    • Date and time: Monday, September 14 through Friday September 18, 2026; 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Build a practical job-search plan before you begin applying, with guidance on common mistakes, recruiters, networking, resumes, and considerations for international students.

    • September 14: Three mistakes master's students must avoid in their job search
    • September 15: The role of recruiters in the hiring process
    • September 16: How to build a network when you don't have one
    • September 17: Strategic resume writing for master's students
    • September 18: Career advice for international students job searching in the US
  • 9/16/2026: Is a Faculty Job Right for You?
    • Date and time: Wednesday, September 16, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Consider the factors that shape whether a faculty career fits your goals, values, and circumstances, while exploring options both within and beyond the tenure-track path.

  • 9/17/2026: Writing Research Statements for an Academic Job Application
    • Date and time: Tuesday, September 17, 2026; 12-1 p.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Dennis Mathew, Ph.D., Professor and Associate Biology Department Chair, Department of Biology; Bridget Walsh, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Human Development, Family Science, and Counseling

    Register for the workshop

    The research statement is an opportunity to demonstrate your scholarly identity, communicate the significance of your research, and show how your work aligns with an institution's mission and priorities. Whether you are preparing for an academic job search or refining an existing research statement, this interactive workshop will provide practical guidance for developing a compelling, targeted statement that strengthens your application materials. Presenters will draw on their experiences writing research statements and evaluating candidates as members of faculty search committees, and attendees will have opportunities to ask questions relevant to their own disciplines.

    • Construct a coherent research narrative that connects prior work to an independent, feasible, and forward-looking research agenda.
    • Develop strategies for tailoring a research statement to align with institutional priorities, departmental needs, and faculty expertise.
    • Evaluate and refine a research statement to more effectively communicate scholarly identity, research impact, and future research goals.

    LinkedIn Skills Endorsed: Academic Writing, Strategic Communication, Professional Fit

  • 9/22/2026: Writing Teaching Statements for an Academic Job Application
    • Date and time: Tuesday, September 22, 2026; 12-1 p.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Elisabeth Miller PhD, Associate Professor of English and Director, Writing and Speaking in the Disciplines Program, University of Nevada, Reno

    Register for the workshop

    Attendees should be able to:

    • Identify strategies for writing a teaching statement/philosophy for the academic job market
    • Gather tips for drafting compelling teaching statements that highlight your experience and strengths as a teacher

    LinkedIn Skills Endorsed: Personal Branding, Professional Writing

  • 10/6/2026: How to Find Scholarships Workshop
    • Date and time: Tuesday, October 6, 2026; 12-1 p.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Loren Pietsch, Director, Postdoctoral Affairs, Graduate Recruitment, and Diversity Initiatives Graduate School

    Register for the workshop

    This workshop will equip graduate students at all levels with specialized tools, strategies and practical tips to successfully locate and apply for scholarships. We'll also discuss how to leverage AI to find scholarships specific to your field, background and identity and degree level.

  • 10/7/2026: The Key Difference Between Academic and Nonacademic Hiring — and What It Means for Your Job Search
    • Date and time: Wednesday, October 7, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Compare what academic and nonacademic employers value in PhD candidates and learn how those differences should shape your job-search strategy and career focus.

  • 10/7/2026: AI Skills Employers are Looking For in Master's Students
    • Date and time: Wednesday, October 7, 2026; 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Explore the AI literacy employers expect from master’s graduates, including responsible use, critical evaluation of AI outputs, and ways to communicate these skills in interviews.

  • 10/21/2026: Going Beyond Subject Matter: How to Identify Skills Employers Want
    • Date and time: Wednesday, October 21, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Identify the transferable skills developed through graduate training and learn how to communicate their value to nonacademic employers in application materials and interviews.

  • 10/21/2026: Three Mistakes Master's Students Make on LinkedIn
    • Date and time: Wednesday, October 21, 2026; 11 -11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how to avoid common LinkedIn mistakes, strengthen professional outreach, and use the platform more effectively to build connections and advance your job search.

  • 11/4/2026: How to Research Career Options in Industry
    • Date and time: Wednesday, November 4, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers:Beyond the Professoriate; sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Learn a practical framework for identifying and researching nonacademic career paths that align with your skills, values, background and professional goals.

  • 11/4/2026: How to Stand Out in an AI-driven Job Market
    • Date and time: Wednesday, November 4, 2026; 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how to differentiate yourself in a competitive, AI-influenced job market by using a personalized search strategy while incorporating AI thoughtfully without losing your voice.

  • 11/18/2026: Building a Network to Help You in Academia and Beyond
    • Date and time: Wednesday, November 18, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speaker: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID 

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how to begin and grow a professional network that supports career exploration, mentorship and opportunities in both academic and nonacademic settings.

  • 11/18/2026: What International Students Need to Know About Job Searching in Canada and the US
    • Date and time: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Review key considerations for international master’s students seeking work in Canada or the United States, including work authorization timelines and early job-search preparation.

  • 12/7/2026 - 12/10/2026: How to Decide Between an Academic and Nonacademic Career
    • Date and time: Monday - Thursday, December 7-10, 2026; 9-9:45 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Beyond the Professoriate - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Use guided reflection and practical decision tools to compare academic and nonacademic career paths based on your values, marketable skills, network, and personal priorities. Prerecorded: How to decide and what you will need to consider:

    • December 7: How to identify your values
    • December 8: How to identify your most marketable skills
    • December 9: How to build your network using on-campus resources
    • December 10: Practical considerations and your decision rubric
  • 12/14/2026 - 12/17/2026: Your Next Career Move: Strategies for Career Changers and Career Advancers
    • Date and time: Monday - Thursday, December 14 - 17, 2026; 11-11:30 a.m. PST
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Beyond Graduate School - Sign in using the link below, choose UNR, log in using your NetID

    Register for the workshop

    Designed for experienced master’s students, this series offers strategies for using your degree to change career fields or move into a more senior role, with an emphasis on networking and positioning your experience.

    • December 14: How to Use Your Master's Degree to Successfully Move Into a New Career Field
    • December 15: How to Build a Professional Network in a Field Where You Have No Connections
    • December 16: How to Use Your Master's Degree to Get a Promotion or a More Senior Role
    • December 17: How to Build and Use Your Network to Find Better Career Opportunities