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 approximately two weeks before each workshop. Note that some workshops will be held in person and others will be held virtually via Zoom. Registration for all workshops is required in order to obtain the Zoom link to attend virtual workshops. Virtual workshops will be recorded and a link made available if permitted by the presenter(s).

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 PhDs.

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

Log into Beyond the Professoriate

Featured workshops

Thesis/Dissertation Workshops

Ignite your thesis or dissertation journey with this four-part workshop series! Whether you're starting, in the middle or finishing, this series is your key to success. Enhance your research and writing skills with experts exploring research questions, citation managers, data management and writing excellence throughout this series.

Look below for upcoming thesis/dissertation workshops.

Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Workshops

Enhance your ability to communicate complex research effectively with this series. Learn about visual storytelling, communication best practices and elevator pitches. This series will prepare participants to compete in the 3MT competition in March. Even if participants do not intend to compete, this series will teach lifelong communication skills and how to share research with a broader community. 

Look below for upcoming 3MT workshops.

All workshops

Virtual workshops are recorded and can be requested by emailing lpietsch@unr.edu.

  • 1/25/24: TA Training Part 2
    • Date and time: Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 12-1 p.m. 
    • Location: Virtual
    • Speakers: Sarah Cummings: Director, Advancements in Teaching Excellence

    Register for the workshop

    Understanding how people learn can help us to design and facilitate more effective learning experiences. In this session, we will introduce the science of learning and memory and explore teaching strategies connected to learning theories.

  • 1/29/24: Maximizing your success at career fairs: tips and strategies for effective preparation
    • Date and time: Monday, January 29, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU, Graduate Student Lounge (301)
    • Speakers: Emily Smith: Graduate Career Mentor, Nevada Career Studio

    Register for the workshop

    Career fairs are excellent opportunities to explore various career options and connect with potential employers. However, attending these events can be overwhelming and challenging, especially if you are not well-prepared. To maximize your success at career fairs, it is essential to have a clear strategy in place. This workshop offers attendees tips for effective preparation, and strategies for increasing their chances of making valuable connections and landing their dream job.

  • 1/30/24: Salary negotiation for industry jobs
    • Date and time: Tuesday, January 30, 2024; 12p.m.-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU 301
    • Speakers: Jim McClenahan, Executive Director, Outreach and Engagement, College of Business

    Register for the workshop

    Want to be compensated fairly for your skills and experience in your industry job? Join our workshop on Salary Negotiation for Industry Jobs and learn how to confidently negotiate for the compensation you deserve. In this interactive and informative session, you'll learn how to research industry standards, effectively communicate your value, and negotiate a salary package that aligns with your professional goals. Don't settle for less than you're worth – register for our Salary Negotiation for Industry Jobs workshop today!

  • 2/6/24: 3MT Edition 1: Visual storytelling & research communication
    • Date and time: Tuesday, February 6, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU, Graduate Student Lounge (301)
    • Speakers: Robert Eugene del Carlo: Post-Doctoral Fellow in Matocq Evolutionary Genetics Lab (Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science), Instructor for McNair Scholars & Biotechnology Program

    Register for the workshop

    Tell me your thesis without telling me your thesis: In the context of preparing graduate students to succeed in the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, this workshop will explain the best practices of visual communication, including color theory, implicit shape associations, spacing and symmetry, and just the right amount of data and information. Attendees will learn how to design slides elegantly and informatively without overwhelming their audience. Learning to deliberately incorporate elements of visual storytelling that facilitate the audience's understanding of a static image is not only essential for success in the 3MT competition but is increasingly important with the rise of graphical abstracts for peer-reviewed papers and is a transferrable skill for all jobs requiring graduate education. The first half of the workshop will explain the visual techniques that will give your presentations an advantage while the second half will be an opportunity to sketch out ideas and get feedback.

  • 2/9/24: Manuscript accepted!
    • Date and time: Friday, February 9, 2024; 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m.
    • Location: Knowledge Center
    • Speakers: Libraries/ GSA coordinated event

    Register for the Manuscrupt accepted! workshop

    Manuscript Accepted! Is a one-day, free symposium on scholarly publishing. This event is sponsored by the University Libraries and Graduate Student Association and will be held at the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge center. This event is open to all graduate students, postdocs, and early-career faculty who will learn from experienced UNR faculty about how to get published. Participants will also learn how to work with co-authors, how to choose a journal, how to build their scholarly profile, how copyright can affect their publishing career, and tips on writing an article.

  • 2/13/24: 3MT Edition 2: Speak with intention: Best practices of research communication
    • Date and time: Tuesday, February 13, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU, Graduate Student Lounge (301)
    • Speakers: Robert Eugene del Carlo: Post-Doctoral Fellow in Matocq Evolutionary Genetics Lab (Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Science), Instructor for McNair Scholars & Biotechnology Program

    Register for the workshop

    Explaining science is difficult: Let storytelling do the heavy lifting for you. To prepare for the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, learn how to leverage the human brain's proclivity to accept information in increments, accented with elements of humor, fun, emotion, and drama. Attendees will receive crucial tips & tricks for science communication that are often left out of typical graduate education. Attendees will learn how to deliberately build a story out of their research to gain an advantage for speaking effectively and memorably. The workshop will demonstrate how research can be communicated using the tried-and-true story arc formula and how your research topic, from history and language to galaxies and molecules, can become effective, engaging characters that support the real star of the show: you. The workshop will conclude with speech memorization and public speaking tips backed by neuroscience and psychology so that you rarely lose your train of thought and know how to pick up where you left off if you do get off course. Research communication is a necessary skill for success in competitions, at conferences, as a lecturer, and as a research collaborator. Learn how to tell your story like a professional and enjoy a lifetime of more meaningful connections to your audiences.

  • 2/20/24: Elevator pitch
    • Date and time: Tuesday, February 20, 2024; 12-1 p.m. 
    • Location: JCSU 356
    • Speaker: Maureen McBride, Director, University Writing Center

    Register for the workshop

    Whether you're a job seeker, participating in 3MT, or simply looking to improve your communication skills, mastering the elevator pitch is essential. In this workshop, you'll learn how to craft a concise, persuasive message that captures your unique value proposition and grabs your audience's attention. From identifying your target audience to honing your delivery, we'll cover all the key elements of a successful elevator pitch. Don't miss out on this opportunity to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression on anyone you meet.

  • 2/21/24: Research in the Age of AI: Tools, Tricks and Hands-on Thrills
    • Date and time: Wednesday, February 21, 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: MIKC 221
    • Speaker: Teresa Schultz, Health Sciences Librarian and Assistant Professor; Ann Medaille, Professor, Director of Research and Instructional Services

    Register for the workshop

    Explore the intersection of AI and research in our workshop! If you're unsure about incorporating AI into your research, join us to discover the strengths and limitations of AI tools. Learn how to evaluate AI-generated content and understand ownership issues. This hands-on workshop provides valuable insights and practical experience with AI tools. Don't miss the chance to enhance your research capabilities in the age of AI! Please bring a laptop, tablet or cell phone so you can take part in trying out some of the tools.

  • 2/27/24: Building/updating your LinkedIn profile
    • Date and time: Tuesday, February 27, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU, Graduate Student Lounge (301)
    • Speakers:  Sadikshya Parajuli, Graduate Career Mentor, Nevada Career Studio

    Register for the workshop

    In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial for career success. LinkedIn is a powerful tool to help you build your professional network, showcase your skills and experience, and find job opportunities. However, creating a compelling profile that stands out can be challenging. This workshop provides practical tips and best practices for building or updating your LinkedIn profile. With these tips, attendees can create a strong online presence that helps them achieve their career goals.

  • 2/28/24: Self-Care in Graduate School: Pearls of Wisdom for Maintaining Work-Life Balance
    • Date and time: Wednesday, February 28, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU, Graduate Student Lounge (301)
    • Speakers: Micheal Pauldine, Licensed Psychologist, Assessment Coordinator, Counseling Services

    Join us for an informative workshop on self-care during graduate school where we will share valuable insights on maintaining work-life balance. Our session will explore various aspects of self-care, including mindfulness, boundary-setting, and specific study strategies to improve efficiency, all aimed at fostering more time for self-care. Learn from the pearls of wisdom of our seasoned professionals, and improve your mental health and general wellness as a graduate student.

    Register for the workshop

  • 3/05/24: Thesis/Dissertation Workshop Series 1: Exploring research questions
    • Date and time: Tuesday, March 5, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location:  MIKC 114
    • Speakers: Rosalind Bucy, Associate Professor - Humanities Librarian

    Register for the workshop

    Start your thesis or dissertation off on the best foot by making sure they are clear and focused. A bad research question can cause headaches down the line. This workshop will help ensure you get off to a strong start by helping you refine your research questions and then learn how to utilize library databases to further improve them, as well as help you determine the best methodology.

  • 3/07/24: Thesis/Dissertation Workshop Series 2: Automate your citations
    • Date and time: Thursday, March 7, 2024; 12-1 p.m.
    • Location: MIKC 114 and 121
    • Speakers: Elena Azadbakht, Assistant Professor - Health Sciences Librarian; Amy Shannon, Associate Professor - Life and Environmental Sciences Librarian

    Register for the workshop

    Learn how citation management tools like Zotero and Endnote make it easy to not only save and organize your sources but also save you time by automating writing citations for you. Don’t waste time saving articles across your Google Drive, Box folder, and your email that you then waste time looking for – citation management tools help you save articles to one location with just one click. You’ll also learn how they can autogenerate works cited lists for you and make it easy to switch citation styles.

  • 3/12/24: Thesis/Dissertation Workshop Series 3: Data management
    • Date and time: Tuesday, March 12, 2024; 12–1 p.m.
    • Location: MIKC 114
    • Speakers: Carlos Ramirez; Assistant Professor – Research Data Services Coordinator, and Teresa Schultz; Health Sciences Librarian and Assistant Professor

    Register for the workshop

    Is your computer a labyrinth of scattered files, leaving you frustrated and unable to find that crucial document you created just last week? Fear not! We invite you to participate in our interactive Data Management Workshop, a tailored experience aimed at empowering you with essential skills to bring order to the chaos. Through this workshop, you will learn data organization, reduce clutter and improve your research practices. From documentation to security measures, we'll guide you through the entire data lifecycle, and show you the best practices that enhance the reproducibility and quality of your research. Get ready for a hands-on exploration of tools to streamline your workflow.

  • 3/13/24: DeLaMare Makerspace workshop
    • Date and time:  Wednesday, March 13, 2024; 12–1 p.m.
    • Location: Makerspace (DeLaMare Library)
    • Speakers: Rebecca Glasglow: Engineering & Fabrication Librarian, University Libraries

    Register for the workshop

    Did you know the Makerspace in DeLaMare Library is used by faculty and students for research? The Makerspace’s resources have been utilized for research and creative development in the STEM disciplines, social sciences, and humanities. Their equipment and tools are open to all members of the University community and are free to use. Come join us for a tour of the Makerspace and learn how to leverage this resource for your research!

  • 3/14/24: Thesis/Dissertation Workshop Series 4: Tips and tricks throughout the writing process
    • Date and time: Thursday, March 14, 2024; 12–1 p.m.
    • Location: MIKC 114
    • Speakers: Maureen McBride, Director, University Writing Center

    Join this last workshop in the thesis/dissertation series for an enriching journey through the writing process! Highlights include managing longer documents and drafts, effective time management strategies, feedback strategies, leveraging class documents towards dissertations, addressing plagiarism and mastering formatting. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your writing skills and produce a thesis or dissertation that reflects your academic excellence!

    Register for the workshop

  • 4/02/24: Transitioning from graduate school/postdoctoral to career
    • Date and time: Tuesday, April 2, 2024; from 12–1 p.m.
    • Location: JCSU 324
    • Speakers: Conrad Chow: Financial Aid Advisor; Program Coordinator, Nevada Money Mentors

    Register for the workshop

    Are you graduating or entering a new career soon? The transition from grad school or a postdoc to your new career may be filled with uncertainties and stress. Join Nevada Money Mentors and the Graduate School for a workshop to learn about various strategies to prepare you for finances including navigating job offers, repaying student loans, setting life goals, and investing for retirement.

  • 4/12/24: NSF GRFP workshop
    • Date and time: Friday, April 12, 2024; 12–1:30 p.m.
    • Location: MIKC 107
    • Speakers: To be announced

    Register for the NSF GRFP workshop

    The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) is a prestigious, five-year fellowship that offers three years of financial support (annual stipend of $37,000) and a cost-of-education allowance ($12,000 to the institution). The GRFP welcomes applications from individuals who are pursuing full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM Education. This workshop will provide an overview of the application process and tips and tricks for applying. There will also be a panel discussion from faculty who have served as GRFP reviewers and past University students who have recently received this fellowship.