Professional Development Seminar Series

Coordinated by the GSC Professional Development Committee in partnership with other K-State units and external organizations, these seminars, workshops, and forums facilitate the development of competencies for academic success and career readiness.

Direct questions about GSC Professional Development events to the Graduate Student Council at egsc@ksu.edu.

All events for the 2022-2023 academic year have concluded. However, a video recording is available for most events. K-State graduate students and post-docs may continue to watch videos to earn credit for the 2022-2023 GSC Professional Development Certificate until May 5, 2023. Videos will remain accessible after May 5, but credit toward the certificate will be granted only for videos viewed by May 5 2023.

2022-2023 concluded events

Acclimating to American Graduate Level Writing

A workshop for international graduate students

August 25, 10:30am - noon
Big 12 Room, K-State Student Union

This workshop is designed for international and English Language Learner (ELL) graduate students. It will focus on transitioning to U.S. graduate-level writing expectations and on writing issues and frustrations frequently encountered by ELL and international students. Participants will discuss the impact culture has on writing norms, faculty writing expectations, and much more. They’ll leave the workshop with a greater understanding of cultural expectations around writing and increased confidence about their positions on and contributions to a U.S. university campus.

Sponsored by the Graduate School, Department of English, Writing Center, and Graduate Student Council.

 

Pathway to the Presidential Management Fellowship

September 1, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Zoom

Administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Program is a flagship leadership development program for advanced degree candidates. Finalists are matched with the federal agency of their choice for two-year fellowships and possible appointment to that agency once their fellowship has been served.

Kristen Sikorsky, K-State alum (MS in Horticulture and Natural Resources, 2020), was selected as a PMF finalist in 2021 (K-State’s first ever PMF!). Join this session to learn from Kristen about the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF). Kristen will share a brief overview of the PMF program and the benefits the fellowship provides, how to apply, and what happens if you are selected as a finalist. Kristen will also reflect on her own fellowship experience thus far.

 

Evaluating and Understanding Job Benefits

September 7, 3:30pm
163 Justin Hall

Amanda McDiffett, budget director for the K-State College of Business, will be helping students understand what to look at when they are evaluating their job benefits. This session will explain some of the different job benefits there are such as health insurance and retirement plans.

This session is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Speaker Series.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Information Session

September 8, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Zoom

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP) supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based Master’s and doctor degree. This session will take an in-depth look at the requirements for an NSF GFRP submission. A panel of faculty members who have served on review panels for this program will discuss tips and provide advice that you will not find in this program’s Request for Proposals. Students will also have an opportunity to talk about their research ideas with the panel. If you are serious about submitting to this program, this is a session you should not miss.

 

Graduate-Level Writing Workshop

September 13, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union

Looking to take your writing skills to the next level as a graduate student? This writing workshop is for you! Writing Center Assistant Director, Theresa Merrick Cassidy, will lead attendees in a workshop designed to provide new and continuing graduate students with strategies to improve their writing skills and habits. Learn how to set up a writing schedule, navigate common writing errors, and revise your writing to maximize research impact.

This session will be held in-person only. A video recording will be available following the session.

Sponsored by the Graduate School, Department of English, Writing Center, and Graduate Student Council.

 

LinkedIn Profiles and Online Reputation

September 14, 3:30pm
163 Justin Hall

Presented by Jana Thomas, K-State School of Media and Communication

This session is part of the College of Health and Human Sciences Career Development Speaker Series.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Writing CVs, Resumes, and Cover Letters

September 19, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union

Experts will share tips on how to effectively highlight your skills, abilities, and experiences. No matter whether you plan to pursue a career in academia, industry, or elsewhere, join us for this session to boost your chance of getting that job!

 

Identifying Graduate Research Fellowship Opportunities

September 28, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Zoom

Learn about graduate fellowship opportunities. Key funding opportunities will be discussed from NSF, DoD, DoE, Hertz Foundation, and the American Association of University Women. Opportunities in the Humanities and Social Sciences will also be addressed — plus learn to search for fellowships on your own.

 

Graduate Student Writing Group

September 29, November 4, and December 2

Looking for a community that will provide support and keep you on schedule with writing? Check out the Graduate Student Writing Group! These sessions provide a time and space for you to work on your writing projects. Bring your laptop, pen and paper, or whatever you need to support your work. Come for as much or as little of the session as needed.

Sponsored by the Graduate School, Department of English, Writing Center, and Graduate Student Council.

A recording of this session is not available.

 

Poster Presentation Prep Session

A workshop for international graduate students

October 12, 3:00 - 4:30pm
Wildcate Chamber, K-State Student Union

All grad students welcome to attend—you do not have to be participating in Research and the State to attend this session.

Participating in Research and the State this year? Interested in learning about effective poster presentation tips and tricks? Join this session to learn more about the value of Research and the State, listen to past participants give their poster presentations, and gain valuable knowledge to set you up for success in communicating your research to a non-technical audience.

 

Preparing for Job Interviews

November 2, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union

Interviewing for jobs can be stressful. The GSC and Career Center want to help graduate students be as prepared as possible! Graduate students are invited to this workshop to learn all about interviewing with Jared Meitler from the K-State Career Center.

 

Communicating Research in Talks and Posters

February 9, 2:00 - 3:00pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union

Are you giving a presentation at K-GRAD or a professional conference this semester? This workshop will include helpful tips and tricks to effectively communicate your research or scholarly work in talks and poster presentations.

 

Developing Your Leadership Strengths

February 24, 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Change requires awareness of self and others. In this session, participants will learn a strengths-based approach that supports personal well-being, building positive relationships, improving engagement and fostering a positive workplace culture.This workshop is being offered as part of the Leading Change Workshop series. Graduate students who attend the Leading Change Workshops will receive credit for the GSC Professional Development certificate.

Presented by: Dr. Mike Finnegan and Emily Wollard

 

Grant Writing Workshop

February 28, 1:00 - 5:00pm
Zoom

Whether you are new to grant writing or have some experience, this training is definitely for you! Participants will learn about the various aspects of the grant writing process including writing a narrative and project summary, justifying your budget, reviewing criteria and evaluation, and developing your objectives and goals. All graduate students and post-docs are all welcome to attend.

 

Leveraging Coaching Skills in Your Leadership Practice

March 7, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
To lead change requires us to see new possibilities. Coaching is a strategy for continual learning and courageous action. Participants will develop a coach-like stance, and learn how to ask powerful questions to support their own and others’ learning and development, and make progress on personal and professional challenges.This workshop is being offered as part of the Leading Change Workshop series. Graduate students who attend the Leading Change Workshops will receive credit for the GSC Professional Development certificate.

Presented by: Dr. Andy Wefald and Chibuzor Azubuike

 

Creating Space: Leadership Practices to Make Progress in Complex and Adaptive Systems

March 23, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
This interactive virtual session is designed to help graduate students gain insight and tools for navigating tough challenges in their academic, work, or community contexts. Using a systems lens, we will explore how to diagnose problems and take action in the midst of complexity and uncertainty.This workshop is being offered as part of the Leading Change Workshop series. Graduate students who attend the Leading Change Workshops will receive credit for the GSC Professional Development certificate.

Presented by: Dr. Brandon Kliewer and Monica McFarlane

 

Leadership for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

April 7, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Leading change across cultures requires us to intentionally recognize and address inequity in order to build a more socially just world. In this session, we will explore how the principles and practices of DEIB in the work of leadership within our classrooms, labs, and workplaces.This workshop is being offered as part of the Leading Change Workshop series. Graduate students who attend the Leading Change Workshops will receive credit for the GSC Professional Development certificate.

Presented by: Tamara Bauer and Corey Williamson

 

Exploring diverse career paths: A panel discussion with professionals from industry and government

April 13, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
Wildcat Chamber, K-State Student Union
Join this panel discussion with advanced degree holders who have pursued careers in industry and government. The panelists will share their experiences, insights, and advice on navigating different career paths. This panel discussion is a great opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who were once in your shoes as a graduate student. You'll have the chance to ask questions and network with the panelists and other attendees!

Panelists:

• • Dr. Kamesh Sirigireddy, Director of Biotechnology Services, Merck Animal Health, 2023 Graduate School Alumni Fellow

  • Dr. Brenda Oppert, Research Molecular Biologist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service

  • Morgan Olmstead, Research Technician, USDA-Agricultural Research Service

  • Anthony YBarra, Associate Director of K-State Career Center

 

Becoming a Civically-Engaged Scholar

April 14, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Scholars are agents of change. As members of the K-State academic community, our studies and work are situated – physically and virtually – within local and global communities facing complex challenges. We all play a role in the civic mission of our institution, to generate knowledge and talent to advance the well-being of those communities. This session will help participants explore their present and future work, and consider how to be a civically engaged scholar. This workshop is being offered as part of the Leading Change Workshop series. Graduate students who attend the Leading Change Workshops will receive credit for the GSC Professional Development certificate.

Presented by: Dr. Tim Steffensmeier and Emmanuel Jeje