Workshops

Now more than ever, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are preparing for a diverse set of careers. It is important for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to engage in career development from day one. Faculty can be instrumental in supporting this process.

In this workshop, you will learn about the importance of career development for your graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, and how you can support your students throughout the stages of their career development. You will also learn about different career planning and exploration tools, as well as the specific resources that are available to UMD graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

This workshop is best suited for faculty members who are wondering:

• What is career development, and why is it important for my graduate students and postdoctoral scholars?
• How do I support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in their career and professional development as a faculty member?
• What resources and tools are available to UMD graduate students and postdoctoral scholars?

Faculty wear several hats when it comes to supporting graduate students and postdoctoral advisors; they serve as advisors, supervisors, dissertation chairs, committee members, and mentors. Although these roles often overlap, they also contribute in different ways to graduate students’ and postdoctoral scholars’ career and professional development. 

In this workshop, you will learn the definition of a faculty mentor, and identify qualities of an effective mentoring relationship. You will also reflect on your own expectations, strengths, and areas for growth as a graduate student or postdoctoral scholar mentor.

This workshop is best suited for faculty members who are wondering:

• What is the difference between a faculty mentor, and an advisor or supervisor?
• How can I grow as an effective mentor?
• What resources are available to me as a faculty mentor?

Individual Development Plans (IDPs) have become a widely used tool for graduate students to engage in meaningful career planning and exploration. While IDPs are written by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars, faculty advisors and supervisors can–and should–be active in the IDP process.

In this workshop, you will learn about the purpose and structure of the IDP. You will also learn how to facilitate conversations with your graduate students or postdoctoral scholars related to their IDP process.

This workshop is best suited for faculty members who are wondering:

• What is the purpose of an IDP for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars?
• What is my role in the IDP process?
• How can I use the IDP process to better support my graduate students and postdoctoral scholars?

Faculty advisors and supervisors play a key role in supporting their graduate students’ and postdoctoral scholars’ professional development. While many faculty are comfortable supporting professional development activities related to academic careers, many feel less equipped to support professional development for other career paths. 

In this workshop, you will learn how to provide professional development support for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are interested in diverse career paths. You will also become familiar with professional development resources that are available to UMD graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

This workshop is best suited for faculty members who are wondering:

• How can I support the professional development of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are interested in diverse career paths?
• What are the key areas of support that I can provide for graduate student and postdoctoral scholar professional development in my role as a faculty member?
• What professional development opportunities are available to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UMD?