I write on this topic not from a place of superiority, but from one of...
I write on this topic not from a place of superiority, but from one of...

February 22, 2022

In this issue: Campus forum on COVID-19 updates, final Business of Science event, and more.

Tips for Grads: Keeping up with your CV

By Olivia Gacka, PhD student
Managing Projects and People
I write on this topic not from a place of superiority, but from one of great and sincere humility. I am so awful at remembering to update my CV. So, when the time comes that I need to give it to someone or submit it somewhere, it’s always a big scramble to remember every paper, committee, or job that I have to add before I’m ready to send it off.
I know I’m not alone in this, that while some of you have an ever-updated version of your CV ready to go (good for you, you’re doing great), there are many that leave it to the last second like me. But keeping it updated is important, not just for your sanity, but for the fact that rushing to throw things in there can result in something missing that you may wish you included later. Here are some things I’ve been doing to encourage myself to get better about updating my CV:
  • Keep records: Keeping a note on my phone with everything I’ve done since I last updated my CV, including a sentence or two of specifics to help freshen my memory, has made it much easier to slip things into the newest version. Remembering exactly what you did for a certain search committee or conference prep may not remain top-of-mind after the job is done, so it’s best to keep track.
  • Keep it handy: If you bounce between devices often, keep your CV somewhere you can access it no matter where you are, like a cloud-based storage system or a flash drive. If it’s easily accessible you’re much more likely to update it, whether you’re at home, at the library, or at work.
  • Keep it consistent: I’ve resolved that the last Saturday of every month is CV update day. If I have anything to add, which plenty of times I won’t, that’s the day I put in my calendar to remind me to update. You may think it sounds like a lot, but I can promise you that it’s much less annoying to see the alert on my calendar and skip it than it is to add in everything that’s happened over six months in one sitting.
  • Keep it down: How many variations of “FirstName LastName CV Updated” “FirstName LastName CV Spring 21 FINAL”, and the like do you have saved right now? I’m telling you, just delete them. From one grad student who has accidentally updated their stale CV from three years’ previous, to another who may do it any second now, I’m telling you: keep your most updated version and either delete the rest or keep them far, far away from your current version. 
 
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for Tips for Grads.
DiscoverPD: Your guide to professional development
DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the eight facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.

Upcoming Professional Development Events

All event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.
In this session, you will learn fundamental skills, including applying benchmarking and continuous improvement techniques (e.g., process mapping, brainstorming, priority matrix), principles of basic finance (terms, income statements, valuations) and about developing a business model. This is the final session of a three-part series. Attendance at the prior events is not required. When you register for this event, we'll give you links to the first two events (2/12 and 2/19) so you haven't missed out!
About the presenters:
Dr. Randall Ribaudo has over twenty years of experience in the scientific research and biotechnology fields. These experiences form the foundation of the SciPhD training programs that are now offered at over 120 institutions across the U.S. After receiving a PhD in Immunology, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship before becoming a Principal Investigator at the National Cancer Institute. He left academia to pursue opportunities in the biotech industry. Dr. Ribaudo’s experience as an academic and industry scientist, coupled with his experience consulting with industry scientists provides unique insight into the critical skills necessary for success in academic and industry settings.
Larry Petcovic started his career as a Health Physicist. He quickly recognized the importance of mastering communications and added a degree in applied behavioral sciences with continuing studies in the social neurosciences. He continues to consult as an Executive Communications Coach with Fortune 100 clients as well as with startups. His experience in 360° performance coaching, behavioral based blended training, process improvement techniques, selling skills and leadership development provides an in-depth corporate understanding. 
Distinguished Entrepreneurs Lunch: Mike Sanders
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 12:15 - 1 pm
Room 5120 Grainger Hall
"Think Like an Entrepreneur" - a panel discussion for career exploration
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm
Room 3290, Grainger Hall
Taste of Success: Government, Politics & Policy
Thursday, Feb 24 | noon - 1 pm
Online
Industry Tour at Mirus Bio
Friday, Feb 25 | 1 pm
Research Park
Industry: Interviews
Monday, Feb 28 | 3 - 4 pm
Online
Taste of Success: Health & Business
Monday, Feb 28 | 4 - 5 pm
Online

For Future Faculty

Preparing for success on the job market and beyond.
Find a full list of events on the For Future Faculty website.
Advice for Academic Job Applications
Friday, Feb 25 | 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Online

Teaching

Explore more teaching-related professional development events from the Delta Program.
Teaching at UW: Connecting with Students
Friday, Feb 25 | 10 - 11:30 am
Online 
Data Science Research Bazaar: Career Panel
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 1 - 2:30 pm
Online
Developing and Delivering Conference Presentations
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 3:30 - 5 pm
Online
Writing Graduate Research Proposals 
Friday, Feb 25 | noon - 1:30 pm
Online
Grammar 1: Nouns
Monday, Feb 28 | noon - 1 pm
Online
  • Illustrator 1
  • Excel 2: Analysis
  • Python Intermediate
  • Data Wrangling in R
  • Data Wrangling in Stata Part 2
  • R Workshop: Regression Models and Diagnostics
  • Stata Workshop: Loops and Macros
Funding Databases for Grad Students
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 1 - 2 pm
Online 
Tech Talk: Algorithms and Bias
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 6 - 8 pm
Online 
A Crash Course in Citation Management and Zotero 
Thursday, Feb 24 | 2 - 4 pm
Online
R Programming for Researchers: R Visualization
Friday, Feb 25 | 10 am - noon
Online
Registration full; Waitlist available
Python Programming: Data visualization with seaborn
Tuesday, March 1 | 10 am - noon
Online
Registration full; Waitlist available
Improving Your Workflow: Intermediate/Advanced EndNote (EndNote 20)
Tuesday, March 1 | 2 - 3 pm
2401 Chemistry Building
Respectful Sleep, Toddlers & Up
Wednesday, Feb 23 | 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Online
Campus forum: COVID-19 update and what comes next
Thursday, Feb 24 | noon - 1 pm
Online | Submit questions in advance at go.wisc.edu/S22questions
Enterpreneurons: Sustainability as a Business Proposition
Thursday, Feb 24 | 4 - 5 pm
In-person at Discovery Building & Online
Garden Stroll
Sunday, Feb 27 | 1 - 2 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
Friends of Sarah
Monday, Feb 28 | 5 - 7 pm
Online
Friends of Sarah is a confidential support program for women who are PhD candidates or postdocs experiencing difficult work environments that are negatively impacting their lives and careers. Meetings take place monthly on Zoom. 
Deadlines & Announcements

Campus mask order to end March 12

Dane County’s indoor masking requirement will not be extended after its March 1 expiration. UW–Madison will also phase out its campus indoor masking requirement. The current campus order will be extended from March 1 through March 11 to provide consistency through the end of the midterm exam period. Effective March 12, the start of Spring Recess, masks will no longer be required in indoor settings. Individuals who want to continue to wear masks are encouraged to do so. There will be a campus forum about COVID-19 updates on Thursday, Feb 24, from noon - 1 pm. Questions can be submitted in advance.
Masks will continue to be required for Madison Metro bus riders, by federal order. Clinical and health care, child care, and food preparation settings may continue to require masks.

Emergency financial support available for students

If you are experiencing current emergency circumstances that are preventing you from meeting immediate and essential expenses, there may be financial assistance available to support. Essential expenses may include limited access to food, lack of housing, or an emergency medical situation. The general emergency support form can be accessed via your MyUW Student Center. Funding is limited and financial assistance may not be available to fulfill each request. Contact finaid@finaid.wisc.edu with any questions or for assistance in completing the emergency support form.

Traveling Scholar Program opens educational opportunities at Big Ten Academic Alliance institutions

The Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) Traveling Scholar Program enables doctoral students to spend up to two semesters at another BTAA institution, with no change in registration procedures or tuition from their home institution. Students can take advantage of educational opportunities that will enhance their course of study, such as specialized courses, unique library collections, and unusual laboratories. See the Big Ten Academic Alliance members list.
Students who are interested in the Traveling Scholar Program should contact Graduate School Degree Coordinator Elena Hsu, elena.hsu@wisc.edu, for more information.
Wellness

Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

All students, employees, and visitors to campus are required to wear masks when inside campus buildings through March 11. Effective March 12, masks will no longer be required in indoor settings. Employees and students who have not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS are required to test weekly on campus. University Health Services continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines and booster vaccines to all students and employees. Take-home antigen tests are also available for students and employees to pick up on campus. For more information, see the COVID-19 Response FAQs.

UHS services available remotely

University Health Services is committed to supporting you. Many medical, counseling, and wellness services are available by phone and accessible online. Find out more on the UHS Remote Health and Connection webpage.

Mental Health Resources for Grad Students

According to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.
  • Let’s Talk. Sign up for a free, informal, and confidential consultation about any topic at locations across campus. Common concerns include stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems.
  • SilverCloud. This online, self-guided resource provides treatment options 24 hours a day through evidence-based modules on anxiety, depression, body image, and stress. SilverCloud is designed to help students manage day-to-day stresses and improve resilience.
  • Individual Counseling. University Health Services offers individual counseling conducted remotely over phone or video, with bilingual mental health providers available in Mandarin or Spanish. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic.

For more mental health resources, visit UHS Mental Health Services.

Graduate Student Support and Assistance

The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.

Hostile and Intimidating Behavior

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to preventing hostile and intimidating behavior (HIB) and will take prompt and appropriate corrective action whenever it learns that it has occurred. If you have experienced HIB, there are resources to help and staff available to talk.
Funding Opportunities
Please note: Some graduate students may be ineligible to hold graduate assistantship appointments. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator about your eligibility before applying.

Campus Employment

Fellowships & Grants

The Lakeshore Nature Preserve awards several Student Engagement Grants of up to $1,000 each to facilitate the use of the Preserve as a resource for education among UW undergraduates. Any student, faculty, or staff member at UW-Madison may apply. Groups of individuals may submit a proposal as a team. Every individual or team must have at least one faculty or staff member, who is expected to play an active role in overseeing the project.

Pet of the Week

Picture of three fuzzy and wire-haired dogs all wearing Wisconsin Badgers bandanas.
Za, Olive, and Hopie show off their Badger spirit in these fetching bandanas. This pack is headed by Monique Karlen, MSW student.
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