|
|
|
June 30, 2020In this issue: The Art of Saying No, Virtual IDP Workshop, and more.
| |
|
Tips for Grads: Searching for academic jobs during COVID-19By Laura Grotjan, PhD student
While the job market as a whole is temporarily bleak, those searching specifically for academic jobs may feel especially worried. Many colleges and universities are adopting hiring freezes, and even tenured professors can be affected when a university declares financial exigency.
If you are in the middle of a job search, do not hesitate to finalize any job offers you may have received. This does not mean to forgo negotiating completely, though you may not have the luxury of time to weigh your options as thoroughly as you might prefer. Try to sign a contract as soon as possible to avoid an offer being rescinded.
If you are a new or returning grad student and searching for tenure-track jobs is a future goal of yours, staying in school is not a bad option for weathering the current market. Now is a great time to build transferable skills and to work on career planning. DiscoverPD, Aurora, and your Individual Development Plan (IDP) are great tools to help you do this. Although you may be TA-ing online instead of in a traditional classroom, think of this strange moment as an opportunity to build new skillsets. Check out these offerings related to online teaching. Moreover, postdoc opportunities may be a great way to further develop your skills before applying to tenure-track positions.
Finally, to echo what Lydia Gandy-Fastovich wrote in the June 2 edition of Tips for Grads, now is the time to explore “Plan B.” Dr. Karen Kelsky describes COVID-19 as “an extinction event” for traditional operations in higher education, and academic hiring may struggle to recover following the pandemic. As L. Maren Wood, PhD, of Beyond the Professoriate has said, “Plan B” is not selling out, it’s survival. Furthermore, you don’t need to give up on academia as your “Plan A.” You can continue applying for academic jobs as you seriously explore other career paths, yet it does not hurt to have a backup plan.
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.”
If you’re interested, check out our infographic for details and email gspd@grad.wisc.edu to let us know.
| |
|
DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the nine facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.
| |
|
Upcoming Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
| |
|
Many faculty (pre- and post-tenure) find it incredibly difficult to sort out when, why, and how to say "NO" to other people's requests. In this webinar, you will learn the biggest mistakes faculty make in responding to requests, how to identify and disrupt problematic patterns, and strategies that you can implement immediately so you can add "no" to your vocabulary. To sign up, first activate your National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity account through the UW–Madison institutional membership.
Creating an individual development plan (IDP) encourages you to think about what you need to do next -- and over the next few years -- so that you achieve your goals. We will discuss how to define achievable goals, identify resources, and develop strategies for implementing and sustaining your plans. Participants will begin to create a personalized plan that takes into account career interests and addresses the development of knowledge and skills for professional growth. This virtual workshop will be hosted on Blackboard Collaborate Ultra.
| |
|
Teaching Academy Learning Environment and Pedagogies (LEaP) workshop
This workshop, for graduate students and teaching assistants who are interested in learning more about teaching, will be moved from Aug 2020 to Jan 2021. This program reaches capacity quickly, please pre-register by emailing Sarah Hagedon, shagedon@wisc.edu. For other questions, contact Jamie Henke, jamie.henke@wisc.edu.
| |
|
- Excel 2: Data Visualizations
- Photoshop 1
- Data Wrangling in R
- Introduction to Stata
| |
|
Special Events & Symposia
| |
|
Campus Announces Smart Restart for Fall 2020
UW–Madison plans to begin fall classes as scheduled on Sept. 2 and offer in-person instruction in many courses until the Thanksgiving recess. After Thanksgiving, most undergraduate and course-based master’s classes will switch to a virtual format for courses for the final nine days of instruction plus exams. Research-based master’s and PhD students, as well as graduate assistants, should consult their faculty advisors and supervisors for additional guidance.To safeguard the health of the community, the university will modify many of its operations based on public health guidance. The Smart Restart plan outlines the university’s approach to dealing with major issues such as instruction, health and safety, housing and dining, and more. Plans are continuing to evolve as decisions are finalized and new information becomes available. As more details are available, this will be communicated on a regular basis. In particular, more information will be coming soon for graduate and international students.
Libraries Launch “Pickup by Appointment” Service
The Pickup by Appointment service offers the opportunity to begin accessing some of the library's physical collections through a low-contact, health-conscious method. Currently, ONLY materials in Memorial Library are available to request; not all materials are eligible for this service. To learn more, visit the Pickup by Appointment website. The Libraries will continue to work closely with the campus to develop operational plans for a gradual reopening.
| |
|
Opening available for Summer Graduate Students' GroupFridays | 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Group Leaders: Dezarae Avalos, LPC & Josie Montanez-Tyler, LMFT
This group examines the sources of stress, ways of coping, and the value of peer support in adjusting to a role that often feels like it’s 24/7. Topics will be developed by group members. If you are already connected at UHS, you can get a referral from your provider and then schedule a screening. If you haven’t been connected to previously, you will need to go through Access to get the referral and schedule the screening, but UHS has lots of availability for Access appointments.
UHS services available remotelyUniversity Health Services is committed to supporting you as we navigate summer term. 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 StudentsAccording 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.
- UHS 24-hour Crisis Services. On-call crisis counselors can help address your most pressing concerns, address your safety, and help you connect with follow-up service needs. It’s available every day, including weekends, holidays, and semester breaks. Call the UHS crisis line at 608-265-5600. For situations that are immediately life-threatening, call 911.
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) has published an extensive COVID-19 Resource and Information Guide.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Teaching Assistant, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
Virtual Tutor, Academic Coaching and Tutoring Services (Summer, Hourly)
| |
|
|
|
|
