the gradpost

E-NEWSLETTER FOR UCSB GRADUATE STUDENTS, MAY 2014

Dear Gaucho
Grad Student:

Happy May! As we near the end of the 2013-14 academic year, the Graduate Division and its partners have been busy planning and holding professional development workshops. UCSB grad alum David Forman, Chief Learning Officer of the Human Capital Institute, recently returned to campus to offer his excellent tips on how to successfully navigate the non-academic career search. ... And on June 4, grad students are invited to attend a panel discussion on "Academic Careers at Community Colleges." Four professors from Santa Barbara City College will discuss the range of opportunities that these schools offer and will answer your questions. ... Stay tuned for more career and professional development activities, workshops, and panel sessions in the months to come.

Save the date! The Graduate Division's Commencement Ceremony will be held on Sunday, June 15, at 4 p.m. on the Faculty Club Green. For more information about Commencement, visit the Graduate Division's Commencement page.

Grad students, please keep in touch with us. Subscribe or follow us to stay informed. And if you haven't already, please "like" our Facebook page. We currently have 481 fans and would love to reach and exceed 500!

Our Graduate Student Resource Center staff members (Coordinator of Graduate Student Professional Development Robert Hamm, Communications Director Patricia Marroquin, Academic Peer Torrey Trust, Writing Peer Ryan Dippre, Funding Peer Kyle Crocco, and Diversity and Outreach Peer Hala Sun) are here to help.

Graduate Students in the News

Our graduate students in the news are involved in films and Fulbrights; algorithms and advocacy. Check out these features and spotlights:

Cyrus Dreyer (Materials) and John Vanderhoef (Film and Media Studies): Cyrus and John traveled to Sacramento recently to deliver an important message to Assemblymember and grad alum Das Williams and other elected officials: UC grad students are critical to the research that improves the quality of life and the economy in the state of California and beyond.
Deborah Barany(Dynamical Neuroscience): This Ph.D. student in the new interdepartmental graduate program of Dynamical Neuroscience studies how the human brain controls goal-oriented movement.
Bryan Latchford, Susan Dworsky-Robinson, and Casey O'Hara (Bren): As part of a Bren School project, Bryan, Susan, and Casey created a film about environmental science education, "Where the Wonder Went," that screened during the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Elijah Bender (History) and William Dewey (Religious Studies): Elijah and William have been awarded prestigious Fulbright Fellowships for 2014-15. Elijah was awarded a research grant to Japan; and William will use his grant in India.

Grad Slam and Grad Student Showcase images

2014 Grad Slam and Showcase:

Grad Students Celebrated

During two weeks in April, UCSB graduate students were celebrated through a series of events and activities: an ice cream social; a wine and cheese reception; tours and poster sessions; and our national award-winning Grad Slam three-minute talk competition, which featured 10 preliminary rounds, two semifinal rounds, and an exciting Finals round. Congratulations to the grand prize winner of the 2014 Grad Slam: James Allen of Marine Science! Runners-up were Damien Kudela of Chemistry and Deborah Barany of Dynamical Neuroscience. Read recaps of all 13 rounds on our 2014 Grad Slam Recaps page. ... View photo slide show videos of the Ice Cream Social and the Library Wine and Cheese Reception.

Globe image for international students empathy article

Empathizing With
International Students

Diversity and Outreach Peer Hala Sun knows what it's like to be an international student in the U.S.: the challenges, the struggles, the bureaucracy, the culture shock. She has written a thoughtful column on Five Things You Should Know to Empathize With International Students. Take a few minutes to be enlightened.

Dr. Véronique LaCapra

Grad Alum in Spotlight:

Véronique LaCapra

Véronique LaCapra, who earned her Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology in 2000, pursues her passion for storytelling as a science, environment, and health reporter for St. Louis Public Radio, a local NPR affiliate station. Whether she's in the Galapagos Islands or witnessing a double transplant, "every day is different, and it's never boring" in Dr. LaCapra's career.

Tips, Resources, Funding ... and Life

The Graduate Division is looking for a Professional Development Peer for 2014-15. The position pays $16 an hour plus fee payment. Get the details and apply by the priority deadline of May 23. ... Torrey Trust has some tips, in Part 1 of a series, about How to Do It All and Maintain Your Sanity. ... And we've got more tips. Funding Peer Kyle Crocco has some ideas for How to Work Less and Do More. ... Kyle also has a great article on Academic Appointments and Fee Remission Made Easy. ... Writing Peer Ryan Dippre has an ongoing series on Reading Like a Writer. Part V focuses on Writing a Dissertation Abstract. Check out this one, as well as the others in the series, which are linked at the bottom of this article. ... Cardinal Scholars has tutoring opportunities available, with compensation starting at $20 an hour. ... Learn the Essential Items to Pack for a Job Interview in Torrey Trust's article. ... Kyle Crocco offers suggestions on How to Tell Your Advisor That Faculty Life Is Not for You. ... Need help in Understanding Loans? Read Kyle's article. ... Apply for scholarships and grants with deadlines in August. ... Learn 5 Ways to Be a Better Mentor. ... For more funding opportunities, tips, resources, and events, visit our Life, Tools, Funds, Events, and Career pages.