In 2020, a strong online presence is critical for any job search. However,
In 2020, a strong online presence is critical for any job search. However,

February 18, 2020

In this issue: Presentation design workshop, leveraging LinkedIn, and more.
PhD Comic

Tips for Grads: Leveraging LinkedIn for your Job Search

Career Development 
By Kirby Livingston, PhD student
In 2020, a strong online presence is critical for any job search. However, not many graduate students have the time, expertise, or extra funds to design and maintain a personal website. For most, LinkedIn is an easy and effective place to start building your professional online presence and expanding your network.
In her recent workshop, Gina Jenkins, career coach and Associate Director of Career & Leadership Development at the School of Business, recommended that your profile be dynamic rather than static, and the first step to making your profile work for you is to know your career objectives. Depending on where you are in your job search, you’ll want to emphasize different features of LinkedIn.
Actively looking for a job
  • If you are actively on the job market, utilize the summary at the top of your profile to provide a clear picture of what you are looking for, who you want to meet, and realistic timing for starting a job.
  • Tailor your profile to the types of positions that you are pursuing. You can look at the experience and skills on profiles of people working in similar jobs to help you decide what to list.
Passively looking for a job
  • Expose yourself to new connections and conversations. Make sure your contact information (at least your email) is public.
  • Use LinkedIn to search for jobs and connect with people for informational interviews. You can even search the site for members who graduated from your program and are employed in careers you are interested in.
Not yet looking for a job
  • Adjust the summary to focus on your current employment.
  • Use your network to keep you informed on your current job/activities by connecting with colleagues and leaders in your field.
If you would like more information on using LinkedIn and other platforms for personal branding and your job search, check out these recordings of Gina Jenkins’ LinkedIn workshop and Don Stanley’s workshop, How Graduate Students can Build a Personal Brand.
 
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: Your guide to professional development
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 Events

Design Principles for Presentations
Thursday, Feb. 27 | noon - 1:30 pm
159 Wisconsin Idea Room, Education Building | Communication
As students we have all suffered through bad PowerPoint presentations. Whether you're presenting your research, teaching, or creating a presentation for a job, utilizing principles of effective design can be the difference between an engaged audience and a sea of glazed-over eyes. In this workshop, DesignLab Associate Director Mandy Morrow will share techniques to analyze and improve the Conceptual, Aesthetic, and Technical (CAT) aspects of your research or scholarly project. We will discuss how to structure your presentation for your audience, explore common mistakes/errors, and provide you with tools to communicate your desired message clearly and effectively. Lunch will be provided, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available.

Careers & Financial

What Every PhD Should Know About Using LinkedIn
Thursday, Feb. 20 | noon - 12:30 pm
Online
BioHealth Employer Connector
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:30 - 7 pm
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union 

For Future Faculty

Preparing for success on the job market and beyond.
Find a full list of events on the For Future Faculty website.
On the Academic Job Market: Composing the All-Important Cover Letter
Friday, Feb. 21 | 12:30 - 2 pm
6176 Helen C. White Hall 
Writing an Effective Teaching Philosophy Statement
Monday, Feb. 24 | 11 am - 12:30 pm
Online 
On the Academic Job Market: Writing Statements of Teaching Philosophy
Monday, Feb. 24 | 2 - 3:30 pm
6176 Helen C. White Hall
Active Teaching Lab - Connecting with Personalized Content
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 1 - 2 pm
120 Middleton Building
Active Teaching Lab - Project-Based Learning and the Wisconsin Experience
Friday, Feb. 21 | 8:30 - 9:45 am
120 Middleton Building
Working with Multilingual Writers and Fostering Their Success
Monday, Feb. 24 | 3 - 4:30 pm
6171 Helen C. White Hall 
Improving Style
Wednesdays, Feb. 19, Feb. 26, March 4, and March 11  | 2 - 3:30 pm
6172 Helen C. White Hall
Developing and Delivering Conference Presentations
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 3:30 - 5 pm
6176 Helen C. White Hall
WARF Essential Topics - A Researcher's Guide to Social Media
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 4 - 5 pm
Discovery Building
How to Make Your Presentation Slides Clear and Dynamic
Friday, Feb. 21 | 12:30 - 2 pm
6171 Helen C. White Hall
Grammar 2: Grammar and Editing for Style and Clarity
Friday, Feb. 21 | 12:30 - 2:30 pm
6172 Helen C. White Hall 
The Basics of APA Documentation
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 3:30 - 5 pm
6172 Helen C. White Hall
  • JavaScript 1
  • Illustrator 1
  • Stata Workshop: Dates
"We did not do the right thing" - The Ancure Story
Thurday, Feb. 20 | 10:30 am - noon
Orchard View, Discovery Building
Entering, Engaging and Exiting Communities Respectfully
Thursday, Feb. 20 | 4 - 5:30 pm | Registration full, join waitlist here 
Union South (Check TITU)
PublicWorks Seminar: Public Books Editor Stephen Twilley
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 4 - 6 pm
3139 University Club
WiscCores Showcase
Wednesday, March 4 | 9 am - noon
Varsity Hall, Union South
Humanities Friday Lunch - Where is the Border? Deterrence Logics in U.S. Migration Policy
Friday, Feb. 28 | Reservation deadline is noon on Feb. 24
Banquet Room, University Club
Build It, Badgers! Conference for UW–Madison makers
Thursday, April 2 | Abstracts due by Feb. 21
Discovery Building
ComSciCon 2020
June 11 - 13 | Application due by March 1
Boston, MA  
Deadlines & Announcements

Apply for a Bucky Award

Applications for Bucky’s Award Ceremony are open until Feb. 21. Bucky’s Award Ceremony recognizes individuals and organizations from UWMadison for their hard work on campus and in the community. Anyone and everyone can apply for an award.
Awards include:
  • Dean’s Award of Excellence
  • Conservation and Sustainability
  • Graduate Peer Mentor Award
  • Most Involved
  • Outstanding Leadership
  • Best New Org
  • And many more

Check out the Student Leadership Program website to learn more about the awards available and to apply.

Wellness
Thrive Workshop Series: Impostor Syndrome
Tuesday, Feb. 25 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm
305 Wendt Commons
Mental Health for Grad Students
According to the 2016 UW–Madison Healthy Minds Study, 94% of UW–Madison students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 90% of students who used mental health care found it helpful.
  • Individual Counseling. University Health Services offers individual counseling in a confidential, caring space, with bilingual mental health providers available in Mandarin or Spanish. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic.
  • 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. If you are concerned for your own well-being or the well-being of someone you know, call the UHS crisis line at 608-265-5600. For situations that are immediately life-threatening, call 911.
For more mental health resources, visit the UHS website on mental health.
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.
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

Off-Campus Employment

Fellowships & Grants

ASM Operations Grant
Applications due Feb. 26
Operations Grants provide funding for the routine operational and recruitment expenses of student organizations. Award categories include funding for postage, printing, office supplies, advertising, equipment and space rental, subscriptions, graphic and web design and other operational expenses.  Any registered student organization in good standing with the Center for Leadership and Involvement (CfLI) may apply for an Operations Grant.
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