As graduate students, we all have opportunities to act as mentors...
As graduate students, we all have opportunities to act as mentors...

June 21, 2022

In this issue: Prelim prep accountability working group, cat bellies, and more.

Tips for Grads: Improving your mentorship practice

By Olivia Gacka, PhD student
Managing Projects and People

As graduate students, we all have a variety of diverse opportunities to act as mentors, but not as much time to stop and think about how to go about it effectively. The summer is an excellent time to evaluate ourselves as mentors, especially on some of the days we’ve had recently, where it feels too hot to do just about anything beyond moving from one side of your apartment to the other. Here are some resources you can take advantage of while standing directly in front of your nearest fan or A/C unit:
 
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 Office of Professional Development Events

All event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.
In a tight and unpredictable academic job market, graduate students in the humanities and social sciences are increasingly looking outside academia for employment opportunities and meaningful careers that align with their values. ImaginePhD can help graduate students in these fields identify potential careers tracks. It offers opportunities to develop and articulate transferrable skills, and provides resources to support students in their job searches, both in and outside the academy. This workshop serves as an introduction to ImaginePhD so graduate students can make the most of this service. Participants will complete an interest assessment and a skills assessment, identify potential job families for future careers, learn how to navigate ImaginePhD’s resources, and begin considering their immediate, short-term, and long-term career goals. This workshop will be led by Alexandra Fleagle, doctoral candidate in History of Science and Project Assistant in the Graduate School.
Picture from the perspective of someone reading a book and typing on a computer
Preparing for preliminary exams can feel overwhelming and isolating, not to mention difficult to stay on top of when you’re doing it on your own. The Graduate School Office of Professional Development is pleased to start a Prelim Prep Accountability Group this summer, allowing you to gather virtually with fellow graduate students across disciplines who are also preparing for their prelims. The group will meet for an hour session via Zoom once a week for the month of July to give you some structured time to devote to your prelim prep as well as to meet and chat with other graduate students who are facing similar challenges. You are welcome to attend as many or few sessions as you would like. Students who attend all four sessions will be given an ice cream coupon good for one free scoop of ice cream at the Daily Scoop in Memorial Union or Union South.
Individual Development Plan
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 event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School Office of Professional Development and the Delta Program.
Upcoming Delta Events
Panel: How To Do Active Learning In Large Lectures
Thursday, June 30 | 9:30 - 10:30 am
Online | Zoom
How do you engage and promote learning successfully in large enrollment courses (>100 students)? Join our panel on active learning to hear tips, tricks, and strategies from experienced instructors.
Developing and Designing Meaningful Writing Assignments for Any Course
Tuesday, July 12 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Online or in-person at the Writing Center Commons, 6171 Helen C White
In this interactive workshop with Delta and Writing Across the Curriculum, you’ll learn proven strategies for successful and inclusive assignment design, review examples of effective “high-stakes” and “low-stakes” writing activities, and begin to draft or revise a writing activity.
Strategies for (More) Equitable Assessment of Student Writing
Tuesday, July 19 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Online or in-person at the Writing Center Commons, 6171 Helen C White
This workshop will give an overview of principles and strategies to achieve more equitable assessment of student writing, including discussion of sample rubrics and “ungrading” approaches like specifications, contract grading, and more. Presented by the Delta Program in partnership with Writing Across the Curriculum.
Part of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) SmartSkills Series. UW–Madison graduate students and postdocs can join the NPA for free as an affiliate member

For Future Faculty

Preparing for success on the job market and beyond.
Find a full list of events on the For Future Faculty website.
  • Regression Diagnostics with R
  • Data Wrangling in Python
  • Regression Diagnostics with Stata
  • Running Big Research Computing Jobs at the SSCC
Jazz on State
Wednesday, June 22 | 5:30 - 8 pm
100 Block of State Street
What's in Bloom? Arboretum Garden Tour
Wednesday, June 22 | 7 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
Pride Picnic
Thursday, June 23 | 12:30 - 2 pm
Bascom Hill
Garden Stroll
Sunday, June 26 | 1 - 2 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
Bird and Nature Adventure: Preserving the Preserve
Sunday, June 26 | 1:30 - 3 pm
Picnic Point Entrance Kiosk, 2000 University Bay Drive
Summer Concerts at Allen Centennial Garden
Sunday, June 26 | 5 - 6:15 pm
Great Lawn of the Allen Centennial Garden
WARF Innovation Day at Summerfest Tech
Wednesday, June 29 | 2 pm
Online
Thursday Wellness at Allen Centennial Garden
Thursday, June 30 | 11:30 am - 1 pm
Allen Centennial Garden
Nature Hike
Sunday, July 3
UW–Madison Arboretum
I3: Ideas, Insights, Impact
Deadline Monday, August 8
I3 is a six-week program for postdocs and graduate students. Whether your audience is grant reviewers, journal editors, or job search committees, you’ll need them to see the potential impact of your work. Learn new skills to address your market risk and increase the impact of your work in academia, industry, or wherever your career takes you.
Deadlines & Announcements

PhD Career Training Platform helps PhD students transition into academic and nonacademic careers

The PhD Career Training Platform by Beyond the Professoriate has two programs of study – Faculty Careers and Professional Careers – designed to help PhDs and postdocs make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies. UW–Madison graduate students and postdocs can access this platform for free through the campus institutional membership. If you previously logged into Aurora, this is the same online platform, just with a new name and new look.
The career training platform includes:
  • A structured curriculum to explore career paths and job search strategies
  • Video interviews with PhDs working in all career sectors
  • Live webinars (also posted in GradConnections)
  • A podcast exploring career options and job search strategies
Take advantage of these resources this summer by logging in or creating your account in the PhD Career Training Platform.
Wellness

Monitor yourself for symptoms of COVID-19

It remains important to monitor yourself daily for COVID-19 symptoms. If you develop symptoms, stay home and get tested. At-home antigen tests are available for pickup at no cost on campus and PCR tests are available by appointment in MyUHS.
University Health Services (UHS) continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to all students and employees. If you’re eligible for a booster and haven’t yet received one, make an appointment today at UHS. Once you receive your booster dose, let UHS know
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.
  • Group Counseling for Graduate Students. University Health Services offers support/theme groups for graduate students, including groups for all graduate students, dissertators, graduate women, and graduate students of color. Support groups are a great way to share experiences around the challenges of grad school with other grad students.
  • Healthy Minds Program app. Train your mind to be more focused, calm, and resilient through meditation with the Healthy Minds Program. This program is informed by research from the Center for Healthy Minds at UW–Madison and is free to use.
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: Graduate students enrolled in service-based pricing programs, such as online and accelerated programs, are ineligible to receive tuition remission. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator and read your admission and appointment letters carefully to understand your benefits eligibility.

Campus Employment

Pet(s) of the Week

Is it a trap? Or, can I pet the belly?
Picture of a fluffy tortoiseshell-colored cat lying on her back with her belly up
✅ Yes! According to her human, Isabela Fraga de Andrade (Comparative Biomedical Science), Nina loves belly rubs! Feel free to apply this cat directly to your face!
Picture of a black cat with a white patch on his belly lying on his back. He is yawning.
❓Maybe: Beauregard isn't terribly keen on belly rubs, but will tolerate them if he is sleepy. His human, Rachel Kocik (Cell and Molecular Biology), suggests singing him a lullaby before attempting to pet the belly.
Picture of a white and orange cat lying on its back with its belly up. It has a content expression on its face.
✅ Yes! According to Grace Boyum (Genetics), Iroh's philosophy in life is, "Put your belly in the air like you just don't care!" Pet away!
Picture of a dilute tortoiseshell cat lying on her back with her paws stretched out. She is very beautiful.
❌ No! While we are on the subject of cat bellies, we cannot leave out the most beautiful belly of all, that belonging to my cat, Meggy (editor's prerogative, don't @ me). Unfortunately, Meggy's beautiful belly must be admired from afar. You are welcome to pet her anywhere else, however. She also accepts little kisses on her forehead.
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