Workshops, Seminars and Symposia - Office of Career Development & Outcomes Analysis

VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY GRANT AND FELLOWSHIP WORKSHOP FOR VANDERBILT GRADUATE STUDENTS
Saturday, March 28, 2009
1:00-6:00pm, Stevenson 4309 and Buttrick Hall
Sponsored by the Provost's Office's Enhancing Graduate Education Program. Learn more online and www.vanderbilt.edu/grantworkshop or email Natalie Inman at natalie.r.inman@vanderbilt.edu.
Breaking into the job market is increasingly difficult and intimidating. Obtaining fellowships and grants helps graduate students distinguish themselves in two crucial ways: 1) proving that you have caught the eye of the wider academic world and been rewarded with support for your project and 2) using that funding to deepen the scope and quality of your project. The workshop is designed to help you understand funding options in your field and how to write successful grant or fellowship proposals. A summary of sessions relevant to science students is below. Workshop panels include:
Plenary Session – “Get Started Now: From the Concept to the Proposal and the Issues In- Between” All proposals have a starting point and trajectory for completion. In this panel, three of Vanderbilt’s top grant getters will discuss conceptualizing the project, composing convincing budgets, securing subjects approval, and grant application timelines.
“Get Focused: A Disciplinary Perspective”: Breakout Sessions by Disciplinary Clusters These panels will discuss the application process in disciplinary clusters, enabling students to learn more about what makes a project fundable as well as providing writing tips for project statements and an overview of the types of fellowships available. Discipline clusters include: Theoretical & Literary approaches to the Humanities & Religion, Ethnographic Fields, Quantitative & Qualitative Social Sciences, Experimental & Theoretical Sciences, Engineering, Educational Studies.
“National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships and Dissertation Improvement Grants” NSF Graduate Research Fellowships are for students at the early stage of their graduate careers in STEM fields and provide three years of funding. Only students in the second semester of their first year are eligible to apply. NSF Dissertation Improvement Grants are for students at later stages of graduate work. These grants help pay for activities such as data collection, coordinating and funding experiments, or crucial equipment. These panelists, all successful NSF award recipients, will discuss deadlines for application and how student applicants can write competitive fellowship proposals.
“National Institute of Health: National Research Service Awards” The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award is a fellowship program supported by the NIA, NIAAA, NIDA, NIDCD, NIDCR, NIMH, NINDS, and ODS. The program provides support for promising doctoral candidates who will be performing dissertation research and training in scientific health-related fields relevant to the missions of the participating NIH entities. (Note: Dr. Kim Petrie, BRET Director of Career Development, will be a panelist at this presentation)
“Opportunities for International Students” How can International Students find funding for which they are eligible? This panel addresses the challenges faced by international graduate students in the US and the opportunities available to them. These students and faculty panelists have found ways to fund graduate student projects despite the obstacle of non-US citizenship. Tips such as finding a US Citizen Principal Investigator for the grants, getting grants within your home country, and keeping abreast of the funding market will help increase your chances of receiving graduate funding.
“Diversity Fellowships from the Ford Foundation, Woodrow Wilson Foundation, and Others”
Several grants and fellowships target minority populations to increase diversity in the academe. These awards provide significant funding and prestige for those graduate students who receive them. The application process, however, can be daunting. These panelists will help you to navigate the application and will give you tips on how to make your application more competitive. This workshop promises to bring together the best information on the fellowship and grant process our University has to offer. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity to learn about how to write more effective grant proposals and thereby become more competitive scholar.

MARRIED WITH DEGREES: CHALLENGES OF BEING PART OF A DUAL CAREER COUPLE (WOMEN IN ACADEME SERIES)
Friday, April 3, 2009
12:10-1:30 p.m., 439 Light Hall
Sponsored by the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, the BRET Office of Career Development, the School of Engineering and the Warren Center for the Humanities
This session will explore the realities of being part of a dual career couple. Some of Vanderbilt’s own dual career couples will share stories of how they navigated the job search, and discuss strategies for vying for positions at the same institution. Panelists will also share how they mesh their personal and professional lives, and we will share resources for finding institutions friendly to dual career couples. This is a brown bag event, so bring your lunch and join us. This series of workshops, co-sponsored by the Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center, the BRET Office of Career Development, the School of Engineering and the Warren Center for the Humanities explores issues pertinent to women in the academy and aims to foster dialogue between women in varying locations within the academy. Sessions are open to all Vanderbilt graduate students, professional students, and post-docs. For more information, please contact stacy.nunnally@vanderbilt.edu. RSVPs are appreciated, but not required.

NUTS AND BOLTS OF SUBMITTING A GRANT OR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION AT VANDERBILT
Thursday, April 16, 2009
2:00-3:00 PM
206 PRB
Sponsored by the BRET Office of Career Development and presented by Sam Gannon, Office of Grants & Contracts
Advance registration requested at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=PKHMeoP9W6U_2b14W842wiXg_3d_3d
This session is specifically designed to help graduate student and postdoctoral fellows understand how grant proposals are developed and approved internally for submission to a sponsor. Common graduate student and postdoctoral funding mechanisms, such as NRSAs (F30s, F31s, and F32s), K awards, and similar non-NIH proposals will be addressed. Timelines for timely submission, common mistakes, and the software used at Vanderbilt will also be discussed. If you’re planning to submit a grant or fellowship application while you are a grad student or postdoc at Vanderbilt, don’t miss this important and informative session!

PREPARING RESEARCH TEAM LEADERS
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
12:45-4:45 p.m., Light Hall
Sponsored by the BRET Office of Career Development, BRET Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association
Open to postdoctoral fellows and research track faculty
Advance application and registration is required at https://medschool.mc.vanderbilt.edu/scientific-leadership-workshop/
Science is a “team sport”, and in today’s competitive research environment, your solid scientific skills will only get you so far. Not only must you do great science: you must learn to lead a successful laboratory team who can help you achieve your scientific goals. "Preparing Research Team Leaders" is a half-day workshop designed to increase participants' awareness of their own leadership style and communication preferences, and introduce participants to principles of leadership, effective communication, and conflict resolution within the laboratory context. The goal is to help junior scientists transition successfully from productive lab member to effective lab leader. Whether you aim to lead a research group in academia or industry, this workshop will provide you with tools to enhance your self-awareness and increase your leadership abilities. This workshop is targeted to postdocs and research-track faculty. The workshop is limited to 80 participants, and the cost is $20. (Some institutional or individual training grants may cover the workshop cost; please consult your training grant PI to determine if funds are available to cover the registration.) Please visit the workshop website (above) for additional information and application information.

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HEALTH PROFESSIONS GRADUATE SCHOOL FAIR
Wednesday, March 11
2 to 6 p.m, Student Life Center
Sponsored by the Health Professions Advisory Office
Exhibitors representing more than 80 health professional programs will be available to meet with students and provide information about their schools and areas of interest. Vanderbilt students and the VU community are invited to meet with these representatives to get specific information and ask questions. The first 200 students at the fair will receive a HPAO fair tote bag. Exhibitors include programs in allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, optometry, occupational therapy, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, public health, nutrition, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, rehabilitation counseling, and health services administration. Visit myVU for a full list of schools and programs represented.

ADDRESSING STUDENT MISCONCEPTIONS (PART 2) (CONVERSATION ON TEACHING)
Wednesday, March 11
12:30 - 1:45 p.m., Center for Teaching (1114 19th Avenue South)
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Facilitator: Patricia Armstrong, Assistant Director, CFT; Faculty Panelists: Jack Sasson, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible & Professor of Classics; Susan Hylen, Mellon Assistant Professor of Religious Studies
Students frequently come into our classrooms with misconceptions regarding the subject matter we teach. These misconceptions can serve as obstacles to student learning and frustrate faculty attempts to foster learning. While some of these misconceptions may be of a naive sort that can be dispelled easily, others are more deeply entrenched and complex, and require more mindful and direct intervention. We’ll explore methods of fostering conceptual change in students. Panelists will be asked to address the following questions: What kinds of resistance have you encountered to the subject that you teach? How do you address pre-conceptions that you view as obstacles to student learning? To what extent do you address them, and why? Cookies and drinks will be provided. Feel free to bring your lunch. Click on the program title to register.

LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING STRATEGIES
Thursday, March 12
4:10 - 5:30 p.m., Center for Teaching (1114 19th Avenue South)
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Facilitator: Maria Ebner, CFT Graduate Teaching Fellow
In a learner-centered classroom, the teacher's role shifts from instruction of content to facilitation of learning. Therefore, content becomes a tool for developing learning skills-the teacher guides students in an individualized process of discovery and meaning-making. In this workshop, we will consider how to create a learning-centered class, including learning goals and teaching strategies (such as peer assessment) that foster students' capacities for self-directed learning. Click on the program title to register.

“WORKING YOUR WAY TO THE TOP OF THE HILL” A PRESENTATION BY CHRISTINA WEST, DIRECTOR OF FEDERAL RELATIONS FOR VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tuesday, March 17
3-4pm, Vanderbilt Career Center MultiMedia Room (located in the Student Life Building)
Sponsored by the Vanderbilt Career Center, Please note: This event is only open to current graduate students. Sorry, this event is not open to postdoctoral fellows.
Many of you have expressed interest in working in government or public policy in Washington, D.C. We’ve invited Christina West, Director of Federal Relations for Vanderbilt, to come from D.C. to present this workshop. Take advantage of this networking opportunity along with the chance to learn from Ms. West’s experience and knowledge and pose your questions to her. Networking is a key strategy for your job search! Come discuss networking techniques and leveraging the network you may not realize you already have. Discuss strategies for connecting with potential employers and contacts in local settings and in Washington, D.C.!

COURSE DESIGN FOR STUDENT LEARNING
Monday, March 23
4:10 - 5:30 p.m., Center for Teaching (1114 19th Avenue South)
Sponsored by the Center for Teaching, Facilitator: Erin Rehel, CFT Graduate Teaching Fellow
This workshop will examine course design from the perspective of student learning. Workshop activities will help you determine learning goals, consider assessments to measure students’ progress toward those goals, and choose learning activities that provide students with a chance to practice the knowledge and skills you want them to gain in your course. Click on the program title to register.

LIFE AT THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE, MEDICINE AND BUSINESS LECTURE SERIES: BRIAN CARR, CO-FOUNDER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ORALDNA LABS
Tuesday, March 24
5-6 p.m., Owen Graduate School of Management, Averbuch Auditorium
Co-sponsored by the Office of Research, the Office of Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development, and the Owen Graduate School of Management Entrepreneurship Center
This new lecture series focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by the blending of science, medicine and business. The series will give science and business leaders a platform to share their personal experiences developing scientific and biomedical products and services. “We designed this series to appeal to physicians, scientists and graduate students in a number of disciplines, including business,” said Kenneth J. Holroyd, M.D., MBA, assistant vice chancellor for Research. “Anyone interested in technology transfer or in learning how to find a business market for their research discoveries will get a lot out of these lectures.”

PERSPECTIVES ON GLOBAL HEALTH PRESENTED BY TACHI YAMADA, MD, PRESIDENT, GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRAM, BILL AND MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION
Thursday, March 26
10:00 AM, 208 Light Hall
Sponsored by the Discovery Lecture Series, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Medicine

GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM KEYNOTE ADDRESS: "WHAT EVERY GRADUATE STUDENT SHOULD KNOW ABOUT JOBS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA”
Monday, March 30, 2009
4:10pm, Student Life Center Ballroom C
Sponsored by the Graduate Student Council, The Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities and the Department of Pharmacology and presented by Susan Basalla, Ph.D., Author of "So What Are You Going to Do with That?"
The academic job market is fickle and slow. Why not keep your options open by exploring careers outside academia while you wait? Learn about alternatives to adjuncting and how to avoid the job-hunting mistakes that grad students most frequently make. Basalla offers real-life examples and practical step-by-step advice for M.A's and Ph.D.'s seeking fulfilling work outside academia. The first 150 students will receive a FREE copy of her co-authored book, “So What Are You Going to Do with That? Finding Careers Outside Academia.” Refreshments will be served prior to the talk. This event is

LIFE AT THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE, MEDICINE AND BUSINESS LECTURE SERIES: CHARLES HART, PH.D., FORMER CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER, BIOMIMETIC THERAPEUTICS
Tuesday, March 31
4-5 p.m., 214 Light Hall
Co-sponsored by the Office of Research, the Office of Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development, and the Owen Graduate School of Management Entrepreneurship Center
This new lecture series focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by the blending of science, medicine and business. The series will give science and business leaders a platform to share their personal experiences developing scientific and biomedical products and services. “We designed this series to appeal to physicians, scientists and graduate students in a number of disciplines, including business,” said Kenneth J. Holroyd, M.D., MBA, assistant vice chancellor for Research. “Anyone interested in technology transfer or in learning how to find a business market for their research discoveries will get a lot out of these lectures.”

LIFE AT THE INTERSECTION OF SCIENCE, MEDICINE AND BUSINESS LECTURE SERIES: DARRYL BORNHOP, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY, VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY; CO-FOUNDER AND ACTING CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER, MOLECULAR SENSING MARSHALL SUMMAR, M.D., PROFESSOR OF PEDIATRICS AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY & BIOPHYSICS; SCIENTIFIC ADVISOR, ASKLEPION PHARMACEUTICALS
Tuesday, April 14
4-5 p.m., 214 Light Hall
Co-sponsored by the Office of Research, the Office of Technology Transfer and Enterprise Development, and the Owen Graduate School of Management Entrepreneurship Center
This new lecture series focuses on the challenges and opportunities presented by the blending of science, medicine and business. The series will give science and business leaders a platform to share their personal experiences developing scientific and biomedical products and services. “We designed this series to appeal to physicians, scientists and graduate students in a number of disciplines, including business,” said Kenneth J. Holroyd, M.D., MBA, assistant vice chancellor for Research. “Anyone interested in technology transfer or in learning how to find a business market for their research discoveries will get a lot out of these lectures.”

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