Career Services, University of Pennsylvania

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Workshops
Employer Presentations for Graduate Students/Postdocs
Faculty Conversations
Expanded Career Opportunities
Programs for PennDesign Students
Career Fairs

Archived presentations of some of our programs are also available! Get valuable information you may have missed by visiting our PROGRAM ARCHIVES to download program notes, Power Point presentations, and MP3 recordings of our guest speakers.

Interview Skills: Prepare and Practice
Are you applying for positions in business, non-profit or government sectors this spring? Are you nervous because you don’t have a lot of interviewing experience? Are you unsure what types of questions will be asked? Wondering how you should prepare? Plan to attend this workshop whether you’re new to the interview process, or just want to brush up on your skills.

Converting Your CV to a Resume
If you’re a Ph.D. student or postdoc applying for non-academic or non-research positions, you’ll probably need a resume. In this workshop, a counselor from Career Services will talk about the different sections typically included in a resume, and offer suggestions for transforming your CV into an eye-catching resume.

Writing a Strong Resume
Do you need to write a new resume or update an old one? A Career Services counselor will go over the parts of the resume and talk about how you can make your qualifications stand out. (Please note: this is not a CV writing workshop. A CV is used for applying to academic and research-focused positions; a resume is used for other kinds of positions, including positions in business).

Preparing for Interviews with Multiple Interviewers
This workshop will help you prepare to do your best in interviews where you may be interviewed by several people at once, or sequentially. This workshop is open to graduate students and postdocs who are job searching in both academic and non-academic settings. We will review some important tips for interviewing and discuss dynamics of interviewing with multiple interviewers (including panel interviews). A significant portion of the workshop will include interview practice, as well as discussion and Q&A.

Employment Outlook to 2020
Dixie Sommers, Assistant Commissioner for Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, U.S. Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics will discuss the BLS projections for 2010-2020, including trends for occupations and industries. It will also look at the overall labor force and macro economy, including the employment outlook for people with advanced degrees. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

U.S. Employment for International Students: Job Search Advice and Immigration Options Q & A
At this Question and Answer session/workshop, representatives from the Office of International Programs and Career Services will discuss visa considerations and job search strategies for international students who are hoping to find employment in the U.S. Most of the hour will be devoted to audience questions. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

Cover Letter Writing, Q&A
A Career Services Counselor will discuss the basics of cover letter writing for business, non-profit and government positions. A structured approach for cover letters will be described that will help you to make a good match between your strengths and each position’s requirements and responsibilities. The workshop will also identify additional resources to help with writing cover letters. No sign-ups are required to attend.

Networking to Access the “Hidden Job Market”
Understand the goals of networking, hear about formal and informal networking approaches, think about who is in your network..., then put some of this into practice during the workshop. Networking is an effective job search strategy, but can become even more effective if you start before you actually need to look for jobs. Whether you are actively seeking jobs or just thinking about what future possibilities there might be for you, learning to network will be helpful.

Handling Personal Questions in a Job Application or Interview
Whether you are in the process of applying or interviewing for an academic position or one in business, nonprofits or government, you may be unsure about discussing aspects of your personal life. How do you handle presenting information about your interests or motivations outside the workplace? Do you know which interview questions are appropriate for employers to ask, and which aren’t? In this workshop we will address employers’ reasons for wanting to know about you, questions they may ask in applications or interviews, and ways you can answer inquiries you haven’t anticipated.

Handling Illegal Questions in an Interview - International Students
This workshop will explore the types of questions that employers are not meant to ask, but sometimes still do. Understanding why these questions are improper, and under what conditions they might be considered to be illegal, can help interviewees come up with the best strategy to address them. This workshop will involve practicing answers for both proper and improper questions.

Job Offer Negotiation for Novices
How should you respond when offered a position? What can you negotiate for? A Career Services counselor will discuss what to think about and do when you receive that offer, and you will have a chance to practice your negotiating skills. This workshop will focus on opportunities in the business, non-profit and government sectors. Students and postdocs on the academic job market should see the Faculty Conversations section, below.

Resume Preparation and On-Campus Recruiting (OCR) Q&A
This session is for you if you have determined that you are interested in participating in OCR, interested in the kinds of employers that recruit and hire through OCR, and if you are eligible* to participate. Before you attend please do the following:

Assessing Your Skills to Seek Out New Career Possibilities
Join us for this interactive workshop where attendees will be able to think about the type of transferable skills they can successfully utilize outside of academia. We will explore ways of looking at academic and non-academic experiences to help with the process of self-assessing the skills you have, and the skills you most enjoy putting into practice.

M Squared Strategies, Inc.: Applied Management Professionals Program
Come to this program to learn more about M Squared Strategies,a DC- based management consulting firm providing support to government clients. Their consultants currently serve as trusted advisors to Senior Executive Officers in some of the largest departments (Veterans Affairs, Dept. Of Energy, Dept. of Transportation, Health and Human Services) in the U.S. Federal Government. The AMP Program is designed for graduate students who want to gain valuable experience in the operations of the Federal Government through consulting. It is a 9-week summer program (from June 18 – August 17) which includes a government placement, excursions, mentorship, a corporate project, trainings, and the opportunity to network with Senior Executives. More details on the AMP Program can be found here: http://www.msquaredstrategies.com/internships-amp-program.htm.

Faculty Conversations: Preparing for Campus Interviews and Negotiating Job Offers - Social Sciences and Humanities
Making a good impression during a campus interview will help convince search committees that you are the ideal candidate. This requires that you can talk effectively about yourself and your research, ask good questions to the faculty, administrators and students that you will meet, highlight how your particular knowledge and experiences set you apart from other candidates, and demonstrate that you would be a terrific colleague. Even while the job market remains quite challenging, it is still important to be prepared to negotiate effectively once offers have been made. Whether you are applying for a visiting assistant professor position or a tenure track faculty position at a college or university, there are many things that you may be able to negotiate once you have received a written offer. The two speakers will be Daniel Moscovici, PhD, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Richard Stockton College and Lecturer University of Pennsylvania and Kyung Hee University; and Tsitsi Jaji, PhD, Assistant Professor of English, University of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Conversations: Preparing for Campus Interviews and Negotiating Job Offers - Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Making a good impression during a campus interview will be the best way to convince search committees that you are the ideal candidate. This requires that you can talk effectively about yourself and your research, ask good questions to the faculty, administrators, and students that you will meet, and highlight how your particular knowledge and experiences set you apart from other candidates. Even while the job market remains quite challenging, it is still important to be prepared to negotiate effectively once offers have been made. Whether you are applying for a visiting assistant professor position or a tenure track faculty position at a college or university, there are many things that you may be able to negotiate once you have received a written offer. Take this opportunity to learn about campus interviews and negotiating from faculty members who have been through the process as candidates and members of search committees. The two speakers will be Alexis Nagengast, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Widener University; and Robert Ghrist, PhD, Andrea Mitchell University Professor of Math & Electrical/Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania.

Faculty Conversations: Understanding Tenure
A faculty member will outline the process for getting tenure, and will discuss what job candidates should know about tenure when they are on the job market and applying for tenure-track positions. Questions from the audience will follow. Past speakers have included Susan Weiss, Vince Price, Jack Nagel, Walter Licht, Janice Bellace, Peter Conn and Ralph Rosen. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

Faculty Conversations: Behind the Scenes with a Search Committee
What happens to your application for a faculty job and how does a search committee work together? How are candidates evaluated and selected for faculty positions? This panel will help you gain a better understanding of the academic job search from the perspective of the sitting faculty, department and institution. Faculty speakers will share their experiences and insights. Panelists will be Emilio Parrado, PhD, Associate Director, Population Studies Center, University of Pennsylvania and Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania; and Lynne M. Butler, PhD, Professor of Mathematics, Haverford College.

Preparing for the Academic Job Search
Please view Preparing for the Academic Job Market, Narrated Powerpoint Presentation prior to attending. A Career Services staff member will go over the basic aspects of the job search and answer questions on preparing written materials, identifying sources of job openings, obtaining recommendations, the academic job search timetable, and getting ready for interviews. Registration is requested.

Faculty Conversations: Preparing for Your First Year as a New Faculty Member
If you have obtained a faculty position for next year or hope to obtain one in the next few years, plan to attend this Faculty Conversation on making the most of your first year. Early-career faculty members will talk about what it's like to begin in a new faculty position. They will discuss issues such as working well with new colleagues, getting your research started and managing your teaching responsibilities.

What Can You Be with a PhD? Thoughts about Leaving Academia and Teaching in Other Realms - including K-12
Although a doctorate is considered an essential first step in an academic career, translating what you’ve learned and accomplished in the process of earning your doctorate for other audiences is not always easy. In this presentation, Dr. Nicole Gillespie, Director of Teaching Fellowships at the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation, will share lessons learned from her own career trajectory and insights she’s gained both in and out of academic circles. Her current position involves working closely with high school teachers, so she will also share what she has learned about making the transition from research and teaching undergraduates to teaching at the K-12 level.

Expanded Career Opportunities for PhDs: Understanding Careers in Digital Humanities
The "digital humanities" have recently been garnering increased media attention and a larger profile on campuses around the world. Yet, like with any emerging field, it can be difficult to understand and navigate the opportunities provided by digital humanities. Mitch Fraas, PhD, University of Pennsylvania, Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center in the first year of the two year Bollinger Fellowship for Library Innovation, will discuss this collaborative and multidisciplinary intersection of traditional humanities disciplines and computing. With a PhD in history from Duke University, experience in libraries and archives, and an understanding of digital humanities being part of a larger mission, Dr. Fraas will discuss jobs in the field and how to assess if this is an area of interest to you. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

Being Your Own Headhunter, featuring Susan Basalla May, PhD, Co-author, So What Are You Going to Do with That?: Finding Careers Outside Academia

Alternative Careers for Scientists and Engineers – Working within Academia without Research
Please join us for a panel discussion to hear about the experiences of scientists with PhDs who have put their academic experiences to use outside of the traditional academic career path, but inside of Academia. If you enjoy the academic environment, and want to be in a position where you can continue working with students, faculty and staff in diverse ways (perhaps even teaching as well), whilst still contributing to an institution’s higher education mission, then come and explore what types of options might be available to you. Alumni speakers at this panel discussion will include: Dr. Steve Corbarto, Director of Cyberinfrastructure (CI) Strategic Initiatives within the Office of Information Technology at the University of Utah, who coordinates the development and application of campus IT resources in support of faculty-driven research initiatives; and Dr. Carolyn Sealfon, Physicist & Associate Director, Science Education, Council on Science and Technology, Princeton University, who coordinates a university-wide initiative to prepare all Princeton students, irrespective of their majors, to become scientifically and technologically literate citizens and decision-makers. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

Women in Design and Planning
This lunchtime session is meant to be informative and informal, focusing on issues such as “glass ceilings,” work-life balance and gender-related issues women may encounter in their first 5 years in the profession. Prior years’ program recordings, and other information about Women in Design and Planning can be found here: http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/design/WomeninDesign.html. This is a great networking opportunity with accomplished women leaders in design fields. Current panelists include Nicole Morris Dress, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Architect / Project Manager at BLT Architects; Johnette Davies, Director of Historical Services, KSK Architects Planners Historians; and Nancy O’Donnell, ASLA, Director, Philadelphia Green, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

PennDesign Resume Writing Workshop
Do you need to write a new resume or update an old one? A career counselor will talk about the parts of the resume and how you can make your qualifications stand out. You don't need to sign up. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Careers in Architecture and Landscape Architecture Panel
This session is part of an annual panel discussion series in which design professionals, many of them alumni, discuss their careers, elements of the job search for recent grads, and answer student questions. Pizza and soda will be served. Registration is requested.

Job-Hunting Strategies and Career Planning for MFA Students
This informative and informal panel session will focus on current trends, tips for planning a career as an artist, and job-related resources and opportunities for graduates of Masters programs. Students are invited to join professional artists who will share their career experiences and advice.

Voices in Planning and Historic Preservation
This session is part of an annual series of panel discussions in which local planners and preservationists, often alumni, introduce themselves and their career paths to students before taking questions from the audience. Pizza and soda will be served. Registration is requested: CLICK HERE.

PennDesign Resume Walk-in Reviews
Do you need to write a new resume or update an old one? A career counselor will talk about the parts of the resume and how you can make your qualifications stand out. You don't need to sign up. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Spring Career Fair
Meet representatives from the following industries: print/publishing, arts/entertainment, education, sports/recreation, physical sciences/scientific research, advertising/public relations, law/advocacy and more! For more information, CLICK HERE.

All Ivy Environmental Career Fair, New York
This fair gives representatives from public agencies, consulting firms, nonprofit organizations and business and industry an opportunity to connect with students interested in environmental science; civil, biological, environmental, mechanical, chemical, and agricultural engineering; ecology, ecosystems, and biodiversity; forest science and management; industrial environmental management; environmental policy, economics, and law; urban ecology; city, regional and environmental planning and design; watershed science, policy, and management; community development; natural resources; biological sciences; international development; plant and agricultural sciences; and earth and atmospheric sciences. For additional information, including a list of participating employers, CLICK HERE.

The Greater Philadlephia Teacher Job Fair
Held in conjunction with other area colleges and universities, this job fair offers teacher candidates the opportunity to meet representatives from more than 100 school districts nationwide. More information about pre-registration will be available soon.

PennDesign Career Connection Day
Meet representatives from firms and organizations looking to hire PennDesign students in architecture, fine arts, landscape architecture, planning, spatial analytics and preservation. No registration required. Dress is business casual. Get job application materials together before the fair, and be sure to bring copies of your resume and design sheets (as appropriate) to Career Connection Day. Make an appointment with a career advisor to get feedback on resumes. Please Note: This fair is open to current Penn students and recent graduates only. CLICK HERE for more information.

Education and Social Services Career Day
This fair is open to Penn students and alumni interested in learning about opportunities in education and social services, as well as related fields such as intercultural communication, counseling, social policy/research, advocacy and non-profit administration. More information will be available closer to the date of the fair. Please check the GSE and SP2 Career Services homepages for updated information.