Announcing the Expand Your Perspective Podcast!

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UChicagoGRAD is thrilled to announce the launch of Expand Your Perspective, a new podcast highlighting the research of UChicago graduate students and postdocs. Expand Your Perspective launches today with three episodes, each of which brings together a group of researchers for a far-ranging conversation on a common theme. We hope this podcast provides an exciting opportunity for grad students and postdocs to showcase their work and for our listeners to learn more about the groundbreaking research that goes on at UChicago. Check out and follow our Spotify account!

 

Expand Your Perspective is hosted by Michael O’Toole, who leads the GRADTalk program, and Linsin Smith, a GRADTalk advisor and current PhD student in Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology. The goal of the podcast is to foster an interdisciplinary conversation around common themes, highlighting the impact of graduate student and postdoctoral research on big questions across a wide range of fields.

 

The first three episodes available now are:

Episode 1 – The Universe: Black Holes, Exoplanets, and the Evolution of Stars

Is there life beyond Earth? What are common misconceptions about the universe? And how do you make science more accessible for everyone? This inaugural episode features three graduate students at the forefront of research in the physical sciences: Nora Bailey, Gourav Khullar, and Gautam Satishchandran.

 

Episode 2 – Signals, Circuits, and Pathways: How Do Cells Talk to Each Other?

Monkeys playing video games, octopus arm regeneration, and the cell-to-cell communication that underscores every biological process? Join our conversation to learn more about innovative graduate research in the biological sciences, with the help of Meike Lobb-Rabe, Natalie Grace Schulz, Caleb Sponheim, and Sherzod Tokamov.

 

Episode 3 – Coronavirus and COVID-19: Shifting Research Priorities   

In this episode, immunology graduate student Chris Stamper talks about how his lab shifted the focus of their antibody research to deepen our understanding of the coronavirus and aid in the development of a vaccine. In the second half, Master’s alumnus Dr. Siva Bhavani talks about his work as an ICU physician and how he utilizes big data to understand better the trajectories of patients with COVID-19.

 

New podcasts will be recorded and released on a monthly basis. If you are a graduate student or postdoc and are interested in participating in a podcast episode, please fill out the application form here. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

 

Autumn Quarter Flu Shots

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UChicago Student Wellness and UChicago Human Resources are offering free flu shots to individuals with a University ID. To reduce lines and encourage social distancing, individuals will be required to have an appointment to receive a flu shot. The online scheduling tool allows you to quickly and easily schedule, change, or cancel your appointment. We encourage you to make your appointment online as soon as possible.

For more information, please visit the UChicago Student Wellness 2020 Flu Shot Events website: wellness.uchicago.edu/flushots. There are some important changes to ensure a smooth and safe process and so that individuals can select a time that works for them.

 

Important Changes for 2020:

• To reduce lines and encourage social distancing, individuals will be required to have an appointment to receive a flu shot. The online scheduling tool allows you to quickly and easily schedule, change, or cancel your appointment. We encourage you to make your appointment online as soon as possible.
• The online scheduling tool, available on the UChicago Student Wellness website, will allow you to quickly and easily schedule/change/cancel your appointment at your convenience.
• In order to receive a flu shot, you must:
o Wear a face covering and practice social distancing during your appointment.
o Bring your UChicago ID and two copies of the completed consent form. There will be copies of the consent form available on site if you do not have access to a printer.
o Arrive on time to your appointment. Individuals who arrive late may be asked to reschedule.

 

Last Available Dates: November 6-7, from 9am-6pm, at the Student Wellness Center, 840 E. 59th Street.

GRADFair 2020

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gradfair is virtual

GRADFair 2020 is coming next week! On October 15th, UChicagoGRAD will take our annual graduate-specific career fair online for the first time. We’ll be using Symplicity’s Virtual Career Fair Platform (VCF), which you can access right within GRAD Gargoyle. The fair will take place from 3:30-7:00 p.m. Central Time.

What is GRADFair?

GRADFair is UChicagoGRAD’s annual all-discipline career fair specifically for graduate students, postdocs, recent alumni of graduate programs, and employers looking for graduate-level talent. This year’s fair will focus primarily on business and industry areas such as data science, healthcare, technology, and consulting, but you can expect to see a broad range of employer types representing a wide array of fields. GRADFair is a great opportunity to meet with representatives (some of whom are UChicago alumni) to learn about industries, companies, and roles you’re interested in pursuing. It’s an excellent time to make connections and begin conversations with potential employers.

To RSVP and view a current list of registered employers, please click here.

How does the Virtual Career Fair (VCF) Work?

VCF’s main similarity to an in-person fair is that you will wait in virtual “queues” to chat with employers, just as you might expect to wait in line in person. However, when you log into the fair, you’ll see estimated wait times listed for each employer, and you’ll be able to enter as many as three queues at any given time. When it’s your turn, you’ll be invited to a video meeting on a platform like Zoom or Teams, and you’ll go there to meet with the employer.

Employers have the option to set up one-on-one conversations, group chats, or both, and the length of each chat is pre-set by the employer for anywhere between 5 and 15 minutes. This means you’ll probably have more time to speak with any given employer than you might have an at in-person fair.

If an employer you’re in line for becomes available while you’re already chatting with another, you won’t lose your spot in line; the system will first go to the person directly behind you, then hold your spot until you’re finished with your meeting.

You can see a brief demo of what your experience will look like the day of the fair here.

What can you do to be ready for GRADFair?

Fill out your GRAD Gargoyle profile as completely as possible. Employers will be able to browse student and postdoc profiles ahead of the fair and may use these to invite you to join their queue. Be sure to click “Publish” when you’re ready for your profile to be viewed.

Polish your resume and make sure it’s included in your profile as your default resume. Need some resume tips? UChicagoGRAD’s Resume Guide can be found here.

Research participating employers. Read about employers on their websites, LinkedIn, or Glassdoor. Search for alumni working there (from UChicago or your undergraduate institution). The UChicago Library has company and industry research resources, and dedicated librarians to help with your career research. Learn more about these resources here.

Attend our upcoming Perfecting Your Elevator Pitch webinar on October 13 from 12:30-1:30 CT. Register here.

Questions?

Check out our GRADFair FAQ here, or email Deborah Blumenthal (deborahb@uchicago.edu).

Fall Quarter Preview

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UChicagoGRAD Fall Programming Calendar 2020 

Please note all dates/times are subject to change. Check GRAD Gargoyle for up-to-date information.

SEPTEMBER

  • Monday, September 28 – Charlotte W. Newcombe Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Info Session, 1-2pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, September 29 – PATHS Archival Management Course #1, 4:30-6pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, September 30 – Resume Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, September 30 – Mellon ACLS Dissertation Completion Fellowship Info Session, 3-4pm, Zoom

OCTOBER

  • Thursday, October 1 – Cover Letter Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 1 – Exploring Fellowships for Master’s Students, 1-2pm, Zoom
  • Friday, October 2 – Soros Fellowship Info Session, Noon-1pm, Zoom
  • Monday, October 5 – Sunrise Futures Virtual Info Session, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 6 – SSRC International Dissertation Fellowship Info Session, 11am-Noon, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 6 – Prepping for GRADFair, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 6 – PATHS Archival Management Course #2, 4:30-6pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 7 – LinkedIn Foundations, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 7 – NSF GRFP Writing Workshop, 2-4pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 8 – Applying to PhD Programs: CVs, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 8 – Exploring Fellowships for Master’s Students, 4-5pm, Zoom
  • Friday, October 9 – Applying to PhD Programs: Statement of Purpose, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 13 – Two Sigma: Papers We Love (BS/MS), 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom (provided by employer)
  • Tuesday, October 13 – Two Sigma: Papers We Love (PhD), 4:30-5:30pm, Zoom (provided by employer)
  • Tuesday, October 13– PATHS Archival Management Course #3, 4:30-6pm Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 13 – Two Sigma Quant Talk, 5:30-6:30pm, Zoom (provided by employer)
  • Thursday, October 15 – Mellon ACLS Writing Workshop, 10am-Noon, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 15 – Exploring Fellowships for Master’s Students, 1-2pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 15 – GRADFair, 3:30-7pm, Symplicity’s Virtual Career Fair Platform
  • Monday, October 19, Mayor’s Office Summer Fellowship Info Session, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Monday, October 19 —Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Network and Search for Jobs, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 20 – PATHS Archival Management Course #4, 4:30-6pm Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 21 – Academic Job Market: Ask Me Anything Session, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 21 – Technical Interviewing Workshop hosted by CultureFit Technology Staffing, 3-5, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 22 – SSRC International Dissertation Fellowship Writing Workshop 1, 10am-Noon, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 22 – Exploring Fellowships for Master’s Students, 1-2pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, October 27 – PATHS Archival Management Course #5, 4:30-6pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 28 – Resume Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 28 – Boren 101: Getting Started with Your Boren Fellowship Application, 2-3pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 29 – SSRC International Dissertation Fellowship Writing Workshop 2, 10am-Noon, Zoom
  • Thursday, October 29 – Cover Letter Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Friday, October 30 – Graduate Research Fellowship for STEM Diversity Info Session, Noon-1pm, Zoom
  • Friday, October 30 – National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Info Session, 1-2pm, Zoom

NOVEMBER

  • Tuesday, November 3 – International Student & Postdoc Career Series: Introduction to the US Job Search, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, November 3 – PATHS Archival Management Course #6, 4:30-6pm, Zoom
  • Friday, November 6 – Ford Fellowships Info Session, Noon-1pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, November 10 – International Student & Postdoc Career Series: US Job Documents, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, November 11 – Academic Job Market Series: Ask Me Anything, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, November 17 – International Student & Postdoc Career Series: Interviewing for International Students, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, November 18 – National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship Writing Workshop, 2-4pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, November 18 – Resume Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, November 18 – Quarterly Postdoc Orientation, 3-4pm, Zoom
  • Wednesday, November 18 – Quarterly Postdoc Mixer, 4-5pm, Zoom
  • Thursday, November 19 – Ford Fellowships Personal Statement Writing Workshop, 10am-Noon, Zoom
  • Thursday, November 19 – Cover Letter Workshop, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom
  • Tuesday, November 24 – International Student & Postdoc Career Series: Networking for International Students, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom

DECEMBER

  • Thursday, December 3 – Ford Fellowships Personal Statement Writing Workshop, 10am-Noon, Zoom
  • Friday, December 4 – Point Foundation Scholarship Info Session, Noon-1pm, Zoom
  • Friday, December 4 – English Career Conversation Hour, 12:30-1:30pm, Zoom

Register online via GRAD Gargoyle

UChicago Health Pact

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As members of the University of Chicago community, it is vital that we work together to help protect our community’s health and safety. This is particularly critical during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are asking every person on campus to commit to the UChicago Health Pact to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

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When back on campus, we ask that everyone commit to protecting our community by following the UChicago Health Pact – a brief reminder of our commitment to uphold public health requirements.

The measures outlined in the UChicago Health Pact will help us achieve our goal of providing a safe environment for our entire campus community. Please remember that we are still in a dynamic COVID-19 environment. These required protocols pertain to the early stages of returning to on-campus activities and could change as the public health situation evolves.

View the UChicago Health Pact

Preparing for Autumn Quarter 2020

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Autumn Quarter is around the corner.

Don’t forget to:

Autumn Quarter 2020 feels different. You can find up-to-date information on the plans to resume programs and campus operations at UChicago Forward. As a reminder, UChicagoGRAD (along with offices campus-wide) have transitioned to remote services. We are here to meet with you one-on-onethrough Zoom and share our programs online, synchronusly and on-demand. We’re looking forward to working with you in the coming quarter and the coming year.

Overview of Autumn Quarter at UChicago 2020

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Returning to Campus and a Culture of Safety

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To: Members of the University Community
From: Robert J. Zimmer, President, and Ka Yee C. Lee, Provost
Date: August 6, 2020

We are looking forward to welcoming as much of the University community as possible back to campus for the Autumn Quarter that begins on September 29, guided by the University’s academic missions and values and in close collaboration with public health experts and the University of Chicago Medicine.

The video linked below provides an overview of UChicago’s plans and expectations for students and families, faculty, researchers, and staff about the resumption of on-campus activity, including the health practices to promote safety within our community.

If you have questions, we encourage you to visit the UChicago Forward website for more information.

Tax Deadlines and Financial Advising

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It’s tax time again – this time in July. Because of the COVID pandemic, both the IRS and State of Illinois extended the 2019 annual tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020.

If you have not already filed, review our 2019 tax workshops for an overview of next steps. In addition, the IRS extended the deadlines for 2020 quarterly estimated tax payments until July 15, 2020. (Illinois did not change the estimated tax deadline.) Confused? Graduate students can find more information about quarterly estimated tax payments here. Or, if you have general questions, please email gradhelp@uchicago.edu.

Students have been asking for financial advising and we are delighted to announce that UChicagoGRAD has partnered with TIAA to provide free one-on-one financial wellness consultations for graduate students and postdocs. These consultations are intended to answer questions related to investing, saving, and budgeting. You may sign up for an appointment here or by calling 800-732-8353. And, keep an eye out for workshops on these topics coming in the Autumn Quarter.

UChicago Convocation 2020

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The 533rd Convocation will take place virtually on Saturday, June 13, at 9:15 a.m. This is a University-wide ceremony involving degree candidates from all divisions and schools. During the ceremony, the University President Robert J. Zimmer will confer degrees to all candidates.

Live Streaming

The virtual University-wide ceremony will stream at convocation.uchicago.edu.

Speakers, contact information, and links to the virtual ceremonies can be found on the Virtual Ceremonies Schedule page.

Details for the College, as well as the Schools and Divisions’ individual ceremonies, can be found below. All ceremony times are Central Standard Time (CST).

Schedule

  • FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020
    • 9:00 AM- The School of Social Service Administration
    • 11:00 AM – The Division of the Social Sciences
    • 12:30 PM – The Divinity School
    • 2:00 PM – Class Day
    • 4:30 PM – The Division of the Humanities
  • SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2020
    • 9:15 AM – University-wide Ceremony
    • 11:00 AM – The William B. and Catherine V. Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies
    • 11:00 AM – The Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies
    • 11:30 AM – The Law School
    • 12:00 PM – The Division of the Physical Sciences
    • 4:30 PM – The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
  • SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2020
    • The College is proud to recognize the incredible achievements of our graduates during our College Diploma Ceremonies. A UChicago tradition, the College Diploma Ceremonies invite students to return to their residential communities to celebrate graduation with those with whom they began their academic journey. Each ceremony is presided over by a resident dean and features remarks, speeches, and the reading of the names of each graduate. This year’s virtual ceremonies will take place on Sunday, June 14, 2020, throughout the day at the times listed below. Links to each virtual ceremony, as well as speaker and contact information, can be found on the Virtual Ceremonies Schedule page.

Social Media

Share your Class of 2020 memories, photos, and reflections, as we recognize your accomplishments! Use our specially designed Class of 2020 social media tools to celebrate and share your success with friends and family.

FAQ

For more information about Convocation, academic regalia, diplomas, and more, please consult the FAQ page. If you have additional questions, please email convocation@uchicago.edu.

UChicagoGRAD Is Here to Help

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The past few months have highlighted the intense inequities and racism in our country, and the murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests have amplified the injustices that Black people in America face. UChicagoGRAD recognizes that many students and postdocs are feeling hurt, trauma, and increased anxiety. These are challenging issues to grapple with, and we don’t purport to have quick or easy solutions. We encourage you to check in on each other—reach out to your peers. Please email askthegargoyle@uchicago.edu to let UChicagoGRAD know how we can support you in efforts to change the reality in this country so that we have an inclusive and equitable society for everyone.

Dana Bozeman, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, is available for advising and personal support (schedule in GRAD Gargoyle using appointment type ”GRAD Diversity: Topics Related to Diversity & Inclusion” or email Dana at dbozeman@uchicago.edu).