Are you on the academic job market?

Are you in the midst of applying to faculty positions and postdocs? UChicagoGRAD is here to help you put together strong academic job market applications and prepare you for your academic job interviews, job talks, and offer negotiation. Join our workshops, set up a 1:1 advising appointment, and check out our online resources.

Selected Upcoming Workshops

Join us for Curriculum Vitae (CV) Best Practices on Wednesday, October 3, 12:30–1:30 p.m. (CT). The Curriculum Vitae (CV) is the cornerstone of all applications for grants, fellowships, and jobs in academia. This workshop will provide you with CV best practices that will help your academic accomplishments shine. The session is appropriate for graduate students and postdocs in all disciplines. RSVP here. 

Next, mark your calendars for Academic Job Market: Tailoring Your Academic Job Applications on Wednesday October 10, 12:30–1:30 p.m. (CT). Academic job advertisements contain important clues about a hiring department’s priorities. However, these clues can sometimes be hidden amid language that is vague, unfamiliar, or legalistic. How do you decipher these ads, and what do you do with this information once you have it? This workshop will help you decode the language of academic job market advertisements and tailor applications effectively. We will discuss CVs and cover letters in particular. RSVP here. 

If you are looking to prepare for Negotiating an Academic Job Offer, join us on Tuesday, November 7, 12:30–1:30 p.m. (CT). This workshop will help you understand how to successfully negotiate an offer for an academic position (e.g., a professorship, postdoc, lectureship, or visiting position). We will explore when in the hiring process to account for and discuss your needs. We will review what to negotiate to maximize your chances for success in your new role. Finally, we will learn how to conduct the exchange in a way that builds strong ties with your new colleagues and institution. The session will be structured around a case study and role-playing exercise. This workshop is appropriate for PhD/MFA students and postdocs in all disciplines. RSVP here. 

1:1 Advising Appointments

Interested in discussing your job market strategy, workshopping your application materials, or preparing for an upcoming interview? Set up an advising appointment with an advisor on GRAD Gargoyle 

Your dedicated career advisor can help you think through your job market strategy and provide feedback on your CV, cover letter, research statement/proposal, and teaching statement. Simply select “CAREERS” in the scheduling interface and you will see available appointments with your advisor. 

Looking to prepare 1:1 for an upcoming interview or presentation? Choose “Oral Communication” in the appointment system and set up a meeting. 

To discuss questions related to diversity and inclusion, set up a “DIVERSITY” appointment and meet with Joseph Butler, who will also be able to think about and review your diversity statement. 

Online Resources  

For information about academic job documents, check out the GRAD job document resources. If you’re thinking about interviews for faculty positions and postdocs, have a look at the interview resources, which also include links to different interview workshops. 

Questions about the academic job market and resources for applying for faculty positions and postdocs? Email Kathrin Kranz (kranz@uchicago.edu).  

Thinking about Applying to Fulbright? It’s not too late!

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends thousands of American students around the globe each year to study, research, or teach for 6–12 months. Last year, University of Chicago was named a top producing institution of Fulbright awards, a designation the university has received each year for more than 30 years. Our graduate students have conducted research in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and North and  South America. Fulbrighters come from all disciplines—social sciences and humanities, as well as the arts, STEM, business, and law. In addition to research, UChicago graduate students have taught in Turkey, France, Germany, and South Korea, among many other locations.

The competition is underway, but it’s not too late to get started. GRAD fellowship advisors welcome you to email us about your interest in the program at grad-fellowships@uchicago.edu. You can also learn more by consulting the Fulbright entry in our fellowships database and signing up for Fulbright workshops in GRAD Gargoyle. We look forward to hearing from you!

Academic Job Market Summer Camp, July 10–14, 2023

Photograph of trees and campus buildings with the Chicago downtown skyline in the background.

Are you curious about the academic job market, or are you planning to apply for academic jobs this fall? Build your knowledge and confidence by attending UChicagoGRAD’s Academic Job Market Summer Camp. You’ll receive advice from UChicagoGRAD and Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning advisors as well as faculty from a range of institutions in the US and beyond.

Monday–Friday, July 10–14, 2023, 9:00 a.m. CT, Saieh Hall and Online

RSVP in GRAD Gargoyle 

Monday, July 10 (Zoom)

Overview of the Job Market
Hiring Committee Panels (HUM/Social Sciences and STEM)
CV Best Practices
Immigration Options Beyond OPT, STEM OPT and Academic Training

Tuesday, July 11 (in-person)

Cover Letter Best Practices
Diversity Statements
Lunch Provided by UChicagoGRAD
Managing Your Academic Job Search

Wednesday, July 12 (in-person)

Research Statement Best Practices (HUM/Social Sciences and STEM)
Teaching Statement and Portfolio Best Practices
Lunch Provided by UChicagoGRAD
Creating an Academic Website

Thursday, July 13 (in-person)

From Zoom to Campus
Demystifying Job Talks
Lunch Provided by UChicagoGRAD
Interview Stories from Recent Hires Panel

Friday, July 14 (Zoom)

Applying for International Academic Positions
Considering Teaching Positions off the Tenure Track
Getting Postdoc in the Humanities and the Social Sciences

3MT Competition 2023

three minute thesis logo
Join the audience of UChicago’s 3MT competition to see PhD students deliver compelling, three-minute presentations about their work. 13 PhD students representing the Humanities, Social Sciences, Biological Sciences, Physical Sciences, and the Crown Family School will compete for a total of $2,000. You will have a chance to vote for the “audience favorite award”.

COMPETITIORS

  1. Adarsh Suresh, PhD Student in Molecular Engineering
  2. Adina Feinstein, PhD Student in Astronomy
  3. Caroline Kelly, PhD Student in Crown Family School
  4. Casey Ferrara, PhD Student in Psychology
  5. Giorgio Sarro, PhD Student in Geophysical Sciences
  6. Isabella Scott, PhD Student in Mathematics
  7. Jelena Momirov, PhD Student in Chemistry
  8. Jelena Scepanovi, PhD Student in Human Genetics
  9. Kelly Holob, PhD Student in the Divinity School
  10. Nick Bayhi, PhD Student in Biophysical Sciences
  11. Pallav Goyal, PhD Student in Mathematics
  12. Rachel Chery, PhD Student in Music
  13. Walter Alvarado, PhD Student in Biophysical Sciences

JUDGES

  • Ella Karev (PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations), Humanities Teaching Fellow, UChicago, Winner of the 2022 3MT Competition
  • Tony Banout (PhD in Divinity), Inaugural Executive Director, Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression, UChicago
  • Vera Dragisich (PhD in Chemistry), Senior Instructional Professor and Director of Academic Programs & Graduate Studies in Chemistry

Event details:
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Friday, May 19, 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., UChicagoGRAD (3rd Floor, Bookstore Building) 

More on 3MT at UChicago.

Consulting Spring Training, May 8–12, 2023

Consulting Spring Training is a week-long event series for graduate students and postdocs interested in careers in consulting. Whether you’re just starting to explore consulting or are working on job applications, this series can help you prepare for the next step in your process.

Simple silhouette graphic of two people chatting across a table.

Day 1: Consulting 101

This session will consist of a brief overview of the consulting industry and where graduate students and postdocs fit in. You will also hear an interview with a PhD alumnus of UChicago and BCG.
Sign up for Day 1.

Day 2: Resumes and Cover Letters

This day will consist of hands-on workshopping of resume drafts, led by Pam Schilling from Archer Career. IMPORTANT: Before this session, we highly recommend watching a recording of Pam’s workshop on resumes and cover letters: VIDEO HERE. Also, please see the attached suggested resume template. For this session, we encourage you to work on a draft of your resume and/or cover letter before you arrive. Come to UChicagoGRAD with your draft, where we will do a quick demo of a resume review before breaking into small groups to work on drafts with your peers, facilitated by Pam and UChicagoGRAD career development staff. Sign up for Day 2. 

Day 3: Communicating like a Consultant

This day is an in-person, hands-on interview, and networking workshop. For this session, we will learn best practices for communicating like a strategy consultant, followed by hands-on activities to practice and refine your answers to common interview and networking questions in small groups, facilitated by UChicagoGRAD career development staff. Sign up for Day 3.

Day 4: Case Interviews

The case interview is a unique component of the interview process at many consulting firms. The content of this session will include a summary of the case interview process, an overview of preparation strategy, and live demonstration of cases. Sign up for Day 4.

Day 5: Meet the Firms

This session will feature representatives from several different types of consulting firms that hire advanced degree talent. Hear a series of presentations from each firm about the types of “cases” that they work on. The presentations will be followed by a panel Q&A. Next, consulting firms will be separated into individual rooms, lunch will be served, and you will have the option to meet in small groups with consultants of your choice for two 30-minute sessions. Sign up for Day 5.

Graduate Student Celebration Week, May 1–5, 2023

Flyer of the schedule of Graduate Student Celebration Week, 2023

From May 1 to May 5, we’re celebrating graduate students by mixing into the GRAD schedule some extra special events (read: free food aplenty). Starting with Monday’s drop-in Brain Boost Breakfast and an evening of Virtual Trivia (win gift card prizes!), Tuesday is GRAD Swag giveaway day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Lounge, and Wednesday features a drop-in pizza lunch from 12 to 2 p.m. Also featured are some RSVP events: Professional Headshots (Wednesday), May the Fourth Be With You (Thursday), and Paint Your Thesis/Paint Your Dissertation (Friday).

Graduate Student Celebration Week 2023
*See below for sign up links*

MONDAY, MAY 1
Brain Boost Breakfast
9:00–11:00 a.m., GRAD HQ
(Drop-in; no need to register)

Virtual Trivia 
6:30 p.m. Zoom link here

TUESDAY, MAY 2
GRAD Swag Giveaways
9 a.m.–2 p.m., Grad Lounge

WEDNESDAY, MAY 3
Professional Headshots
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Grad Lounge
Sign up via GRAD Gargoyle for your professional headshot

Email Communications Workshop (HEA Credential Series)
12:00–1:30 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for the Email Comms Workshop via GRAD Gargoyle

Fulbright 101
2:30–3:30 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for Fulbright 101 via GRAD Gargoyle

Career30 Interviewing Best Practices
3:30–4:00 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for Career30 via GRAD Gargoyle

Bowling at Seven Ten Social
6:30–8:30 p.m., Seven Ten Social
*Spring Meet-up presented by UChicago Student Wellness + UChicagoGRAD
(Fully registered)

THURSDAY, MAY 4
Pizza Lunch 
12:00–2:00 p.m., GRAD HQ
(Drop in; no need to register)

“Gap Year” Jobs Workshop & Reception for Master’s Students in Humanities, Social Sciences, and Divinity
4:00–6:00 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for Gap Year Workshop via GRAD Gargoyle

May the Fourth Be With You
6:30–9:00 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for Star Wars Social via GRAD Gargoyle

FRIDAY, MAY 5
Paint Your Thesis / Paint Your Dissertation
4:00–6:00 p.m., GRAD HQ
Sign up for Paint Your Thesis/Diss via GRAD Gargoyle

Alumni Networking Resources

Wisr owl logo

Alumni are eager to connect with you! With Wisr, UChicago’s mentoring platform, you can find new contacts and grow your professional network. Wisr allows you to find UChicago alumni mentors working in your field of interest and schedule conversations with them. Wisr can give you a great advantage when it’s time to think about internships or landing your first job. All you need is a valid LinkedIn account (here are some tips for setting up a LinkedIn account if you haven’t already).

You can also search for alumni through UChicago’s Alumni and Friends’ Alumni Directory to reconnect with friends and expand your professional network. Search by name, or tailor your results with up to three search criteria.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition

Can you present your research in just three minutes? PhD students are invited to enter this year’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition to hone their public speaking skills and earn cash prizes.

This year’s 3MT will take place in-person on Friday, May 19 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. in UChicagoGRAD’s headquarters, located on the 3rd floor of the bookstore. A reception with a light lunch will follow.

In a 3MT competition, participants prepare a three-minute presentation about their research using only one static slide. It’s a great opportunity to showcase your work to a broader audience. A judging panel will award $2,000 total, with $1,000 to the first-place winner.

Any PhD student currently working on a research-based project may participate. The focus of your presentation should be your original research, pitched in an engaging way to a general audience without losing sight of the significance and impact of your work.

If you are interested in participating, please register for and attend the info session on Thursday, April 27, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at UChicagoGRAD HQ. Questions? Contact Kathrin Kranz (kranz@uchicago.edu).

 

Personal and Digital Security

The University has resources to help you protect your personal and digital security. Download the Safe App to access features including direct calling capabilities for the UCPD and CPD, mobile blue light (sends your location and calls UCPD simultaneously), links to safety resources, and information on safe transportation. Watch this video on the Safe App.

It’s also important to take steps to protect your personal data and practice digital security—especially during tax season. If someone asks for personally identifiable information such as your Social Security Number, make sure you ask 1) why they need this information and 2) how it will be used.

If you need to submit sensitive information (e.g., IRS forms such as a W-9) to a unit at UChicago, you should not include your SSN or other personally identifiable information in the body of an email or as an attachment. Email is inherently insecure. Instead, make the information available to a specific person via a secured folder such as Box.

Other steps you can take:
Use two-factor authentication on essential accounts such as email and banking apps. You can also register your phone with two-factor authentication and download the Duo Mobile App.

  • Keep files secure (and protect against data loss) by backing up data on an external hard drive.
  • Use a VPN when sharing sensitive information to maximize privacy.
  • Check your credit report annually from the three credit bureaus (Equifax, TransUnion, Experion)

More information on how to handle and protect your personally identifiable information can be found through IT Services.

Photograph of a person looking at a computer with a cat sitting in front of them.

Protect your personal and digital security. Photo by Ga on Unsplash.

Ever thought of applying to a Fulbright?

The Fulbright U.S. Student Award Program sends thousands of American students around the globe each year to study, research, teach, and carry out creative projects. Fulbrighters come from all disciplines—social sciences and humanities, as well as the arts, STEM, business, medicine, and0 law. The University has recently been named a top producing institution for Fulbright, and we are excited to continue contributing to our students’ many Fulbright successes in the next application cycle.

The fellowships team has scheduled the first two events of the Fulbright season. Join us for Fulbright 101: Exploring your Fulbright Options on Wednesday, March 8 at 2:30 p.m.

We are also thrilled to offer a joint info session with Fulbright staff on Monday, March 20 at 3 p.m. After a brief presentation from Fulbright, attendees will join UChicagoGRAD in a virtual breakout room to address questions unique to our campus nomination process. PLEASE NOTE: In addition to registering for this session through GRAD, students must also register through IIE to receive the meeting link.