Our Professional Development Virtual Series is bringing together policy experts to explore the most relevant topics facing those just starting out or seeking to further their careers in public policy and research. Sign up for the upcoming webinars below.
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Job Market Success Strategies, Part 1: The Master’s Job Market
Wednesday, July 24, 1:00-2:00 PM EST
The job market can be one of the most intimidating and high-stakes parts of an academic journey, especially for people not historically represented in public policy and research, especially people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or first-generation. In this webinar, master’s-level policy professionals from various sectors and disciplines will share practical job market advice for master's students nearing the job market and recent graduates in public policy fields.
We will begin with a high-level overview of the job market process, including its stages, important recent trends, and valuable resources. Next, we will ask our panelists to delve into questions such as (1) determining your career goals and weighing the pros and cons of different sectors (e.g., academia, non-profit, government, industry), (2) how to prepare in the years and months leading up to the market, (3) when and how to conduct your job search, (4) how to put your best foot forward at each stage of the process, (5) what to expect from job offers and knowing if (and how!) to negotiate, and (6) how to take care of your well-being throughout the process.
While this session is tailored for master’s students, we welcome those who recently completed a bachelor’s degree in a policy-related field to attend.
Job Market Success Strategies, Part 2: The PhD Job Market
Wednesday, August 14, 1:00-2:00 PM EST
The job market can be one of the most intimidating and high-stakes parts of an academic journey, especially for people from under-represented backgrounds and first-generation students. In this webinar, a panel of experts from various sectors and disciplines will share practical job market advice for [PhD]/[MA and BA] graduates in fields related to public policy and management. We will begin with a high-level overview of the job market process, including its stages, the timeline, important recent trends, and valuable resources. Next, we will ask our panelists to delve into questions such as (1) determining your career goals and weighing the pros and cons of different sectors (e.g., academia, non-profit, government, industry), (2) how to prepare in the years and months leading up to the market, (3) when and how to conduct your job search, (4) how to put your best foot forward at each stage of the process, (5) what to expect from job offers and knowing if (and how!) to negotiate, and (6) how to take care of your own well-being throughout the process.
Applying for Grants and Fellowships
Monday, September 23, Time TBD
Grants and fellowships can support Public Policy PhD students in a variety of ways, but determining how to get such funding can be difficult. Having an external source of funding can help students conduct their research while releasing them from institutional work requirements such as teaching. Obtaining grants and fellowships can also serve as indicators of job applicant strength on CVs and help promote professional relationships with grantee organizations. This webinar aims to demystify the grant and fellowship application and selection process. The webinar will feature a panel of representatives from prominent grantors and students who have been selected for prestigious awards. Webinar attendees will gain knowledge about different funding opportunities and enhanced clarity on the application and review process.
Demystifying Conferences
Tuesday, October 22, 2:00-3:30 PM EST
This webinar session aims to demystify conferences. Participants can expect to learn about the purpose of conferences, how to get the most out of attending a conference generally, how to apply for conferences, and how to navigate unwritten rules of conferences such as presentation and attire norms. Participants will gain skills including navigating sessions and networking effectively, while gaining valuable insights on maximizing your conference experience and making meaningful connections in the realm of public policy and management.