Events

Note: This series takes place on Tuesdays, Sept 24-Oct. 29 from 3:30-5:00 PMEnrollment will be capped at 25 - priority will be given to those who can commit to attending the majority of sessions.REGISTER HEREThis six-part workshop series is meant to give non-specialists a practical foundation for working with data and understanding approaches to answering questions with data that are rooted in statistical thinking. Topics covered:A) Data formatting: This session will get students comfortable with handling quantitative datasets, coding text into the appropriate format, understanding different types of variables (continuous, categorical, ordinal), understanding when transformations might be needed and how to execute them, and tidying data for analysis.B) Intro to graphs: Students will learn to visualize individual variables, relationships between different variables, and the appropriate way to present them depending on the question. This will also cover some basics of aesthetics associated with formatting figures to aid in showing patterns in the data through graphs.C) Intro to statistical thinking: Here students will learn the motivations for measuring central tendencies and spread of data, their relevance in hypothesis testing and data analysis, and how to interpret these summaries.D) Experimental design: We will cover appropriate study design to test hypotheses, types of statistical tests and how to determine which to use. Students will learn how to report statistical analysis in a way that describes patterns in the data.E) Storytelling with your data: Over the course of each of the previous 4 workshops, students will have time to come up with a question they would be interested in testing with a dataset of their choice (either gathered from existing databases, collected from their own projects, etc.) They will apply principles learned in the past 4 workshops to prepare, visualize, and analyze their own data and create a data analysis exercise for other students.F) Bridge to R: We will discuss the limitations of graphical user interface tools such as DCU and other platforms and when coding based statistical tools may be needed. We will then see how data visualizations and statistical tests can be conducted in a language such as R using our Bridge to R interface. At each point we will highlight relevant modules that students could take in other data literacy courses in R/Python.

Consulting Workshop SeriesRegister here!This series, taught by Dr. Brendan Boler, is offered through 8 Sessions over the course of the academic year, 6 sessions in the fall semester and 2 sessions in the spring semester. It is designed to help graduate students and postdocs gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for a consulting job. Trainees will learn a hypothesis-driven structured problem-solving approach used by many top strategy consulting firms and apply this approach to help improve their own skills in case interviewing. Students will also gain valuable experience with two important skills: data analytics for consulting using Excel, and storytelling for consulting using PowerPoint. Both of these skills are often tested as part of second-round job interviews and are key skills for success on the job. The course will require two deliverables (an Excel model and PowerPoint presentation), due by the 7th and 8th sessions. Students will have the time to complete the assignments during winter break. The assignments will each take about 6 hours of time, 12 hours total and are prerequisites for earning a digital badge for consulting. Upon successful completion (participation in 6 out of 8 sessions and assignment completion) of this series, graduate students and postdocs are eligible to receive a digital badge, issued by the PhD Plus Program through Credly, that demonstrates proof of completion of the program.In 2024-2025, the workshop sessions will take place:Fall 2024: The first six sessions in Fall take place 3:30-5 PM (ET) on Wednesdays from October 2 to November 6.Spring 2025: The remaining two sessions in Spring take place 3:30-5 PM (ET) on Wednesdays, Jan 22 & Feb 5.Fall Session Schedule: October 2: Consulting 101 & Practice Case Interview #1October 9: Communicating like a Consultant, Practice Case Interview #2October 16: Practice Case Interview #3 - Bain styleOctober 23: Networking for Consulting & Practice Case Interview #4October 30: Practice Case Interview #5 - McKinsey styleNovember 6: Telling Your "Why Consulting" Story & Practice Case Interview #6 Spring Session Schedule:January 22: Practice Case Interview #7 and Data Analytics for ConsultingFebruary 5: Practice Case Interview #8 and Data-Driven Storytelling for ConsultingRegister today!

Mondays, once a month, 12-1pm online | Sept. 9, Oct. 7, Nov. 11, Dec. 2 | Register hereAccelerate to Industry, or A2i, is a professional development program dedicated to enhancing graduate and postdoctoral training for careers outside academia. First developed by the North Carolina State University Graduate School, this program connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with industry companies to explore employment opportunities.The Industry Insights series introduces graduate students and postdocs to the wide world of industry. Throughout this series, students and postdocs will hear about different opportunities within the life sciences industry, as well as the landscape and ecosystem of working in a corporate setting.The first session of this 4-part series is on Monday, September 9 from 12-1pm on Zoom and will feature Lauren Celano, co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers, a life science search and career development firm focused on connecting talented individuals with entrepreneurial life sciences companies. Lauren will provide an overview of career opportunities in the life sciences sector and the state of the industry job market, including opportunities, challenges, and strategies for success. This talk will include bench research-focused opportunities as well as non-bench opportunities ranging from medical affairs, clinical research, regulatory, program/project management, alliance management, business development, consulting, data science, and more. This talk will highlight various skills, aptitudes, and competencies that thrive in the various types of roles in this sector, as well as opportunities and career considerations given the current state of the life sciences industry. We will cover hiring trends, growing career areas, financing considerations for organizations that impact career options, and innovation trends. Given the flux in the life sciences sector over the last few years, this talk is meant to provide insights to the audience regarding opportunities and information to be aware of to inform a successful career search. Register today!Lauren Celano is the co-founder and CEO of Propel Careers, a life science search and career development firm focused on connecting talented individuals with entrepreneurial life sciences companies. 

REGISTER HEREDoes sitting down to write your dissertation lead to hours wasted online? Or do you spend so much time planning your writing schedule that you don’t actually start writing? Whether you’re just starting the dissertation process or you’re in the thick of it, this workshop, led by PhD Plus, will give you tips and tricks for keeping your project on track, including making the most of your committee members, setting (and sticking to) a schedule, and setting yourself up for a productive writing session. If you’re wanting to put these skills into practice right away, this workshop will be followed by the UVA Library’s Graduate Research & Writing Café (1 pm – 4 pm), a dedicated space for graduate students to write together with coffee, snacks, and staff on hand for research assistance and writing support. You are not required to stay for the writing session, nor are you required to attend the workshop to attend the Grad Cafe (you can sign up for just the Café here).  

This is the fourth session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series. SESSION DESCRIPTIONTime management is a fundamental skill to your graduate experience that requires periodic reflection to ensure its effectiveness. In this workshop, learn about strategies to set realistic goals, curb distractions and procrastination, and design personalized plans to manage time in order to accomplish professional goals and personal aspirations.  REGISTER HERE 

This is the fifth and final session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series. SESSION DESCRIPTIONThe challenges in graduate school may cause stress, anxiety, and imposter fears. In the final workshop of this series, learn some strategies to build resilience and reframe negative thoughts. You will also gain awareness and knowledge around your unique strengths by taking the StrengthsFinder 2.0 instrument. REGISTER HERE 

This is the first session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series.SESSION DESCRIPTIONIn this session, we will discuss and uncover “the hidden curriculum” of graduate school to help you navigate the transitions in graduate studies. We will also look at goals and milestones common to one’s academic journey, skills, and personal and career development to help you think about what you want to achieve during your graduate program. REGISTER HERE 

This is the fifth and final session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series. SESSION DESCRIPTIONThe challenges in graduate school may cause stress, anxiety, and imposter fears. In the final workshop of this series, learn some strategies to build resilience and reframe negative thoughts. You will also gain awareness and knowledge around your unique strengths by taking the StrengthsFinder 2.0 instrument. REGISTER HERE 

This is the first session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series.SESSION DESCRIPTIONIn this session, we will discuss and uncover “the hidden curriculum” of graduate school to help you navigate the transitions in graduate studies. We will also look at goals and milestones common to one’s academic journey, skills, and personal and career development to help you think about what you want to achieve during your graduate program. REGISTER HERE 

This is the second session of the 5-week PhD Plus Fall 2024 Foundations Series. SESSION DESCRIPTIONAs a grad student, you are the project manager for your coursework, research, teaching, and other areas of professional and personal life. Therefore, learning and integrating project management principles will help improve efficiency and agility in every aspect of your life.REGISTER HERE