BGREAT & OPD Events

• Picking Your Perfect Postdoc (Seminar + Q&A) - Friday, June 4 at 1:30PM CT. The OPD presented a seminar about how to choose a postdoctoral position that is right for you and your long-term goals. Watch the recording here (UMN login required).

• Exploring Postdoc Options (Panel Discussion & Networking) - Friday, June 11 at 1:30 - 3PM CT. Watch the recording of the panel discussion here (UMN login required).

The OPD was joined by panelists who are doing (or have completed) various different types of postdoctoral training positions, including research-focused postdocs, education-focused postdocs, industry postdocs, and policy fellowships. This 90-minute event will had two parts. The OPD posed general questions to all of the panelists about their experience selecting, applying for, and working in their respective postdoctoral positions. In the second half of the sessions, attendees were able to ask more specific questions and network with individual panelists in breakout rooms (this part of the session was not recorded).

• What Faculty Look for in an Academic Postdoc Candidate (Faculty Panel) - Friday, June 18 at 1:30PM CT. Watch the recording here (UMN login required).

The OPD hosted a conversation with faculty panelists about what they look for when they are considering applicants for a postdoctoral position in their lab.

• How to Apply for an Academic Postdoc (Seminar + Q&A) - Friday, June 25 at 1:30PM CT. Watch the recording here (UMN login required).

The OPD presented a seminar about how to find and apply for an academic postdoctoral position. We discussed strategies to find postdoc opportunities, an overview of the application process for postdoc positions, suggested timelines for organizing your postdoc position search, and more!

September 2020 - Research Careers in Industry (Friday, September 25 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here and the Q&A record here (UMN login required).
October 2020 - Beyond the Bench Careers in Industry (Friday, October 30 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required).
November 2020 - Careers in the Government and Nonprofits (Friday, November 13 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required), and text Q&A.
*Special Session* - Careers in Medical Affairs at MyoKardia (Friday, December 4 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required), text Q&A, and speaker bios.
December 2020 - Medical Science Liaison Careers (Friday, December 11 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required), and text Q&A.
January 2021 - Careers in Science Administration (Friday, January 22 at 1:30 PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required) and text Q&A.
February 2021 - Careers in Scientific Communications (Friday, February 19 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required).
*Special Session* - Careers in Entrepreneurship with IndieBio (Thursday, March 11 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required).
March 2021 - Research Intensive Careers in Academia (Friday, March 26 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required).
April 2021 - Data Science Careers (Friday, April 16 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required) and text Q&A.
May 2021 - Careers in Science Education and Outreach (Friday, May 21 at 1:30PM) Access the recording here (UMN login required).

Conversation Starter Summaries:

• July 2020 - Discussed 'This Free North' & 'Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man' episode 2 and episode 3

• August 2020 - Discussed Implicit Bias and Interrupt Bias

• September 2020 - Discussed 'Being Anti-racist'

• October 16, 2020 from 4 - 5PM- Discussed the PBS Series 'What I Hear When You Say' episodes on Code Words, Race Card, and What are you.

• November 20, 2020 from 4 - 5PM - Discussed this article on Microagressions.

• January 15, 2021 from 4 - 5PM - Discussed this article on 'How to Better Support BIPOC Trainees in the Biomedical Sciences'.

• February 19, 2021 from 4 - 5PM - Discussed this article on 'Self-Care for BIPOC & Tips for Allies'.

• March 19, 2021 from 4 - 5PM - Discussed this article on Stereotypes and Xenophobia against Asian Americans.

An annual five-part invited speaker series centered on diversity, equity, and inclusion in science focused on the following:

1. Defining Your Role in Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, where you will identify your role in DEI work

2. History of Isms in Science, where you will be informed, understand, and reflect upon the history of racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination and oppression in science

3. Combating Isms in Science, where you will learn strategies from leaders and peers in various STEM careers to implement a change in culture

Learn more about the sessions and access recordings and resources here: Conversation Speaker Series, Conversations - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Leadership.

Fall 2020 - An introduction to career exploration and professional development

• SESSION 1 - Friday, September 11 - An introduction to our community, professional development, and how the OPD can support you throughout your grad school experience. The presentation portion of this event was recorded and can be accessed here. (UMN login required)

• SESSION 2 - Friday, October 16 - A discussion of self-assessment - why should you do it to start your career decision process and what tools you can use. We'll also talk about networking and how to use informational interviews to gather data and make informed career decisions. The presentation portion of this event was recorded and can be accessed here. (UMN login required)

• SESSION 3 - Friday, November 20 - What can I be with my degree? An exploration of BGREAT alum career outcomes and the options available to you as you continue to explore career options. The presentation portion of this event was recorded and can be accessed here. (UMN login required)

Spring 2021 -You, Me & Our Community - a forum to learn about the history and need for change in our scientific community, with the goal of walking away with a toolkit for effecting change in science

• This series will be administered to first year graduate students via Canvas. If you are a first year student, you will receive an invitation to the Canvas course on February 1. The course will cover four modules:

  1. Understanding Individuals (Available Mon, Feb 1; Due Sun, Feb 28)

  2. Barriers and Challenges (Available Mon, Mar 1; Due Sun, Mar 28)

  3. Self-Reflection (Available Mon, Apr 5; Due Sun, May 2)

  4. Community Change ( Available Mon, May 3, Due Sun, May 30)

• Derek Haseltine, Director of Career Development at Baylor College of Medicine. How can professional development enrich your training experience? Why should you have a plan to do it? Derek will share his wisdom with us, based on his over 15 years of working with trainees at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland, George Washington University, and Baylor College of Medicine. Friday, September 18 at 1:30PM - Watch the recording here! (UMN login required)

• Lori Conlan, PhD, Director of Career and Postdoctoral Services at the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education, will discuss the current job market and give advice for how to transition from your PhD or postdoctoral training to the job market now and over the next few years. Friday, October 23 at 1:30PM - Watch the recording here! (UMN login required)

• Sammy Katta, PhD, former Genetics and Public Policy Fellow with the American Society of Human Genetics, founder of NeuWrite West, co-founder of Generation Sci, and creator of the #FundSillyScience photo series, will speak on scientists' responsibility to engage in issues around how science is used in society. How can we use our knowledge and expertise as scientists and as people to make change through social media and public policy? Friday, April 9 at 1:30PM - Watch the recording here! (UMN login required)

• Joanne Kamens, PhD, Executive Director at Addgene, spoke on "Academia, Pharma, Biotech, Nonprofit with a side of Life - Career Transitions in Science." Dr. Kamens shared how she navigated career decisions, transitions, and negotiating work/life integration along the way. Friday, April 23 at 1:30PM - Watch the recording here! (UMN login required)