Science Section

Science Schedule Overview

WEEK 1: Introduction - What is Networking?

• Lecture based discussion to introduce the concept of networking, its importance, and its role in career growth.

WEEK 2: Department & Employer Guest Speaker Panel

• A panel Q&A setup where students ask questions to engage with industry professionals in their respective department to gain insights into real-world networking experiences.

WEEK 3: LinkedIn Crash course Day with Career Services

• A Linkedln profile workshop where students create or enhance their Linkedln profiles with guidance from  on online personal branding.

WEEK 4: Networking Etiquette Workshop

• Students practice professional etiquette exercises such as greetings, body language, and eye contact in networking events and settings. Expected to dress professional. 

WEEK 5: Speed Networking Project

• Students participate in a peer networking activity in structured networking rounds to practice introductions.

WEEK 6: Networking Bingo + Interviews

• An interactive networking bingo where students see where they've already built networking connections and how to enhance them in and out of class based on specific traits or experiences in a bingo format.

WEEK 7: Midterm Sprint Project

• Students solve real world challenges submitted by scientists and researchers. The solutions will be reviewed by industry professionals and students get the opportunity to showcase their skills in a visual and problem-solving technique!

WEEK 8: Midterm Sprint Project

• Students present their solution to the class and send their results to the researchers. The team with the most accurate solution and best feedback wins a prize!

WEEK 9: Networking Map

• Students create their own visual personal networking mapping of their current network, identifying key contacts and potential connections. Incorporating new networking contacts created this semester and connecting with them on LinkedIn. 

WEEK 10: Personal Brand Statement Creation Workshop

• Students create a unique brand statement to summarize their skills, values, and career goals.

WEEK 11: Informational Interviews 

• Students are expected to set up an informational interview with a new connect found on LinkedIn to learn about their career path and learn networking tips.

WEEK 12: Skill Application

• Students identify the soft and hard skills they have needed to obtain a research opportunity. Then draft elevator pitches to professors and researches identifying them as valuable assets in the lab while gaining new experience. 

WEEK 13: Mock Career Fair

• Students engage in a realistic mock career fair to practice approaching recruiters to present themselves professionally. Will include GMU employees willing to participate as recruiters as well as the professor and TA. 

WEEK 14: Peer Review + Feedback

• Students present and review each other final networking plans and give constructive feedback for improvement.

WEEK 15: Final Networking Reflection + Goal Setting

• Students reflect on the semester's networking experiences and set goals for building connections post course and provide constructive feedback about course.