UMBC Department of Human Resources
532 Administration Building
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, Maryland 21250

You are invited to join schools within the PROMISE AGEP for Summer Professional Development Workshops 2016. While some events limit enrollment to students within their respective institutions, others are open to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and alumni from any school.

SUMMER WORKSHOPS 2016

• DISSERTATION COMPLETION EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

• UMBC DISSERTATION HOUSE: TUESDAY, JULY 5 – FRIDAY, JULY 8.  – Dissertation House @ UMBC will be held from July 5 to July 8, 9 am to 5 pm, in the Commons Building, Room 329. Application process (Extended, please apply): https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply [Note: If you are working on your proposal, you may apply.] UMBC’s students should apply for this Dissertation House at UMBC. This event is limited to students from UMBC, and pending space, available to select students from other campuses who have participated in Dissertation Houses in the past, and have had consultations with Dissertation Coach, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. This event is open to UMBC’s students from all backgrounds, and all disciplines (CAHSS, COEIT, and CNMS.)

• UM COLLEGE PARK DISSERTATION RETREAT: MONDAY, JULY 18 – FRIDAY, JULY 22.  College Park has a Dissertation Retreat July 18-22 for their students. If you are a student at College Park, you may participate in this event: http://go.umd.edu/JulyDissertationRetreat. Contact Christopher Perez, cperez6@umd.edu, for inquiries. Unless otherwise noted, this event is only open to students who are enrolled at the UM College Park. 

• UMB DISSERTATION BOOTCAMP: TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 – THURSDAY, AUGUST 18. UMB has a Dissertation Bootcamp on August 16-18 for their students.  UMB’s students must have the approval of their dissertation advisor to participate, and must contact jbroadwick@umaryland.edu. UMB also has the Summer “Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs).” These in-person sessions are available to students to students from UMB, and with UMB research affiliations. Contact LaNette Parson, lparson@umaryland.edu, for inquiries. Unless otherwise noted, these events are limited to students enrolled at UMB, and students who have affiliated research at UMB.

• ALL SCHOOLS: Starting JULY 1, 2016.  If you are a student from a school that does not have an in-person event, or if you are a student where there is an in-person event and you can’t attend on your school’s designated date, please join us for the “2016 Dissertation House ONLINE.” You will be able to blog daily, and work along with others who are attending the Dissertation House in-person. You can participate in the Dissertation House ONLINE from any location in the world. The Dissertation House online does not have any space limits. Invite friends to join. This Dissertation House experience is open to students from all disciplines, all backgrounds, any school.

• USM: Dissertation House at the SSI, AUGUST 18-19, 2016. The Dissertation House at the SSI is open to students from schools within that University System of Maryland who are in STEM fields, and are part of the NSF’s efforts for broadening participation. Details for this event are available through the 2016 SSI’s website. If you are an alumnus of a USM institution, but are completing graduate work at another institution and/or if you are part of one of the other 10 AGEPs in the nation, you may be eligible, pending space: e.g., completed a B.S. in Chemistry at Salisbury, working on a Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and are part of the Michigan AGEP.

• WRITING WORKSHOPS at UMBC 

These events are open to anyone who is interested, from any institution. If you don’t have an account with MyUMBC, please page down to the comment section and follow the registration instructions.

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6 & THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Writing for Publication Workshop: From July 6 to July 7, 9 am – 5 pm, –  Commons 331. For those working on publications, papers, applications, grants: Please join this writing space. We will provide the work space, breakfast, and lunch. RSVP: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40161 [This event will include a goal-setting session, tips for writing, mini-lectures, and time for writing.]

• WEDNESDAY, JULY 6. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Understanding Impact Factor: A mini lecture seminar held on July 6, 9:30 am to 12 pm, Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, Professor of Biological Sciences, will be talking about how the publications are ranked. RSVP here:  http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40162 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

• THURSDAY, JULY 7. (For Grad Students & Postdocs) – Avoid the False Demon of Perfection: “Writing for Publication” seminar. It will be held on July 7, 1 pm to 3 pm, in the Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Kevin Omland, has more than 50 publications, that have been cited more than 3000 times. RSVP here: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40163 [Students who register for the July 6 & 7 “Writing Workshop, listed above, are automatically participants in this session.]

• FRIDAY, JULY 8. (For Postdocs) –The Aspirational CV: This workshop will be held on July 8,  9 am to 11 am, in Commons 331. The speaker will be Dr. Autumn Reed, from the Office of the Provost at UMBC. Dr. Reed is the Director of STRIDE, Coordinator for ADVANCE and for Faculty Diversity. Unlike the traditional approach that is often used to create your Curriculum Vitae based on your past experiences, this session on “The Aspirational CV” will provide insights and a different perspective toward building your Curriculum Vitae in a way that can lead to your dream career position. RSVP: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40164 (Advanced graduate students may register.)

• FRIDAY, JULY 8. (For Postdocs) – Mirror the Mentor: This workshop will be held on July 8, 1 pm to 3 pm, in Commons 331. The speaker, Dr. Renetta Tull, will talk about understanding how your mentor views your work, taking as a central point “reversing” the letter of recommendation, and the Individual Development Plan (IDP). RSVP: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events/40165. (Advanced graduate students may register.)

Photo Credit: https://www.thereadingroom.com/

Hanover, MD.– Summer Success Institute (SSI) 2015 Conference. Photos by Cheriss May, http://www.cherissmay.com

University System of Maryland (USM) Dissertation House at the PROMISE Summer Success Institute – August 18-19, 2016 (with activities on 8/20-8/21) – The Hotel at Arundel Preserve, Hanover, Maryland. 

UMBC and PROMISE Maryland’s AGEP are sponsoring the 2016 system-wide Dissertation House for graduate students in STEM programs.  The writing and research retreat will take place at the Hotel at Arundel Preserve.   Lodging for 3 nights and meals are provided for student participants.   Twelve students from the USM system schools will be chosen to participate in this research and writing retreat.  http://www.thehotelarundel.com/. This event is available to graduate students at any school within the University System of Maryland: http://www.usmd.edu/institutions/.

 2016 PROMISE SSI Dissertation House Schedule (subject to updates):

THURSDAY: 8/18

• 3:00 PM Hotel Check-in
•  4:00 PM Arrive in Dissertation House Room, 2nd Floor, Hotel, set up laptops.
•  5:00 PM Dissertation House Opening Session, Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale (Dissertation Coach) 
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM:  Dinner Meeting
• 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Work Session #1

FRIDAY: 8/19

• 7:00 AM – 9 AM: Working Breakfast
• 9:00 AM – 9:15 AM: Welcome
• 9:15 AM – 10:00 AM: Mini Lecture –  Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale
• 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: “Writing Lab” Seminar  with Jocelyn Broadwick of the UMB Writing Center
• 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Work Session #2
• 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM: Working Lunch
• 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM Work Session #3
• 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Dinner Meeting
• 7:00 PM -11:00 PM Work Session #4
• 8:30 PM – “Sisters in the Dissertation House Dessert Discussion” (Optional, 6th Floor)

SATURDAY: 8/20

•  7:30 AM – 3:00 PM: PROMISE Summer Success Institute Program, includes #ThinkBigDiversity #PathwaysToThePrize breakout session for “Continuing Students.”
• 4:00 PM Career-Life Balance and networking options

SUNDAY: 8/21

• 9:00 AM Debrief Breakfast/Coffee session with Dr. Renetta Tull, PROMISE Director. Location: Bagels ‘n’ Grinds Cafe, across the street from the hotel (optional).
  

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Eligibility for the SSI Dissertation House:

1) Enrolled in a STEM graduate program (based on the NSF-supported fields per the NSFGRFP) at one of the schools within the University System of Maryland

2) Underrepresented according to the NSF Definition for AGEP, U.S. Citizen

Per NSF.gov: AGEP is committed to the national goal of increasing the numbers of underrepresented minorities (URMs), including those with disabilities, entering and completing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduate education and postdoctoral training to levels representative of the available pool. URMs include African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders.

This event is part of the 2016 PROMISE Summer Success Institute. Following the Dissertation House (DH) sessions on Thursday and Friday, all DH participants will be required to continue participation in the PROMISE SSI on Saturday, August 20, 2016 at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.

All 12 participants will check in on Thursday, and check out on Sunday.

If you do not fit the eligibility criteria for the USM PROMISE Dissertation House at the 2016 SSI, please join us for the “Summer Challenge 2016 Dissertation House ONLINE.” You will be able to blog daily, and work along with others who are attending the Dissertation House in-person. You can participate in the Summer Challenge 2016 Dissertation House ONLINE from any location in the world. The Dissertation House online does not have any space limits. Invite friends to join. This Dissertation House experience is open to students from all disciplines, all backgrounds, any school.

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TO APPLY for the in-person event at the hotel as part of the SSI: Follow the instructions outlined on the application page: https://dissertationhouse.wordpress.com/apply/

Use the subject: “USM PROMISE 2016 Dissertation House” when you email your application to promisestaff@gmail.com

DEADLINE: Friday, July 24, 2016 (EXTENDED Thurs. July 28, 2016)

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We welcome applicants from around the state to the USM 2016 PROMISE Dissertation House. As part of the PROMISE SSI Dissertation House structure, complimentary hotel lodging will be provided for DH participants. Students from western Maryland and the Eastern Shore, e.g., Frostburg University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Salisbury University, are particularly encouraged to participate. 

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Dissertation Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the jobs outlook is improving for recent college graduates. In a new WalletHub feature, UMBC Career Center Director Christine Routzahn and fellow career experts around the country offer tips on the best next steps for these job seekers. Like her colleagues, Routzahn recommends that graduates pragmatically make sure that the work they plan to pursue is in demand in the location where they want to live. She also encourages job-seekers to broaden their perspectives and their searches, and to go in prepared but also know how to move forward after a setback.

Routzahn recommends that job seekers go outside of their comfort zone, and use their networks as they job search and more broadly explore career possibilities. “Identify alumni from your institution who currently reside in the area for informational interviews along with conducting your job search,” she says, adding that “face to face opportunities are ideal in making the best connections.”

She also encourages current students as well as alumni to contact their university career centers, which can offer advice related to job searches, resumes, and the interview process, as well as practice interviews and connections with employers who are actively hiring. For those who have not yet earned their degree, Routzahn strongly recommends internships, research, co-ops, service, and student leadership opportunities. “These opportunities develop your skills, confidence, network, and many times lead to full-time employment,” she says.

And what if, even with all that planning and preparation, a young job seeker makes a  mistake on their path to a dream career? Mistakes happen, Routzahn says. “It is important to own your mistakes and grow from them. Take initiative, listen and learn from others, understand the importance of a team, build your network and never stop learning.”

Read the full article on WalletHub, including Routzahn’s advice.

Image: Christine Routzahn, left, and Sue Plitt during the 2016 Presidential Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.