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Professional Development Workshops

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Prepare for your Profession!

Register for our workshops

The Graduate School offers an array of career preparedness, communication skills, leadership, teaching, and wellness programs which are broken down by five competency areas. If you are not sure where to start with your professional development, go to our Getting Started page for guidance.

All workshops and development series adhere to the attendance policy and the synchronous Zoom workshop policy.

If you are unable to attend a workshop you registered for, you can cancel by going to the Cancel Registration page.

Note: When you register for a workshop, please enter your correct NC State email address on the registration form so that the system will correctly add you to the registration list. Thank you!

November

Teaching Programs: Processing Course Evaluations (November 5)

Learn ways to interpret end-of-course evaluations so they can be a helpful tool for reflecting on your teaching and also as a resource for generating new ideas for change (e.g., continuous improvement). 

November 5, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; Albright Entrepreneurship Garage Classroom

Teaching Programs: AI Discussion Series – Ethics & Academic Integrity (November 6)

Facilitated by the Director of Teaching Programs in the Graduate School, this is a multi-part discussion session series for graduate students and postdoctoral research scholars focused on questions, issues and challenges regarding the use of generative AI in teaching and learning (e.g., classroom). As a group, we will also explore perspectives and potential opportunities for how AI tools can enhance instructional strategies and student engagement. Please join us for this engaging, interactive learning experience!

November 6, 4:00-6:30 p.m.; Graduate School Conference Room 2328

Teaching Programs: Processing Course Evaluations (November 7)

Learn ways to interpret end-of-course evaluations so they can be a helpful tool for reflecting on your teaching and also as a resource for generating new ideas for change (e.g., continuous improvement). 

November 7, 11:00-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career-Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (November 7):
Working Smarter with AI

Discover how AI is transforming the way work gets done. Learn practical tips and real-world examples you can use to streamline your workflow and see how these tools are applied across industries.

November 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Professional Emails (November 7)

Contact colleagues at NC State and beyond with tact and ease! In this workshop, you will gain strategies for crafting effective professional emails. Participants will practice and discuss strategies for: organizing a professional email message, making inquiries and requests, and creating a professional tone or voice in email.

November 7, 2:00-3:00 p.m.; Zoom

Wellness Programs: Time Management (November 12)

Time is something that there never seems to be enough of. However, there are ways to manage one’s time wisely, and this is an important skill to have as a graduate student or postdoc. Join Dr. Rhonda Sutton, Assistant Dean in the Graduate School, as she shares ways to engage in effective time management strategies.

November 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Situational Speaking (November 12)

Understanding how to communicate in different situations ranging from academic to professional contexts is an essential skill in one’s professional development. In this interactive workshop, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars will be able to practice their speaking skills in the types of conversations expected within and outside of academia such as presentations or informal networking conversations. Additionally we will discuss best strategies to create effective verbal and nonverbal communication when encountering new communication situations as they arise. 

November 12, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Graduate School Conference Room 2328

Career-Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (November 14):
Soft Skills for a Full Charge: Powering Your Career After Grad School

Your graduate degree shows you can take on hard challenges and master complex concepts. Your soft skills show you can do it alongside others – collaborating, communicating, and making an impact. Learn from a recent PhD student on the importance of your soft skills and how to leverage them for the workforce.

November 14, 1:00-2:00 p.m.; Zoom

Teaching Programs: Writing a Teaching Philosophy (November 19)

How would you describe your teaching philosophy to someone who has never observed your teaching? In this workshop, you’ll learn strategies for distilling the most important elements of your teaching philosophy and expressing it in a clear, succinct narrative. We will also consider how it can be used to highlight your strengths when applying for academic teaching positions. 

November 19, 4:00-5:30 p.m.; Albright Entrepreneurship Garage Classroom

Teaching Programs: Writing a Teaching Philosophy (November 21)

How would you describe your teaching philosophy to someone who has never observed your teaching? In this workshop, you’ll learn strategies for distilling the most important elements of your teaching philosophy and expressing it in a clear, succinct narrative. We will also consider how it can be used to highlight your strengths when applying for academic teaching positions. 

November 21, 11:00-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career-Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (November 21):
Navigating One’s Career Path in Industry and Continued Development

Get an inside look at how to navigate and thrive in a dynamic corporate environment. Learn from a data scientist’s perspective about building transferable skills, leveraging professional development opportunities, and setting yourself up for success in any industry.

November 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m.; Zoom

December

Teaching Programs: How to Survive Your First Day (December 5)

Are you a new Graduate Teaching Assistant? Embarking on your journey as a graduate student instructor can be both exciting and daunting. This workshop is designed to equip you with the essential strategies and confidence needed to navigate your first day of teaching undergraduate students.

December 5, 11-12:30; Zoom

Teaching Programs: Teaching College (December 9)

This workshop discusses dynamics pertaining to teaching in the college classroom and presents pedagogical strategies for promoting student success such as Active Learning and Retrieval Practice.

December 9, 4-5:30; Zoom

Communication Skills: Fall 2025 In-Person Writing Retreat (December 16 & December 17)

The two-day In-Person Writing Retreat Sprint will provide graduate and postdoctoral writers with dedicated time and structure to make progress on a major writing project, as well as resources for writing strategies. Guest speakers will additionally discuss campus writing and research resources.  This event requires a $40 registration fee.

December 16, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wilson College of Textiles, Convocation Center Room 2225

December 17, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Wilson College of Textiles, Convocation Center Room 2225

January

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies – Session 1: Setting a Strategy (January 6)

January 6, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies – Session 2: Tailoring Your Application (January 8)

January 8, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies – Session 3: Interview Preparation (January 13)

January 13, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Teaching Programs: “Teaching College” (January 14)

This workshop discusses dynamics pertaining to teaching in the college classroom and presents pedagogical strategies for promoting student success such as Active Learning and Retrieval Practice.

January 14, 4-5:30 p.m.

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies – Session 4: Managing the Job Offer (January 15)

January 15, 3-4:30 p.m. (Virtual)

Teaching Programs: “Teaching College” (January 16)

This workshop discusses dynamics pertaining to teaching in the college classroom and presents pedagogical strategies for promoting student success such as Active Learning and Retrieval Practice.

January 16, 11:00-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Crafting Your Thesis/Dissertation Narrative (January 16)

Telling a story about your thesis/dissertation research can be a daunting challenging. Learn more about the writing norms of graduate thesis/dissertation writing, as well as how to develop a narrative focus for your own thesis/dissertation to help with your organization and structure.

January 16, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.; Zoom

Teaching Programs: Using Learning Outcomes (January 21)

Create solidly grounded learning experiences for your students by ensuring that course objectives are aligned with assessments and learning activities. To do this, we will look at evidence-based methods such as Backward Design and engage in analyzing and discussing examples.

January 21, 4:15-5:45 p.m.; Talley Student Union Room 3285

Teaching Programs: Using Learning Outcomes (January 23)

Create solidly grounded learning experiences for your students by ensuring that course objectives are aligned with assessments and learning activities. To do this, we will look at evidence-based methods such as Backward Design and engage in analyzing and discussing examples.

January 23, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: How to Plan a Journal Article (January 23)

Participants in this workshop will practice strategies for time managing a writing project and choosing a journal to publish their work. Specifically, participants will practice how to: Search for journals that are a good “fit” with their discipline and project, critically and navigate interpret journal websites to identify the journal’s scope, mission, and audiences, plan and manage a journal article or other large writing project, and set writing-related goals.


January 23, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: How to Speak with Conference Confidence (January 27)

Formal presentations for conferences can be intimidating, especially when you navigate your first conference. In this workshop, the Graduate School Writing Program will focus on best practices for preparing and presenting at a conference. We will talk through presenting with nerves, developing your pacing as a speaker and presenting in a manner that allows you to engage with your audience. Participants will also get a chance to practice their public speaking skills in a supportive in-person environment.

January 27, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Graduate School Conference Room 2328

Teaching Programs: Active Learning Strategies (January 28)

Looking to engage your students? Explore strategies for promoting student engagement through methods such as pair-and-share, social annotation, collaborative projects and interactive polling.

January 28 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: TA Teaching Studio: Session 1, Online Training (January 29)

The TA Teaching Studio is a place where current or prospective Teaching Assistants can gain practical teaching experience by doing short, microteaching demonstrations. Not only will you have the opportunity to enhance and sharpen your own teaching skills, but you’ll also deepen your understanding and knowledge by seeing your peers and offering constructive feedback to them. In addition, Studio participants receive feedback in a constructive, supportive environment.

January 29 4-5:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: How to Present a Research Poster (January 30)

Join the Graduate School & NC State Libraries for a research poster workshop. Poster presentations are an effective way to convey your research to various audiences, but how do you present the content on your poster to specific audiences? In an interactive workshop, participants will discuss how to effectively present posters to fit the needs of their specific research situations, no matter if the poster is presented digitally or in person. Using methods such as the rule of three, we will develop strategies to ease the challenges that may accompany the presentation aspect of poster presentations.


January 30, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.; Hill Library East Learning Lab B

Teaching Programs: Active Learning Strategies (January 30)

Looking to engage your students? Explore strategies for promoting student engagement through methods such as pair-and-share, social annotation, collaborative projects and interactive polling.

January 30, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (January 30)

January 30, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all our A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

February

Communication Skills: Writer’s Toolkit (February 3 & February 10)

In this two part workshop, we’ll focus on strategies for planning and managing a writing project, as well as fundamental tips for structuring writing for a variety of contexts. Participants will clarify their writing goals for the semester and learn strategies to implement on current and future writing projects. We will use different genres of writing projects as case studies, so participants will also gain tips for summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing their writing projects.

February 3, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

February 10, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

Communication Skills: How to Write Literature Reviews for the Dissertation/Thesis (February 4)

Join the Graduate School for an interactive workshop that will address the challenge of creating literature reviews that situate your research for a dissertation or thesis. We will discuss strategies for locating research and further your understanding of how to organize and synthesize literature reviews for your research topic. 

February 4; 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies small group (February 5)

This small-group experience is designed to deepen the skills you gained in the Job Search Strategies series while giving you dedicated space for connection, honest feedback, and accountability as you prepare for the job market. Participation is limited to individuals who have completed at least three of the four Job Search Strategies sessions offered in July 2025 or January 2026

February 5, 5-6:30 p.m. est.

Modality: In-person

Registration form coming soon.

Communication Skills: Professional Emails (February 6)

Contact colleagues at NC State and beyond with tact and ease! In this workshop, you will gain strategies for crafting effective professional emails. Participants will practice and discuss strategies for: organizing a professional email message, making inquiries and requests, and creating a professional tone or voice in email.

February 6; 12:00-1:00 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (February 6)

February 6, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

Teaching Programs: Assessing Learning (February 11)

How do you assess student learning? In this workshop, you will learn about different approaches to assessment. You’ll also learn about rubrics and how they can help promote consistency and efficiency in your grading.

February 11, 4-5:30 p.m.

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Job Search Strategies small group – Invite only (February 12)

February 12, 5-6:30 p.m.

Modality: In-person (must have attended the JSS series from July 2025 or January 2026)

Teaching Programs: Assessing Learning (February 13)

How do you assess student learning? In this workshop, you will learn about different approaches to assessment. You’ll also learn about rubrics and how they can help promote consistency and efficiency in your grading.

February 13, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: How to Write a Cover Letter (February 13)

Communicating your experiences in a cover letter can be a daunting task no matter the context. The Graduate School will offer a workshop that will include a review of the basics of cover letters for a variety of situations, including job and grant applications. We will focus on writing strategies to convey your confidence in your writing and practice how to write about transferable skills for different kinds of cover letters. 

February 13, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.; Zoom

Teaching Programs: Engaging Diverse Learners (February 18)

Strive to create a learning environment that accommodates and welcomes all learners by learning about approaches such as Universal Design for Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching.

February 18, 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: Engaging Diverse Learners (February 20)

Strive to create a learning environment that accommodates and welcomes all learners by learning about approaches such as Universal Design for Learning and Culturally Responsive Teaching.

February 20, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (February 20)

February 20, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

Communication Skills: Writer’s Toolkit (February 20 & February 27)

In this two part workshop, we’ll focus on strategies for planning and managing a writing project, as well as fundamental tips for structuring writing for a variety of contexts. Participants will clarify their writing goals for the semester and learn strategies to implement on current and future writing projects. We will use different genres of writing projects as case studies, so participants will also gain tips for summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing their writing projects.

February 20, 2:00-3:30 p.m.; Zoom

February 27, 2:00-3:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Concise Communication (February 24)

Do people say that you communicate too much verbally or in written form? In this interactive Concise Communication (formerly Concise Writing) workshop, we’ll address the challenge of building clear, concise sentences that represent your science to diverse stakeholders. Using Richard Lanham’s famous “Paramedic Method” and other approaches, participants will leave the session with strategies for “user-friendly” sentences in reports and other areas of workplace communication.

February 24, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Graduate School Conference Room 2328

Teaching Programs: TA Teaching Studio: Session 2 (February 26)

The TA Teaching Studio is a place where current or prospective Teaching Assistants can gain practical teaching experience by doing short, microteaching demonstrations. Not only will you have the opportunity to enhance and sharpen your own teaching skills, but you’ll also deepen your understanding and knowledge by seeing your peers and offering constructive feedback to them. In addition, Studio participants receive feedback in a constructive, supportive environment.

February 26, 4:30-6 p.m.; Albright Entrepreneurship Garage Classroom (Google Map)

Teaching Programs: Teaching in an AI Environment (February 27)

How do you deal with Artificial Intelligence as a Graduate Teaching Assistant? What classroom policies should you have regarding questions of academic integrity? In what ways can generative AI be used to support the processes of teaching and learning? We’ll explore these questions and related issues in this interactive, discussion-focused workshop.

February 27, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

March

Teaching Programs: Games & Learning (March 4)

Games can be an excellent means for promoting student engagement. Learn how game design principles can be applied in learning environments and different examples of how these can be implemented in your classroom.

March 4, 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: Games & Learning (March 6)

Games can be an excellent means for promoting student engagement. Learn how game design principles can be applied in learning environments and different examples of how these can be implemented in your classroom.

March 6, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (March 6)

March 6, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

Communication Skills: Graduate Oral Defense 101 (March 10)

Master the final stage of the thesis/dissertation process! This session will be reviewing public speaking strategies and allowing oral communication practice for graduate students to defend confidently.

March 10, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

Teaching Programs: Mentoring 101 (March 11)

This workshop aims to provide some of the core fundamentals for effectively mentoring undergraduate students. You will explore key topics such as building supportive mentor-mentee relationships, setting realistic goals, offering constructive feedback, and fostering academic and personal growth.

March 11, 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: Mentoring 101 (March 13)

This workshop aims to provide some of the core fundamentals for effectively mentoring undergraduate students. You will explore key topics such as building supportive mentor-mentee relationships, setting realistic goals, offering constructive feedback, and fostering academic and personal growth

March 13, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Professional Emails (March 13)

Contact colleagues at NC State and beyond with tact and ease! In this workshop, you will gain strategies for crafting effective professional emails. Participants will practice and discuss strategies for: organizing a professional email message, making inquiries and requests, and creating a professional tone or voice in email.

March 13; 12:00-1:00 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Immersion Week (March 17 – 20)

This is an intensive experiential learning opportunity that prepares NC State graduate students, postdocs, and alumni for the corporate environment. The Accelerate to Industry+ Immersion Week includes an immersion experience for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers that includes signature A2i+ content along with events and activities unique to Immersion Week.

March 17 & 18: Time TBD (humanities, social sciences, and education graduate students)

March 18 & 19: Time TBD (STEM graduate students)

March 20: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. est.(Graduate Student and PostDoc Career Fair – open to all graduate students)

Teaching Programs: Processing Course Evaluations (March 25)

Learn ways to interpret end-of-course evaluations so they can be a helpful tool for reflecting on your teaching and also as a resource for generating new ideas for change (e.g., continuous improvement).

March 25, 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: TA Teaching Studio: Session 3 (March 26)

The TA Teaching Studio is a place where current or prospective Teaching Assistants can gain practical teaching experience by doing short, microteaching demonstrations. Not only will you have the opportunity to enhance and sharpen your own teaching skills, but you’ll also deepen your understanding and knowledge by seeing your peers and offering constructive feedback to them. In addition, Studio participants receive feedback in a constructive, supportive environment.

March 26, 4:30-6 p.m.; Albright Entrepreneurship Garage Classroom (Google Map)

Teaching Programs: Processing Course Evaluations (March 27)

Learn ways to interpret end-of-course evaluations so they can be a helpful tool for reflecting on your teaching and also as a resource for generating new ideas for change (e.g., continuous improvement).

March 27, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (March 27)

March 27, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

April

Teaching Programs: Writing a Teaching Philosophy (April 1)

How would you describe your teaching philosophy to someone who has never observed your teaching? In this workshop, you’ll learn strategies for distilling the most important elements of your teaching philosophy and expressing it in a clear, succinct narrative. We will especially think about how it can be used to highlight your strengths when applying for academic teaching positions.

April 1, 4-5:30 p.m.

Teaching Programs: Writing a Teaching Philosophy (April 3)

How would you describe your teaching philosophy to someone who has never observed your teaching? In this workshop, you’ll learn strategies for distilling the most important elements of your teaching philosophy and expressing it in a clear, succinct narrative. We will especially think about how it can be used to highlight your strengths when applying for academic teaching positions.

April 3, 11-12:30 p.m.; Zoom

Communication Skills: Concise Communication (April 3)

Do people say that your communicate style is too wordy? In this interactive Concise Communication (formerly Concise Writing) workshop, we’ll address the challenge of building clear, concise sentences that represent your science to diverse stakeholders. Using Richard Lanham’s famous “Paramedic Method” and other approaches, participants will leave the session with strategies for “user-friendly” sentences in reports and other areas of workplace communication.

April 3, 12:00-1:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Imposter Syndrome (April 2)

April 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual

Topic: Imposter Syndrome

Communication Skills: User-Friendly Writing (April 7 & April 14)

In this two part workshop, we address the challenges of conveying your research story in a persuasive way for technical and nontechnical stakeholders. We will focus on various structures of writing across STEM and humanities fields to include organization and interpretation of results. These will include technical/non-technical reports, results & discussion sections or articles and theses, and similar types of writing projects.

April 7, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

April 14, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Room TBA

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Professionalism (April 9)

April 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual

Topic: Professionalism

Communication Skills: User-Friendly Writing (April 10 & April 17)

In this two part workshop, we address the challenges of conveying your research story in a persuasive way for technical and nontechnical stakeholders. We will focus on various structures of writing across STEM and humanities fields to include organization and interpretation of results. These will include technical/non-technical reports, results & discussion sections or articles and theses, and similar types of writing projects.

April 10, 12:00-1:30 p.m.; Zoom

April 17 12:00-1:30 p.m.; Zoom

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (April 10)

April 10, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Relationship Management (April 16)

April 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual

Topic: Relationship Management

Teaching Programs: TA Teaching Studio: Session 4 (April 16)

The TA Teaching Studio is a place where current or prospective Teaching Assistants can gain practical teaching experience by doing short, microteaching demonstrations. Not only will you have the opportunity to enhance and sharpen your own teaching skills, but you’ll also deepen your understanding and knowledge by seeing your peers and offering constructive feedback to them. In addition, Studio participants receive feedback in a constructive, supportive environment.

April 16, 4:30-6 p.m.; Hunt Library: Teaching & Visualization Lab

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Networking 101 (April 23)

April 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual

Topic: Networking 101

Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (April 24)

April 24, 1-2 p.m. est.

Modality: Virtual (Open to all A2i+ schools)

Topic: TBD

Accommodation Requests

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, NC State will honor requests for reasonable accommodations made by individuals with disabilities. Requests can be served effectively if notice is provided at least ten days before the event. Direct accommodation requests for professional development programs to professional-development@ncsu.edu.