Professional Development Workshops
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!
February
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: Developing Your Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Timeline (February 26)
Join the Graduate School for an interactive workshop discussing how to approach the Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) process. Participants will additionally get the opportunity to develop a thesis/dissertation writing timeline that aligns with their intended graduation date, as well as ask the ETD Reviewer questions about the overall process. This workshop is virtual and free to attend, but registration is required.
February 26, 2-3:30 p.m.; Zoom
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.; Important Note: Workshop Location changed to, Centennial Campus, The Graduate School, Room 2328. (Google Maps)
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)
Learn directly from professionals across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Each session highlights real career paths, essential skills, and actionable advice for navigating life after grad school. Why attend? Explore careers, ask questions, and expand your professional network.
March 6, 1-2 p.m.; Zoom (Open to all A2i+ partner schools)
Topic: Skills in Demand: How Graduate Education Prepares You for Corporate Challenges
It is essential to understand how the skills you’ve developed in graduate studies are not only relevant but highly sought after in various industries. In this session, learn how the graduate academic experiences translate into practical applications in the workplace. You will leave empowered to recognize your readiness and understand the demand for your skills in the corporate job market.
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.; Engineering Building II (EB II) Room 1229
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
Communication Skills: Spring 2026 Virtual Writing Retreat (March 16 & March 17)
The two-day Virtual 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 provide resources for writing strategies. Guest speakers will additionally discuss campus writing and research resources. This event is free to attend, but registration is required.
March 16, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Zoom
March 17, 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Zoom
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Immersion Week (March 17 – 19)
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: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (humanities, social sciences, and education graduate students)
March 18 & 19: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (STEM 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). Important Note: Workshop Location changed to, Centennial Campus, The Graduate School, Room 2328. (Google Maps)
March 25, 4-5:30 p.m.; Important Note: Workshop Location changed to, Centennial Campus, The Graduate School, Room 2328. (Google Maps)
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.; Important Note: Workshop Location changed to, Centennial Campus, The Graduate School, Room 2328. (Google Maps)
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)
Learn directly from professionals across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Each session highlights real career paths, essential skills, and actionable advice for navigating life after grad school. Why attend? Explore careers, ask questions, and expand your professional network.
March 27, 1-2 p.m.; Zoom (Open to all A2i+ partner schools)
Topic: Managing Projects in Industry: What Graduate Students Need to Know
Designed for graduate students and postdocs exploring non-academic careers, this session highlights how graduate training builds transferable project management skills. An industry expert will discuss how those skills translate to industry environments and what employers expect from project managers and project team members to deliver successful outcomes.
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.
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Imposter Syndrome (April 2)
Confidence can make all the difference in your career, but it’s not always easy to feel it. Self-doubt, hesitation, and imposter syndrome are common at every stage, and they can hold you back from showing up as your best self. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn practical strategies to boost your presence, speak with clarity, and project confidence as you take the next step in your career. Whether you’re getting ready for interviews, stepping into leadership, or looking to grow where you are, you’ll walk away with tools to shift your mindset, own your strengths, and present yourself with confidence.
April 2, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Zoom
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
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.; Engineering Building II (EB II) Room 1229
April 14, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; Engineering Building II (EB II) Room 1229
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Professionalism (April 9)
Professionalism is more than just a buzzword—it’s the set of behaviors and attitudes that employers value in their team members. As an intern, the way you present yourself and interact with others can leave a lasting impression. In this session, you’ll gain insights into key professional traits and workplace expectations, helping you build a strong foundation for success as both an intern and a future employee.
April 9, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Zoom
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, 1:00-2:30 p.m.; Zoom
April 17 1:00-2:30 p.m.; Zoom
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (April 10)
Learn directly from professionals across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Each session highlights real career paths, essential skills, and actionable advice for navigating life after grad school. Why attend? Explore careers, ask questions, and expand your professional network.
April 10, 1-2 p.m.; Zoom (Open to all A2i+ partner schools)
Topic: Trajectory Toolbox: Habits for Long-Term Success
Your graduate education has prepared you to excel. Learn how to translate your expertise and strengths with early-career habits to propel you towards a positive industry career trajectory.
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Workplace Preparedness Series – Relationship Management (April 16)
Workplace dynamics can be challenging, and understanding your communication style is key to navigating them effectively. In this workshop, participants will identify how their style influences interactions with supervisors, peers, and collaborators. Through practical strategies and real-world scenarios, students will practice approaches for resolving conflict and communicating with clarity and confidence. Attendees will leave with tools they can apply immediately in their current roles and future careers.
April 16, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Zoom
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)
You’ve made a great first impression—now it’s time to build meaningful connections! This workshop will provide practical strategies for effective networking, helping you cultivate relationships that can support your career growth. Learn how to confidently engage with colleagues, expand your professional network, and make the most of every opportunity.
April 23, 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Zoom
Career Readiness Programs: A2i+ Career Insights (April 24)
Learn directly from professionals across industry, government, and non-profit sectors. Each session highlights real career paths, essential skills, and actionable advice for navigating life after grad school. Why attend? Explore careers, ask questions, and expand your professional network.
April 24, 1-2 p.m.; Zoom (Open to all A2i+ partner schools)
Topic: The Job Hunt Roadmap: Apply Smart, Interview Confidently
Learn directly from a corporate recruiter how the hiring ecosystem really works. This session will reshape your idea of a “dream job,” show you how to build strong, positive relationships with recruiters, and give you practical tools to interview with confidence.
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.