Guest Blogger: Meghan Hammond

I am the Assistant Director for Graduate Student Affairs, which is a central office that supports the graduate student career through the administration and management of fellowships, grants, and academic exchange programs and enhances the graduate student experience through the development and coordination of workshops, communications, services, and programs such as Graduate Student Orientation and the Family Resource Center. We are located in rooms 224, 225, and 227 of the Administration Building, and have an open-door policy: walk-ins welcome! We have a listing of fellowships databases available online, including opportunities specifically for students of color. We work closely with OMSA and other student services offices to connect you with resources that will enable you to make the most of your time at the University, and would love to meet with you one-on-one to discuss your research interests and how best to find resources to support your work. You can also follow us (“UChicago Graduate Student Affairs”) on Facebook—we’d love to have you all as fans!

Are you planning to attend any academic or professional conferences this year? Worried about how to present your research in a concise and interesting way that highlights both your interesting work and your dazzling personality? Graduate Student Affairs and Career Advising and Planning Services have just the workshop for you! Academic Networking is a 2 hour event, hosted at 5710 on Wednesday, December 2, at 5:30. David Rowley, Professor of Geophysical Sciences; Anne Harrington de Santana, advanced graduate student in Political Science and the Student Ombudsperson; and Cooper Harris, advanced graduate student in the Divinity School will present tips and strategies for honing an “elevator speech” version of your research statement, and other effective networking skills that are key to making the most of conference and other professional gatherings. Following their remarks, you will have the opportunity to practice your own “elevator speech” in two exercises designed to give you valuable feedback, while you mingle with other graduate students from throughout the university. This is a very popular workshop each year, and we’d love to have you join us. While registration isn’t required, we would love to hear if you’re planning to attend. To RSVP, please send a note ASAP to Meghan Hammond (mrhammond@uchicago.edu) in Graduate Student Affairs. This workshop is also co-sponsored by the University Bookstore, who will be providing snacks and beverages, as well as selling books on the academic job market, and nifty business card holders, just in time for your next conference!

Another exciting event we have on the horizon is GradUCon. On January 22, the University will host this inaugural Graduate Student Development Conference for University of Chicago graduate students. This conference will focus on cultivating professional development skills necessary for achieving success both during and after graduate school. Registration is required and space is limited. Visit the GradUCon website for more details and to register: http://grad.uchicago.edu/campus/gradUCon.shtml. We hope to see you there!