All are invited to attend a free lunch seminar at UMBC on personal money management, developing budgets, and reducing debt on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 1:00 PM, in Room 329 of the Commons.  Our guests will be Kevin Harris, MBA, CEO of Bedrock Assets in Chicago, and Sonya Caesar, Director of Money Matter$.

Kevin Harris is a businessman and leader who has traveled to 22 countries on 5 continents; he has observed and applied leadership principles across uniquely different cultures and demographics. Kevin is the CEO of Bedrock Assets, and is also the general manager for BP’s 1.2 million sq. ft. property portfolio in the Chicago Area. He leads a team of 250 people to deliver safe, reliable and cost efficient operations across a diverse portfolio of pilot plant, commercial office and trading floor operations. His organization also provides design, construction, safety, medical and other business services to nearly 3000 employees in Chicago and the western suburbs. Kevin has domestic and international business leadership and operations experience in the U.S., Japan, China, Africa, S. America and various parts of Europe. His previous leadership experience includes serving as Vice President of strategy, planning and performance for a $15 billion BP fuels business, General Manager for a $100 million international BP chemical business in addition to other sales, engineering and operational roles. Harris will discuss: Budgeting, saving, debt, spending patterns  & “Future Financial Decisions – How Budgeting Now Can Lead to Financial Savings Later.”

Sonya Caesar, Director of the “Money Matter$” program at CCBC, interviewee on PBS’ Nightly News regarding financial management, and UMBC Alum, will work with participants on their personal budgets. She coordinates Developmental Education on the Essex Campus of CCBC, and is one of the leaders for the community-based Financial Literacy initiative in the Baltimore region. Caesar will discuss student debt, managing both a personal budget and student loans. 

—————-

AGENDA

• 12:45 – Participants arrive, get lunch

• 1:00  - Welcome & Overview of Financial Literacy Series

• 1:05 – Overview of the importance of budgeting - Sonya Caesar, Director of Money Matter$

• 1:10 – “Keynote” Budgeting, Saving, Debt, Spending Patterns” & “Future Financial Decisions – How Budgeting Now Can Lead to Financial Savings Later”  - Kevin Harris, MBA, CEO of Bedrock Assets 

• 1:35 – “Creating a Budget Worksheet” & Report out - Sonya Caesar.

• 1:50 – Q & A

• 2:00 – End formal session

• 2:00 – 2:30 – Informal Q& A and Individual consultations with the speakers.

This seminar is co-sponsored by The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) TIAA CREF Financial Literacy grant and The Graduate School at UMBC. Kevin Harris appears courtesy of co-sponsorship by Bedrock Assets. For more about Bedrock Assets, visit their website:   http://www.bedrockassets.com.

All are invited to attend a free lunch seminar at UMBC on personal money management, developing budgets, and reducing debt on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, 1:00 PM, in Room 329 of the Commons.  Our guests will be Kevin Harris, MBA, CEO of Bedrock Assets in Chicago, and Sonya Caesar, Director of Money Matter$.

Kevin Harris is a businessman and leader who has traveled to 22 countries on 5 continents; he has observed and applied leadership principles across uniquely different cultures and demographics. Kevin is the CEO of Bedrock Assets, and is also the general manager for BP’s 1.2 million sq. ft. property portfolio in the Chicago Area. He leads a team of 250 people to deliver safe, reliable and cost efficient operations across a diverse portfolio of pilot plant, commercial office and trading floor operations. His organization also provides design, construction, safety, medical and other business services to nearly 3000 employees in Chicago and the western suburbs. Kevin has domestic and international business leadership and operations experience in the U.S., Japan, China, Africa, S. America and various parts of Europe. His previous leadership experience includes serving as Vice President of strategy, planning and performance for a $15 billion BP fuels business, General Manager for a $100 million international BP chemical business in addition to other sales, engineering and operational roles. Harris will discuss: Budgeting, saving, debt, spending patterns  & “Future Financial Decisions – How Budgeting Now Can Lead to Financial Savings Later.”

Sonya Caesar, Director of the “Money Matter$” program at CCBC, interviewee on PBS’ Nightly News regarding financial management, and UMBC Alum, will work with participants on their personal budgets. She coordinates Developmental Education on the Essex Campus of CCBC, and is one of the leaders for the community-based Financial Literacy initiative in the Baltimore region. Caesar will discuss student debt, managing both a personal budget and student loans. 

—————-

AGENDA

• 12:45 – Participants arrive, get lunch

• 1:00  - Welcome & Overview of Financial Literacy Series

• 1:05 – Overview of the importance of budgeting - Sonya Caesar, Director of Money Matter$

• 1:10 – “Keynote” Budgeting, Saving, Debt, Spending Patterns” & “Future Financial Decisions – How Budgeting Now Can Lead to Financial Savings Later”  - Kevin Harris, MBA, CEO of Bedrock Assets 

• 1:35 – “Creating a Budget Worksheet” & Report out - Sonya Caesar.

• 1:50 – Q & A

• 2:00 – End formal session

• 2:00 – 2:30 – Informal Q& A and Individual consultations with the speakers.

This seminar is co-sponsored by The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) TIAA CREF Financial Literacy grant and The Graduate School at UMBC. Kevin Harris appears courtesy of co-sponsorship by Bedrock Assets. For more about Bedrock Assets, visit their website:   http://www.bedrockassets.com.

For regularly updated PROMISE information and events, please visit and bookmark:  http://www.umbc.edu/promise

 

Please share our news! 

• Twitter:  @PROMISE_AGEP, #PROMISEagep
• “Like” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PROMISEagep

Page down to the bottom of this website and +Follow/subscribe  for updated information.

Related articles, posted by PROMISE AGEP

• Workshops for Grad Students, Sept. – Dec. 2013: Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• About AGMUS (SUAGM in Spanish): http://newsismybusiness.com/exclusive-suagm-opens-maryland-campus-as-it-expands-across-u-s-overseas/
• PROMISE SSI 2013: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/promise-summer-success-institute-ssi-10th-anniversary-celebration-august-16-17-2013-in-baltimore/

For regularly updated PROMISE information and events, please visit and bookmark:  http://www.umbc.edu/promise

 

Please share our news! 

• Twitter:  @PROMISE_AGEP, #PROMISEagep
• “Like” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PROMISEagep

Page down to the bottom of this website and +Follow/subscribe  for updated information.

Related articles, posted by PROMISE AGEP

• Workshops for Grad Students, Sept. – Dec. 2013: Professional development seminars for graduate students: FALL 2013 (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• About AGMUS (SUAGM in Spanish): http://newsismybusiness.com/exclusive-suagm-opens-maryland-campus-as-it-expands-across-u-s-overseas/
• PROMISE SSI 2013: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/promise-summer-success-institute-ssi-10th-anniversary-celebration-august-16-17-2013-in-baltimore/

Success Seminars and Workshops at UMBC. Through our PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), which welcomes students in graduate programs from any school within the University System of Maryland.

 Download the PDF: http://promiseagep.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/umbc-graduate-student-fall-2013-seminars.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UMBC can be found below.

• UMBC students must register at MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events
• Students from other schools should register by commenting on this thread with:
  • Name
  • School
  • Discipline
  • Event that you plan to attend
  • Date of the event.

Fall 2013

Seminars at UMBC.  Directions: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/about/contact/

Most seminars at UMBC will serve lunch or light refreshments. PROF-it Seminars on Fridays between 12 and 2:00 PM will be the exception. These are brown bag, bring your own lunch seminars.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers: Meta-Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling” Part 1: Introduction to meta-analysis and structural equation modeling. Basic concepts, theory, design, and relevant contexts.

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, September 20, 2013

Grad Student Seminar: PROF-it: Professors in Training: Learn   how to develop a syllabus.

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Linda Hodges, Director of the Faculty Development Center.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – How to plan a Budget.

COMM 329, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 4, 2013

PROF-it: “Introduction to the Goucher College Prison Education Partnership” [Placement Opportunity] PLUS “Public speaking in the Classroom, Part I”

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Amy Roza, Director of Goucher Prison Education Partnership, Goucher College and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers”: Part 2: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review: Avoiding bias in literature review and calculating effect sizes.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013,

Success Seminar: When Faculty Say ‘x’…

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speakers: UMBC Chairs, Graduate Program Directors, and Professors.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 2013,

Dissertation House: Employees & Non-Traditional Students.

COMMONS 331

Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dissertation Coach.

 ________________________________________________________________________

   Friday, October 18, 2013

PROF-it: “Teaching at a Community College – classroom management” PLUS “Public Speaking in the Classroom, Part II”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Dr. Dallas Dolan, The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, CCBC and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________

    Wednesday, October 23, 2013

    Success Seminar:  Responsible Conduct of Research and the IRB

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Timothy Sparklin, Human and Animal Research Protections Office.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 1, 2013

PROF-it: Understanding Teaching and Learning Styles”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Anne Spence, Professor of the Practice, Dept. Mechanical Engineering.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – Credit Scores

UC 312, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers:” Part 3: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Success Seminar: Is your writing in Jeopardy?

UC 312, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Sean Astrakhan, Writing Advisor GSA

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 6, 2013

PROF-it: “Addressing Hidden Challenges that Occur during the Teaching Experience”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: [PANEL] current and former PROF-it Fellows and Community College faculty.

 ________________________________________________________________________

 Friday, December 6, 2013

 Success Seminar: “Addressing Graduate Students’ Feelings of        

 Stress”

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School,

Associate Profession of Psychology

———————————————————————-

PhD Completion Workshops at College Park:

Download the PDF:   http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/PhD_Workshop%20uploads/Flyer_Fall13Workshops.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UM College Park can be found below.

Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

Friday, September 13, 2013
DISSERTATION AND THESIS TIME MANAGMENT
Marcia Marinelli, Learning Assistance Service, Counseling Center, University of Maryland
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013
Grant Writing and Fellowship Applications
Robert Porter, Director of Research Development at the University of Tennessee
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 15, 2013
CVs and Cover Letters
Becky Weir, Career Center and Veronica Perrigan, Engineering Co-Op and Career Services
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall
Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

_____________________________________________________________

Coming, Monday, November 4, 2013

A Special Program at UMB

Stay tuned to this page for updates.

Related articles

• Regional GEM GRAD Lab @ UVA Sat. Sept. 28 (Co-Sponsors: UMBC, UVA, VA Tech) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• UMBC Named Top Up-And-Coming University In The Nation (baltimore.cbslocal.com)

Success Seminars and Workshops at UMBC. Through our PROMISE: Maryland’s Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP), which welcomes students in graduate programs from any school within the University System of Maryland.

 Download the PDF: http://promiseagep.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/umbc-graduate-student-fall-2013-seminars.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UMBC can be found below.

• UMBC students must register at MyUMBC: http://my.umbc.edu/groups/promise/events
• Students from other schools should register by commenting on this thread with:
  • Name
  • School
  • Discipline
  • Event that you plan to attend
  • Date of the event.

Fall 2013

Seminars at UMBC.  Directions: http://promiseagep.wordpress.com/about/contact/

Most seminars at UMBC will serve lunch or light refreshments. PROF-it Seminars on Fridays between 12 and 2:00 PM will be the exception. These are brown bag, bring your own lunch seminars.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers: Meta-Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling” Part 1: Introduction to meta-analysis and structural equation modeling. Basic concepts, theory, design, and relevant contexts.

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, September 20, 2013

Grad Student Seminar: PROF-it: Professors in Training: Learn   how to develop a syllabus.

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Linda Hodges, Director of the Faculty Development Center.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – How to plan a Budget.

COMM 329, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 4, 2013

PROF-it: “Introduction to the Goucher College Prison Education Partnership” [Placement Opportunity] PLUS “Public speaking in the Classroom, Part I”

COMM 318, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Amy Roza, Director of Goucher Prison Education Partnership, Goucher College and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers”: Part 2: Meta-analysis and Systematic Review: Avoiding bias in literature review and calculating effect sizes.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013,

Success Seminar: When Faculty Say ‘x’…

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speakers: UMBC Chairs, Graduate Program Directors, and Professors.

 ________________________________________________________________________ 

Friday, October 11 and Saturday, October 12 2013,

Dissertation House: Employees & Non-Traditional Students.

COMMONS 331

Coach: Dr. Wendy Carter-Veale. Dissertation Coach.

 ________________________________________________________________________

   Friday, October 18, 2013

PROF-it: “Teaching at a Community College – classroom management” PLUS “Public Speaking in the Classroom, Part II”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: Dr. Dallas Dolan, The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, CCBC and Dr. Judith Pollack, Consultant for The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

 ________________________________________________________________________

    Wednesday, October 23, 2013

    Success Seminar:  Responsible Conduct of Research and the IRB

Library, 7th Floor Open Area, 12 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Timothy Sparklin, Human and Animal Research Protections Office.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 1, 2013

PROF-it: Understanding Teaching and Learning Styles”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Anne Spence, Professor of the Practice, Dept. Mechanical Engineering.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Success Seminar: Financial Literacy – Credit Scores

UC 312, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Success Seminar: “Advanced Statistics for Researchers:” Part 3: Introduction to Structural Equation Modeling and Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

COMM 331, 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Christopher Rakes, Assistant Professor, Education Department.

 ________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Success Seminar: Is your writing in Jeopardy?

UC 312, 4:30 – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Sean Astrakhan, Writing Advisor GSA

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, December 6, 2013

PROF-it: “Addressing Hidden Challenges that Occur during the Teaching Experience”

COMM 329, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Speakers: [PANEL] current and former PROF-it Fellows and Community College faculty.

 ________________________________________________________________________

 Friday, December 6, 2013

 Success Seminar: “Addressing Graduate Students’ Feelings of        

 Stress”

ROOM TBD, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Speaker: Dr. Robert Deluty, Associate Dean of the Graduate School,

Associate Profession of Psychology

———————————————————————-

PhD Completion Workshops at College Park:

Download the PDF:   http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/PhD_Workshop%20uploads/Flyer_Fall13Workshops.pdf

Text version of the seminars at UM College Park can be found below.

Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

Friday, September 13, 2013
DISSERTATION AND THESIS TIME MANAGMENT
Marcia Marinelli, Learning Assistance Service, Counseling Center, University of Maryland
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, October 11, 2013
Grant Writing and Fellowship Applications
Robert Porter, Director of Research Development at the University of Tennessee
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall

 ________________________________________________________________________

Friday, November 15, 2013
CVs and Cover Letters
Becky Weir, Career Center and Veronica Perrigan, Engineering Co-Op and Career Services
2:00-4:00 pm, Ulrich Recital Hall, Tawes Hall
Advance registration is REQUIRED at http://ter.pa/38p

_____________________________________________________________

Coming, Monday, November 4, 2013

A Special Program at UMB

Stay tuned to this page for updates.

Related articles

• Regional GEM GRAD Lab @ UVA Sat. Sept. 28 (Co-Sponsors: UMBC, UVA, VA Tech) (promiseagep.wordpress.com)
• UMBC Named Top Up-And-Coming University In The Nation (baltimore.cbslocal.com)

If you live in the DMV and are interested in learning more about graduate school, plan to take a “road trip” to the GEM GRAD Lab on Saturday, September 28!

From the GEM Website: “GRAD Lab encourages young people of color to consider graduate engineering or science education and applying for the GEM fellowship.” 

Segments of the program:

• “Why Graduate School”
• “How to Prepare for Graduate School”
• “Understanding the GEM Fellowship”, and
• “Voices From the Field: Real Life Research and Internship Experiences”

Program Agenda: http://www.gemfellowship.org/events/grad-lab/391-gl-virginia-agenda-2013

The event is free! Register here:

http://egem.gemfellowship.org/events/ViewEvent.aspx?contextID=10097

Students from any school in the region may register for this free event! Just set up a free eGEM account and register online using the link above.  

UMBC’s Sr. Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment, K. Jill Barr, J.D., will be one of the panelists!

UVA GEM GRAD Lab Co-sponsors: UMBC, The University of Virginia, Virginia Tech.

• FREE bus transportation will be provided for students from UMBC.  Reserve bus seats by sending email to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject “BUS for GEM GRAD Lab.”  NSBE, SACNAS, AISES, and SHPE Presidents from schools other than UMBC should send a list on behalf of their students. Each email must have the name of the student, school, major, and email address.  
• Students from schools other than UMBC, and students who are not affiliated with a NSBE, SACNAS, AISES, SHPE chapter,  are encouraged to carpool.
• If you’re planning to go, please let us know. Place a comment here on this page, AND send the email to promisestaff@gmail.com (for the bus trip.)
• The bus will leave at 6:00 AM from the front of UMBC’s Administration Building – landmarks: “Administration Drive,” Flag pole, The Retriever Athletic Center (RAC).  The bus will leave UVA around 4:30 PM, with expected arrival back at UMBC at 6: 30 PM.

Driving directions to UVA: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/about/visit.php

The trip from Baltimore to Charlottesville, VA is approximately 3 hours.

If you live in the DMV and are interested in learning more about graduate school, plan to take a “road trip” to the GEM GRAD Lab on Saturday, September 28!

From the GEM Website: “GRAD Lab encourages young people of color to consider graduate engineering or science education and applying for the GEM fellowship.” 

Segments of the program:

• “Why Graduate School”
• “How to Prepare for Graduate School”
• “Understanding the GEM Fellowship”, and
• “Voices From the Field: Real Life Research and Internship Experiences”

Program Agenda: http://www.gemfellowship.org/events/grad-lab/391-gl-virginia-agenda-2013

The event is free! Register here:

http://egem.gemfellowship.org/events/ViewEvent.aspx?contextID=10097

Students from any school in the region may register for this free event! Just set up a free eGEM account and register online using the link above.  

UMBC’s Sr. Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment, K. Jill Barr, J.D., will be one of the panelists!

UVA GEM GRAD Lab Co-sponsors: UMBC, The University of Virginia, Virginia Tech.

• FREE bus transportation will be provided for students from UMBC.  Reserve bus seats by sending email to promisestaff@gmail.com, with the subject “BUS for GEM GRAD Lab.”  NSBE, SACNAS, AISES, and SHPE Presidents from schools other than UMBC should send a list on behalf of their students. Each email must have the name of the student, school, major, and email address.  
• Students from schools other than UMBC, and students who are not affiliated with a NSBE, SACNAS, AISES, SHPE chapter,  are encouraged to carpool.
• If you’re planning to go, please let us know. Place a comment here on this page, AND send the email to promisestaff@gmail.com (for the bus trip.)
• The bus will leave at 6:00 AM from the front of UMBC’s Administration Building – landmarks: “Administration Drive,” Flag pole, The Retriever Athletic Center (RAC).  The bus will leave UVA around 4:30 PM, with expected arrival back at UMBC at 6: 30 PM.

Driving directions to UVA: http://www.seas.virginia.edu/about/visit.php

The trip from Baltimore to Charlottesville, VA is approximately 3 hours.

Guest Blogger: Dr. Sujata Bhatia, Harvard University:

On August 16-17, 2013, I had the distinct honor of attending the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of the PROMISE Summer Success Institute as a Distinguished Guest Speaker.  A question that arose from young PhDs during each of my mentoring sessions was, “How did you manage the transition from industry to academia?”  Indeed, my background as an academic leader is completely non-traditional: after completing my MD and PhD degrees, I spent close to eight years working in biomedical research and product development at DuPont.  I transitioned to my current position at Harvard in 2011, and found the transition to be very smooth.  Here are my tips for a young PhD who would like to keep the door open to academia.

 
1.      Recognize that various opportunities are available in academia, even if you have started your career in industry.  In other words, you have many options, and each of these options will have different demands.  You might decide to pursue a position at either a research-intensive university or at a primarily undergraduate institution.  The research and teaching demands of these positions will be different (heavier emphasis on research at the former, heavier emphasis on teaching at the latter).  It behooves you to show that you are competent at both, which leads to points #2 and #3.

2.      Look for opportunities to teach part-time at local universities while you are working in industry.  From 2009 to 2011, I served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Delaware, while still working full-time at DuPont.  I taught courses in biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering, and also prepared a textbook to inform my teaching.  Many universities are happy to have adjunct professors from local industry, particularly in science and engineering fields.  Students benefit from the practical perspective that industry practitioners bring to the classroom.  As a university teacher, you will benefit by gaining valuable teaching experience, strengthening your academic network, and testing out whether you enjoy interacting with students.  I am convinced that my positive teaching evaluations from the University of Delaware, as well as my experience writing a textbook, were pivotal factors in Harvard’s decision to hire me.

3.      Look for opportunities to publish while in industry.  I received a key piece of advice from a gentleman at DuPont who transitioned into an academic leadership position at Rutgers University: when someone types your name into PubMed or Google Scholar, at least one publication from the past year should show up.  Publishing your work gives you legitimacy in your technical field, and forces you to stay current in your technical field.  If you are working on projects that involve intellectual property, talk with your supervisor about the possibility of publishing the work after patents have been filed.  If you absolutely cannot disclose your current projects in industry, think about publishing a review paper or book chapter (or even a book!) on your technical expertise.

4.      Keep your academic network alive.  You should set a goal of attending at least one major technical conference a year.  Again, talk with your supervisor about the possibility of presenting your work to an external audience.  Even if you cannot give a technical talk on your industry work at a conference, you could give a general overview talk on your technical field, and you can still use the opportunity to network with academics.  You should also look for opportunities to give seminars at universities – these visits will allow you to meet faculty one-on-one.

5.      Browse academic job postings.  My favorite websites for academic job postings are higheredjobs.com and chronicle.com.  By browsing the listings on these websites, you will have an idea of which universities are hiring, as well as the specific job opportunities and requirements.  I would suggest that you start applying to positions even if you haven’t completely decided to make the switch, just so that you can gain experience with applying and interviewing.  I applied for several positions, and interviewed at two other universities, before interviewing for my current job at Harvard.

Transitioning from industry to academia is not impossible.  In fact, it is a career path that is unique and valuable – you will bring a special flavor to your teaching, research, and overall leadership style.  If you develop your teaching, research, and publishing skills while pursuing an industrial project, you will certainly be an asset to any academic department.

Sujata K. Bhatia, MD, PhD, PE
Assistant Dean, Harvard Summer School
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Harvard University
Associate, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
206C Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street
Cambridge MA 02138

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Bhatia served as a Mentor-in-Residence for the 2013 PROMISE SSI. She was an excellent mentor for students, postdocs, and alumni. More about Dr. Bhatia: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/experts/2760/sujata_k_bhatia.html

Guest Blogger: Dr. Sujata Bhatia, Harvard University:

On August 16-17, 2013, I had the distinct honor of attending the 10^th Anniversary Celebration of the PROMISE Summer Success Institute as a Distinguished Guest Speaker.  A question that arose from young PhDs during each of my mentoring sessions was, “How did you manage the transition from industry to academia?”  Indeed, my background as an academic leader is completely non-traditional: after completing my MD and PhD degrees, I spent close to eight years working in biomedical research and product development at DuPont.  I transitioned to my current position at Harvard in 2011, and found the transition to be very smooth.  Here are my tips for a young PhD who would like to keep the door open to academia.

 
1.      Recognize that various opportunities are available in academia, even if you have started your career in industry.  In other words, you have many options, and each of these options will have different demands.  You might decide to pursue a position at either a research-intensive university or at a primarily undergraduate institution.  The research and teaching demands of these positions will be different (heavier emphasis on research at the former, heavier emphasis on teaching at the latter).  It behooves you to show that you are competent at both, which leads to points #2 and #3.

2.      Look for opportunities to teach part-time at local universities while you are working in industry.  From 2009 to 2011, I served as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Delaware, while still working full-time at DuPont.  I taught courses in biochemical engineering and biomedical engineering, and also prepared a textbook to inform my teaching.  Many universities are happy to have adjunct professors from local industry, particularly in science and engineering fields.  Students benefit from the practical perspective that industry practitioners bring to the classroom.  As a university teacher, you will benefit by gaining valuable teaching experience, strengthening your academic network, and testing out whether you enjoy interacting with students.  I am convinced that my positive teaching evaluations from the University of Delaware, as well as my experience writing a textbook, were pivotal factors in Harvard’s decision to hire me.

3.      Look for opportunities to publish while in industry.  I received a key piece of advice from a gentleman at DuPont who transitioned into an academic leadership position at Rutgers University: when someone types your name into PubMed or Google Scholar, at least one publication from the past year should show up.  Publishing your work gives you legitimacy in your technical field, and forces you to stay current in your technical field.  If you are working on projects that involve intellectual property, talk with your supervisor about the possibility of publishing the work after patents have been filed.  If you absolutely cannot disclose your current projects in industry, think about publishing a review paper or book chapter (or even a book!) on your technical expertise.

4.      Keep your academic network alive.  You should set a goal of attending at least one major technical conference a year.  Again, talk with your supervisor about the possibility of presenting your work to an external audience.  Even if you cannot give a technical talk on your industry work at a conference, you could give a general overview talk on your technical field, and you can still use the opportunity to network with academics.  You should also look for opportunities to give seminars at universities – these visits will allow you to meet faculty one-on-one.

5.      Browse academic job postings.  My favorite websites for academic job postings are higheredjobs.com and chronicle.com.  By browsing the listings on these websites, you will have an idea of which universities are hiring, as well as the specific job opportunities and requirements.  I would suggest that you start applying to positions even if you haven’t completely decided to make the switch, just so that you can gain experience with applying and interviewing.  I applied for several positions, and interviewed at two other universities, before interviewing for my current job at Harvard.

Transitioning from industry to academia is not impossible.  In fact, it is a career path that is unique and valuable – you will bring a special flavor to your teaching, research, and overall leadership style.  If you develop your teaching, research, and publishing skills while pursuing an industrial project, you will certainly be an asset to any academic department.

Sujata K. Bhatia, MD, PhD, PE
Assistant Dean, Harvard Summer School
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Harvard University
Associate, Harvard Kennedy School of Government
206C Pierce Hall, 29 Oxford Street
Cambridge MA 02138

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Dr. Bhatia served as a Mentor-in-Residence for the 2013 PROMISE SSI. She was an excellent mentor for students, postdocs, and alumni. More about Dr. Bhatia: http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/experts/2760/sujata_k_bhatia.html