Graduate Workshops, Programs, and Language Courses

The Graduate Workshop series is designed to provide you with the academic and professional skills you need to excel inside and outside the classroom. Each session will be facilitated by experts from the faculty, staff, or outside professional world. Please register in advance.

Academic Development

Citation Management and Research Organization with EndNote
 Monday, September 9; Tuesday, September 10; Tuesday, September 17; Wednesday, September 25; Wednesday, October 2. All sessions are 5:30-7 p.m. (Register for one date.)
All sessions will be held in Gerstenzang Room 135.
Instructors: Elizabeth Williams, Master’s Student, and Judith Pinnolis, Academic Outreach Librarian, LTS

In this workshop, review research tools and methods you can use to keep your research organized. The workshop will focus on EndNote, the citation management software. See how this software stores citations, preserves your research history, and organizes all your resources during your project. Learn to create a citation library, import citations from databases, apply footnotes in a Word document, and build a bibliography in the correct citation format for your discipline. Before the workshop, participants must follow the directions here and download EndNote X6 onto their laptop (for Macs) and EndNote X7 (for PCs) from here. Please bring your laptop. Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Mastering SPSS
 Wednesday, September 11, 3:30-5 p.m.
 Location: Farber Room 101
Presenter: Erin Bishop, Doctoral Student and SPSS Guru

Receive a basic overview of Statistical Software Package for Social Scientists (aka SPSS) during this interactive hands-on workshop. Learn how this important research tool can help you analyze and manage your data. Come with questions! Register. 

Presentation Skills and PowerPoint
Wednesday, September 11, 5-6:30 p.m.
Gerstenzang Room 135
Instructor: Judith Pinnolis, Academic Outreach Librarian, LTS

Make your live presentation effective, compelling, and memorable using PowerPoint! Learn the basics of this software and how to use it judiciously. This workshop will cover how to best present your information and what imagery and colors display well and suit your content. We’ll review how to tailor your presentation for the size of the audience and room and the amount of time you have.  We’ll also discuss creating effective, attractive posters for conferences. Please bring your laptop with PowerPoint installed. Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research (GRFP) Fellowship
 Friday, September 13, 10-11:30 a.m.
Shapiro Science Center Room 1-09
Presenter: Delora Gaskins, NSF Fellow and Doctoral Student

Learn strategies for completing the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship program application. A general overview of the application process will be presented followed by small group discussion. This workshop is designed for first- and second-year graduate students and senior undergraduates, but all science students are welcome to attend. Register.

Research Strategies for Graduate Students
 Monday, September 16, 5-6:30 p.m.
Gerstenzang Room 135
Instructors: Elizabeth Williams, Master’s Student, and Judith Pinnolis, Academic Outreach Librarian, LTS

Learn strategies for graduate-level research using the Library’s resources. In this workshop, you will focus on your own topics. We’ll review how to expand and adjust your search for optimal results. We’ll also go over how to use the OneSearch tool, customize Brandeis Scholar, and search for accessible primary sources. In addition, pick up some best practices for using Brandeis research guides, databases, book assets and e-book collections; following citations in Web of Knowledge; and extracting data. Please bring your laptop. Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Citing Gray Literature
 Tuesday, September 24, 5:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, October 3, 5-6:30 p.m.
(Register for one date.)
Both sessions will be held in Gerstenzang 135.
Instructor: Gina Bastone, Academic Outreach Librarian, LTS

Gray Literature is an important resource for many graduate students. Learn what Gray literature is, where you can find it, and how to cite information from it. Gray literature includes publications from NGOs, the United Nations (and other quasi-government agencies), think tanks, research institutes, and non-profits. This workshop will use samples in APA style, but students will learn to apply their knowledge to other citation formats using EndNote. Participants should have some familiarity with EndNote. Please bring your laptop. Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Publishing in Academic Journals
 Thursday, November 14, 3:30-5 p.m.
 Kutz Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Presenter: Deborah Garnick, Professor, Heller School

We’re all familiar with the old adage: “publish or perish.” Indeed, publishing is crucial for professional advancement in any academic career. However, it also enables scholars to share their work and show funders that they are productive. In this seminar, we concentrate on the publication process, beginning with the choice of journal through submission and revision and ending with publication. The presentation focuses on peer-reviewed journals in the sciences and social sciences and includes suggestions for new authors, touches on current issues, and provides information about further resources. Register.

Professional Development

Resume and Cover Letter Writing for Science, Technology, and Mathematics Graduate Students
 Monday, September 30, 12– 1 p.m.
Shapiro Science Center Room 1-09
Facilitator: GSAS Career Services Staff

How can you highlight your relevant technical skills and expertise? How can you incorporate technical projects or lab research projects into your resume? This workshop will show you how to write a winning resume and how to tailor it for a specific position. Register via GradHIRE>>Events>>Workshops (login located here).

Resume and Cover Letter Writing for Humanities and Social Science Graduate Students
 Wednesday, October 16, 2013,  2–3 p.m.
Kutz Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Facilitator: GSAS Career Services Staff

How do you transfer your academic skills and training to a professional context? Learn how to effectively convey your talents and relevant experience or discover ways to improve upon an existing resume. Gain a better understanding of how to tailor your resume for a specific position. Register via GradHIRE>>Events>>Workshops (login located here).

Employers Seeking GSAS Students!  Attend Orientation to GradHIRE and the GSAS Resume Referral Program 
Wednesday, October 9, 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
Wednesday, November 13, 12– 1 p.m.
(Register for one date.)
Kutz Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Presenter: GSAS Career Services Staff

GradHIRE is the Brandeis GSAS Career Services management system. GradHIRE enables GSAS students to access job listings from employers who seek to hire them. Full and part-time jobs, internships, and fellowships are featured on GradHIRE. During this orientation, find out how to use this online program to your best advantage and receive an introduction to the other excellent resources GSAS Career Services has to offer. Register via GradHIRE>>Events>>Workshops (login located here).

Introduction to the Versatile PhD 
 Wednesday, October 23, 12-1 p.m., Shapiro Science Center Room 1-09
Wednesday, November 7, 12-1 p.m., Kutz Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
(Register for one date.)
Presenter: GSAS Career Services Staff

Concerned about the academic job market? Thinking about non-academic careers? Help is here. Brandeis has purchased a new resource for students that demystifies non-academic careers and reveals many interesting professions that require the skills you are developing in graduate school. This online service offers two Ph.D. career finder models--one for doctoral students in the humanities and social sciences and another for doctoral students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Versatile PhD features the stories, resumes, and cover letters of Ph.D.s and ABDs who got the job. Come to this session and learn how this online service can help you as you navigate the non-academic job market. Register via GradHIRE>>Events>>Workshops (login located here).

Don’t Be Afraid: Informational Interviewing Demystified
 Thursday, October 31, 1-2 p.m.
 Thursday, November 21, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
(Register for one date.)
Kutz Hall Conference Room (2nd Floor)
Facilitator: GSAS Career Services Staff

Over 80% of jobs are secured through networking. Therefore, the most useful job market information, especially for a specific geographic location, may not come from searching online, but rather from interviewing industry insiders. An informational interview allows you to: discover what is it really like to work in a given industry; evaluate whether a career is compatible with your skills, interests, lifestyle, and goals; develop confidence in interviewing with professionals; and get referrals to other professionals in the same field. This workshop will cover how to land and conduct an informational interview, offer strategies for success, and provide opportunities for practice in a supportive environment. You will come away with a plan to execute your first informational interview. Register via GradHIRE>>Events>>Workshops (login located here).

International Students

Sponsored by Graduate Student Affairs, these interactive workshops are designed to help ease your transition into every day American life. A light meal will be provided at each workshop. 

Navigating the American Classroom
Friday, September 20, 5 p.m.
Heller School Room G-2
Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Navigating American Culture, Evenings With Friends
 Monday, September 23; Tuesday, October 1; Wednesday, October 16 (Register for one date or all three; all sessions begin at 5 p.m.)
Kutz Hall Graduate Student Center (First Floor)
Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Navigating the American Health Care System
 Wednesday, October 9, 12-1 p.m.
Kutz Hall Graduate Student Center (First Floor)
Register by sending an e-mail including the title and date of the workshop in which you wish to register.

Teaching Fellows

Mastering Latte
 Tuesday, September 10, 5-6:30 p.m.
Farber Room 101
Presenter: Bren Campbell, Instructional Technology, LTS

As a teaching fellow, are you aware of the features in Latte that you can access to better manage your course? Become fluent in the fundamentals and learn about the program’s more advanced capabilities. This interactive presentation will cover how to upload materials, edit the course outline, assign a dropbox, post to forums, change course settings, check up on student activity, and other basic tasks. In addition, review the quiz and grade book features. Whether you are new to using Latte as a TF or would just like to know more, this session will help enhance your skills. Register.

Language Courses

Language courses are scheduled during the fall semester only, and are free of charge. Courses are open to all interested students. However, they are primarily geared towards students who are preparing to take a Ph.D. language exam in their field.  They are focused on reading knowledge with no emphasis on speaking and listening. 

French for Reading Knowledge 
 Instructor: Sarah Klein 
Dates/Time: Mondays, beginning September 9, 6:30-9:20
Olin-Sang 124
Registration: Show up for first class.

This course is designed to prepare you to read and translate French documents in your discipline. During each session, we will review some important aspects of French grammar and practice translating texts or excerpts. No previous knowledge of French is required. We will, however, be moving quickly through the grammar and if you have never studied French before, you will have to put more work outside of class time.

German for Reading Knowledge 
 Instructor: Sabine von Mering
 Dates/Time: Tuesdays, beginning September 3, 5-7:50 p.m.
Shiffman 217
Textbook: Jannach's German for Reading Knowledge (6th edition, 2008) by Richard Alan Korb
Registration: Show up for first class. 

Students with little or no prior knowledge of German are welcome, but may find the pace too swift. All graduate students are welcome to enroll in regular German language courses: "Beginning German--German 10" will be offered MTWTh 10-10:50 (Section 1) and MTWTh 11-11:50 (Section 2) in Fall 2013. German 10 will be taught by Professor Kathrin Seidl. Students who choose to take German 10 should also expect to enroll in “Continuing German--German 20” in the Spring of 2014 in order to complete the introductory level sequence. Feel free to contact Professors Sabine von Mering or Kathrin Seidl with any questions about German.

Hebrew for Reading Knowledge
 Instructor: Sara Hascal 
Dates/Time: Mondays, beginning September 9, 9:00-10:45 a.m. (or upon student's schedule) plus an additional hour TBA
Location: ASAC Atrium
Registration: E-mail Sara Hascal to register.

This course will build competence and comprehension in translating material of academic Hebrew texts in the area of student's concentration.