Louis Stokes Midwest Regional Center of Excellence

Anique Ruiz and Brian Thomas share the concept of a personal board of directors (PBOD) as a strategy to help you reach your goals. Attendees learn how a PBOD can be a powerful part of any accountability system and what key characteristics students should look for in a potential board member. As part of this webinar, students participate in a reflection activity where they identify a few individuals who would earn a spot on their PBOD and why that individual was selected.



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Learn what personal branding is, why personal branding is important in promoting your skills, and how to leverage social media to promote your brand. Recorded June 8, 2020.




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Panelists Dr. Silvia Alvarez-Clare, Tree Ecologist from Morton Arboretum, Mr. Wilson Darko, Power Systems Engineer from Eaton Corporation, and Dr. Pamella Shaw, Assistant Dean of Admissions from The Ohio State University, share their stories navigating to where they are today. Topics include: what it takes to succeed in STEM, flexibility to change careers, making your own opportunities in STEM, and being a minority in a majority space. Recorded June 17, 2020.



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This session includes an overview of what SMART goals are and how to convert a goal into a SMART goal. During a group exercise, students will have the opportunity to practice converting their goals into SMART goals. The session will end with a group discussion on potential pitfalls and strategies to avoid or address challenges. PRE-EXERCISE: Students are asked to think about their vision for 2021. Then watch the recording with 1-2 goals in mind that will help them achieve that vision.



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Attention graduate students and students entering in the workforce! This webinar discusses the job acquisition process in academia and in corporate/industry. Brian Thomas leads a discussion with Drs. Ben Flores, Professor of Engineering at University of Texas El Paso and PI of the UT Systems LSAMP, and Dr. Cammi Valdez, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Northeastern State University and previous past Director of the McNair Program at Wellesley College. Specific topics include 1) Finding and applying to jobs; 2) The hiring process; and 3) Strategies to be successful in the application and interview process. This is a 90m session.



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Brian Thomas leads a discussion on how to find your ideal internship, discuss timelines and requirements, as well as provide strategies for developing a strong application. Panelists include representatives from Fermilab, Argonne National Laboratory and industry. In addition, Institute for Broadening Participation https://PathwaysToScience.org program representative demonstrates how to optimally use search tools to find internship opportunities. Recorded October 21, 2020.



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Brian Thomas leads a discussion on how networking has changed with social distancing. Learn the importance of professional networks in making the connections that lead to jobs, research opportunities, and much more. Recorded July 1, 2020.



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Paul Ardayfio, Ph.D, Clinical Research Advisor, Neuroscience and Internal Medicine-GPS Medical, Eli Lilly and Co., leads a discussion on study skills and strategies for academic success. Participants learn the most effective research-based study strategies for academic success, as well as, the surprising study strategies that are not effective, but commonly used. Recorded September 16, 2020.