Professional Development
Our IMSD Program offers students the opportunity to work one on one with nationally recognized professional development consultants. Each student can choose to work with one or all of these talented professionals based upon their own career needs.
Public Speaking - Scott Morgan is the author of Speaking About Science: A Manual for Creating Clear Presentations. Scott works routinely with PhD scientists to prepare them for interviews, job talks and scientific presentations http://www.premierepublicspeaking.com/
Scientific Writing - Pam Hurley, PhD consults with Industry, government and university scientists to increase the organization, clarity and emphasis of their scientific writing. http://www.hurleywrite.com/
Career Coaching - Marla Goonan is an expert on networking and career development plans. She coaches scientists to helps them identity their passions and reach their career goals.
Grant Writing - Carol Winkelman is a writing coach who conducts workshops in persuasive grant writing at government institutes, universities, and medical centers. Carol helps students understand the grant writing process and transform their research into compelling grant proposals.
Industry Experience - Carolina is adjacent to the Research Triangle Park, home to over 100 biotechnology companies. IMSD students can engage in a paid summer internship at a biotechnology company the summer before they start graduate school.
Mentorship Program - Senior trainees develop and implement a mentorship program for new graduate students. This program provides the opportunity for new students to have access to a senior graduate student mentor and for senior students to gain experience in mentorship.
Academic Coaches – Whether it’s a course in biostatistics, comprehensive exams, cell biology or bioinformatics, IMSD student’s have the opportunity to be matched with a senior graduate student coach to assist them in enhancing their performance in graduate coursework and exams.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
TIBBS - The Training Initiative in Biomedical and Biological Sciences http://tibbs.unc.edu offers professional development, career awareness and social events for all UNC biomedical graduate students that IMSD students can participate in. TIBBS offers career workshops where panelists from nonacademic careers (teaching, science policy, science writing, industry and government scientists, patent agents) share their experiences and how PhD scientists can transition into their career field. TIBBS also offers a certificate series in teaching science at the collegiate level.
DNA Day – A science outreach opportunity where graduate students visit high school classrooms across North Carolina and present a hands-on engaging science activity about DNA or the Human Genome. http://www.ncdnaday.org
Carolina Student Biotechnology Network - is a non-profit, student organization promoting career development, education, entrepreneurship, and industry outreach. Our goal is to host events and provide services that allow members to explore and pursue careers in the life science industry. They host visits to local biotechnology companies. http://www.carolinabiotech.org/
UNC Graduate School - The Graduate Student Professional Development Program seeks to aid students in their development by serving as a gateway to campus resources and providing direct services. This program complements the efforts of established academic programs and other student-services units. http://gradschool.unc.edu/student/profdev/index.html
UNC Center for Teaching and Learning – An instructional support center dedicated top supporting teaching and learning that offers a wide variety of programs and services that support excellence in teaching. http://ctl.unc.edu/
SPOT NC – provides outstanding social, networking and professional development opportunities for graduate students and young professionals (age 21 – 39) in the Triangle, Between UNC, Duke, NC State and the ever growing number of career opportunities through-out Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh, the Triangle is one of the best places to be if you are a graduate student. http://www.spotnc.net/