Professional & Career Development
Events & Workshops
Calendars
 View Event Calendar |
 Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) |
Upcoming Events
Grad Student TA Training
August 21
Learn More About The TA Training
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Fall 2026 TA Orientation requirements:
Before the first day of classes, TA's must complete the following:
- TA Orientation Canvas Course (All modules and quizzes)
- One (1) in-person TA training session
Career Club (Virtual)
August 21
Register Here
Time: 12:30-1:30 PM
Are you navigating a tough job market? ... wondering where to take your next career
step? ...feeling stuck in the application cycles?
The job market is turbulent, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re
just starting to explore or actively applying, the Career Club is your space to discuss
challenges, celebrate wins, develop your network, prepare for interviews, improve
your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and learn the strategies that get you hired!
Unlock your potential! Elevate your career!
Join the club at https://bit.ly/USFCareerClub
Week of Welcome: Coffee & Conversation
August 24
RSVP in BullsConnect
Time: 9:00-11:00 AM EST
Location: John and Grace Allen Building (ALN) 209
Join the Office of Graduate Studies for Coffee & Conversation as we welcome the fall
semester.Enjoy coffee and light pastries while connecting with graduate studies staff,
asking questions, and exploring the many ways we can support your academic success
and overall graduate experience. ☕👥 🌟
Week of Welcome: GPSC Virtual Meet & Greet
August 24
Join on TEAMS
Time: 3:15-4:00 PM EST
Meet the officers and members of the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) in this virtual meet-and-greet. Learn about the council’s role, opportunities for involvement, and ways to connect with the graduate student community. We look forward to hearing from you! 💻👥 👋
Week of Welcome: SWAG Grab
August 26
BullsConnect Link
Time: 12:00-2:00 PM EST
Location:
Start the semester by exploring the first BullsMarket of the year! Meet representatives from a variety of student organizations, campus departments, and local vendors, and discover opportunities to get involved, build connections, and make the most of your USF experience.
After visiting BullsMarket, take a stroll down MLK Plaza to the ALN Building and connect with the Office of Graduate Studies team. As a special welcome to the USF graduate student community, stop by and pick up a FREE giveaway item while supplies last.🎉🤘💚💛
Week of Welcome: Get on Board Day (St. Pete)
August 27
Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Location:
On the St. Pete Campus? Kick off your graduate experience at Get on Board Day! Explore campus resources, meet student organizations, and connect with community partners dedicated to helping you thrive throughout your graduate journey. Be sure to stop by the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) table to meet the OGS team, learn about available support services, and discover opportunities designed to help you succeed on the St. Petersburg campus. 🤝 🎉🤘💚💛
Week of Welcome: Green & Gold Mixer
August 28
RSVP in BullsConnect!
Time: 5:30-7:00 PM ESTLocation:
Kick off the semesterby connecting with fellow graduate students at our first social event of theyear! Enjoy an evening of great food, fun activities, games, and networking aswe celebrate the start of a new semester together.
To add to the festivespirit, we encourage you to wear green and gold and help showcase themany shades of our community colors. Whether you come in emerald, olive, lime,mustard, or metallic gold, it will be fun to see the variety of greens andgolds throughout the evening.
Green andgold attire is completely optional; come as you are and join us for awelcoming and enjoyable night with the graduate student community! 🟢🟡🎉🤝
Week of Welcome: Wellness Walk
August 29
RSVP in BullsConnect!
Location:
Join fellow graduate students for the first Wellness Walk of the semester on the USF Walking Trail.Take a break from your academic routine, connect with peers, and enjoy a refreshing walk focused on wellness and community. This event marks the beginning of a series of walks designed to support graduate student well-beingthroughout the academic year. 🚶♀️🚶🌳
Driving Through Your Options
September 1
Register Here!
Time: 1:30-2:30 PM EST
Career Club
September 4
Location: ALN 296
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Are you navigating a tough job market? ... wondering where to take your next career
step? ...feeling stuck in the application cycles?
The job market is turbulent, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re
just starting to explore or actively applying, the Career Club is your space to discuss
challenges, celebrate wins, develop your network, prepare for interviews, improve
your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and learn the strategies that get you hired!
Unlock your potential! Elevate your career! Join the club at https://bit.ly/USFCareerClub
Preparing A Winning 3MT® Presentation
September 14
Register Here
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
This lecture is designed to help you understand and develop your best 3MT presentation
so that you're prepared to enter the USF competition in October 2026. We'll share
tips for success, including how to frame your research for any audience and considerations
for your slide's design. [Note! This can be any research project that you have worked
on. It does not need to be your thesis or dissertation research.]
Presented by Tracy Costello, PhD, Assistant Dean, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and
Graduate Student Success
The Three Minute Thesis, or 3MT, is an annual competition held at over 200 universities
worldwide, open to graduate students who present their research in less than 3 minutes,
with only one static slide. Winning presentations are engaging stories that are understood
by the broader audience, requiring little expertise in the research area.
The winner and runner-up of the USF competition receive travel awards and are additionally
supported to travel and present in the Council of Graduate Schools 3MT competitions
at the statewide competition at the 2027 Council of Florida Graduate Schools Conference
and the regional competition at the 2027 Council of Southern Graduate Schools Conference,
schedule and funding permitting.
Career Club (Virtual)
September 18
Register Here
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Are you navigating a tough job market? ... wondering where to take your next career
step? ...feeling stuck in the application cycles?
The job market is turbulent, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re
just starting to explore or actively applying, the Career Club is your space to discuss
challenges, celebrate wins, develop your network, prepare for interviews, improve
your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and learn the strategies that get you hired!
Unlock your potential! Elevate your career!
Join the club at https://bit.ly/USFCareerClub
2026 National Postdoc Appreciation Week
September 21-25
Join us in recognizing the significant contributions that postdoctoral scholars make to U.S. research and discovery.
NPAW Happy Hour
September 25
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM EST
Location: Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen - 11109 N 30th St, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
Let's connect! Please RSVP - appetizers and nonalcoholic drinks provided by USF Office of Postdoc Affairs
Tap Into Wise Credit Card Use
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM EST
Fresh Check Day
October 7
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM EST
Location: MSC Amphitheatre
Fresh Check Day is a nationally recognized, engaging and uplifting mental health promotion
event that features peer-centered interactive booths, a festive social atmosphere,
and exciting prizes and giveaways.
Held by the Center for Student Well-Being
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 7
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
Career Club
October 8
Join The Club
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: ALN 296
Are you navigating a tough job market? ... wondering where to take your next career
step? ...feeling stuck in the application cycles? The job market is turbulent, but
you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re just starting to explore or actively
applying, the Career Club is your space to discuss challenges, celebrate wins, develop
your network, prepare for interviews, improve your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and
learn the strategies that get you hired! Unlock your potential! Elevate your career!
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 8
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 9
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
Tap Into Wise Credit Card Use
October 15
Register Here!
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM EST
Career Club (Virtual)
October 22
Register Here
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Are you navigating a tough job market? ... wondering where to take your next career
step? ...feeling stuck in the application cycles?
The job market is turbulent, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you’re
just starting to explore or actively applying, the Career Club is your space to discuss
challenges, celebrate wins, develop your network, prepare for interviews, improve
your resumes or LinkedIn profiles, and learn the strategies that get you hired!
Unlock your potential! Elevate your career!
Join the club at https://bit.ly/USFCareerClub
3MT and Lightning Talk Finals
October 23
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM EST
Location: CWY 206
Graduate Students who are selected in the preliminary heats on Oct 7, 8, 9 will advance
to the finals - and grad students selected in department-specific heats - will participate
in this event to select the top 2 winners and a people's choice.
More info https://www.usf.edu/graduate-studies/research/three-minute-thesis.aspx
Postdoc Scholars will participate in a Lightning Talk competition and the top 2 winners
and a people's choice will be selected. Postdocs, please register for the Lightning Talks Competition here: Registration: 2026 Postdoc & Visiting Scholar Lightning Talks – Fill out form
Come and hear about a wide variety of research happening here at USF!
Designing Your Research Poster
October 29
Register Here
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Research posters are a common communication tool in the academic community for visually sharing research projects and creative ideas. During this session, we will discuss key aspects of designing effective posters and pertinent information about the Graduate Student Research Symposium and the Postdoctoral Scholar Research Symposium so you can WOW the judges and potentially win awards!
Presented by Tracy Costello, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Postdoctoral Affairs and Graduate Student Success, USF Office of Graduate Studies
Future Faculty Fridays
October 30
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 PM EST
Location: ALN 296
Writing Wednesdays 📝 (Online or In-Person)
Wednesdays, Weekly
Online: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Being intentional and consistent about writing will help you progress and meet your
goals. Whether it's a journal article or a fellowship/grant, thesis or dissertation,
proposal, or a scholarship/award application, join peers in a time of intention setting
and dedicated writing.
Questions?
Contact Dr. Stephanie Harper (Online)
ETD Formatting Workshops ✏️
Rotating Mon/Tue
Meet virtually via Microsoft Teams. View Dates.
Join Workshops
These are meant to help with ETD-specific formatting.
What's the difference between Workshops?
- ETD Formatting Workshops (weekly) cover formatting guidelines and last approximately 1.5 hours.
Drop in for help with document formatting.
- ETD Process Workshop occurs once a semester and covers all aspects of the process from Registration to Review.
- Book a 1-on-1 Help Session with an ETD Specialist, these are only 15-minutes and can cover the ETD process including document assistance if needed. Bring focused
questions.
National Postdoc Association SmartSkills
Monthly
NPA Smartskills have recurring sessions every 4th Tuesday of the month at 3PM.
Many postdocs wonder about the pathway into industry without ways to learn the truth about the journey.
Join leaders from industry as they share their thoughts on the current industry postdoc
landscape, discuss misconceptions about postdocs and careers in industry, clarify
differences between industry and academic postdocs and positions, offer recommendations
to postdocs seeking to enter industry positions, and provide insights on future trends
that may affect postdocs in industry.
This is intended as a collaborative discussion so bring your questions!
Follow OGS on BullsConnect as another way to view and register for our OGS Events:
The Center for Career & Professional Development presents engaging programs, meaningful experiences, and comprehensive services, which are provided in partnership with employers, faculty, staff, and the global community.
USF Libraries offer a variety of virtual and in-person workshops that are aimed to assist graduate students with developing research skills:
USF Health Libraries offer a variety of virtual workshops and other scheduled events. There are two locations on the USF Tampa Campus: Hinks and Elaine Shimberg Health Sciences Library on Bruce B. Downs Blvd, and the Florida Blue Health Knowledge Exchange in downtown Tampa's Water Street District.