Professional & Career Development
Events & Workshops
Calendars
USF graduate students and postdocs have year-round access to workshops, competitions, networking events, and community gatherings designed to build the skills — and connections — that matter most, inside and outside the classroom.
 View Event Calendar |
 Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) |
Upcoming Events
Staying Informed through Automation
October 1
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Now that you've defined your topic and located the key literature, learn how to build
a personalized, low-effort system for staying current in your field using database
alerts and AI-powered tools. This session covers setting up saved searches and email
alerts in core databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, plus how Semantic
Scholar's AI-generated Research Feeds and citation alerts can surface new, relevant
papers automatically. Participants will leave with a working alert system tailored
to their research area, reducing manual searching while staying on top of the literature.
By Evan Fruehauf, USF Libraries.
Lightning Talk Practice
October 1
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: ALN 296
Staying Current: Citation & Search Alerts
October 1
Register Here!
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Keeping up with the research literature can be a challenge for scholars. One thing
researchers can utilize to stay current is using tools that provide notifications
when new works related to their selected keywords and topics is published, as well
as when new citations of the works by the researcher emerge in the discourse. This
workshop offers tips on setting up and utilizing automated searches using a variety
of online library resources to take advantage of current awareness services. In this
workshop participants will discover ways to compare citation notifications with saved
searches using a variety of library tools, identify various library resources for
notification services and sign up for at least one citation or search notification
based on their research interests. By Susan Ariew and Matt Torrence, USF Libraries.
PowerBI for Data Visualization: Advanced
October 2
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Online/Virtual
In the second part of this series of workshops, the participant will learn how to
use the query editor and the Dax language in Power Bi. At the end of the workshop,
participants will be able of creating calculated columns, measures and custom tables
inside their Power BI workbooks. By Viviana Madelaine Milla Angeles.
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 5
Location: CWY 206
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
Intro to Financial Data Research
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop is designed for researchers eager to explore the fundamentals of financial
data analysis. In this session, you'll learn essential techniques for collecting,
analyzing, and interpreting financial data to make informed decisions, including company
analysis, market trends, and financial indicators. No prior experience is needed—just
a curiosity to understand the world of finance through data. Presented by William
Parker, USF Libraries
EndNote: Intro to Citation Management
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
EndNote is a citation management software that will help you organize your research,
keep track of citations and articles, and easily create bibliographies. This introductory
workshop will demonstrate how to import citations into EndNote, attach PDFs of articles
to the citation records, and easily create a bibliography. By Camielle Crampsie, USF
Libraries.
Exploring Tools That Power Spatial Thinking
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Discover the specialized GIS software offerings available at the University of South
Florida. This workshop introduces a range of applications designed for targeted use
cases—from drone mapping and urban planning to business analytics and crowdsourced
data collection. Researchers will gain valuable insight into how these tools can elevate
your spatial thinking and expand your project capabilities.By Benjamin Mittler, USF
Libraries.
Tap Into Wise Credit Card Use
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Introduction to Impact in the Sciences
October 6
Register Here!
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop will provide an overview of journal metrics and rankings in the sciences,
including traditional measures from standard sources including the Web of Science
(Impact Factor) and Scopus (CiteScore) databases. Additionally, general information
will be offered regarding additional academic impact databases and methods, such as
Faculty Insights, to maximize benefit of any measures for journal, author, and subject
area data points. Other impact measures will be presented, including Altmetrics tools
and the presentation of dissemination for works not always formally calculated. Also
included will be content on commonly used author profile and archiving options, including
ORCiD and the USF Libraries’ Digital Commons repository. By Matt Torrence, USF Libraries.
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
Zotero: Intro to Citation Management
October 7
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Zotero is a citation management software that will help you organize your research
and generate citations and bibliographies. In this introductory workshop, you will
learn how to create a Zotero account, save and organize sources, create bibliographies
and in-text citations, and collaborate with Zotero groups. By Emily Norton, USF Libraries.
Metrics & Rankings in the Social Sciences
October 7
Register Here!
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Journal metrics and rankings in the sciences, including big names like Impact Factor
and Citescore, have changed a lot in the last few years, with the advent of new measures
and resources to compete with the standards that have long been a part of the academic
world. At this workshop, attendees will receive instruction and information on the
traditional tools, as well as the new resources available in the metrics world, such
as SciMago and PlumX, and guidance on the main tools used in most fields. By Allison
Symulevich, USF Libraries.
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 7
Location: CWY 206
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 PM EST
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
AI-Assisted Qualitative Research, Part II
October 8
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Part 2 of this session will discuss the current ‘state of play’ regarding the various
genres of AI-assist technologies available to qualitative researchers and how to select
the most appropriate platform. We will compare and contrast several AI-assist platforms
for managing and analyzing qualitative data. We will discuss best practices for how
to report the use of AI in research studies and how to reflexively consider the consequences
of doing so. By Dr. Trena Paulus, East Tennessee State University.
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!
Searching for Evidence Synthesis Projects
October 8
Register Here!
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop will introduce intermediate search strategies and search organization
techniques as you embark on your evidence synthesis journey. Attendees will learn
techniques to gather, categorize, and combine search terms to form a search string.
The presenter will also demonstrate how to find out what information gained or lost
from altering a search before discussing how to approach translating a search from
one database to another. By Carl DiNardo, USF Libraries.
AI for Coding
October 8
Register Here!
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop will provide background and examples of emerging AI technology relevant
for computer programming. Background will include terminologies and an overview of
AI technologies including LLMs. Practical application of available tools for programming
tasks will be demonstrated, an overview of the technical landscape will be given,
and time for discussion will be included. By Tylar Murray, USF Institute for Marine
Remote Sensing, College of Marine Science.
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
October 9
Location: CWY 206
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 AM
3MT Preliminaries! Come Cheer your Peers!
Satellite Imagery with ESRI Living Atlas
October 13
Register Here!
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This entry-level workshop introduces researchers to satellite imagery and analysis
using Esri’s Living Atlas Sentinel and Landsat Explorer apps, accessible through a
web browser and your USF Net ID, with no software installation or data downloads required.
Learn the basics of remote sensing concepts, explore real-world datasets, and perform
quick analyses using Esri’s built-in tools. By the end, participants will be able
to generate before and after imagery, time-lapse animations, compute vegetation and
moisture indices, investigate land cover change, and export visuals for reports, publications,
or projects. By Denise Wright, USF Libraries.
SPSS Basics
October 13
Register Here!
Time: 1:30 - 3:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop covers the basic skills needed to enter data into SPSS, manipulate the
data to create new variables (e.g., reverse score variables, compute sum scores across
items), identify outliers, and examine descriptive statistics for each variable (e.g.,
minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation, frequency). If time permits, we will also
cover how to split the data into groups or select specific subgroups on which to perform
analyses. By Wendy Rote, USF Psychology.
Online Thesis & Dissertation Writing Retreat
October 14
Register Here!
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Teams
Join for two 3-hour block writing sessions each day (Morning Session 10 AM to 1 PM; Afternoon Session 2 PM to 5 PM) , with a facilitator present for quick 5–10-minute break-out sessions regarding writing concerns if needed.
The Fall Sustainable Writing Strategies Workshop occurs in conjunction with this retreat: Wednesday, October 14th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM.
Students are encouraged to show up and write for the full duration of as many sessions
as they are able.
R Programming: Data Analysis & Visualization
October 14
Register Here!
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This workshop will build on the basic foundations of R covered in the introductory
workshop and will explore data visualization using the popular plotting library ggplot2.
We will use real data examples and create custom data visualizations. By Kristina
Riemer, EHS Support.
EndNote Advanced: Citation Management
October 14
Register Here!
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Tap into the power of EndNote to streamline your academic and professional writing
processes. This workshop builds upon the basics of importing and collecting your background
research in EndNote and will enable you to make writing in-text citations and end
references a breeze whether doing your own work or collaborating with others. By Carl
DiNardo, USF Libraries.
Sustainable Writing Strategies
October 14
Register Here!
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Teams
In conjunction with the Online Mini Writing Retreat
Writing is a lifelong skill, not just for academic work. Writing is where we articulate our knowledge. Sustainability prevents binge writing, burnout, and frustration. The goal of this workshop is to help attendees, through reflection and discussion, consider what strategies will help them develop a consistent, fulfilling, and adaptable writing practice.
Tools for Market and Industry Analysis
October 15
Register Here!
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Learn how to analyze business market and industry information using authoritative
USF Library resources alongside AI tools. After completing this session, participants
will be able to generate reports, perform comparative analyses, and verify AI-generated
data against citable sources to gain a clear, evidence-based understanding of existing
markets and industries. By Chris Sturgeon, USF Libraries.
MaxQDA for Qualitative Analysis
October 15
Register Here!
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
This is an introduction to MaxQDA, a qualitative and mixed-methods data software.
Topics will include: Understanding the MaxQDA interface, creating and sharing a project,
importing and exploring different types of data, an overview of the various tools
for analysis, recording codes, memos, and comments, and identifying the specific tool(s)
needed for an analytic task. Participants are encouraged to bring media resources
that will simulate the analysis process on the software as we learn. By Leah Burger,
USF College of Education.
AI for Evidence Synthesis & Systematic Review
October 15
Register Here!
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
Location: Online/Virtual
Examine how AI can assist researchers in conducting systematic reviews, meta-analyses,
and other evidence-based research methods. This session critically evaluates emerging
AI review tools, considering their reliability, transparency, and ethical limitations.
Participants will identify key human-in-the-loop moments where expert judgment, verification,
and contextual understanding must guide the process to ensure credible, rigorous,
and reproducible synthesis outcomes. By Evan Fruehauf and Carl DiNardo, USF Libraries.
Tap Into Wise Credit Card Use
October 15
Register Here!
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM EST
Academic Culture & Communication
October 16
Register Here!
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 AM EST
Location: ALN 296
Set Yourself up for Success as a Teaching Assistant.
Enroll in one session or all sessions designed to help you thrive in your TA role
- whether you're grading, holding office hours, running labs, or teaching. Each session
focuses on key skills and cultural insights to help you feel confident and prepared.
Caffeine & Hypotheses: Postdoc Community
October 19
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 AM EST
Location: ALN 296
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 5, 7, 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!
Academic Culture & Communication
October 23
Register Here!
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 AM EST
Location: ALN 296
Set Yourself up for Success as a Teaching Assistant.
Enroll in one session or all sessions designed to help you thrive in your TA role
- whether you're grading, holding office hours, running labs, or teaching. Each session
focuses on key skills and cultural insights to help you feel confident and prepared.
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)
Conversation Studio
Fridays, Weekly
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: ALN 209
Join the Conversation Studio in the Graduate Student Lounge in ALN 209.
An English discussion group for graduate students, postdocs, and visiting scholars
designed to help you build confidence, improve fluency, and connect with peers in
a welcoming environment.
Conversation Studio offers a relaxed, supportive space to practice speaking while
engaging in meaningful conversations on academic and everyday topics. Whether you
want to strengthen your English communication skills, gain confidence speaking in
groups, or expand your community, all are welcome.
Join us and be part of the conversation - attend one session or come to them all!
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.