Professional & Career Development
Events & Workshops
Calendars
 View Event Calendar |
 Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) |
Upcoming Events
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.
Postdoc Benefits and Resources
September 14
Register Here!
Time: 4:00-5:30 PM EST
In this seminar, we discuss all your benefits and resources.
- New USF Postdocs are strongly encouraged to attend
- Current postdocs who have questions about any of these topics are welcome to attend
This orientation session for postdoctoral fellows is an opportunity to learn about policies and guidelines pertaining to postdocs, postdoc benefits, career and professional development opportunities, and other resources available at USF. This is an opportunity for you to network with other postdocs and get answers to your questions.
If you have any questions about this orientation session or about being a postdoc at USF, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m here for you!
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.
Caffeine & Hypotheses: Postdoc Community
September 21
Time: 9:00-10:30 AM EST
Location: ALN 296
Lightning Talks
September 23
Register Here!
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Presented by Tracy Costello, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Postdoctoral Affairs and Graduate
Student Success
Lightning talks are an opportunity for you to share your research in 3-5 minutes with
a streamlined slide deck (typically 1-3 slides, but fewer than 10), programmed to
automatically advance. The primary purpose of this fast-paced presentation is to spark
new conversations and collaborations. This lecture will discuss tips and tricks for
presenting that will help you make your point concisely and be well-prepared for future
conference talks and competitions!
The Postdoc Lightning Talk Competition is scheduled for Oct 23rd. Competition winners will earn funding for travel or professional development. Details will be posted on the usf.edu/postdoctoral-affairs website. Email tcostello111@usf.edu for more information.
Writing Literature Reviews
September 23
Register Here!
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
OGS Writing Services presents a writing workshop on structuring and crafting literature
reviews. This workshop covers the basic genre conventions of Literature Reviews as
well as strategies for organizing and drafting one.
Future Faculty Fridays
September 25
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 AM EST
Location: ALN 296
Session 1: The Anatomy of a Faculty Position
This session will demystify the faculty role. We'll explore the different types of faculty positions (e.g., tenure-track, teaching-focused) and the expectations for research, teaching, and service. We'll also discuss the importance of mentors, networking, and strategically planning your faculty job search.
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
Lightning Talks Practice
September 30
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 PM EST
Location: 296
Crafting Research Abstracts
September 30
Register Here!
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EST
In this workshop, we provide a concise guide to crafting abstracts. This presentation will break down the writing of the abstract into simple steps that will enable you to create an engaging abstract highlighting your research. Academia is competitive, and writing a strong abstract is crucial for success. It opens doors and encourages engagement with your work. Effectively summarizing complex research within a tight word limit (often 200-250 words) is challenging. This workshop focuses on the capacity of the abstract as a genre convention to create a clear pathway to your work for a wide range of potential audiences and the methods to do so successfully.
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)
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.