Professional Development Workshops
Writing Series: Writing Sessions for Every Stage
Designed for graduate students in a writing phase at any level!
This series offers a variety of structured and flexible sessions to support your writing journey. Whether you’re seeking a structured writing period, a focused environment, or the freedom to drop in as needed, our offerings cater to diverse needs. From facilitated workshops and Pomodoro sessions to quiet, open writing spaces, this series allows you to develop skills, boost productivity, and bring your ideas to life. Embrace the chance to write, connect, and grow in a community dedicated to creative and academic excellence.
*Currently Closed* Fall 2026 All-Day Writing Retreats | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm | Options available for Blacksburg and DC Campuses
Graduate Life Center [Blacksburg Campus] | VTRC-A (900 N. Glebe, Arlington, VA) [DC Campus]
Snacks, Coffee, and Lunch will be provided for registered participants
- Monday, September 14, 2026 - Registration not open
- Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Registration not open
- Wednesday, November 4, 2026 - Registration not open
- Thursday, December 10, 2026 - Registration not open
Three Options for the All-Day Writing Retreat
- Facilitated Workshop | workshop during the first part of the morning, Pomodoro writing session for the remainder of the day
- Facilitated Pomodoro Writing Sessions [25-minute Proctored Session, 50-Minute Un-Proctored Session]
- Open, Quiet Writing Session [Recommended for Experienced Writers]
Zoom options available for all sessions
This event is intended for graduate students.
If you have any questions, please contact wdh@vt.edu.
Pre-registration is required for each event*
[You will receive a confirmation of your registration within 1-3 days after you submit the registration form]
Career and Professional Development and the Graduate School offers many workshops designed for graduate students. Find more information below about upcoming workshops.
Career Fair Prep for Graduate Students
This 30-minute workshop gives you the essentials: how to research employers, craft your pitch, and make a confident first impression. Get the key strategies you need to navigate career fairs like a pro.
Wednesday, September 2nd 2:00-2:30 (Session 1)
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980437/share_preview
Wednesday, September 2nd 4:00-430 (Session 2)
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980438/share_preview
Career Resources Every Graduate Student Should Know
Ready to take the next step in your career journey? This 30-minute session introduces Career and Professional Development (CPD) and the resources available to support your career exploration, job search, professional networking, and application preparation. Discover tools and services that can help you make informed career decisions and successfully pursue opportunities in both industry and academia.
Wednesday, September 9th 12:30-1:00 (Session 1)
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980439/share_preview
Thursday, September 10th 5:30-6:00 (Session 2)
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980440/share_preview
Translating Graduate Experience into an ATS and Industry Friendly Resume
Stand out in your job search with a resume built for today's hiring process.
This 30-minute workshop will help you translate your graduate experience into a resume that resonates with both Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and hiring managers. Learn how to highlight relevant skills and accomplishments, align your language with job descriptions, and create a resume that stands out in a competitive job market.
Wednesday, September 16th 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980441/share_preview
Thursday, September 17th 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980442/share_preview
Landing a Faculty Job: What Graduate Students Need to Know
This 30-minute workshop covers how to structure your CV for faculty and research positions, plus essential strategies for the academic job search process. You'll get practical tips and examples to help you present your experience effectively and approach your search with confidence.
Wednesday, September 23rd 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980443/share_preview
Thursday, September 24th 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980444/share_preview
How Graduate Students Can Get a Job Without Applying to 300 Positions
Want to run a more strategic and successful job search? This focused 30-minute workshop covers the essentials: conducting industry research, gap analysis, and connection with alumni. You'll also learn about key resources like Handshake, CareerShift, and Interstride to support your search. Discover how shifts in strategy can make a big difference in your results!
Wednesday, September 30th 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980445/share_preview
Thursday, October 1st 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980446/share_preview
The Skills Employers Want and Graduate Students Already Have
Wondering how your graduate experience translates to what employers want? This 30-minute workshop explores the professional competencies employers value most and helps you recognize where you've already developed them. Learn how to confidently communicate your strengths and connect your experiences to the needs of employers throughout the job search process.
Wednesday, October 7th 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980447/share_preview
Thursday, October 8th 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980448/share_preview
How Graduate Students Can Build Professional Relationships
Want to grow your professional network without feeling like you're "networking"? This 30-minute workshop covers practical strategies for utilizing LinkedIn, conducting informational interviews, navigating conferences strategically, and building authentic relationships that support your career goals.
Wednesday, October 14th 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980449/share_preview
Thursday, October 15th 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980450/share_preview
Tell Your Best Stories: Interviewing for Graduate Students
Want to walk into your next interview feeling prepared and confident? This 30-minute workshop covers the essentials of the interview process, including a clear formula for answering behavioral questions and how to research and prepare for common interview questions. Whether it's your first interview or you're looking to sharpen your skills, you'll leave with practical techniques to help you perform at your best!
Wednesday, October 21st 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980451/share_preview
Thursday, October 22nd 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980452/share_preview
Making Informed Career Decisions: Offer Negotiation for Graduate Students
Received a job offer and not sure what to do next? This 30-minute workshop covers key factors in evaluating career decisions, effective negotiation strategies, and best practices for responding to offers—whether accepting or declining. You'll also discover online tools for researching salary ranges and cost of living to make informed decisions with confidence!
Wednesday, November 4th 12:30-1:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980453/share_preview
Thursday, November 5th 5:30-6:00
https://app.joinhandshake.com/events/1980454/share_preview
If you need an accommodation, please contact Dr. Suzanne Shelburne at sshelbur@vt.edu
This workshop is designed to help graduate students translate research ideas into formal written proposals to external sponsors.
January 14, 2026, 1-5 PM, Zoom and In-person at the GLC Multipurpose room
This workshop covers what you need to know to compete successfully for funding as an independent researcher, including:
- how to develop a long-term funding strategic plan
- how to identify and understand likely funders
- key steps for planning a fundable research project
- how to recruit collaborators
- and best practices and common mistakes to avoid when writing a competitive research grant proposal.
Get into Grant-Mode: How to Identify Funding Opportunities and Refine your Grant Proposal to make your Research Shine
In this grant writing overview session, participants will learn about resources and strategies for how to find and prepare grant proposals. Topics to be covered will include how to analyze funding agencies and solicitations along with foundational knowledge of grant planning to prepare postdocs for their future careers in a variety of research occupations. Resources will be shared for various postdoc fellowship opportunities, application requirements, and funding timelines.
Attend this session to learn the do's and don'ts of grant writing that are applicable to any researcher!
The facilitator, Dr. Lisa Nielsen, is a grant writer and currently Associate Director of Research Development at Purdue University College of Engineering.
New Faculty Hire Conversation Series 2025
As another faculty application period approaches in Fall 2025, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs will host a series of new faculty hire conversations with individuals who have recently navigated the faculty job market to land assistant professor positions at Virginia Tech and beyond.
Attendees can hear about former postdocs' experience applying for faculty positions and are encouraged to come with questions on navigating the faculty job market. A variety of fields will be represented across the series which, aims to provide space for more personal conversations with new faculty hires. Each 1-hour session will be held over Zoom and will feature one new faculty member.
Attendees can register for sessions aligned with their field or all sessions to gain a wider perspective on the faculty job search and interview process.
Power Ties: The International Student's Guide to Finding a Job in the United States
Date: September 30, 2025 | 3-4 pm EST
What Every International Student Should Know About U.S. Employment
RSVP: https://evt.to/eooaeioew
Tired of sending out resumes and hearing nothing back? Dan Beaudry, former head of campus recruiting at Monster.com, shares the potent job search system used by many international students to find U.S. employment. H-1Bs are won in ways you likely don’t expect. What you’ll discover in this talk may surprise you.
What You’ll Learn:
Through frank insights, relatable stories, and actionable strategies, Dan will discuss:
- Why 70 percent of open jobs are never advertised - and how to find them before anyone else.
- Why human resources is often an obstacle instead of a conduit to finding a U.S. job-and how to bypass it.
- Why submitting résumés online is not an effective use of your time-and how you can better invest that time.
- Securing H-1B sponsorship at companies that have a policy against sponsoring H-1B visas.
Following the talk, Dan will have time for questions from attendees.
Dan Beaudry
Professional Bio
Dan Beaudry, author of Power Ties: The International Student’s Guide to Finding a Job in the United States, is a nationally recognized expert on helping international students navigate the U.S. job market. Over the past decade, he has spoken at more than 100 universities, major industry associations, and in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and Voice of America. A former Campus Recruiting Manager for Monster.com and Associate Director at Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, Dan has spent over 20 years in recruiting—as hiring manager, career strategist, and headhunter, bringing a unique 360° view of hiring. Dan began his career in management consulting at Willis Towers Watson. He is the founder of LDP Connect, a global association of early talent development program managers and recruiters. He holds degrees from Vanderbilt and Boston University, studied at La Sorbonne in Paris, and lives in the Boston area with his wife and two sons.
Key Messages - Real Time for 2025 Challenges
Immigration policy has long been delicate and challenging, with international students facing particularly intense pressure today. Securing U.S. employment is never guaranteed, as only part of the process is within an individual’s control.
The focus is on maximizing that controllable portion: motivating an employer to extend a job offer. Political swings do not change the fundamentals of hiring, and the recommended system remains constant—ownership of the job search process, structured outreach, relationship building, and a long-term, non-transactional approach. These strategies create value well beyond the immediate job search.
Legal issues belong with lawyers and politics with policymakers, as both can shift rapidly. The priority is equipping international students with strategies to give themselves the best possible chance of U.S. employment.
The Individual Development Plan (IDP) concept is designed to help students define and pursue their career goals. Throughout the academic year, Dr. Surprenant leads this interactive workshop in-person and virtually. Learn what an IDP is, why IDPs are useful, and provide some tools for you to get started on making your own. Please note: NSF GRFP grantees are required to have an IDP on file with the Graduate School.