Professional & Career Development

Events & Workshops

Calendars


Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) 

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



    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鈥檛 have to navigate it alone. Whether you鈥檙e 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 

  • Week of Welcome: Coffee & Conversation

    August 24



    Time: 9:00-11:00 AM EST

    Location:

    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. 鈽曫煈 馃専

  • Week of Welcome: GPSC Virtual Meet & Greet

    August 24



    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鈥檚 role, opportunities for involvement, and ways to connect with the graduate student community. We look forward to hearing from you! 馃捇馃懃 馃憢   

  • Week of Welcome: SWAG Grab

    August 26



    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.馃帀馃馃挌馃挍

  • 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. 馃 馃帀馃馃挌馃挍

  • Week of Welcome: Green & Gold Mixer

    August 28

    RSVP in !

    Time: 5:30-7:00 PM EST

    Location:

    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!  馃煝馃煛馃帀馃

  • Week of Welcome: Wellness Walk

    August 29

    RSVP in !

    Time: 10:00-11:00 AM EST

    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.   馃毝鈥嶁檧锔忦煔娥煂

  • Driving Through Your Options

    September 1



    Time: 1:30-2:30 PM EST

    Purchasing or leasing a vehicle is a decision that impacts your budget, lifestyle, and long-term financial goals. In this informative workshop, we鈥檒l navigate the pros, cons, and hidden considerations behind each choice. Whether you鈥檙e looking for a personal car or an upgrade, you鈥檒l gain the insights you need to make a confident, informed decision.

  • 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鈥檛 have to navigate it alone. Whether you鈥檙e 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 

  • Preparing A Winning 3MT庐 Presentation

    September 14



    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



    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鈥檛 have to navigate it alone. Whether you鈥檙e 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 

  • 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! - appetizers and nonalcoholic drinks provided by USF Office of Postdoc Affairs

  • Tap Into Wise Credit Card Use

    October 6



    Time: 1:30 - 2:30 PM EST

    Credit cards are part of everyday life but using them well requires more than knowing the basics. This session helps participants understand the habits and mindsets that shape their spending鈥攁nd how small changes can make credit cards work for them, not against them. This session offers clear guidance, practical tips, and simple ways to build healthier credit behaviors that support long-term financial confidence.

  • Fresh Check Day

    October 7



    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



    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鈥檛 have to navigate it alone. Whether you鈥檙e 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



    Time: 5:00 - 6:00 PM EST

    Credit cards are part of everyday life but using them well requires more than knowing the basics. This session helps participants understand the habits and mindsets that shape their spending鈥攁nd how small changes can make credit cards work for them, not against them. This session offers clear guidance, practical tips, and simple ways to build healthier credit behaviors that support long-term financial confidence.

  • Career Club (Virtual)

    October 22



    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鈥檛 have to navigate it alone. Whether you鈥檙e 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 

  • 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 

    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: 

    Come and hear about a wide variety of research happening here at USF!

  • Designing Your Research Poster

    October 29



    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

    A strong research statement is your professional identity on paper. This session will guide postdocs in writing a compelling narrative that outlines their past work, future vision, and how they will secure funding. We'll also cover how to format and tailor a CV to highlight key achievements for a faculty search committee.

    •  

  • Writing Wednesdays 馃摑 (Online or In-Person)

    Wednesdays, Weekly

    Learn More

    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 鉁忥笍

    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:

    offer a variety of virtual workshops and other scheduled events. There are two locations on the USF Tampa Campus: on Bruce B. Downs Blvd, and the in downtown Tampa's Water Street District.

    Visit