Workshop Series
The Graduate School Workshop Series offers students the opportunity to learn from members of the Graduate School and various other offices on campus about guidelines, processes, opportunities, and possibilities for assistance. The individual sessions cover a wide range of topics and will be offered each semester.
If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate School.
Fall 2024
Writing Workshops
Fall Writing Bootcamp
September 20th and 21st, 10am - 3pm
While creating a daily writing habit can be a good long term strategy to accomplish your writing goals, sometimes there's nothing better than setting aside an entire day to push through a large chunk of work. The Graduate School will provide lunch and snaks, you provide the committment to progressing on your thesis, dissertation, capstone, or other writing project. Please register seperately for each day you plan to attend to help us plan food counts.
Registration Links coming soon!
Saturday Writing Sprints
October 12th, October 26th, and November 9th, 10am - 1pm
Are you easily distracted trying to work at home? Do you need the encouragement/motivation of seeing other people working? Join us and start your weekend off by checking off some items on your writing to-do list. Coffee and light breakfast will be provided. Please register individually for each date you plan to attend to help us plan food counts.
Registration Links coming soon!
Thesis/Dissertation Preparation
Navigating the Thesis/Dissertation Proposal Stage with Ease
August 6th (in person) and 8th (virtual), 4:30 - 5:30pm
You probably know the stress of grad school all too well, but the thesis and dissertation process does not have to feel overwhelming and isolating. If you are starting the process and are lost, then we are here to help! Erin Hastings, the Thesis & Dissertation Associate at the Graduate School, and Colby Cilento, Milner Library's Copyright Officer, will be your fearless guides, going over the thesis/dissertation proposal process and deadlines and copyright processes and procedures step by step so you can start the proposal milestone with ease.
Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Overview of the proposal process and starting your research
- Copyright and IRB approval processes and who to contact
- The Graduate School's committee requirements
Click Here to Register for the In Person Session on August 6th
Click Here to Register for the Virtual Session on August 8th
The Official Grad Student's Guide to Everything Milner
August 27th, 4:30 - 5:30pm (online)
You've found yourself in grad school, now what? Did you know Milner Library has a plethora of helpful resources to help you navigate your next academic era with ease? Milner's Colby Cilento will be your guide to all things grad school in the library!
Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Navigating resources available through Milner Library
- Discussing how those resources can help with research
- Provide opportunities for questions on library resources and research assistance
One-Click Citations and Bibliographies
September 17th, 4:30 - 5:30pm (online)
Whether you're working on a course research project, finishing your comps, or writing your thesis/dissertation, keeping track of your sources can be daunting. Not to mention making sure your citations and references are formatted correctly (Is there supposed to be a period at the end of the titles? Is that supposed to be italicized?). Facilitated by Jennifer Sharkey from Milner Library, learn how to use a free source management tool called Zotero so that you can easily and quickly collect and organize your sources AND in Microsoft Work, insert in-text citations and generate bibliographies with a click of a button.
Key Workshop Takeaways:
- How to keep track of sources and format citations
- Learn how to use Zotero, a free source management tool
- Inserting Zotero citations into Microsoft Word documents
Grad School Guide To A Dauntless Defense
October 1st (in person) and 3rd (virtual), 4:30 - 5:30pm
You've passed the proposal stage, done your research, and compiled it into a draft of your thesis/dissertation. You're now ready to hold your oral defense! You can go into this milestone without fear, as the Graduate School's Erin Hastings is here to guide you through defense planning, procedures, and wrapping up your thesis or dissertation as you prepare to complete this chapter of your academic journey.
Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Right to Defend filing procedures
- Uploading your work to ISUReD
- Defense planning and graduation prep
Click Here to Register for the In Person Session on October 1st
Click Here to Register for the Virtual Session on October 3rd
Flawless Thesis/Dissertation Formatting
October 22nd, 4:30 - 5:30pm (online)
It's all by design, you're at the point where you're beginning to write your thesis or dissertation...but where do you start? You're not on your own! In this workshop the Graduate School's Erin Hastings will walk you through writing resources, tips, and the Graduate School's formatting template so you can flawlessly write and format your thesis or dissertation.
Key Workshop Takeaways:
- Establishing a writing routine and mindful writing process
- Writing resources for grad students
- Overview of the Graduate School's template and formatting guidelines
Thesis/Dissertation Assistance Drop-In Hours
Questions about copyright permissions? Fighting a tricky formatting issue? Just need a friendly face to help you navigate the procedural issues related to submitting your thesis or dissertation? Erin Hastings, the Graduate School's Thesis & Dissertation Associate, and Colby Cilento, Milner Library's Copyright Librarian, have drop-in hours! Find them on the main floor of Milner Library on the following dates and times. No appointment needed.
| August 22nd |
3:30 - 4:30 PM |
| August 26th | 9:00 - 10:00 AM |
| September 3rd | 2:00 - 3:00 PM |
| September 17th | 2:30 - 3:30 PM |
| October 11th | 10:30 - 11:30 AM |
| October 24th | 3:00 - 4:00 PM |
| November 8th | 10:30 - 11:30 AM |
| December 3rd | 3:30 - 4:30 PM |
| December 6th | 10:30 - 11:30 AM |
Career Preparation
Illinois State University has partnered with Beyond Graduate School and Beyond the Professoriate to offer Graduate Students access to a comprehensive set of career preparation tools. Participate in live webinars or access the library of content on your own schedule.
Beyond Graduate School (Master's Students)
Beyond Graduate School is a one-of-a-kind, online platform that helps master’s students make the most out of their investment and build their careers. From video lessons on career exploration, to writing application materials, to interviewing and negotiating for that next career step — Beyond Grad School helps master’s students through each stage of their job search.
To log in, visit Beyond Graduate School, select Illinois State University, and enter your ULID and password.
Upcoming synchronous online events offered through the Beyond Graduate School Platform
Sept. 9th - Sept. 12th: How To Go Into A Career Fair With Confidence (1:00 - 1:30pm daily)
Oct. 9th: What Employers Actually Value About Your Degree (1:00 - 1:30pm)
Oct. 23rd: Submitting Resumes Online But Not Hearing Back? Here's Why. (1-1:30pm)
Nov. 20th: How To Unlock The Hidden Job Market (And Why You Need To Stop Looking At Job Boards). (1:00 - 1:30pm)
Dec. 11th: Networking But Not Landing Interviews? Common Mistakes And What To Do Instead (1:00 - 1:30)
Beyond the Professoriate (Doctoral Students)
Beyond the Professoriate’s Career Training Platform is an online professional development tool where postdocs and doctoral students can explore career options and learn job search strategies. Through two programs of study (Academic Careers and Professional Careers), students are empowered to make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies from other PhDs.
To log in simply visit Beyond Prof’s Career Training Platform, select Illinois State University, and enter your ULID and password.
Upcoming online synchronous events offered through the Beyond the Professoriate Platform
Sept. 11th: How To Set Yourself Up For Career Success (11:00 - 11:45am)
Sept. 25th: How To Manage Your Overwhelm This Academic Year (11:00 - 11:45am)
Oct. 9th: How To Network When You Don't Have A Network (11:00 - 11:45am)
Oct. 23rd: Academic Publishing (11:00 - 11:45am)
Nov. 6th: How To Write A Resume That Hiring Managers Will Actually Read (11:00 - 11:45am)
Nov. 20th: How To Prepare For A First Round Interview For A Faculty Job (11:00 - 11:45am)
Dec. 9th - Dec. 12th: How To Decide Between An Academic And Non-Academic Career (11:00 - 11:45am daily)