SERIES GOALS

The purpose of this series is to increase graduate students’ access to career planning expertise at the program level by building career development knowledge and referral skills in graduate program coordinators/managers. The intent is not to train graduate program coordinators/managers as career services professionals; rather, through active participation graduate program coordinators/managers will build knowledge and skills that allow them to have career-related conversations and provide referrals for graduate students considering careers outside of the academy. This series is optional for graduate program coordinators/managers. 

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS

A Strengths-Based Approach to Career Conversations for Graduate Coordinators

Thursday, June 11, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online via Zoom

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Speaker: Judy Ettinger, Continuing Education Instructor, Department of Counseling Psychology 

Description: This training introduces a strengths-based approach to working with individuals by focusing on identifying and building upon existing talents, skills, and resources. Participants will begin by exploring the conceptual framework and goals of strengths-based practice.

The session will then introduce three approaches to identifying strengths: formal assessments, structured interview techniques, and an informal card sort activity. Participants will have the opportunity to practice the interview techniques and the card sort with each other in a hands-on format, discuss and critique the different approaches, and reflect on which tools they may want to incorporate into their own professional practice.

Career Conversation: Article/Chapter Discussion

Thursday, June 18, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hybrid: In Person at 253 Bascom Hall and Online via Zoom

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Facilitator: Elizabeth Hart, Assoc. Dir. for Career Development, UW-Madison Graduate School

Description: Join the Graduate School’s Associate Director for Career Development and fellow Graduate Program Coordinators and Managers for an article discussion on emerging practices and challenges to career support for graduate students.

First Meetings that Matter: Initiating Career Conversations with Graduate Students

Thursday, July 9, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Online via Zoom

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Speaker: Judy Ettinger, Continuing Education Instructor, Department of Counseling Psychology 

Description:  This training focuses on strategies for conducting effective first meetings that may initiate conversations about career goals. Participants will explore why first meetings matter and reflect on their own early professional experiences by considering the first person they met in their role and what made that interaction helpful—or not.

The session will introduce two basic interview skills that support open and productive conversations about career interests, questions, and uncertainties. Through brief role-play, meeting critiques, and small-group scenarios, participants will practice these techniques and identify strategies they can incorporate into their own practice to make first meetings stronger starting points for career exploration.

Career Services Panel: Supporting Graduate students in Difficult Job Markets

Thursday, July 16, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Online via Zoom

Register Today!

Facilitator: Elizabeth Hart, Assoc. Dir. for Career Development, UW-Madison Graduate School

Join Elizabeth Hart, Associate Director for Career Development at the UW–Madison Graduate School, and career services professionals from across campus for a timely conversation on how to effectively support graduate students navigating a challenging job market. Panelists will share practical strategies, emerging trends, and insights on helping students build resilience, broaden career pathways, and communicate their skills in uncertain economic conditions. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas to enhance career development support for graduate students.

ON-DEMAND TRAINING

Looking to learn about graduate student career development at your own pace? Explore six key career planning and professional development resources for graduate students, offered through the Graduate School and our partners: 

• DiscoverPD
• ImaginePhD
• myIDP
• Beyond the Professoriate
• Beyond Graduate School
• National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity