Day: August 21, 2023

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D.C. Area Weekly Newsletter, Aug. 21-25, 2023

Aug. 21-25, 2023

Welcome to the Graduate School’s D.C. Area weekly newsletter for graduate students. We share events, services, administrative announcements, and job opportunities. The newsletter is published on Mondays. Posts must be relevant to graduate students in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area and other Northern Virginia campuses. Posts must include the name and contact of the requesting organization or person; not exceed 150 words; and not include attachments (no fliers). Submissions will be edited to fit newsletter style and formatting requirements.

Submit post requests by 3 p.m. Friday before the Monday on which the post is to appear using this Google form: https://gs.vt.edu/weeklylistserv.

The D.C. Area Weekly newsletters are also available at: https://dcareaweekly.graduateschool.vt.edu

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact the reference in the posting at least 10 business days prior to the event.     

To see full descriptions for items in the summary list, please scroll down past the list to find matching numbered posts for each item in the list.

Ongoing Services

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA 
  • CAREER ADVISING   
  • COOK COUNSELING:
  • CRANWELL INTERNATIONAL CENTER
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON
  • AFFINITY GROUPS
  • NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER LIBRARY
  • HOKIE ONE STOP

This Week’s Events and Activities:       
1. Northern Virginia Center Welcome Week

2. COOL AS ICE SOCIAL
3. EXPERIENCE VT WITH EMILY T, 1st posting

4. Introduction to the University Libraries

5. Game Night

6. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDENT TEAMS

7. Career Fair Prep for Graduate Students

Administrative Announcements: 
8. INTERIM GRADUATE SCHOOL ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR THE D.C. AREA NAMED

9. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT NOMINATIONS OPEN, 1st posting

10. HELP WITH CHILD CARE COSTS, 1st posting

Job Opportunities
11. GA POSITIONS: NORTHERN VIRGINIA CENTER FACILITIES TEAM, 1st posting

12. PART-TIME EVENT ASSISTANT IN ARLINGTON, 1st posting

External Funding Opportunities

13. SIGMA XI GRANTS IN AID OF RESEARCH, 1st posting

14. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS, 1st posting

Volunteers and research participants sought:
None this week

Upcoming Events: 
15. LITERATURE REVIEWS AND DATABASE SEARCHING FOR SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, 1st posting

16. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT, 1st posting

17. RESUME AND CT WRITING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, 1st posting

18. UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING YOUR ASSISTANTSHIP, 1st posting

19. HANDSHAKE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, 1st posting

20. MASTER YOUR FUTURE WORKSHOP SERIES, 1st posting

21. SAVE THE DATE: COMMONWEALTH CYBER INITIATIVE INTERNSHIP AND JOB FAIR, 1st posting

22: SAVE THE DATE: DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE, 1st posting

Ongoing Services (updated 08/21/23)

  • GRADUATE SCHOOL IN THE GREATER WASHINGTON, D.C. METRO AREA: Schedule an in-person or virtual advising appointment with a Graduate School Academic Progress and Admissions advisor at https://rb.gy/80frn or send your questions to gssoncr@vt.edu. Offices are located on the fourth floor of the Northern Virginia Center (NVC) in Falls Church.
  • CAREER ADVISING: Schedule a career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html
  • COOK COUNSELING: Schedule an in-person or virtual appointment with the Northern Virginia Embedded Counselor, Julie Kaplan, Ph.D. by emailing jskaplan@vt.edu or calling 703-635-9957. After hours support can be found by calling 540-231-657 or visiting ucc.vt.edu/timelycare
  • CRANWELL INTERNATIONAL CENTER: Schedule an appointment by emailing international@vt.edu or calling 540-231-6527.
  • GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: Contact for a virtual appointment at gradombud@vt.edu or  540-231-9573.
  • AFFINITY GROUPS: Contact Assistant Dean Chontrese Hayes at chontresehayes@vt.edu for information about these student groups.
  • NORTHERN VIRGINIA RESOURCE CENTER LIBRARY: Located on the 1st floor of the Northern Virginia Center (NVC) in Falls Church. Open Monday through Thursday from 11-9, Friday 11-6, Saturday 10-5. Visit lib.vt.edu/nvc to book a study time/seat.
  • HOKIE ONE STOP: Online links to additional resources and services available to graduate students in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area and Northern Virginia campuses. https://graduateschool.vt.edu/current-students/dc-hokieonestop.html

This Week’s Events and Activities

1. Northern Virginia Center Welcome Week

Monday, Aug. 21 through Thursday, Aug. 24, 5-7 p.m., NVC Lobby

Join faculty, staff, and students in the main lobby of the Northern Virginia Center as we celebrate the start of a new semester. Advisors will be on hand for academic questions, and we’ll have an IT help desk to help with wifi access and other issues. A light dinner will be served.

2. COOL AS ICE SOCIAL

Monday, August 21, 4-5 p.m., Northern Virginia Center Rm. 200

All are welcome, and this event is especially for new students to meet others and enjoy ice cream, cold soft drinks and great conversation and advice. There will be a panel discussion focused on tips for success in graduate school. Hosted by the graduate student Affinity Groups of the greater Washington, D.C. metro area. For more information, contact Assistant Dean Chontrese Hayes, contresehayes@vt.edu.

3. EXPERIENCE VT WITH EMILY T

Every Tuesday, beginning August 22, at 9 a.m., Virtual (Zoom)

Join Graduate and Professional Student Board of Visitors Representative Emily Tirrell for her weekly office hours. Come and learn more about the graduate school, the student senate, the Board of Visitors, and campus resources! Online link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/my/emilytirrell

4. Introduction to the University Libraries

Wednesday, August 23, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)

Who can help me at the library? How many books can I check out? What support do you offer for data management? What kinds of technology is available? How can I get something the library doesn’t own? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this virtual information session. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to 

  • Locate research help at the University Libraries
  • Navigate the library’s website
  • Identify library resources that can help you succeed in graduate school 

Please note that in this session, we won’t be covering how to use databases or search for information; if you’re interested in learning more about those topics, please sign up for one of the literature review sessions in this workshop series. Register here: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/10939464

5. Game Night

Wednesday, Aug. 23, 5-7 p.m. Northern Virginia Center Café

Join the Graduate School and NVC Library as unwind with a little fun during the first week of classes. Take a break and stop by the NVC Cafe (1st floor) for a little fun as we play: card games, Wii, Playstation, ping pong, pool, and much more! We will also provide some snacks and water to help you get moving.

6. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGE FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDENT TEAMS

Thursday, Aug. 24, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Virtual (Zoom)

An alumni of Applied Energy Services (AES) is hosting an innovative energy technology challenge for interdisciplinary teams of 3-5 graduate students. This virtual meeting will provide a brief overview of the contest, awards, theme, and a meeting space for interested graduate students to network with one another. Learn more at: https://www.aes.com/aes-energy-innovation-challenge. Zoom registration: Zoom link: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/85369266372

7. Career Fair Prep for Graduate Students
Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)

Career and Professional Development

This workshop will cover how to prepare for and navigate a career fair. The session will also include tips for in-person and virtual career fairs. Register here:  https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html

Administrative announcements

8. INTERIM GRADUATE SCHOOL ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR THE D.C. AREA NAMED, 1st posting

Barbara Hoopes, associate professor of business information technology in the Pamplin College of Business, has been named interim associate dean for the Graduate School in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area. She currently teaches in the evening and online MBA and MIT programs at the university’s Northern Virginia Center in Falls Church. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina and her bachelor’s degree from Davidson College.

Read more about Dr. Hoopes here: https://news.vt.edu/articles/2023/08/gradschool-hoopes-interim.html

9. GRADUATE SCHOOL FEATURED GRADUATE STUDENT NOMINATIONS OPEN, 1st posting
Nominate yourself, a friend, or fellow graduate student to be recognized on the Graduate School website as a Featured Graduate Student! This program is designed to showcase the diversity of perspectives graduate students bring to our community and to present a more personal side of graduate student life. To view the Graduate School’s current featured graduate student visit: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/fgsa.html.  To nominate a graduate student: https://secure.graduateschool.vt.edu/fgsa/#/visitor. 

10. HELP WITH CHILD CARE COSTS, 1st posting

Graduate students who are Virginia residents and need child care due to their work and/or education may be eligible for Virginia’s Child Care Subsidy Program. You may qualify for assistance if you have a child who is not yet in kindergarten and your income does not exceed 85% of the state’s average income. Assistance also is available for other children in the family under age 13, if your family meets all other non-financial eligibility requirements. Learn more about the program and its eligibility requirements online at ChildCareVA, https://www.childcare.virginia.gov/families/paying-for-child-care.

Job Opportunities

11. GA POSITIONS: NORTHERN VIRGINIA CENTER FACILITIES TEAM, 1st posting
the Facilities team is looking for Graduate Assistants to assist in carrying out tasks across the building to support the Northern Virginia Center Facilities mission. If you have an interest in carrying out work across the NVC building in support of Facilities, please reach out to Ashley Bishop (abishop23@vt.edu). 

12. PART-TIME EVENT ASSISTANT IN ARLINGTON, 1st posting

The Virginia Tech Executive Briefing Center (EBC), located at the Arlington Research Center on Glebe Road, is currently searching for a part-time Event Assistant. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate strong customer service and interpersonal skills and who genuinely care about the experience of those around them. Experience in hospitality and/or event management is a plus, as is having a basic comfort level with audio/visual equipment such as laptops, projectors, and microphones. This is a great opportunity for our part or full-time students who have availability outside of their regular class schedules. Work hours vary based on the event schedule, including nights and weekends, however we are specifically looking to fill a gap in coverage on Thursdays as well as Friday nights and weekend coverage (Saturdays and Sundays). We are hoping to fill this position as soon as possible and are thus encouraging interested applicants to apply quickly. We plan to review applicants on a rolling basis (as they come in) beginning the week of August 21 (next week). Interested applicants should email the following materials to willsimm@vt.edu:

  • Resume (including their current degree program and anticipated graduation date)
  • Cover letter detailing their interest in the position and any related work experience and/or skills.
  • Details of any current commitments (i.e. classes) when they would not be available to work.

For more information, contact willsimm@vt.edu.

External Funding Opportunities

All external funding opportunities that we are aware of can be found here: https://graduateschool.vt.edu/funding/scholarships-and-fellowships.html

13. SIGMA XI GRANTS IN AID OF RESEARCH, 1st posting

DEADLINE: October 1, 2023

Since 1922, the Sigma Xi Grants in Aid of Research (GIAR) program has provided undergraduate and graduate students with valuable educational experiences. By encouraging close working relationships between students and mentors, the program promotes scientific excellence and achievement through hands-on learning.
Sigma Xi Members: Award amounts for members range from $500 to $5,000 for graduate applicants and $500 to $2,000 for undergraduate applicants.
Non-members: Award amounts for non-members, both graduate and undergraduate, are available up to $1,000.

https://www.sigmaxi.org/programs/grants-in-aid-of-research

14. DOE OFFICE OF SCIENCE GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH AWARDS, 1st posting

DEADLINE: November 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. ET

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science is pleased to announce that the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for the 2023 Solicitation 2 cycle. 

SCGSR application assistance workshops will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2-3:30 p.m. ET and Tuesday, October 10, 2–4:30 p.m. ET.  The first workshop will provide a general overview of the program and the application requirements and will include a time for discussing potential research topics with the program managers; register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItdu6prD8vHPF3KpL1C0P2s9y4uz044HI

Upcoming Events

15. Literature Reviews and Database Searching for Social and Behavioral Sciences, 1st posting

August 28, 4-5:15 pm, Virtual

You’ve been assigned to write a literature review in the social sciences…but how do you get started? What kinds of literature reviews are there? Where should you search? How do you know what search terms to use? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this interactive workshop. By the end of this session, you’ll be able to 

  • Identify different types of literature reviews
  • Find relevant databases
  • Create effective search terms 

This workshop will focus on research in the social and behavioral sciences, such as education, communication, human development, psychology, and sociology. Register here: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/10939473

16. Introduction to Research Data Management, 1st posting

August 30, 2:30-3:30 p.m., Virtual

You’re about to collect or already have data for your research project … now what? How do you manage it? What do you name the files? How do you share it? Learn the answers to all of these questions and more in this workshop, which will present an introduction to research data management, including the following topics: 

  • Data management planning
  • File naming conventions/organization
  • Backing-up research data
  • Documentation (metadata)
  • Data sharing
  • Data security 
  • How the library can help 

Register here: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/10939476

17. Resume and CV Writing for Graduate Students, 1st posting

Aug. 31, 2023, 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Virtual (Zoom)

Having a well-polished resume is a critical step toward getting an interview. Start preparing early to be ready for fall career fairs. In this Career and Professional Development workshop, you will engage in interactive activities to fine tune your resume or CV. The session will also include information on Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Register here: https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html

18. UNDERSTANDING AND MANAGING YOUR ASSISTANTSHIP, 1st posting

Friday, Sept. 1, 12-1 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)

Students on assistantship will learn about payroll, tuition awards, maintaining eligibility, performance management, time worked, time off, and termination. Also get tips on how to work with your supervisor to get the most out of your assistantship experience. PLEASE NOTE the registration form offers two choices: a virtual option (September 1) and an in-person option in Blacksburg on separate dates. Please choose accordingly. Register here: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/assistantship23

19. HANDSHAKE FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS, 1st posting

Sept. 7, 2023 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Virtual (Zoom)

Career and professional Development is offering a workshop that will cover how to navigate Handshake. The platform can be used to schedule appointments with career advisors, find career-related events, and search for jobs.

https://career.vt.edu/job-search/grad-student-job-search/events-for-grad-students.html

20. MASTER YOUR FUTURE WORKSHOP SERIES, 1st posting

Sept. 11; Oct. 16; Nov. 13; 12 p.m. each day, Virtual (Zoom)

Master Your Future is a series of professional development workshops designed to help students successfully navigate graduate school and their professional development. Registration links are listed below. The workshops are:

Sept. 11: Becoming La Professora: Building a Scholarly Identity (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS.)

Oct. 16: Planning your postdoc or first faculty job (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS)

Nov. 13: Does race matter in academia? (https://virginiatech.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0uce-qrD8iHdSTgH0NjWuJ0-oYFLHc3eMS.)

21. SAVE THE DATE: COMMONWEALTH CYBER INITIATIVE INTERNSHIP AND JOB FAIR, 1st posting

Sept. 27 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Virtual (hosted on Brazen)

The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative is hosting a virtual job fair on September 27 with the aim of connecting students with internship and job opportunities with employers throughout the state of Virginia. The event is free. For information and registration: visit https://cyberinitiative.org/talent-development/internship-job-fair-2023.html

22. SAVE THE DATE: DIVERSITY CHALLENGE GRADUATE STUDENT CONFERENCE, 1st posting

November 11, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Virtual

A free, virtual event for graduate students to present their work and engage in discussion, community, and mentoring with leading scholars. Graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals for poster presentations, individual research papers, and symposia focused on various aspects of race, racism, anti-racism, and racial trauma. The symposia proposals should represent a collection of 3 presentations centered on a unifying theme and can comprise both research and conceptual presentations.

http://bit.ly/DivConference23

Volunteers and research participants sought

No posts at the present time.