2019 APS CUWiP at UC Davis

Breakout Sessions

Session 1, Saturday 9:30am - 10:30am
How to Write a CV or Resume (Boeshaar) -- Physics 148
Life in Grad School (Bolan, Costa, Gee, Joshi) -- Physics 130
Undergraduate Research Opportunities (Jones, Jurgens, Singh, Zieve) -- Roessler 55
Talking to Professors (Davis, Pantic, Schreppler) -- Physics 432
STEP UP 4 Women -- Direct Action to Increase Women in Physics (Hodapp) -- Physics 140


 

Session 2, Saturday 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Introduction to Physics Research Areas (Pechkis, Benincasa) -- Physics 432
Applying to Grad School (Chiang, Mack, Paul) -- Physics 130
Interdisciplinary Connections (D'Souza, Eitzel, Feller) -- Roessler 55
Non-Academic Careers (Borgia, Li, Martin, Orr) -- Physics 148
STEP UP 4 Women -- Direct Action to Increase Women in Physics (Hodapp) -- Physics 140


 

Session 3, Sunday 9:00am - 10:00am
Introduction to Physics Research Areas (Chiang, Norvell) -- Physics 432
Non-Academic Careers (Benitez, Borland, Neumann, Baldwin-Pulcini) -- Roessler 55
Applying to Grad School (Baunach, Ghosh, Zieve) -- Physics 130
Transferring to a Four-Year College (Boeshaar, Hellier, Morris) -- Physics 140
Imposter Syndrome Workshop (Furniss) -- Physics 148


 

Session 4, Sunday 10:30am - 11:30am
Undergraduate Research Opportunities (Cassella, Ressler, Walker, Zieve) -- Roessler 55
Teaching Careers (Erbacher, Keqi, Rushing, Williams) -- Physics 432
When Stuff Happens, What Can I Do? (Brodkey, Singh) -- Physics 130
Imposter Syndrome Workshop (Furniss) -- Physics 148
STEP UP 4 Women -- Direct Action to Increase Women in Physics (Hodapp) -- Physics 140


 

Descriptions

• Writing a CV or Resumé: The session leader will explain the differences between a CV and a Resumé, discuss when each is appropriate, and provide examples of what may be included. If time allows, suggestions on how to improve a Personal Statement will be discussed. (Session 1, Physics 148)
  
  CV/Resumé Review: Bring a copy of your Resumé and/or CV to the Sunday coffee break for one-on-one advice on possible improvements. You can then print copies to have at the Opportunities Expo. (Sunday coffee break, Physics 181)
• Life in Grad School: So, you've been accepted to graduate school. What happens next? From choosing an advisor and getting involved in research, to first-year coursework, to teaching responsibilities, to figuring out what work-life balance is best for you--these and more topics will be discussed by our panel of current and recent graduate students. Much of the time will be for Q&A, so feel free to ask whatever you want to know about life in grad school. (Session 1, Physics 130)
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: You can get involved in research as an undergraduate no matter what type of college or university you attend! This session will give an overview of the types of research opportunities available to undergraduates--from on-campus research at your home university to funded summer research programs at other institutions--as well as some practical tips how to apply and get involved. (Sessions 1 and 4, Roessler 55)
• Talking to Professors: There is no way around talking to professors, but it might be uncomfortable at first. Faculty panelists will discuss how and when is best to start conversation with them, what they look for in conversations depending on their nature and how to follow up. Undergraduate and graduate students will also be on the panel to share their experiences and tips. Feel free to ask for a live demo. (Session 1, Physics 432)
• STEP UP 4 Women -- Direct Action to Increase Women in Physics: This interactive workshop invites participants to join a national movement to increase the number of women in physics by reaching high school physics teachers and enlisting them to inspire more women to pursue physics as undergraduates. (Sessions 1, 2, and 4, Physics 140)
• Interdisciplinary Connections: So you're a Physics major.... but you want to do undergraduate research outside physics or even continue with graduate studies in another discipline. What are your options? Panelists in this session will discuss their routes from physics to other fields and what ties they maintain with physics. (Session 2, Roessler 55)
• Applying to Grad School: This panel session will have a brief presentation on the components of a graduate school application followed by a Q&A for in-depth advice. Panelists will include both graduate students and faculty members. (Sessions 2 and 3, Physics 130)
• Non-Academic Careers: A degree in physics is a starting point for a wide variety of careers. Data science, research and development, information, finance, science writing, science policy, patents and intellectual property -- these are just a small sample of the career options you have with a physics background. This session will include a panel comprised of speakers in these and related fields. Each speaker will discuss a bit about what they do and how physics is a part of their job before opening the floor to general Q&A. (Session 2, Physics 148 and Session 3, Roessler 55)
• Introduction to Physics Research Areas: Two short presentations, each on the big questions in a particular subfield of physics. Subfields will change in different breakout sessions. (Sessions 2 and 3, Physics 432)
• Transferring to a Four-Year College: Learn more about the switch from a community college to a 4-year program and what can be done to make the transition smoother. Also learn about scholarship and internship programs designed specifically for two-year college students. (Session 3, Physics 140)
• Imposter Syndrome Workshop Imposter syndrome is a common psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments. These individuals often battle a persistent fear of being exposed as a "fraud" in their area of expertise. Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou and Michelle Obama are among some of the more notable individuals who have talked about suffering from this internal struggle. During this workshop, we will discuss Imposter Syndrome generally, complete some interactive activities to become more familiar with the negative thoughts that can make individuals feel like imposters, and brainstorm methods for quelling imposter syndrome behaviors and thoughts. (Sessions 3 and 4, Physics 148)
• Teaching Careers: This panel session will include physics teachers from a variety of settings: high school, community college, four-year college and primarily research university. Each environment has its own rewards and challenges, and the panelists will address these. A general Q&A will follow brief presentations. (Session 4, Physics 432)
• When Stuff Happens, What Can I Do? Did you ever hear an inappropriate comment, see that someone present was upset, but not know how to help? How can you respond when you see something unfair happening? What are good ways to intervene if an aggressive speaker is not letting everyone's ideas be heard? This workshop will give you a chance to think through several types of situations and practice different responses. You'll have these techniques to draw from the next time you encounter a real-life example. (Session 4, Physics 130)
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities: You can get involved in research as an undergraduate no matter what type of college or university you attend! This session will give an overview of the types of research opportunities available to undergraduates--from on-campus research at your home university to funded summer research programs at other institutions--as well as some practical tips how to apply and get involved. (Sessions 1 and 4, Roessler 55)
• STEP UP 4 Women -- Direct Action to Increase Women in Physics: This interactive workshop invites participants to join a national movement to increase the number of women in physics by reaching high school physics teachers and enlisting them to inspire more women to pursue physics as undergraduates. (Sessions 1, 2, and 4, Physics 140)