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<\/a><\/p>\nThe series arose from a kind of epiphany among the School of Engineering\u2019s leadership, explained School of Engineering Program Coordinator for Outreach and Diversity Sonya Renfro. \u201cOur graduate students need additional training in preparation for their careers. They\u2019re getting all the technical, engineering, and science training in their classes and in their lab work, but they\u2019re really not getting the skills necessary for proper presentation and even technical writing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The program, developed by Ms. Renfro, Dean of Engineering Mun Choi, and Assistant Dean for Graduate Studies and Diversity Dr. Jun-Hong Cui \u2013 along with the Student Association of Graduate Engineers \u2013 aims to change that. Ms. Renfro said that, even though those skills are important for the job market, prior to the genesis of this professional development seminar series, there was no structured way for graduate students to acquire these skills. \u201cWhat they\u2019re getting in their classes and from their advisors is a guess and check. They are putting something out there and they are getting some revisions but not always in an instructional format.\u201d This new program offers that formal instruction. \u201cStudents wanted more, and this type of professional development is really giving them that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms. Renfro also stressed the fact that this program is not something that is new just for UConn, but for other schools as well. She said other schools have similar types of programs, but nothing on the order that is happening now in the School of Engineering. This will enable graduate students to become more competitive right out of UConn, giving them a head start in skills that many students do not start to learn until they begin their professional career.<\/p>\n
Not only will this initiative advance the careers of students, but it will also enhance the culture and reputation of the School and University as a whole. Graduate students are an integral part of research and teaching mission at UConn. The professional development series provides significant support for students in applying for federal fellowship programs and grants that bring prestige to the students as well as the University. Also, since graduate students teach classes and hold teaching assistantships throughout the School of Engineering, the emphasis these programs place on presentation and teaching techniques will build the learning environment in undergraduate classes, translating the benefits of these seminars to the entire university population.<\/p>\n
Each seminar usually consists of a few presenters giving a short lecture on a topic and then opening up to the audience for questions and participation. Each session is specially tailored for engineers, giving students access to people who understand what engineers specifically need to succeed, especially in terms of technical writing and presentation. A professional certificate is also offered if a student attends at least six of the 10 seminars offered this year.<\/p>\n
The response from graduate students has been very positive. Derek Doran (PhD. student, Computer Science & Engineering) said he recognizes that students need something beyond technical skills to succeed in engineering. \u201cAs graduate students, we are supposed to focus on technical details and research, but at the same time we often lose a broader perspective of what it means to be a professional.\u201d He also remarked that these programs highlight the care the School of Engineering is taking to prepare students for a world beyond academia. \u201cThese sessions show that administrators have a real interest in making sure we are successful professionals, as well as researchers.\u201d Paiyz Mikael (PhD. Student, Material Science and Engineering), described how these programs can ease the transition for incoming graduate students. \u201cWhen you\u2019re starting out, you often don\u2019t know where to begin,\u201d she said. She says there are some skills students don\u2019t feel comfortable addressing on their own, but these seminars provide an opportunity for instructors to explicitly teach those skills.<\/p>\n
Dr. Cui, the Assistant Dean and director of the new initiative, is excited by the great start this program has had and believes it separates UConn from other engineering schools.\u00a0 She said \u201cOur systemic graduate professional development program will make UConn engineering unique. Besides helping current students, we believe that this program will also attract more quality students.\u201d<\/p>\n
As successful as this year\u2019s series has been, Ms. Renfro envisions new topics the series can explore. \u201cWe intend to tap the graduate population for other workshop topics that students feel would directly benefit them.\u201d She views the series as an organic, evolving program, which can continue to grow and become an integral part of graduate education, leading the School of Engineering in an innovative and exciting direction.<\/p>\n