The Graduate School’s Timely Topics is a series of learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to engage with subject matter experts on topics relevant to graduate education. The student track of this series features sessions that highlight University resources and supports, answer questions about academic processes and procedures, and provide strategies to help students successfully navigate their graduate career. All sessions are offered virtually.
Register for a Session | View the full student track schedule and session descriptions
Fall 2025 Student Sessions:
What’s Your Job Offer Negotiation Game Plan? (Do you even have one?!)
Don’t wait until you get an offer! Join this session to learn how to approach job offers with an understanding of negotiating key elements like salary, sign-on bonuses, moving costs, growth opportunities, etc. We will also dive into communication techniques that will help you express your needs and value to the employer. And with GenAI as a resource, you will see how you can strengthen your negotiation abilities. Job offer negotiation does not have to be an awkward or uncomfortable conversation. 73% of employers anticipate salary negotiation for job candidates and in a 2022 report by Fidelity Investments, 87% of professionals ages 25 to 35 who countered on salary, other compensation or benefits, or both pay and other compensation and benefits got at least some of what they asked for.
Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Kay Gruder, Associate Director of Graduate Student and Postdoc Career Programs & Services, UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills
Research, Coursework & AI: Tips, Tricks, and Risks for Graduate Students
AI is here to stay. Join us as we explore some AI tools in academic research, best practices for using AI (including how to craft effective prompts), use cases for leveraging AI while maintaining academic integrity, and the importance of critically evaluating AI-generated content. Along the way, we’ll introduce the library resources and AI literacy initiatives can support you in your coursework and research. We’ll finish with a discussion of the academic consequences of inappropriate AI use.
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitators: Kimberly Curry, Director of Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Support, The Graduate School & Erica Charis-Molling, Instructional Design and Learning Librarian, Homer Babbidge Library
Creating the Right Mentoring Team for You
A successful mentor/mentee relationship can be an incredible asset to your graduate school career. This session will discuss the importance and benefits of curating a mentoring team throughout your time in graduate school, how to identify and approach individuals that will provide the kind of guidance you need, and how to navigate the mentor/mentee relationship. We will discuss how to apply The Graduate School’s new Mentee Guide and share information about the Network for Enriched Mentoring (NEM).
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Mary Anne Amalaradjou, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science, and Faculty Affiliate for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and The Graduate School
Designing Your Personal Brand: A Graduate Student’s Guide
In today’s competitive academic and professional landscape, a strong personal brand is essential. This session is designed to help graduate students from diverse disciplines understand the fundamentals of personal branding and how to effectively articulate their unique value proposition both on-line and off-line.
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Facilitator: Theo Menounos, Assistant Director, UConn’s Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills
Learn more about all of The Graduate School’s Timely Topics
