This Week’s Events:
0. Ongoing Services – updated 6/27/22
1. SOFTWARE CARPENTRY: UNIX GIT AND R/PYTHON
2. DISRUPTING ACADEMIC BULLYING
3. LEVERAGING LINKEDIN FOR CAREER EXPLORATION AND NETWORKING
4. GLC CAFÉ
Administrative Announcements:
5. GPSS DIRECTOR OF EVENTS: CALL FOR APPLICANTS – 1st posting
6. BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER – 1st posting
7. REGISTER NOW FOR GRAD 5124: RESEARCH SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
8. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
9. TEAM SCIENCE CLASS, ALCE 5224 – REGISTER NOW – 2nd posting
10. APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRAD HONOR SYSTEM CHAIR POSITION – 3rd posting
11. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – UP TO $750 AVAILABLE FOR CONFERENCE EXPENSES – 3rd posting
Jobs:
12. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN THE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – 2nd posting
13. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GLC – 3rd posting
14. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE – 3rd posting
Volunteers and research participants sought:
15. PARENTS OR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
16. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GPSS BBQ – 2nd posting
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A DATA TRANSFORMATION IN VT RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISABILITY AND SEX EDUCATION QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON LONG-DISTANCE FEMALE RUNNERS – 3rd posting
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN IN FEMALE ATHLETES RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
Upcoming Events:
21. WELCOME WEEK INFORMATION FAIR – August 15-19
22. GPSS WELCOME BACK BBQ
23. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME – August 18
24. GLOBAL DANCE PARTY – August 18
25. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP IN THE GLC – August 19
26. UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCH – August 24
27. INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES – August 24
28. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT – August 29
29. INSIGHTS ON THE FACULTY JOB MARKET – PREPARING FOR THE FALL APPLICATION SEASON AND BEYOND – September 1
30. DAY FOR DATA CONFERENCE – September 9
31. HOW OF HAPPINESS GRADUATE STUDENT GROUP – September 9-October 21
0. Ongoing Services – updated 06/27/22
- GRADUATE SCHOOL: In-person advising, drop-off or pick-up of documents and materials, and a space to study and take a break! Visit SHIP (120 GLC), M-F 9:00-4:00pm. If you prefer Zoom advising: request one-on-one assistantship or academic advising by using our online request form to set-up a Zoom session.
- CAREER ADVISING: schedule career advising appointment via https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html ; In-person drop-in advising every Wednesday, 1-4pm in the Graduate School (120 GLC). NOTE: there will be no career advising on July 27 in the GLC.
- COOK COUNSELING: Drop-in Zoom hours, Tuesdays 10am-12pm and Thursdays and Fridays 3pm-5pm, Zoom links found here. To make an appointment, visit: https://vt-ucc.titaniumhwc.com/ScheduleGraduateFirstCookConnect (Students must pay the summer health fee or daily use fee which can be reimbursed through Aetna. Students must be in Virginia)
- WRITING CENTER SERVICES: Schedule an appointment at https://vt.mywconline.com/
- GRADUATE OMBUDSPERSON: contact for appointment at gradstudentombud@vt.edu, 540-231-9573
1. SOFTWARE CARPENTRY: UNIX GIT AND R/PYTHON
August 8-9 (University Mall) or August 11-12 (Online)
Software Carpentry aims to help researchers get their work done in less time and with less pain by teaching them basic research computing skills. This hands-on workshop will cover basic concepts and tools for conducting research with data using the Bash Unix shell, version control with Git, and plotting and programming in R (8/4-5) or Python (8/8-9 or 8/11-12). Learners are expected to attend the full two days. The workshop is open to anyone. You do not need any programming experience to participate but you will need access to a Windows, Mac or Linux computer. For questions, contact Data Education Coordinator Nathaniel Porter (ndporter@vt.edu). Register here: https://profdev.tlos.vt.edu/?query=carpentry
2. DISRUPTING ACADEMIC BULLYING
Tuesday, August 9, 11am-12pm, GLC Room F and Zoom (Hybrid)
There are multiple dynamics within higher education institutions that make academic bullying a complex issue to tackle. This interactive session facilitated by the Graduate Student Ombudsperson, Bryan Hanson, has the goal of developing a shared understanding of the definitions and attributes associated with academic bullying. This shared understanding of this complex issue will provide a common language that makes it easier to have the difficult conversations necessary to disrupt and prevent academic bullying. Following this session, you will be prepared to identify and disrupt academic bullying, recognize the appropriate resources and support structures that can help in this effort, and envision the incremental steps that will be helpful toward creating an environment to prevent academic bullying in the first place. Register here: https://forms.gle/iWs1ZXdh9Coh3dhf8. Contact Chris Smith at christsmith@vt.edu if you have questions.
3. LEVERAGING LINKEDIN FOR CAREER EXPLORATION AND NETWORKING
Wednesday, August 10, 12-1pm, Zoom
This session, led by Virginia Tech Postdoctoral Affairs Program Administrator Chris Smith, will focus on leveraging LinkedIn for career exploration & networking purposes. It is open to postdoctoral associates and graduate students at Virginia Tech. Register here: https://bit.ly/VT-postdoc-linkedin2
4. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, August 11, 3:30-5pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy snacks, tea, coffee and conversation with graduate students and Graduate School staff. Bring your own mug if you can. The café will only occur on Thursdays during the summer. We will bring back the Wednesday café in the fall.
5. GPSS DIRECTOR OF EVENTS: CALL FOR APPLICANTS – 1st posting
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate is seeking a Director of Events.The director of events plans 1-2 high attendance events (500+ attendees) and several smaller events (less than 100 attendees), depending on their capacity and preferences. In addition, the person in this position works with event planning committee members and VT administrators for logistical support of events. The amount of time per week fluctuates depending on the upcoming events. The person in this position also attends all general assembly and e-board meetings and has the option to serve on university committees as well. Time commitment: 2-3 hours average, 10+ hours on event weeks – depending on event. Applicants must be available to commit the hours listed in the description and must not be planning to graduate during the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants will receive a contract to sign after completing this Google Form: https://forms.gle/fpsFb3bVSjjyqSxW9
6. BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT ORGANIZATION NEWSLETTER – 1st posting
The Black Graduate Student Organization has released its first newsletter of the year. Applications for both Executive Board positions and General Body Membership are now OPEN! APPLY NOW! Event flyers to be released soon! Email blackgradstudentorg@vt.edu to be added to the listserv. BGSO August Newsletter
7. REGISTER NOW FOR GRAD 5124: RESEARCH SKILLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS – 1st posting
Take your research to the next level! GRAD 5124 (Research Skills for Graduate Students) is a one-credit, fully-online, asynchronous course offered by the University Libraries in fall 2022. Students will develop skills that will prepare them for research in graduate school and beyond and have the option to take the class either for credit or as pass/fail. Three discipline-specific sections are offered, so students should be sure to sign up in HokieSPA for the one that relates to their subject area. Questions? Email Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.
8. RESEARCH TOOLS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKSHOP SERIES – 1st posting
There’s a lot to learn in graduate school, and the library can help! This fall, the library will offer a series of free workshops (offered live via Zoom) to help you develop the research skills you need to succeed in graduate school. Learn about literature reviews, database searching, citation management, data management, developing your scholarly presence, and more! For registration links, contact information, and detailed information about each workshop, visit guides.lib.vt.edu/gradworkshops.
9. TEAM SCIENCE CLASS, ALCE 5224 – REGISTER NOW – 2nd posting
Advance your skills for interdisciplinary teaming! Sign up in Hokie SPA for ALCE 5224: Team Science, Cooperation, and Interdisciplinary Work (CRN 90744). The course is a great complement to any graduate program and can count toward the graduate certificate in collaborative community leadership (https://www.alce.vt.edu/student-info/graduate/commleader.html). For more information, contact Dr. Eric Kaufman, ekaufman@vt.edu. https://www.cals.vt.edu/academic-programs/online/courses/alce5224.html
10. APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR GRAD HONOR SYSTEM CHAIR POSITION – 3rd posting
The Graduate Honor System is seeking applications for the chair position. Applicants must be: (1) a graduate student in good standing who has been in residence for a minimum of one semester; (2) able to serve as chair for at least one year while enrolled full-time in the Blacksburg campus. Preferably applicants should have experience as a GHS associate chair, facilitator or panelist. To apply, submit a statement of interest, resume, and one letter of reference to gibsonm@vt.edu by Friday, August 12. The new chair will be selected by a committee and ratified by the Graduate and Professional Student Senate and the Commission on Graduate and Professional Studies and Policies before final appointment by the president. Learn more about the GHS at https://graduateschool.vt.edu/academics/expectations/graduate-honor-system.html, or contact Monika Gibson at gibsonm@vt.edu with questions.
11. APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR GPSS TRAVEL FUND PROGRAM – UP TO $750 AVAILABLE FOR CONFERENCE EXPENSES – 3rd posting
Graduate students presenting research conducted at Virginia Tech are eligible to apply for the Fall 2022 Travel Fund Program! Grants may cover registration, lodging, meals, abstract fees and other costs of presenting at an in-person or virtual conference with a start date from Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Students from all disciplines are invited to apply, even if your conference abstract has not been officially accepted. Applications due August 22, 2022 at 11:59 PM. Please e-mail cissym@vt.edu with any questions, and visit https://gpss.vt.edu/programs/tfp.html for full details and instructions.
12. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN THE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS – 2nd posting
The School of Performing Arts has a graduate assistantship available for the 2022-23 academic year. Basic hand and machine sewing skills are required. Requirements and expectations for the Graduate Assistant in the Costume Shop are: assist the Costume Shop Supervisor in the student instruction of tool and technique uses and practices over the course of the semester, and other duties as assigned by the Costume Shop Manager; execute daily tasks that include using basic hand and machine sewing skills and other skills and techniques that you will learn on the job; become acquainted with the processes in the shop and be able to encourage proactive and positive behavior with other graduate students and undergraduate students; help maintain a clean and organized Costume Shop and related facilities. The assistantship is 9-month, 20 hours per week, $19,620 stipend, with tuition waiver. If interested, please email a letter of interest and resume with contact information to Beth Christensen (cbeth@vt.edu) The costume shop Graduate Assistant assists with the construction of costume designs for the Theatre productions. The assistantship in the theatre program’s costume shop is unique compared to other assistantships within the university; work and task expectations occasionally oscillate from busy to less, dependent on each show’s design. The Costume Shop Assistantship is 20 hours per week, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
13. BUILDING MANAGER POSITION AT THE GLC – 3rd posting
Student Engagement and Campus Life (SECL) building managers oversee daily operations of the Graduate Life Center (GLC) by monitoring service, safety, and security of this space created for graduate students. Duties include walking rounds, responding to issues, and completing reports, in addition to the facilitation of the co-curricular and administrative programs of the student center services and their events. GLC building managers are directly responsible for event management bookings, opening & closing of the building, and submitting of facility work orders and daily reports. Building managers must possess strong communication and customer service skills, along with the ability to move event to work at least ten hours a week and have weekend availability. Building managers are paid $13/hr. To apply, please visit Virginia Tech’s Handshake page https://career.vt.edu/job-search/Handshake.html . Search for the “SECL – Graduate Life Center Building Manager” position. If you have any questions, please email Steve Buchner (satlbuch@vt.edu).
14. GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP POSITION IN COMMUNICATING SCIENCE – 3rd posting
The Center for Communicating Science (in the Institute for Society, Culture, and Environment) has a graduate assistantship available for the 2022-23 academic year. Required qualifications include graduate student status at Virginia Tech, visual and verbal communication skills, and organizational skills. This assistantship will be managed by the School of Performing Arts. The assistantship is for 20 hours of effort per week. Work schedule is flexible, with some occasional night/weekend work needed as well as during fall or spring break. Scheduled hours are flexible, for the most part, and may change as needed by the employee upon approval of the supervisor, as long as the 20 hours/week is met. Graduate assistant will support a range of outreach and service activities undertaken by the CCS, including documenting curricular plans, designing materials, managing social media, functioning as coordinator for workshops and events, writing press releases and other news pieces, managing online event information, graphic design, video, photography, digital signage, coordination of surveys and data collection, and other duties as assigned. The assistantship is 9-month, $19,620 stipend, with full tuition waiver. If interested, please email a letter of interest and resume with contact information to Patricia Raun at praun@vt.edu by August 5. Learn more about the Center for Communicating Science here: https://communicatingscience.isce.vt.edu
15. PARENTS OR PRIMARY CAREGIVERS OF TWO-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN NEEDED FOR RESEARCH STUDY – 1st posting
The Children’s Emotions Lab in the Department of Human Development and Family Science at VT is looking for parents of two-year-old children in the US who own and regularly use a smartphone to participate in a new research study focusing on parent-child interactions. Total participation is approximately 45 minutes for each opportunity. Interested parties can fill out the contact survey here: https://ptinterestform.questionpro.com/ Please contact Diana Devine at techkids@vt.edu. This research has been approved by Virginia Tech HRPP (IRB #21-463 & IRB 22-461). Please pass this information along to any potentially interested parties, but please note that no parent is obligated to participate in this research.
16. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR GPSS BBQ – 2nd posting
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) is looking for 6 volunteers to help set up the Welcome Back BBQ on August 15 on the Graduate School Lawn. Volunteers will be asked to help from 4-8pm and do some lifting and tent set-up. Please do not apply if you would be uncomfortable doing these tasks. If you are interested in volunteering, please email gpss@vt.edu.
17. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A DATA TRANSFORMATION IN VT RESEARCH STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are need for a study to understand whether data transformation can be used in virtual reality using a VR headset (Oculus) and a controller. The research is aimed at the people working in the data science field. So, participants will be asked to analyze and wrangle the given data. Wrangling data required participants to have experience in data science. Thus, a simple and easy quiz will be asked to pass. 5 quizzes will be asked, and 4 quizzes need to be correct. Also, participants must be at least 18 years old, Virginia Tech students or graduate students, and have perfect or corrected vision (i.e., with contacts or glasses). Participants would require a total duration of about 120 minutes at max for the entire study (expect to finish earlier). Participants will receive a $20 Amazon giftcard. Please contact Sungwon In at sungwoni@vt.edu if you are interested.
18. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR DISABILITY AND SEX EDUCATION QUALITATIVE RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
We want to hear personal stories and experiences of personal health and sexual education from people with disabilities! Up until now, academic research is lacking narratives and lived experiences of sex education from the population directly. Interviews will be approx. 30-90 minutes (depending on your personal story). Eligibility: ages 18-26; has at least one diagnosed disability. Reach out to the lead researcher, Madelyn Toman at maddie99@vt.edu, if interested.
19. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A STUDY ON LONG-DISTANCE FEMALE RUNNERS – 3rd posting
Participants are needed for a study evaluating the effect of jumping exercises on bone health in long-distance female runners (IRB 22-168). As part of this study, you will be asked to consume a reduced-calorie diet that will be provided by the research team, and participate in two phases of supervised treadmill runs and jumping exercises on 5 consecutive days. Study measurements will include body composition, bone density, VO2max, and exercise efficiency. Eligible participants must be a woman in good general health between 18-30 years of age with a BMI between 18.5-25.0 kg/m2, non-smoker, regular menstrual cycle, not on birth control (including oral contraceptives, injections, and IUD), run at least 30 miles/week, run at least 5 days/week, not taking any medications that could affect study results, and not pregnant or lactating. Participants will receive information on body composition, bone density, VO2max, running efficiency, and $100 for your time. If you would like to participate, please contact Trisha Sterringer at VTNEMLab@gmail.com.
20. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR A HEALTHY WEIGHT GAIN IN FEMALE ATHLETES RESEARCH STUDY – 3rd posting
Female volunteers needed for a study evaluating the effect of a 10-wk diet and exercise regimen designed to promote healthy weight gain (IRB # 21-561). Eligibility requirements: a female 18-40 years of age; currently engaged in regular exercise training; interested in gaining at least 5 pounds of body weight; willing to participate in a supervised 10-week strength training program; not taking medications or dietary supplements that influence the study results; non-smokers; not pregnant; without any major medical problems (including high blood pressure or coronary heart disease); without any allergies to legumes, peanuts, nuts or tree nuts. Participants will receive $200. If interested, contact the Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism Laboratory at nemlab@vt.edu.
21. WELCOME WEEK INFORMATION FAIR
August 15-19, GLC Lobby
Stop by tables in the GLC Lobby and hallway to pick up this year’s Graduate Student Handbook and Planner and information about resources for graduate students both on and off campus.
22. GPSS WELCOME BACK BBQ
Monday, August 15, 5-7pm, GLC Lawn
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) will be hosting this annual Welcome Back BBQ. There will be live music, free food (vegan and vegetarian options available), and lawn games. The event is open to all graduate students, so please invite your friends. You can follow the GPSS via social media on Twitter and Instagram @VTGPSS for information heading up to the event. Please email the GPSS at: gpss@vt.edu if you have any accessibility requirements. It is recommended that attendees bring blankets, chairs, towels, etc to sit on as chairs will not be provided.
23. MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME
Thursday, August 18, 4:30-6pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Connect with new and returning students, Graduate School staff, and resources that can help you settle in and succeed in Blacksburg. Light refreshments and door prizes will be provided. Sign-up here: https://virginiatech.questionpro.com/home
24. GLOBAL DANCE PARTY
Thursday, August 18, 9-11pm, Squires Commonwealth Ballroom
Cranwell International Center presents Global Dance Party, a celebration of cultural diversity on the VT campus with DJ’d music from around the world. Light refreshments will be served. Contact Iuliia Hoban at iuliaah@vt.edu if you have questions.
25. HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UP IN THE GLC
Friday, August 19, 11am-1pm, GLC Lobby
Representatives from the Student Medical Insurance office will be in the Graduate Life Center Lobby to help graduate students get signed-up for health insurance.
26. UNDERREPRESENTED/MINORITIZED STUDENT LUNCH
Wednesday, August 24, 12-1pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
The Graduate School’s Office of Recruitment, Diversity, and Inclusion, invites all underrepresented and/or minoritized students for a lunch to connect racial/ethnic minorities, sexual/gender minorities, and others who identify as a minority in graduate education. The event is FREE and ALL are invited to attend. Registration is required: https://applyto.graduateschool.vt.edu/register/URMLunch22. Questions? Please contact Shernita Lee, PhD at ordi@vt.edu.
27. INTRODUCTION TO THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
Wednesday, August 24, 2-3pm, 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. For more information, and to register, visit this website: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/9373057
28. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH DATA MANAGEMENT
Monday, August 29, 3-4pm, Zoom
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 session, which will present an introduction to research data management. Learn more about this workshop and register here: https://calendar.lib.vt.edu/event/9383392
29. INSIGHTS ON THE FACULTY JOB MARKET – PREPARING FOR THE FALL APPLICATION SEASON AND BEYOND
Thursday, September 1, 3:30-5pm, Zoom
Virginia Tech Postdoctoral Affairs Program Administrator, Chris Smith, will share data from a set of faculty job market applicant surveys from 2018 to the present as well as an overview of the Academic Career Readiness Assessment developed at UCSF. Attendees will leave with insights on some of the critical factors and metrics associated with landing a faculty position as well as an appreciation of the different qualifications needed to be competitive at different types of institutions. While the presented data are mostly from STEM and the biological sciences fields, general advice on applying for faculty positions will be shared. Register here: https://forms.gle/X93pG8fmwUdyaK9J9
30. DAY FOR DATA CONFERENCE
Friday, September, 9, 8:30am – 3pm, GLC Multipurpose Room
Join us for Day for Data: Analytics in Action, a brand-new conference at Virginia Tech that will connect students and industry professionals in a practical exploration of the modern applications of big data and data analytics in the corporate setting! Featuring keynote speakers, networking opportunities, panel discussions, and the opportunity to connect with recruiters from industry-leading companies. Learn more and register today at http://pampl.in/dayfordata.
31. HOW OF HAPPINESS GRADUATE STUDENT GROUP Fridays, September 9-October 21 (excluding fall break), 11:30am-12:30pm, GLC Wellness Room
Join Rec Sports for a 6-week Happiness Group to learn the science behind behaviors that drive happiness and to practice these behaviors with the small group. Each participant will receive a copy of the How of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky. Classes are free but you must register here: https://connect.recsports.vt.edu/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=3dea9b9c-b82a-494c-8c47-d0d4f0e6c03f&semesterId=88e465f8-265f-4f6e-a579-3a85889b4ecb