Preparing ASU's future scholar-professionals
The Graduate College holds professional development opportunities throughout the academic year. One of the most popular events was the Spring 2019 Professional Etiquette Dinner, co-sponsored by ASU’s Graduate College and Connected Academics.
Spring 2019 Professional Etiquette Dinner
As part of a series of professional development and doctoral readiness activities, the inaugural Graduate College Etiquette Dinner was designed to help doctoral students, MFA students and ASU postdocs learn to better navigate professional-social situations, which are very often a part of the interviewing process and integral part of professional careers.
Melissa Werner, a certified Intercultural and Etiquette and Protocol Trainer, offered tips for fine and casual dining, conversation starters and what to do and not do during an interview over food. “Let’s be honest: no one is born knowing ‘which fork to use.’ Yet a lot can ride on the tacit knowledge of such things as table manners and social etiquette, especially in professional situations such as job interviews and formal networking events,” said Tamara Underiner, associate dean for Academic Affairs at the Graduate College. Part of the Graduate College mission is to support graduate student and postdoctoral scholars’ professional development by introducing them to resources and helping them cultivate skills that transcend their disciplinary fields and academic specialties.
In addition to events like the Etiquette Dinner, the Graduate College hosted several other workshops in Spring 2019 related to its Preparing Future Faculty and Scholars (PFx) course, Knowledge Mobilization Studio and Postdoctoral Affairs Office, such as “Publishing Beyond Academia” and “Fundamentals of Leadership.” These workshops were designed to enrich and advance the overall graduate school experience and help participants become transformative leaders in their chosen professions and society at large.
Upcoming professional development opportunities
PFx, a yearly course offered this fall, further guides students through the various ins and outs of negotiating their scholarly identities and future career pathways. Doctoral and MFA students and postdocs interested in exploring the value and presumed responsibility of a PhD/MFA in the new American university and beyond are encouraged to attend PFx Open Sessions and Spring 2020 workshops.
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