Do you teach? Do you want a career in teaching? Are you looking for ways to become better at teaching? Look no further, After Grad: Teaching Careers Week is here to help! This is a week-long series of panels, workshops, and presentations all centered around teaching! Teaching Careers Week takes place between May 3rd and May 7th.

With such a plethora of options as are offered this week, it can be hard to parse through what to look for. I will be your guide in this and take you through the different events that we have on our plate this week.

You can read more and register for sessions here.

[Image Description: Spider-Man gives a woman directions.]

Pictured: Me, in my ideal life, showing you all the cool things Teaching Careers Week has to offer.

First off, as always, Teaching Careers Week is held in conjunction with the University Teaching Certificate’s (UTC) Teaching Development Track. Presenters from UTC will hold presentations throughout the week. If you want to apply to the UTC, but do not have three quarters of evaluations, it is important to attend all of the teaching Development Track presentations as a substitute.

[Image Description: A cartoon cat wearing a boy scout uniform is reaching for a card that says “Certification.” After reaching the card and pulling it down, a text appears above the cat that says “Certified!”]

Pictured: You, taking your first steps towards entering the gilded halls of the University Teaching Certificate.

This Spring, all Teaching Careers Week events will, naturally, be held virtually through Zoom.

[Image Description: A group of children wearing red is dancing out of sync in front of a 1980s-looking Zoom logo.]

Pictured: Us, hanging out on Zoom and learning how to reach our students.

So, we begin our program on Monday, May 3rd with a Life at Liberal Arts Colleges Panel. For this, we have invited four faculty and administrators from the Liberal Arts and Diversity Officers (LADO). They will be talking about the career trajectories that led them to a liberal arts college, share advice they have for those who are curious about following in their path, and answer any other questions you may have.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! In addition to this panel, we are offering the chance to have a one-on-one meeting with the panelists for a more in-depth conversation. Spots are limited so sign up today!

[Image Description: Jedi Master Yoda, from Star Wars, looks off camera and says: “Much to learn you still have.”]

Pictured: We will all find our Yoda by learning from those who have gone before us.

Does the diversity statement in the job application seem daunting to you? Not sure how to best communicate your experiences and goals? Writing an Effective Diversity Statement Workshop is held by Graduate Writing Center Coordinator Christina Trujillo for just this purpose! Come and get some great pointers as to how to cater your diversity statement to the position and to best highlight exactly what you can do for them!

[Image Description: A man points off screen as if having a realization and quickly begins taking notes.]

Pictured: You, learning the best ways to present your diverse experiences.

Tuesday, May 4th begins with a bang as we have the first of our Teaching Development Track presentations: How to Incorporate Effective Retention Strategies: Evidence from Cognitive Science.

This is quickly followed up with How to Talk About Online Teaching in Your Job Materials and Interviews with Dr. Anne Soon Choi, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Online teaching suddenly became the big new thing last year, and Dr. Choi will walk us through the best way to present your online teaching in your job materials and interview.

[Image Description: Ronnie Lee, from Schitt’s Creek, says “And that’s gentlemen, is how it’s done. Bye!” before leaving.]

Pictured: You, showing your interview committee how you do online teaching.

You attended the workshop, so now it’s time to work on your own! The Diversity Statement Clinic pairs attendees up with a consultant from the Graduate Writing Center to look over their diversity statement. Spots are limited so register soon!

[Image Description: Troy, from Community, has a dramatic zoom in and Dutch tilt before uttering the words: “I knew it!”]

Pictured: You, getting the best possible feedback on your diversity statement.

Tuesday ends with another Teaching Development Track presentation: Adapting Techniques for Teaching Large Classes to Online Settings at a Variety of Different Institutions.

Wednesday, May 5th will suddenly be upon us! We start with the Teaching Development Track presentation: Discussions Deepen Student Learning and Unlocking the Mystery of College: Supporting First-Generation College Students, before we all come together and relax in the Virtual Coffee Social at 3pm. This week’s social is sponsored by the University Teaching Certificate Program which can tell you all there is to know about what it means to earn that coveted certificate.

[Image Description: Tom Haverford, from Parks and Recreation, is laying in a sea of pillows and exclaims: “Very cozy.”]

Pictured: You, unwinding and chilling at the Coffee Social with the University Teaching Certificate.

California State Universities and Community Colleges are ideal career places for many graduate students and postdocs, and we have just this in mind for our Getting Hired: CSUs and Community Colleges Panel! Thursday, May 6th, come and listen to the panelists detail how they stayed competitive and eventually got hired at a CSU or a CC. Thursday ends with a bang and the Teaching Career Track presentation: Using Social media to Motivate Continuous Learning.

[Image Description: Avatar Aang, from Avatar: The Last Airbender, is looking down an expanding line of his past incarnations.]

Pictured: You, learning from those who have gone before you.

As with all good things, Teaching Careers Week must also unfortunately come to an end. Friday, May 7th caps us off with the Teaching Career Track presentation: Implementing High Expectations to Encourage Higher Order Thinking.

However, fear not! If you miss any of the sessions they will be recorded and uploaded for all with a UCR account!

[Image Description: A puppet ape wearing a white T-shirt stands slouched down before straightening up and putting its hands to its hips in a superhero pose. A cape magically appears behind it.]

Pictured: You, emerging as the steller teaching that you are after attending this week.

After Grad: Teaching Careers Week is hosted between May 3rd and May 7th, 2021. You can read more and register for sessions here.