Graduate School
Professionals in Preparation
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Students may choose the option to earn a digital badge that can be affixed to digital CV鈥檚 or r茅sum茅s, LinkedIn, and other social media accounts. The badge links to a description of the skills learned and provides a digital credential that can be viewed by prospective employers, hiring committees, and others who will be interested in your preparedness for the workforce.
PIP Workshops
In this interactive session, we will discuss how to adapt messages to various audiences, how to prepare for speaking in different professional settings, and considerations for virtual delivery and visual aid.
Presenter: Amanda Walsh - Interim Director of the Speaking Center
This generative AI workshop will explore the applications of gen AI for research and writing. No prior experience with AI is required.
Presenter: Dr. James Thomas, Assistant Professor, School of Education
An introduction to grant writing from 1,000 feet. Find funding, structure a proposal, write to sell.
Presenter: Erica Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Research
Sketch a timeline for your dream project and build a budget.
Presenter: Erica Kennedy, Associate Vice President for Research
A dynamic session that explores the value and purpose of activating an entrepreneurial mindset. Attendees will leave with an enhanced understanding of this mindset and how to apply it in their personal, academic, and professional lives.
Presenter: James Wilcox, Director of the Hatchery
An interactive discussion of a variety of ethical issues that arise in research. Topics include human subjects research ethics, research misconduct, and authorship ethics.
Presenter: Dr. Sam Bruton, Professor, School of Humanities
Professionals in Preparation (PIP) is a two-semester professional development program consisting of:
Workshops and seminars which will be held approximately twice monthly from 1:00-2:00p.m. on Wednesdays in the J.B. George Building, room 142.
Sessions will include:
- Interviewing tips
- Effective communication
- Publishing and peer review
- Etiquette and presence
- Interviewing skills
- Ethics and integrity in scholarship
Mentorship workshops including case study discussions with faculty experts will provide training on managing real life situations that may occur between faculty and their graduate students.
Three Minute Thesis: To be held October 31-November 1, 2024. Participants will compete in the annual 3MT competition which requires them to present the importance of their research to a general audience in less than three minutes. Participants will compete for the title Grand Champion and significant prize money.
Susan A. Siltanen Graduate Student Research Symposium: To be held Thursday, April 3, 2025. Participants will submit an abstract and present their research during the annual symposium. Students will compete with other graduate students for monetary prizes for best presentations in specific categories.
- Students will work independently to complete an IDP and submit electronically no later than Friday, April 11, 2025. The submission will be scored as based on thoughtfulness, completeness, and organization using a standard rubric (provided by Dean Coats).
- All students must address the requirements of the rubric and develop the IDP using a template appropriate to their discipline. Examples include: ; ; .
- Please do not simply fill out one of the templates, as there should be a synthesis of the information. All IDPs must be reviewed with your advisor/major professor before submission.
- Submit your
Professionals in Preparation Digital Badge
Upon successful completion of the program, participants will have the option to receive a digital badge that can be affixed to digital CV鈥檚 or r茅sum茅s, LinkedIn, and other social media accounts. The badge links to a description of the skills learned as a part of the program and provides a digital credential that can be viewed by prospective employers, hiring committees, and others who will be interested in your preparedness for the workforce. For students choosing the digital badge option, the cost of the program is $50.
- Attend a minimum of 5 regular workshops/seminars EACH semester
- Participate in the Three-Minute Thesis AND Graduate Student Research Symposium
- Submit Individual Development Plan
- Submit PIP digital badge application and $50 fee
1. Can students not on the Hattiesburg campus participate in the Professionals in Preparation program?
Yes, we will record each workshop and post the video on the Graduate School website. Students who are unable to attend a workshop in person can view the recording and submit a post-workshop survey to receive credit for attendance.
2. What if I am working on a research project or assignment? Will presenting on this work meet the communication competition requirement?
Yes, presenting on a project rather than a thesis will not be a problem. You will still be required to present your research at both the Three-Minute Thesis and the Graduate Student Research Symposium.
3. What is a digital badge?
A digital badge links to a permanent description of the skills learned in the program and provides a credential that can be viewed by prospective employers. It can be added to your curriculum vita, r茅sum茅, LinkedIn account, or other social media accounts.
4. Is there a cost associated with the digital badge?
For students choosing to earn the digital badge, the cost of the program is $50. A link to the badge program will be provided upon request.
For more information or to request a link to the digital badge application, contact Shaadi Shoubaki (Shaadi.ShoubakiFREEMississippi).