A2i Federal Career Series (Mar. 2024)
For doctoral students and Postdocs interested in working with the government sector, please see sessions below and choose what's most relevant to your background, interests, and availability. All sessions are virtual - please register here.
Alumni Panels
We will begin with two career panels by humanities fields or STEM disciplines, so you can learn more about how PhDs in various disciplines can apply their doctoral or postdoctoral training in a federal position.
Humanists in Government
March 4, Monday, 12-1 pm, virtual
Join us for an engaging and insightful career panel featuring three distinguished alumni who hold Doctorate degrees in Humanities and are currently making impactful contributions within the realm of the federal government. This unique event offers an invaluable opportunity to explore the diverse career pathways available to humanities scholars within the federal sector.
- Dr. AJ Cade (History): Historian, AIR National Guard (ANG) History Office
- Dr. Elizabeth Petrun Sayers (Communication): Social Scientist, Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Dr. Marc Ruppel (Digital Studies), Senior Program Officer, National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)
STEM PhDs in Government
March 11, Monday, 12-1 pm, virtual
We invite you to join us for an enlightening career panel featuring three accomplished alumni who hold Doctorate degrees in STEM disciplines and are presently contributing their expertise within various federal government agencies. This panel offers an invaluable opportunity to explore the dynamic intersection of STEM research and federal service, showcasing the diverse career pathways available to doctoral graduates in the STEM fields.
- Dr. Argyro Kavvada (Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics): U.S. Greenhouse Gas Center Program Manager, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Dr. Laura Paquin (Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering): Aerospace Engineer, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
- Dr. Mondona McCann (Neuroscience): Pharmacology/Toxicology Regulatory Reviewer, Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Workshop
We will wrap up the series after the Spring Break with a workshop on the federal job application process, including how to navigate USAJOBS, write a federal resume, and more.
Federal Job Application Process
March 28, Thursday, 12-1:30 pm, virtual
If you are interested in federal jobs, come to this workshop to learn more about best practices so you can better navigate:
- USAJOBS: the platform, resources, setting up your profiles
- Federal resume: learn how expectations vary from the private sector and leverage the resume builder
Speaker: Hardeep Chowdhary, MBA: Coordinator, Career Services and Alumni Relations at UMD School of Public Policy