1. WEEKLY WALK-IN SERVICES IN THE GLC – last updated 8/28/2017
– Career Advising: returning 9/27
– Cook Counseling: Thursdays and Fridays, 1:00-5:00pm, Green Room
– Graduate School hours: MTThF 8:00-5:00pm, W 9:30-5
– Immigration advising hours: MWF 1:00-4:00pm, TTh 9:00am-12:00pm Room 120
– Writing assistance: reserve appointment at https://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html
2. COMPUTING AND MOBILE DEVICE HELP
Monday, Aug 28, 5:00pm, GLC Room B
A staff member from 4Help (VT’s IT assistance department) will be on hand to help you learn about connecting your devices to wireless, figuring out two-factor authentication, where to get software, backup options and more. Bring your device(s) and your questions!
3. TIPS FOR A WINNING RESUME
Tuesday, Aug 29, 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Having a well-polished resume is the most critical step toward getting an interview. Start early to be ready for fall career fairs and on-campus interviews
4. WEEKLY GRADUATE STUDENT WRITE-IN @ GLC
Wednesday, Aug 30, 12:00-3:00pm, GLC Room A
During the Fall 2017 semester, the Writing Center will be holding a weekly write-in in the Graduate Life Center, Room A, from 12:00-3:00pm each Wednesday. There will be a writing coach available for brief feedback, but the purpose of this time is to offer graduate students a quiet and supportive place to establish a writing routine. Feel free to drop in for all or part of the time. For more information about the free writing support offered by the Writing Center, see our website at http://www.lib.vt.edu/spaces/writing-center.html.
5. GLC CAFÉ
Thursday, Aug 31, 3:30-5:00 pm, GLC Reading Room
Enjoy free coffee, tea, and cookies in the company of fellow graduate students and Grad School staff; network, socialize, relax! Bring your own mug if you can.
6. RESEARCH RESOURCES AT NEWMAN LIBRARY
Thursday, Aug 31, 5:00-6:00pm, Newman Library 207A
Discover from Library staff information about databases, library liaisons, citation managers, GRAD 5124 and resources for teaching. Sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cN4UCKF5foJjyip
7. CAREER FAIR PREPARATION
Thursday, Aug 31 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Learn how to present yourself to an employer and what to ask at a Job Fair.
8. INTERVARSITY GRADUATE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Friday, Sep 1, 6:00-8:00pm, GLC Room B
A diverse, welcoming, student-led community that explores how Christian faith informs academic and professional work invites you to join. They gather regularly for Bible study, shared meals, and mutual encouragement through the ups and downs of graduate school. All are welcome for a free dinner at the first monthly gathering. For more info, visit: http://gcfvt.wordpress.com/.
9. BLACK GRADUATE STUDENT COMMUNITY WELCOME BACK COOK OUT
Saturday, Sep 2, 4:00-dusk, Bburg Municipal Park, Shelter II
Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of the semester with BGSO. Eat, play some games, vibe to the music and bask in the melinated greatness of the VT Black graduate student community. This is a family friendly event. If you would like to be added to the BGSO listserv and/or become involved with BGSO, email to Cheryl Montgomery at clmontgo@vt.edu w/ "BGSO" in the subject.
9A. SIGN UP FOR GRAD 5124, LIBRARY RESEARCH SKILLS, FALL 2017 – 1st posting
A one-credit, elective, pass/fail course designed to increase successful completion of comprehensive literature reviews and project proposals. Identify key information sources, use advanced searching skills and citation management tools, and explore important research planning topics such as: building professional identity, evidence-based practice, data management, sharing research results, and authorship.
Health Sciences section – CRN 84524
Agriculture and Life Sciences section – CRN 84520
Social Sciences section – CRN 84523
English and Creative Writing Section — CRN 84521
Engineering and Physical Sciences Section — CRN 84522
10. ACADEMY FOR GTA EXCELLENCE CALL FOR MEMBERSHIP – 1st posting
The Academy for Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Excellence welcomes applications for Member, Associate, and Fellow in its learning community. VTGrATE provides advanced education and training in innovative teaching and learning strategies and provides a space to recognize excellence in teaching by graduate students. Membership is open to all graduate students at all VT campuses. For more info or to apply: http://vtgrate.org/membership/application-and-review/. Applications due Sat., Sep 16, 2017. Questions? Contact Michelle Soledad soledadmm@vt.edu.
11. TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIP TO OPENCON CONFERENCE – 2nd posting
Graduate students are encouraged to apply for a travel scholarship, sponsored by the University Libraries and the Graduate School, to OpenCon, a conference for early career researchers on open access, open data, and open education. One Virginia Tech graduate student will be selected to attend the conference held in Berlin, Germany on November 11-13. Read reports from Virginia Tech attendees in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Apply by Sep 5 at bit.ly/VTOpenCon2017.
12. IMPROVE YOUR RESEARCH SKILLS – 2nd posting
GRAD 5124, Research Skills for Graduate Students, is a 1-credit, fully-online course offered by University Libraries in Fall 2017. Five discipline-specific sections are offered. Sign up in HokieSpa for the one that relates to your subject area. Questions? Contact Lisa Becksford at lisab5@vt.edu.
13. STUDENTS INVITED TO JOIN INTERNATIONAL LGBTQ+ GROUP – 2nd posting
AcrossBorders@VT provides a friendly group and space for international LGBTQ+ students/faculty/affiliates of Virginia Tech to discuss concerns about their sexuality and coming out, and support one another. Given that the international population comes from cultures different from the one(s) in the US, the group aims to provide a more customized support to the international LGBTQ+ population. The group ensures confidentiality and privacy of all members. If interested or have questions, contact acrossborders.vt@gmail.com. Email to join the confidential Facebook group to connect with other international LGBTQ+ people.
14. LITTLE HOKIE HANGOUT STILL ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – 3rd posting
Little Hokie Hangout, the Graduate School Child Care Center, is still accepting applications for Fall 2017. Morning sessions are almost full, but there are some spots left for afternoons (11:30am-2:30pm) and evenings (2:30pm-6:00pm). For information and applications please email childcare@vt.edu
15. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR WOMEN PURSUING A PhD – 3rd posting
The P.E.O. Scholar Award is open for women pursuing a PhD. The competitive merit-based scholarships offer $15,000 for outstanding women in the final two years of their program. Awardees must demonstrate a strong research path, publications, awards, and service activities showing maturity, seriousness of purpose, and clearly defined research objectives. The local application consisting of a concise 1-2 page letter and resume deadline is Sep 6, 2017. Send to Verlyn Stromberg, 2506 Manchester St, Blacksburg, VA 24060 or verlyn@vt.edu. If you have any questions, email or call (540) 239-0253.
16. CREATIVE STUDENTS SOUGHT FOR MAGAZINE – 3rd posting
The Interloper, Virginia Tech’s LGBTQ Magazine, is now accepting writers, editors, photographers, and artists for Issue #7 this fall. There will be an interest meeting on Sunday, Sep 10 at 4:00pm in the Intercultural Engagement Center. All are welcome to participate. If interested or have questions, email Maggie at theinterlopervt@gmail.com.
17. GA POSITION ON LEARNING DESIGN TEAM IN TLOS – 1st posting
Learning Experience Design, a unit of Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies, is seeking a graduate student to fill a GA position dedicated to supporting the design and development of online courses and course content. Requires knowledge of instructional design and instructional technology along with strong skills in development of media for course content including video, graphics, images and interactive digital learning objects. Experience with Camtasia or other screen recording technology, Adobe Captivate, Articulate Storyline, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.), video editing and consumer level video camera experience is desired. If interested, contact lbaab@vt.edu.
18. GRA OPENING FOR A GIS PROGRAMMER/ANALYST – 1ST posting
The Enterprise GIS units of Virginia Tech’s central IT organization has an opening for a full-time GRA (20 hr/wk) position, beginning Fall 2017 and continuing for a full year (through August 2018). Position requires a highly-motivated graduate student with GIS programming, GIS analysis and/or web design skills to support a variety of projects in a technical team environment, using an evolving set of best-practice tools, libraries and techniques. Tasks include developing scripts to automate GIS data management and server administration tasks; performing mapping and analysis tasks; and developing and maintaining GIS-enabled web applications. Experience with Python programming, Tools and APIs related to the ESRI ArcGIS platform required. If Interested, forward a current resume and cover letter to egisjobs@bev.vt.edu.
19. SPEAKERS WANTED FOR RESEARCH A LA MODE – 1st posting
Research a la Mode is a monthly venue for graduate students from different departments to come together and hear a talk by one of their peers. The main idea is to give graduate students an opportunity to practice communicating their research to an audience that is unfamiliar with their discipline in order to cut down on reliance on jargon and to simplify and clarify their presentation skills. RALM aims to help graduate students become better teachers, researchers and communicators. Talks are usually around 30 minutes. Email lashley@vt.edu if interested
20. INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANTS NEEDED FOR STUDY – 2nd posting
VT researchers are conducting a longitudinal study during Fall 2017 to understand the experiences of international teaching assistants (ITAs) at Virginia Tech. Participants must be graduate teaching assistants in an engineering department at the university with an F-1 or a J-1 visa. The study involves 3 interviews lasting approximately 45-60 minutes each and weekly journal responses taking about 10-15 minutes each. $20 Kroger gift card upon completion of each interview. Weekly reflection prompt response enters you in raffle for $25 Kroger gift card. Contact Ashish Agrawa, Dept. of Engineering Education at 540-922-5125 or ashishag@vt.edu for more info.
21. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR MUSCULOSKELETAL STUDY – 2nd posting
Participants are needed for a research study about metabolic cost of lifting with and without a wearable exoskeleton. Must be 18-65 years old with no recent or prior musculoskeletal disorders or back injuries. A weight range of 155 – 190 lbs is preferred. Should be able to comfortably lift about 25% of bodyweight from the floor to waist height. Will perform a variety of lifting tasks both with and without the exoskeleton during two experimental sessions. Compensation: $10/hour. If interested, email Mehdi Alemi at malemi@vt.edu or call at 317-473-1736.
22. PARTICIPANTS NEEDED FOR VIRTUAL REALITY STUDY – 3rd posting
The 3DI group is seeking volunteers to participate in a research study with virtual reality (VR) technologies. The team is investigating how VR can help researchers to better understand complex scientific data. The project will make use of state-of-the-art VR equipment. If you are interested in participating, contact Wallace Lages at wlages@vt.edu for more details.
23. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR DIET STUDY – 3rd posting
Volunteers needed for a study examining how diet influences muscle metabolism. Participants must be: between the ages of 18-40; females on monophasic oral contraceptive and not pregnant; not currently taking any medications (other than above); non-smokers; no major medical problems; and willing to eat a high fat diet for 5 days. You will receive extensive health information and may receive up to $400 in compensation. If interested, contact the Human Integrative Physiology Laboratory at Virginia Tech. e-mail: westerndiet@gmail.com website: https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_eKX222gpcgRqZLv.
Upcoming events:
INTERVIEWING SKILLS SEMINAR
Tuesday, Sep 5, 4:15-5:15pm, GLC Room F
Be prepared for initial screening interviews as well as on-site interviews. This seminar addresses interviewing basics, employer expectations, and insights into behavioral interviews.
GROCERY BINGO
Wednesday, Sep 6, 5:30-6:30pm, GLC Room C
Compete against other graduate students in Bingo for a chance to with free grocery items.
ACCESSING MATERIALS AT THE LIBRARIES
Thursday, Sep 7, 5:00-6:00pm, Newman Library 207A
Library staff will discuss finding and checking out books, lending technology, how to do an interlibrary loan, and printing tips. Pizza and drinks provided. Sign up at https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cN4UCKF5foJjyip
LEARN ABOUT THE BOOK OF MORMON
Sunday, Sep 10, 6:30pm, 1408 Jennelle Rd., Blacksburg
Have you ever wondered what the Book of Mormon is about? Perhaps you’ve heard of the Broadway play, or what some call the "Mormon Bible"? On behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, grad student Kevin Watson invites you to attend an evening event all about the Book of Mormon. All are welcome to attend! Questions? Contact Kevin at wk223@vt.edu.
OLYMPIC TAEKWONDO CLUB AT VIRGINIA TECH — OPEN WORKOUT
Monday, September 11th, 8:00-9:00pm, 915 Hethwood Blvd., Blacksburg
Want to do something different this semester? Now’s your chance! The Olympic Taekwondo Club is holding an open workout for anyone who is interested in trying taekwondo. No experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. For more information, contact Casey Denham at cldenham@vt.edu.