August 17th - August 21st, 2026 | Vol. 12, Issue 33
In this issue:
Archer Career Week!
��️August 17th - 21st | ⏱️ Various Times |�� Virtual
Archer Career is hosting Career Week, August 17 - 21 - and it’s open to all!
Whether you’re actively job searching, looking to advance, or simply ready to get your career portfolio and credentials up to date, Career Week gives you five focused days to take action.
Inventory your experience, strengthen your resume, sharpen your elevator pitch, update your LinkedIn profile, and build your next-steps roadmap.
5 days. 5 valuable career-building actions. One stronger career portfolio.
Join us and bring a friend!
Unlocking Your Family Story: Genealogy Series
��️Wednesday August 19th | ⏱️ 12:00pm - 1:00pm |�� Rush Rhees Library, Second Floor Special Collections
Begin your genealogy journey by learning the essential foundations of family history/genealogy research. Participants will explore how to ask effective research questions, use pedigree charts and family group sheets, and build a strong starting point for discovering their family story. This interactive session is perfect for beginners and those looking to refresh their research skills.
Contact for Questions: evaughn@nyrgs.org
7th Annual Informational Interviewing Session for SMD First-Year Graduate Students
��️Thursday August 27th | ⏱️ 11:00am - 1:00pm |�� Class of '62 Auditorium
Discover the value of informational interviewing and how it can support your academic, professional, and career development journey. Learn practical strategies for building connections, exploring career paths, and gaining insights from professionals in your areas of interest.
During this interactive workshop, trainees will:
- Understand the purpose and benefits of informational interviewing.
- Learn how to identify contacts, prepare for, and schedule informational interviews.
- Develop and refine effective informational interview questions.
- Build networking skills through guided activities and practice with fellow trainees.
- Connect with fellow graduate students and the myHub team!
Food will be provided
Time Management for Graduate Student Success
��️Thursday August 27th | ⏱️ 9:00am - 10:30pm |�� Class of '62 Auditorium
Take Control of Your Time
Graduate school is demanding, but with the right strategies, you can balance coursework, research, professional development, and your personal well-being. Join us for this interactive workshop to learn practical tools that will help you work more effectively, reduce stress, and create a sustainable plan for success.
Breakfast will be provided at 8:45am
In This Session, You Will Learn How To:
· Balance classes, practicum, research, professional development, wellness, and personal commitments.
· Apply practical time management techniques and productivity tools.
· Develop a personalized plan that aligns with your goals and priorities.
· Build healthy habits that support long-term productivity and well-being.
Whether you're just beginning your master's program or looking to improve your current routine, this session will provide actionable strategies you can start using immediately.
Space is limited - Register today
| Mental Health First Aid Training Fall Sessions! |
Mental Health First Aid is a skills-based training course from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Since 2008, more than 3 million people in the U.S. have been trained by certified instructors to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. More information about Mental Health First Aid is available at the National Council for Wellbeing, and also in the slides below.
Training is available for everyone - SMD graduate students, postdocs, staff, and faculty can all attend Mental Health First Aid training conveniently on-site. MHFA Certified Instructor Amber Rivera, Director of Learner Life and Wellness, offers the training several times per year. Contact Amber (amber_rivera@urmc.rochester.edu) for more information or to register for an upcoming training session.
| LGBTQ Life September Events! |
LGBTQ Life Meet and Greet
Join the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center on Wednesday, September 2nd for our first event of the semester! Come enjoy sushi and mocktails, community, and giveaways. Learn what LGBTQ Life is planning for the rest of the semester, and get to know your fellow students, faculty, and staff.
Date: Wednesday, September 2nd
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 PM (come and go as you please)
Location: Feldman Ballroom, River Campus
RSVP by 9/1 at bit.ly/lgbtqlifemeetandgreet26
FREE Tickets to the Rochester Red Wings Pride Night!
We’re excited to offer FREE TICKETS to URochester students for Pride Night at the Rochester Red Wings (Rochester’s local minor-league baseball team). Shuttles will be available to and from the game. We only have a limited number of tickets, available on a first-come first-served basis – so sign up to reserve yours soon!
Date: Wednesday, September 9th
Time: Shuttles leave Rush Rhees at 5:00 PM; game starts at 6:05 PM
Location: ESL Stadium
RSVP by 9/4 at bit.ly/prideredwingstickets
| Steadman Awards Applications Open for Postdocs |
The SAS|Hajim Graduate Education & Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) office is excited to announce the Steadman Family Postdoctoral Associate Prize in Interdisciplinary Research call for applications. All postdoctoral Associates and Fellows are welcome to apply for the competition which provides a monetary award recognizing outstanding Postdoctoral Associates or Postdoctoral Fellows at the University of Rochester whose research exemplifies the importance of multiple perspectives and/or cross-disciplinary approaches toward examining high impact questions of society.
Candidates must be a current postdoctoral associate or postdoctoral fellow at the University of Rochester. Candidates from all areas of the University of Rochester are welcome to apply.
To apply, the following must be submitted by August 30, 2026:
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- A 500-700 word summary of how your research represents multiple perspectives and/or crosses disciplinary boundaries. Please include what you believe is innovative about your research such as high impact questions of science and humanity and future implication of your research. This summary should be written for a general audience.
All applications must be submitted at the following link: Steadman Family Postdoctoral Associate Prize in Interdisciplinary Research Application
Applications will be reviewed by the following criteria:
1. The interdisciplinary scope of the research: does the research encompass multiple perspectives and/or disciplines of study?
2. Innovative research where research activity and creative thinking is in the service of addressing high impact questions of science and humanity.
Finalists will be selected to participate in a 4-minute oral presentation to a panel of judges at the Steadman Prize presentation on Friday September 25th, 2026 from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm on the River Campus.
Attendance at the final competition is expected if selected as a finalist. Winners will be announced at the award reception immediately following.
There are three awards:
Steadman Award - $2,000
Award for Interdisciplinary Research - $750
Award for Innovative Research- $750
Please direct any questions to kristina.lantzky-eaton@rochester.edu
| Sofia Learns About Research |
Sofia Learns About Research Coloring Book Available from CTSI
The CTSI is giving away copies of Sofia Learns About Research. This activity book contains coloring pages and games for children, explaining basic concepts of health research. Books available in English, Spanish, and Arabic. We’d especially love to connect with teams doing outreach in rural communities. Please email ResearchHelp@urmc.rochester.edu to request up to 20 books through campus mail at no charge.
| MyHub Career Ready Boot Camp Fall Cohort Sign Up |
An Interactive, Experience-Based Journey to Help You Achieve Your Career Goals
Fall 2026 Cohort
Take charge of your professional future with our 15-week interactive program designed to guide you through every step of career exploration and development. Whether you're a graduate student or postdoctoral fellow, this experience-based program will empower you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to take the next big leap in your career. This will include asynchronous, group, and individual appointments. At the end of the session, students will receive a certificate of completion, a digital badge for LinkedIn, and access to career exploration funding. Food/Snacks will be provided!
What You’ll Gain:
- Self-Discovery & Goal Setting
- Career Materials That Share Your Story
- Strategic Networking & LinkedIn Mastery
- Informational Interviewing Like a Pro
- Hands-On Career Exploration
Program Starts Monday, September 21st, 2026 from 12pm -1:30pm
In-Person Meeting Dates with Time (12:00pm - 1:30pm)
• September 21st – IDPs & Goal Setting - Location CEL 2-7520
• October 5th- CV & Resumes - Location CEL 2-7520
• October 19th -Networking - Location Louise Slaughter Room (1-9555)
• November 2nd –LinkedIn - Location CEL 2-7520
• November 16th- Informational Interviewing - Location CEL 2-7520
• November 30th- Budgeting - Location CEL 2-7545
• December 14th– Wrap-up Lunch and Q&A - Location CEL 2-7520
This week's featured read ��✨: Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald explores the unconscious biases that can shape how we perceive, evaluate, and interact with others. Drawing on research in psychology, the book examines how these hidden assumptions influence everyday decisions and experiences, often without our awareness. It offers thought-provoking insights into recognizing our own biases and considering how they may affect our interactions with colleagues, learners, patients, and others in our community.
Stop by the GEPA office to check it out!
This week’s social media spotlight features Katherine Stevens, MS CGC, who recently celebrated an exciting professional milestone. Katherine shared, “I am thrilled to share that after graduating with my MS in Genetic Counseling from the University of Rochester in May, I have now passed the American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) certification exam and am a Certified Genetic Counselor!” She also expressed her gratitude to the University of Rochester MSGC program faculty, mentors, friends, and colleagues for their support throughout her journey. Katherine is now looking forward to “growing as a clinician and researcher in genetic counseling.”
Congratulations, Katherine, on this outstanding achievement!
The University of Rochester is committed to providing inclusive experiences and equal access to programs and services. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, please contact the Office of Disability Resources. In all situations, a good faith effort (up until the time of the event) will be made to provide accommodations.
OTE Submission Information
Submissions for the weekly Monday edition of OTE are due by Thursday at 5:00 pm. Please submit materials to myHub@urmc.rochester.edu.
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