Workshops & Events
Workshops hosted by the Graduate Center are open to the entire CSULB campus community, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as the general public. So, if you are interested in a workshop, please register below.
Fall 2024
August
When: Thursday, August 8, 1:00pm – 3:30pm
Where: Online (Zoom). This event has past, but you can view a recording of it here.
Description: Each Fall semester, the Office of Graduate Studies offers this online university-wide Graduate Student Orientation to welcome incoming graduate students to the CSULB community and support their transition to graduate study.
The Graduate Student Orientation:
- Introduces university requirements, expectations, policies, and protocols
- Reviews student rights and Title IX
- Highlights graduate milestones
- Presents graduate opportunities related to:
- Academics
- Research
- Funding
- Professional Development
- Networking
- Shares the systems of support available to graduate students
In addition, individual departments hold department-specific orientations (check with your graduate program for details). Incoming students should plan to attend both the department-specific and university-wide orientations.
September
When: Wednesday, September 11, 4:00pm-6:00pm
Where: The Graduate Center (University Library 214)
Description: Graduate Studies invites you to stop in to explore the CSULB Graduate Center on the second floor of the Library and learn about the resources available to you as a graduate student at CSULB. At the event, you can tour the Center, explore study and meeting spaces, and learn about funding opportunities, mentorship, writing support and financial assistance for conference travel. Representatives from key resources on campus, such as CAPS, BMAC, Basic Needs, and the Financial Aid Office, will also be present to network with students and answer questions. In addition, a student photographer will be taking free professional “head-shot” photos for those interested.
No need to register–just show up!
When: Thursday, September 12, 4:30 – 6pm
Where: Zoom (Update: This workshop was initially listed as hybrid, but will now be Zoom only because of a schedule conflict with room 201)
Description: This workshop covers essential skills for thriving in the rigorous academic environment of graduate school. Topics covered will include writing to your audience, overcoming writing anxiety, and using metacognition to improve your learning. Each topic will be briefly discussed, and resources for further reading/learning will be shared.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Monday, September 16, 4:30pm – 6pm
Where: Zoom and Library 201 (Hybrid)
Description: Are you completing a thesis or research project that involves human participants/subjects? If so, you will need to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before you start your research. The IRB ensures that you are doing everything in your power to protect the rights of research participants and reduce risks to your participants’ safety and well-being. They confirm that your research will be conducted ethically and responsibly. This workshop will guide you through the IRB application and submission processes and provide strategies to safeguard your participants.
Presenter: Dr. Dina Perrone, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (Email: Dina.Perrone@csulb.edu)
Register for The IRB Process: A Guide for Graduate Students.
When: Thursday, September 19, 4pm – 5pm
Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop covers the important steps of preparing for and applying to graduate school, including master's degrees, credential programs, and doctoral programs. Undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students are all welcome.
Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
When: Tuesday, September 24, 5pm – 7pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: Latine graduate students will share their experiences navigating graduate studies. All students, undergraduate or graduate, are welcome.
Presenters: Graduate students, hosted by Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu) and Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
When: Monday, September 30, 1pm – 2pm
Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop covers basics of funding for graduate studies, including topics such as graduate assistantships, campus vs. external funding, and loans.
Presenters: Graduate Center Staff (contact Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu with questions)
October
When: Tuesday, October 1, 3pm – 4pm
Where: LIB 201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop discusses how to write an effective statement of purpose or personal statement for graduate school. Topics include “dos and don’ts,” avoiding “kisses of death,” statements of confidence, effective essay structure, and useful sentence stems.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
Register for Writing a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School.
When: Wednesday, October 2, 11:30am – 12:30pm
Where: LIB-201 & Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop teaches the fundamentals of writing and formatting CVs/résumés for graduate school applications. Topics include what experiences to list, how much detail to go into, and how to format and organize the document to make it professional and easy to read.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, October 2, 1pm – 2pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: Need support in how to navigate the graduate & professional school fair? This workshop will provide you with tips to make the most of your time connecting with representatives at the graduate and professional schools you are interested in applying to.
Presenter: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
Register for Preparing for the Graduate & Professional School Fair.
When: Thursday, October 3, 11:00am – 12:00pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process.
Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)
Register for Submitting and Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation.
When: Thursday, October 3, 11am – 3pm
Where: The Speakers Platform (in front of the University Bookstore)
Description: Sponsored by The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and the Graduate Center, the Grad Fair brings representatives from various graduate and professional schools from across the country. Students are able to meet with representatives from these institutions and learn about post graduate opportunities, admissions procedures and financing graduate education. The event is free for all current CSULB students on-campus. Visit this page for more information and download a list of sample questions to ask program representatives.
No registration necessary--just show up!
When: Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 10am – 11am
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: Qualtrics is a survey tool used for research, evaluations, event registrations and other data collection activities. Qualtrics accounts are available to all faculty, staff, and students through the campus license agreement.
In this workshop, we will demonstrate basic settings for building a simple survey, including:
• Popular question types and question settings
• Customizing the look and feel for your survey
• Security, anonymity settings, and response options
Presenter: Academic Technology Services
When: Wednesday, October 9, 5:00pm – 6:30pm
Where: Library 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop explains the common structure of introductions that most academic papers use and shows how to offer readers “value” by responding to a critical issue or problem in your field.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (Omar.Hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Wednesday, October 15, 5pm – 6:30pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: Graduate students who identify as queer/LGBTQIA+ will share their experiences navigating graduate studies. All students, undergraduate or graduate, are welcome.
Presenters: Graduate students, hosted by Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu) and Ammisha Opoku-Boamah (Ammisha.Opoku-Boamah@csulb.edu)
Register for OUTober Celebration Month: Graduate Student Panel .
When: Wednesday, October 16, 4pm – 5pm
Where: Online (Zoom)
Description: You’re writing your thesis and you’re al…most…done! So, what’s next? This workshop will cover the procedures for submitting your master’s thesis to the Thesis and Dissertation Office, thesis formatting rules, and the review process leading up to graduation clearance and ProQuest publication. At the end of the presentation, students will participate in a mock editing activity to simulate (and demystify!) the format editing process.
Presenter: Cecilia Paredes (Cecilia.Paredes@csulb.edu)
Register for Submitting and Formatting Your Thesis or Dissertation.
When: Wednesday, October 23, 5:30pm – 6:45pm
Where: LIB-201 and Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop provides an overview of APA formatting and citations, along with tips for avoiding accidental plagiarism. It includes a how-to on formatting cover pages, in-text citations, and reference lists.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Monday, October 28, 2024, 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: Second Floor of the University Library
Description: Network, mingle, and forge connections with fellow grad students in a relaxed atmosphere. Professional headshots will also be available during the event for free!
Food will be provided, so please RSVP for the Grad Student Mix N' Mingle.
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, 2pm-3pm
Where: Library 201
Description: It's time to face your fears! This workshop was designed in light of the spooky Halloween season. The goal is to provide a better understanding of fear, give practical steps to face your fears, and space to practice facing what you may be feeling afraid of this season.
Presenter: Elizabeth Rivas (Elizabeth.Rivas-SA@csulb.edu), MSW intern working with Beach Wellness and the Graduate Center.
No need to register--just show up!
November
When: Monday, November 4th, 5pm – 6:30pm
Where: University Library 201
Description: Are you a first-generation graduate student looking to build valuable connections in your field? Join us for an empowering networking workshop designed just for you! In this engaging session, you will:
• Learn effective networking strategies tailored to your unique journey which highlight your assets.
• Practice your elevator pitch and gain confidence in professional settings.
• Connect with fellow first-generation students and professionals who understand your experience.
• Walk away with tangible skills that you can utilize to network.
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and discover resources to support your academic and career goals!
No need to register—just show up!
When: Tuesday, November 5, 5pm – 6pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: The transition to graduate school and making the most out of your graduate program can be a challenge. This is especially the case when we are juggling multiple responsibilities. This panel style workshop will provide valuable insight from current graduate students who will share their experiences navigating graduate school and share their tips on how to successfully navigate graduate school. Food/refreshments will be provided.
Presenters: CNSM Thrive.
Register for Navigating Graduate School as an Underrepresented Student.
When: Thursday, November 14, 2pm – 4pm
Where: USU 305
Description: This workshop covers the important steps of preparing for and applying to graduate school, including master's degrees, credential programs, and doctoral programs. Undergraduate, graduate, and prospective students are all welcome.
Presenters: Women’s & Gender Equity Center
When: Tuesday, November 12th, 5pm – 6:30pm
Where: Zoom and Library 201 (Hybrid)
Description: Are you completing a thesis or research project that involves human participants/subjects? If so, you will need to obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval before you start your research. The IRB ensures that you are doing everything in your power to protect the rights of research participants and reduce risks to your participants’ safety and well-being. They confirm that your research will be conducted ethically and responsibly. This workshop will guide you through the IRB application and submission processes and provide strategies to safeguard your participants.
Presenter: Dr. Dina Perrone, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies (Email: Dina.Perrone@csulb.edu)
Register for The IRB Process: A Guide for Graduate Students.
When: Wednesday, November 13, 3pm – 4pm
Where: LIB 201
Description: Stuck on your graduate school statement of purpose (SOP)? We got you covered! This interactive workshop will cover:
• Structure of an SOP.
• How to craft your experiences in an engaging way.
• How to align your SOP to each school you are applying to.
Presenter: Jackie Morales (Jackie.Morales@csulb.edu)
Register for Writing a Statement of Purpose for Graduate School.
When: Wednesday, November 13th, 4pm – 7pm
Where: University Library 201
Description: Do you need someone to look over your CV/resume, statement of purpose, or personal statement? Do you have questions on how to fill out and submit your graduate school application? Are you nervous about the actual process of applying to grad school and need a knowledgeable person to give you some reassurance and allay your fears? Then come to this 3-hour "after-hours" event in which the core Graduate Center staff will be on hand to provide input, feedback, advice, and support.
Staff Support Present: Ammisha Opoku-Boamah, Graduate Center Coordinator; Jackie Morales, Graduate Center Coordinator; Omar Hussein, Graduate Writing Specialist
No need to register—Just show up!
When: Friday, November 15th, 3pm – 4pm
Where: Zoom (link will be shared with registrants)
Description: Are you a first-generation graduate student looking to build valuable connections in your field? Join us for an empowering networking workshop designed just for you! In this engaging session, you will:
• Learn effective networking strategies tailored to your unique journey which highlight your assets.
• Practice your elevator pitch and gain confidence in professional settings.
• Connect with fellow first-generation students and professionals who understand your experience.
• Walk away with tangible skills that you can utilize to network.
Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and discover resources to support your academic and career goals!
When: Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 3pm – 4:30pm
Where: LIB 201 & Zoom (Hybrid)
Description: This workshop demystifies the dreaded “writer’s block” and provides actionable advice on how to stop worrying and start writing (and hopefully even enjoy it!). Topics discussed will include real and imagined barriers to writing; “crappy first drafts”; habits v. willpower; neutralizing negative thought patterns; beating perfectionism; and other tips, techniques, and secrets of highly-successful, prolific writers.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)
When: Tuesday, November 26th, 10am – 7pm
Where: University Library, 2nd floor (Graduate Study Space)
Description: The Graduate Writing Retreat is a full-day writing "get-away" for graduate or post-bac students to make progress on a major writing task over Fall Break. Writing tasks can include a thesis, seminar paper, dissertation, comps, independent study, class project, or any writing work that requires sustained focus. The Retreat will take place in the “Graduate Student Collaborative Space” (University Library 202), which will be closed to non-attendees, creating a quiet, distraction-free setting. The Graduate Center will also be serving refreshments, including lunch and dinner (the registration form below has further details and the option to indicate dietary restrictions). Furthermore, Graduate Center staff, including the Graduate Writing Specialist, will be on hand all day to answer questions or help you overcome writing “roadblocks.” The event is free and open to all currently-enrolled graduate/post-bac students, but registration is required. The deadline to register is Monday, November 18th, to ensure a proper food and beverage order.
December
When: Monday, December 9, 2024, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Where: (Online) Zoom
Description: This session will discuss how to apply for the Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Fellowship program. It will go over program details, eligibility rules, the application process, and next steps.
Presenter: Omar Hussein (omar.hussein@csulb.edu)
