Alumni Virtual Education Series
Join us for the Fall 2023 LAS Alumni Virtual Series.
Connect with fellow alumni, develop your professional skills, and continue your mission as a lifelong learner. During the LAS Alumni Virtual Series, you'll hear from fellow alumni who will share insights on advancing your career and explore the latest research and scholarship from LAS faculty members.
We look forward to growing and learning with you!
September | October | November | December
September
Repeatable, Scalable Playbooks to Establishing a Successful Career
September 28 | 7-8 p.m. CDT
Presented by David Rothmund (BA, Communication, '14)
The professional landscape is changing at a rapid pace. From hybrid working environments to diverse age groups, now more than ever it’s becoming increasingly difficult to know how best to navigate a professional setting.
In this 60 minute session, David Rothmund will dive into what he’s seen it takes to build a successful career and walk through actionable playbooks to help you:
- Find a mentor
- Give effective presentations
- Deliver constructive feedback
- Develop your unique leadership style
- Navigate and own your identity in the workplace (e.g., personal brand)
Revealing an Icon: The Story of Altgeld’s Exterior
Learn about the stories Altgeld Hall is still revealing and how, by uncovering the building’s past, we are helping to rebuild for the future. Presented by Karla Smalley (Bailey Edward Architecture) and Sheldon Katz (Department of Mathematics).
This event was held September 14, 2023. Watch a recording
The Digital Gender Gap: Differences in Where, How, and Why Men and Women Express Beliefs Online
In this talk, assistant professor Emily Van Duyn (Department of Communication) discusses her research on where, how, and why women are less likely than men to comment online, and what this means for the value of online comment sections for democracy.
This event was held September 20, 2023.
October
Reclaiming Stories: A Historian Supporting Illinois Indigenous Cultural Revival
October 24 | 7-8 p.m. CDT
Presented by Bob Morrissey (Department of History)
In this talk, Bob Morrissey, professor in the Department of History, shares experiences working with the Miami and Peoria Tribes on a project called "Reclaiming Stories." Focused on traditional practices of hide painting, this project creates an opportunity for citizens of the Miami and Peoria Nations to travel to Paris to reconnect with very old examples of this art form. Morrissey reflects on the significance of this project, which is part of an extraordinary process of cultural revitalization among these Indigenous groups whose traditional homelands include modern-day Illinois.
November
Planning for Your Next Act
November 9 | 7-8 p.m. CST
Presented by Larry Moller (BS, Psychology, '74)
This presentation is designed to be an interactive discussion for sharing thoughts about life after retirement and how to shape each person's next phase in life. Larry Moller, the discussion leader, will share his personal journey and give you the opportunity to engage with other participants facing a similar life change. The goal is to help you tailor your future plans based upon your unique goals and needs to maximize your enrichment and enjoyment.
December
How Do I Radiate Confidence in Meetings/Presentations?
December 5 | 7-8 p.m. CST
Presented by Jerry Levy (BS, Actuarial Science, '73)
The business climate continues to change—telecommute today, back in the office tomorrow. That puts an increased burden on early career employees to navigate the workplace, often with limited direction or personal interactions.
This talk is geared to recent alumni with 1 to 5 years of experience or more, and discusses some best practices for confronting everyday challenges with increased confidence such as:
- Participating in meetings
- Presenting PowerPoint or other reports
- Answering difficult questions
- Dealing with the unexpected
Participants are encouraged to submit questions in advance and will have an opportunity to ask them during the talk.