Cohorts, Courses, Qualifications, and Careers: Reconceptualizing the Humanities PhD at Washington University

FAIN: ZA-250633-16

Washington University (St. Louis, MO 63130-4862)
Jean M. Allman (Project Director: February 2016 to December 2017)

Thematic convenings that will focus on creating humanities cohorts, designing coursework in line with employment outcomes, and providing post-ABD training and target advising.

The Center for the Humanities plans to fully reconceptualize doctoral training in the humanities at Washington University. Efforts will focus on four core questions: 1) How can we stimulate collaboration among departments to grow inclusive humanities cohorts, from recruitment to completion? 2) What kinds of new curricula would better prepare humanities graduate students for the widest range of career outcomes? 3) What opportunities might be provided in the last year of graduate training to equip students for jobs outside of the academy, particularly in the public sphere? 4) What kinds of new resources might we offer to support the multiple career trajectories of humanities PhDs? A Central Planning Committee of twelve will coordinate the investigations of four Working Groups, each focused a core questions to develop an action plan at the close of the grant period.

Associated Products

NEH Next Generation Humanities PhD Planning at Washington University (Web Resource)
Title: NEH Next Generation Humanities PhD Planning at Washington University
Author: Washington University Center for the Humanities
Abstract: The Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, in collaboration with stakeholders both within and outside of the traditional humanities disciplines, was awarded an NEH Next Generation Humanities PhD planning grant during AY 2016-17 in order to plan for a full reconceptualization of doctoral training in the humanities at our institution. Our project, titled “Cohorts, Courses, Qualifications, and Careers: Reconceptualizing the Humanities PhD at Washington University,” brought together faculty, administrators, current graduate students and alumni in four working groups, each meeting monthly to address challenges that impact the successive stages of humanities PhD training, from the constitution of incoming cohorts through academic coursework and ABD training/internships through career advising and post-dissertation placement. We also invited four outside consultants from peer institutions, who met with a range of stakeholders both inside and outside the working groups. The white paper we published at the conclusion of our planning period identifies some of the action items that emerged from this work.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://cenhum.artsci.wustl.edu/NEH-NextGen-PhD-Planning
Primary URL Description: Center for the Humanities NEH Next Generation Planning website

Career and Professional Development for Graduate Students (Web Resource)
Title: Career and Professional Development for Graduate Students
Author: The Graduate School, Washington University
Abstract: The GradCareers website provides comprehensive information on exploring your career options, developing professional skills to succeed in your career, and prepare for the job search.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: http://gradcareers.wustl.edu
Primary URL Description: The Graduate School, Washington University careers website

Engaging Faculty in Career Development Initiatives for Humanities (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Engaging Faculty in Career Development Initiatives for Humanities
Author: Wendy Love Anderson
Abstract: In a brief presentation followed by a facilitated Q&A, I discuss the role of Washington University’s NEH Next Generation PhD Planning Grant process in successfully engaging faculty to work together with administrators and student representatives on questions of career development for humanities PhDs. I argue that the grant provided an external impetus for change and provided (often overworked) faculty with at least minimal compensation and a more desirable status as “grant participants” instead of a more nebulous request for committee or institutional “service.” The grant’s position in the Center for the Humanities and its faculty PI also helped our faculty conceptualize graduate career development as a series of faculty-driven initiatives rather than a top-down administrative imperative.
Date: 10/13/2017
Conference Name: Promising Practices in Supporting Graduate & Professional Students symposium

Identify Your Transferable Skills - brown-bag workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Identify Your Transferable Skills - brown-bag workshop
Abstract: How does your graduate education translate into skills that are valued by an employer beyond academia? As a graduate student or postdoctoral scholar, you have honed your ability to find information, communicate your research with academic and lay audiences, manage projects, teach complex ideas, mentor undergraduate students, and work with diverse individuals. These are examples of transferable skills that you can communicate in your application materials or during an interview.
Author: Thi Nguyen
Date: 10/27/2017
Location: Washington University Danforth University Center room 234
Primary URL: https://gradcareers.wustl.edu/event/identify-your-transferable-skills-2/?rd=20171027

How To Fail Better - brown-bag workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: How To Fail Better - brown-bag workshop
Abstract: Studies show that graduate students who have grit are most likely to succeed. According to researcher Angela Duckworth, grit is defined as perseverance and passion for long term goals. Attend this session to: Understand the research behind the concept of growth mindset Hear stories of PhDs who have failed better, what they’ve learned, and their new career paths Develop strategies to work through failed projects and rejections
Author: Thi Nguyen
Date: 11/3/2017
Location: Washington University Women's Building Formal Lounge
Primary URL: https://gradcareers.wustl.edu/event/how-to-fail-better-2/?rd=20171103

Professional Email Communication - brown-bag workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Professional Email Communication - brown-bag workshop
Abstract: Using professional communication in conversation and email is vital to your career development, whether it be communicating with faculty, applying for grants, internships or employment opportunities, or reaching out to grow your network. Attend this session to: Consider what makes a good first impression Understand the components of effective email communication Practice by drafting a professional email for one of the above purposes (faculty, grant, job, networking)
Author: Thi Nguyen
Date: 11/10/2017
Location: Washington University Danforth University Center room 234
Primary URL: https://gradcareers.wustl.edu/event/professional-email-communication-2/?rd=20171110

Establishing Effective Mentoring Relationships - brown-bag workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Establishing Effective Mentoring Relationships - brown-bag workshop
Abstract: Mentors can contribute in crucial ways to the success of your academic and career progress, so it’s important to be thoughtful about selecting a mentoring team and managing those relationships. Attend this session to: Understand the importance of assembling a diverse mentoring team Discuss strategies to get the support you need from your mentors Practice communication skills to navigate through difficult conversations
Author: Thi Nguyen
Date: 11/17/2017
Location: Washington University Danforth University Center room 234
Primary URL: https://gradcareers.wustl.edu/event/establishing-effective-mentoring-relationships/?rd=20171117

Communicating Your Research With The Public - brown-bag workshop (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Communicating Your Research With The Public - brown-bag workshop
Abstract: You may have mastered jargon from your field, but can you translate your research for: Lawmakers? Grant administrators? Twitter followers? Hiring managers? Attend this interactive learning session to: Break down your research from the perspective of your audience Explain the importance of communicating to audiences beyond the academy Practice communicating your research in common language
Author: Jessica Hutchins
Date: 12/1/2017
Location: Washington University Danforth University Center room 234
Primary URL: https://gradcareers.wustl.edu/event/communicating-your-research-with-the-public/?rd=20171201

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