CAPES
Career Advancement Program for Engineers and Scientists
The CNS Career Advancement Program for Engineers and Scientists (CNS CAPES) is designed to improve the competitiveness of Cornell graduate students and postdoctoral scholars entering the workforce, in part by providing training in the important "real-world" skills that are often overlooked in traditional graduate programs, such as public speaking, proposal writing, and effective interview techniques. The CAPES program will also give students a realistic and unbiased view of academic and non-academic career opportunities.

To be added to the CAPES mailing list, please send an e-mail message to CNS.
Comments,
questions or suggestions about the CAPES program should be directed
to:
Prof. John Marohn.
Fall 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009 - "Preparing a Graduate Fellowship Application a roundtable discussion by graduate students and faculty" 700 Clark Hall Graduate students and senior undergraduates can apply directly for national fellowships to fund their graduate work in science and engineering. These fellowships are very prestigious, and usually afford the student an increased stipend and a reduced teaching load in graduate school. The Society of Physics Students and the Career Advancement Program for Engineers and Scientists are teaming up to offer a workshop on preparing graduate fellowship applications. A short list of national fellowships (with deadlines) is given below. A more comprehensive list of undergraduate and graduate fellowships is maintained by the Cornell Physics Graduate Society and can be found at The Hertz Foundation Graduate Fellowships Due: October 30, 2009 Eligibility: US citizen or non-citizen national; college seniors + 1st-year grads http://www.hertzfoundation.org/ Friday, October 9, 2009 - "Science Communication: Experiments and Transitions with Words"Speaker: Rachel Petkewich, The Shaw Group 700 Clark Hall Thursday, October 15, 2009 - "Alternative Careers in Science and Engineering - Policy and Civil Service (There are no Wrong Choices)"Speaker: Jesse DeAro, U.S. National Science Foundation 700 Clark Hall Abstract: After receiving a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from U.C. Santa Barbara, Dr. DeAro began a career in civil service and education policy. After serving as a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Education, she went on to oversee national programs at the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. National Science Foundation. She presently directs the U.S. National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program, whose goal is to increase the representation and advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers in the United States. In November, she will start a detail in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. In this CAPES seminar, Dr. DeAro will share her experiences transitioning from bench science to national service.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - "The Entrepreneurial Scientist and Engineer"Speakers: Bruce Ganem, Dept. of Chemistry and Chemical Biology 700 Clark Hall Abstract: How do you decide to become an entrepreneur? A technical degree and a good idea is a start, but what other talents and skills are required to start a company? Once you’ve decided to become an entrepreneur, how do you go about starting a company? Why do some ventures succeed while others fail? Join us as three distinguished faculty share their experiences starting companies and answer your questions.
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Spring 2009
Thursday, March 5 - "The Ethics of Scientific Writing: How to Write and How Not to Write a Paper" Speaker: Prof. Gary Christian, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington Abstract: Scientific writing for peer-reviewed journals is how scientists communicate their work to the world. It is important to tell a clear and compelling story, beginning with justification for the work, placing it in the context of prior work, and its significance in advancing the field, i.e., what problem is being addressed? Manuscripts are submitted to peer-review by experts, selected by the editor. Only a select number will be published, depending on novelty, significance to the field, demonstrated applicability, appropriateness for the journal, and so forth. Peer-review is for the benefit of the author as well as for the editor, and helps improve the quality and impact of the paper. Ethics in publication is of paramount importance, and has become more of an issue for editors in recent years, particularly with the advent of the electronic age. _________________________________________________________________________ Friday, January 23 - "PUT YOUR SCIENCE TO WORK - Practical Advice and Proven Techniques to Land the Job of Your Dreams", Speaking on Scientific Careers for Scientists and Engineers Speaker: Peter Fiske, Ph.D Abstract: Young scientists in nearly every field are finding today’s job market a confusing and frustrating place. More new PhDs, postdocs and master’s degree holders are considering a wider range of career in and out of science, but feel ill-prepared and uniformed about their options. Peter Fiske, PhD. Is CEO of PAX Mixer, Inc. and the author of Put your Science to Work: The Take Charge Career Guide for Scientists. Fiske received his Ph.D. in Geological and Environmental Sciences in 1994 from Standford University & an MBA from U.C. Berkely in 2002. In 1996 Fiske was awarded the White House Fellowship & served one year in the Clinton Administration as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Special Projects. He is the author of 22 technical articles, and a former member of the technical staff of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Learn about and discuss the latest industry topics! • Current and Future Employment Trends and Your Options • Overview of Effective Career Planning and Job Hunting • The TRUE Breadth of Career Opportunities for Ph.D.s • Sought-after Skills and Experience • Developing a Compelling CV, Resume and Cover LetterAND MUCH MORE… |
Fall 2008
November 13 - "Perspectives on a Research Career at a National Laboratory from the Point of View of Someone who has Also Worked at an Industrial Laboratory and at a Research University" Speaker: Dr. Julia W. P. Hsu, Sandia National Laboratory October 23 & 24 - "Preparing an Effective Resume" Speaker: Dr. Jay Rappaport, ENLITEN Consulting The workshop on 10/23 will consist of a morning seminar, followed by afternoon individual meetings during which Dr. Rappaport will critque your resume and help you improve it. The seminar and meetings will repeat on 10/24. To reserve an individual meeting please contact Kim Cotton (kec36@cornell.edu).
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Spring 2008
April 15 - "The Elements of Graphical Style " Speaker: Michael Duncan, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University April 29 - "Research at an Undergraduate Institution"Round Table Speakers: Prof. Yutan Getzler, Kenyon College, and Prof. Suely Black, Norfolk State University May 6 - "A Career in Intellectual Property Law"Speaker : Michael Dzwonczyk, Sughrue Mion, PLLC |
Fall 2007
October 17 - "Research Proposals - Maximizing Your Chance for Success" Speaker: Frank DiSalvo, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University October 24 - "Writing a Resume that Works"Speaker: Geoffrey Nunes, DuPont Central Research & Development November 8 - "How Research Universities Evaluate Faculty Applicants"Round Table Speakers : Prof. Dan Ralph (Physics), Prof. George Malliaras (Materials Science & Engineering), and Prof. John Marohn (Chemistry and Chemical Biology), Cornell University |
Spring 2007
A Career at the Interface Between Science and Public Policy Speaker: Joel Schwartz, Visiting Fellow, American Enterprise Institute Public Speaking for Scientists and Engineers Speaker: Prof. Melissa Hines, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University Leading a Life of Research in a U.S. Governmental (and military) LaboratorySpeaker: Dr. Debra Rolison, Senior Research Scientist, Surface Chemistry Branch, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC |
Fall 2006
Message from a Born-Again Writer: Edit Your Butt OffSpeaker: Prof. David B Collum, Dept of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University. Professor David B. Collum will discuss how he prepares journal articles and proposals. He will chronicle his transition from dysfunctional illiterate to functional author. His description of why writing is important and how he approaches the problem will leave only scraps for the imagination. |
Preparing an Effective ResumeSpeaker: Dr. Jay B. Rappaport, President, Enliten Consulting, Director, Intellectual Assets & Licensing, PhD Recruiter, DuPont Company (now retired). |
Spring 2006
The Schön affair: scientific misconduct at Bells labsSpeaker: Don Monroe, Science Writer |
Scientific poster presentationsSpeaker: LiLynn Graves, Cornell Center for Materials Reserch |
Fall 2005
Applying for Academic PositionsSpeakers: John Marohn, Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Edwin Kan, Electrical and Computing Engineering, Cornell University |
Tips from a science writer: explaining tough science in compelling writingLauren Gold, Science Writer, Cornell University |
Spring 2005
INSIGHTS ON A RESEARCH CAREER IN INDUSTRYSpeakers: Dr. Douglas Allan, Corning Inc., Dr. Charles Black, IBM and Dr. Liesl Folks, Hitachi Click here for
the presentations: Click here for a video recording in mp4 format. |
PONDERING ABOUT PUBLIC SPEAKingSpeakers: Kathy Berggren, Sr. Lecturer, Communications, Cornell University Click here for
the |
28 YEARS AT BELL LABS: LIVING IN INTERESTING TIMESSpeaker: Mark Cardillo, Executive Director, Camille & Henry Dreyfus Foundation Click here for
the |
ACADEMIC CAREERS AT UNDERGRADUATE INSTITUTIONS: INSIGHTS FROM YOUNG FACULTYSpeakers: Prof. David Tanenbaum, Pomona College, Prof. Beth Parks, Colgate University, and Prof. Stephen FitzGerald, Oberlin College Click here for
the presentations: |
Fall 2004
Preparing an application for academiaSpeakers: Bob Buhrman, Applied & Engineering Physics Paul Houston, Chemistry & Chemical Biology and George Malliaras, Materials Science & Engr.
For a video recording of the event click here. |
The academic Environment for women in science and engineeringSpeakers: Barbara Baird, Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Paulette Clancy, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Sheila Hemami, Electrical & Computer Engineering and Lois Pollack, Applied & Engineering Physics For a video recording of the event click here. |
Academic interviews: Tips for successSpeakers: Shefford Baker, Materials Science and Engineering, Barry Carpenter, Chemistry & Chemical Biology and Tyler McQuade, Chemistry & Chemical Biology
For a video recording of the event click here. |
The art of scientific writing: From proposals to papersSpeakers: Roald Hoffmann, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, N. David Mermin, Physics, John Silcox, Applied and Engineering Physics For a video recording of the event click here. |
Spring 2004
From Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar to University Professor (and the strategies you need to get there)Richard M. Reis , Stanford University |
Public Speaking for Scientists & EngineersMelissa A. Hines , Chemistry and Chemical Biology |
Writing a Successful ProposalPanelists: Sandip Tiwari (ECE), Bruce Van Dover (MS&E), and Farhan Rana (ECE) Click here for the Video of the presentation |
Which research Environment is Right for You - Industry, Academia or a National Lab ?Panelists David A. Muller (AEP), Melissa Hines (CCB) and Lisa Wickham (AEP) Click here for the Video of the presentation |
A mentoring program for graduate students in engineering and the physical sciences
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