On Thursday, Sept. 11, the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio held its kickoff event for the fall semester: "Navigating Graduate School and Beyond." The event focused on balancing graduate school responsibilities, such as coursework and teaching, with preparing for a post-grad career and personal life. 

"Navigating Graduate School and Beyond" featured a panel of University of Arkansas professionals who have successfully completed a graduate program or are currently in a graduate program and have careers at the university. Ryan Chamberlain, instructor of French; Annie Doucet, assistant professor of French; Brenda Magnetti, teaching assistant professor of Spanish; and Chy'Na Nellon, a Ph.D. candidate in  Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies and assistant director of Learning Innovation and Assessment, shared their graduate school experiences alongside advice for current graduate students.  

Moderated by Maria Comsa, teaching assistant professor of French and interim director of the World Languages and Digital Humanities Studio, panelists responded to questions from the audience, which was comprised of graduate students, teaching assistants, staff, and faculty. Panelists shared advice on managing hardships and time constraints in graduate programs and finding balance, as well as advice on entering the job market and successfully discussing skillsets gained from graduate programs.

The studio would like to offer a special thank you to the Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies Program for sponsoring this event, and to our panelists for sharing their wisdom and guidance!

Stay in the loop on World Languages, Literatures and Cultures and the WLDH Studio by following @uarkwllc on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Upcoming Events for Graduate Students at the WLDH Studio - September  

On Tuesday, Sept. 23, Rachel ten Haaf, associate professor of Spanish; Jennifer Hoyer, associate professor of German; Annie Doucet, assistant professor of French; and Daniela D'Eugenio, assistant professor of Italian, will host an informational session on applying to Ph.D programs titled "Is a Ph.D for me?" from 3:30-5 p.m. 

On Monday, Sept. 29, Erika Almenara, director of the Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies Program and associate professor of Spanish) will host Bri Romanello's workshop titled "Introduction to the Academic Job Market" from 3:30-4:30 p.m. This workshop will provide graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with strategies and hands-on preparation for the academic job search. 

Both events will be held in the WLDH Studio, located at JBHT 207.