Grad+Professional School Week

[Prep Event] From Classroom to Career: Preparing for Your Grad School and Job Search Process 

Tuesday, October 10 | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. | Zoom

Thinking about going to graduate school? Want to go straight into full-time work? Hear from a diverse group of LMU alumni share their stories on how they successfully navigated their way through graduate/professional school and the job market. From business to medicine to law, our panelists will provide practical tips and advice on how to navigate life after LMU! All panelists are graduates of the LMU Academic Community of Excellence (ACE) program.  

Panelists: 

• Mirian Albert – City University of New York School of Law, Doctor of Law – JD | Staff Attorney at Lawyers for Civil Rights 

• Luis Aceves, MBA – USC Marshall School of Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA) | Strategic Sourcing Manager, Indirect Spend 
• Makeen Yasar – MD Candidate at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science – College of Medicine 
• Lauren Sutherlin – USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity (MSNHL) | Cedars Sinai Marina Del Rey Hospital 
• Dr. Travis Shivley-Scott – Fordham University, Ph.D in Clinical Psychology with a Specialization in Neuropsychology | VA Northern California Mather Geriatric Consultation Clinic 

Register Here

GRE, MCAT, and LSAT Test Prep Workshops – Hosted by Kaplan 

Monday, October 23, 2023 | Zoom

Whether you’re pursuing an M.A. in Counseling or planning to go to med school, these workshops are designed to give you the edge you need to succeed! Each workshop is led by Kaplan’s experienced instructors who will guide you through the material and provide personalized feedback to help you improve your skills. 

• 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm – GRE Strategy Session  
• 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm – MCAT Strategy Session 
• 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm – LSAT Strategy Session  

In the GRE workshop, you'll learn how to tackle the verbal and quantitative reasoning sections, as well as the analytical writing tasks. The MCAT workshop will cover all four sections of the exam, including biology, chemistry, physics, and critical analysis and reasoning skills. And for those preparing for the LSAT, the workshop will provide an in-depth look at logical reasoning, analytical reasoning, and reading comprehension strategies. 

GRE Strategy Session  MCAT Strategy Session   LSAT Strategy Session

Grad+Professional School Fair 

Tuesday, October 24, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | LMU Alumni Mall

Are you ready to take the next step in your academic career? Don't miss out on the chance to explore a world of opportunities at our Graduate and Professional School Fair! This event is the perfect opportunity for you to meet with representatives from top-ranked graduate programs in a variety of fields, including fashion, business, law, medicine, engineering, and more. 

At the fair, you'll have the chance to engage with experts in the field and get all of your questions answered. Whether you're considering pursuing a master's degree, PhD, or professional certification, this event is the perfect place to explore your options and learn more about what each program has to offer. 

Register Here:

STUDENTS INTERESTED INSTITUTIONS/LMU COLLEGES

Navigating the Healthcare Industry: Insights from LMU Alumni 

Wednesday, October 25 |  6:00pm – 7:30pm | Malone 112 

Interested in pursuing a career in health professions? Hear from a diverse group of former LMU students who have successfully navigated their way through the complex and rewarding world of healthcare.  

During the panel, you'll have the opportunity to hear firsthand from these accomplished professionals about their unique journeys, the challenges they faced, and the triumphs they achieved along the way. Through this event you're sure to gain valuable insights into the many different paths you can take within this exciting field. 

Register Here

Investing in Yourself: Strategies for Financing Your Graduate Degree 

Thursday, October 26 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Von der Ahe 241

Are you considering going to graduate school but are worried about how to pay for it? Look no further! Our informative workshop on how to pay for grad school will provide you with the tools and resources you need to finance your advanced degree.  

Led by financial aid expert, Jason Cronk, from Penn, this workshop will cover a range of topics including scholarship opportunities, student loan options, and other alternative methods of financing your graduate education. You'll learn about FAFSA and how to navigate the financial aid process as an incoming graduate student. 

The first 15 students to arrive (and stay) for the workshop will receive a $5 gift card to Starbucks for their morning commute! 

Register Here

Think Beyond the Lab: Exploring Graduate School as a STEM Major 

Thursday, October 26 | 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Seaver Hall Room 207 

As a STEM major, pursuing a graduate degree can open up a world of opportunities for your career! Join us for an exciting and informative workshop on exploring graduate school programs, led by CPD’s Assistant Director of STEM Professions, Erika Zocher.  

Whether you’re interested in pursuing an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering or a Certificate in Cybersecurity, this workshop will provide you with valuable insights on how to maximize your chances of being accepted into your program of choice.  

Don’t miss the opportunity to network with other STEM majors while learning more about the graduate school experience.

Register Here

Who will be there?

Accomplished alumni, CPD career coaches, and students like you who are interested to hear from successful professionals from various graduate and professional institutions.

Why should I attend?

• Meet and connect with LMU alumni working in fields such as dentistry, nursing, physical therapy, and more
• Discover the opportunities that come with continuing education
• Practice informational interviewing and hear advice from helpful LMU alumni
• Expand your network and meet other students with similar interests

How should I dress?

Business casual is recommended for this event.

Know who’s in the room

• Review the list of alumni located inside your folder and strategize who you would like to meet
• Set a goal (“I want to gain information about career opportunities that come with a degree from CBA” or “I plan to speak with four alumni to grow my network as I apply for internships”)
• Start circulating by walking up to an alum to introduce yourself
• Leave your top alum as your last conversation as you strengthen your networking skills

Deliver your pitch

• Be confident as you walk up to an alum and introduce yourself by first and last name
• Lead with a firm handshake, eye contact and smile followed by “nice to meet you”
• Share your class year, major and objective (“My goal is to work on the business side for a studio”)
• Build rapport through questions and commonalities (“I see that you were an AIMS major. I’m a AIMS major. What student projects did you work on at LMU?”)

Listen more than you speak

• Engage in a conversation and allow for give and take. Ask questions and be curious.
• Recognize who is in your conversation circle, extend a handshake and introduction to all
• Create space for others to join the conversation and ask questions
• Listen intently to remember key points from your conversation to include when you follow-up
• Take notes throughout the evening for future reflection and follow-up

Ask questions

• What did you do during your time at LMU that prepared you for your career?
• What recommendations do you have for gaining experience or knowledge of your industry?
• Can you describe the culture at (company name)?
• What types of skills are needed for someone to be successful in your role?
• May I follow-up with you after tonight to discuss your position and company?
• Which industry publications do you read? Who are the industry influencers you follow? Which professional affiliations or groups do you belong to?

Move along to build another connection or two

• Ask if you can follow-up with questions or to potentially meet for an informational interview
• Thank the alum for his/her time and advice before excusing yourself
• Move on to the next alum speaker working your way up to your ideal alum conversation
• Recognize that the staff, faculty and students in the room are also part of your network

Take the next step

• Follow-up 24-48 hours after the event by email or LinkedIn (ask the alum’s preference)
• Include a highlight from your conversation to remind the alum of who you are
• Build a relationship by requesting an informational interview with alum
• Schedule an appointment with a CPD Career Coach via Handshake to gain support on next steps (i.e. updating your LinkedIn profile, practicing interviewing or crafting follow-up communication)