Summer student professional development from the National Institutes of Health

Each summer, the Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) at the National Institutes of Health programs free online career and professional development training for scientists at all career stages. Topics include scientific lectures from NIH Investigators, skill development workshops, grad/professional school preparation, and self care and wellness. These workshops really work on developing skills in all facets of a researcher’s life!

Programming begins 05 June 2023 (that’s yesterday!) and goes all summer. The events are free to attend but you must register online in advance to attend. Luckily, if you miss a session, it is uploaded to the OITE YouTube channel within a few days. (They have archived past years’ presentations on YouTube as well, so be sure to check out the wealth of information!)

For high school students, the OITE is offering the following topics (descriptions from their website):

• NIH Career Development Series for Young Scientists: A series of workshops that will address topics of relevance to high school students and recent high school graduates. The goal is to help you develop skills that will serve you well regardless of what career you ultimately decide to pursue. Note: Participants who attend at least four workshops will be eligible to receive a certificate of completion.
• Becoming a Resilient Scientist (for high school students and recent graduates): A series of workshops (4 weeks) that will cover wellness and resilience; self-talk (cognitive distortions and imposter fears); self-advocacy and assertiveness; and feedback resilience.
• Graduate & Professional School Preparation: Much of what you need to know to get into graduate school or professional (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy) school (and do well)

For grad students, the OITE is offering the following topics (descriptions from their website):

• Summer Intensive Series – Sexual & Gender Minority Health: New this year, the NIH Sexual & Gender Minority Research Office (SGMRO) sponsors a summer intensive series to enhance scientists’ knowledge of sexual and gender minority (SGM) health research. Open to all trainees, including those outside of NIH, the series explores SGM health research, its intersection with science, policy, communication, and community engagement.
• Career Development and Science Skills: Sessions will cover topics such as creating CVs and resumes, leadership skills for scientists, job search strategies, talking science, and creating and presenting virtual posters.
• Graduate & Professional School Preparation: Much of what you need to know to get into graduate school or professional (e.g., medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy) school (and do well)
• Becoming a Resilient Scientist (for students in college and beyond): A series of workshops (4 weeks) that will cover wellness and resilience; self-talk (cognitive distortions and imposter fears); self-advocacy and assertiveness; and feedback resilience.
• 2023 Summer Lecture Series: Every summer, the NIH Postbaccalaureate and Summer Research Program invites eminent senior NIH investigators to talk about their science and their career paths with participants in the Summer Internship Program. Now those lectures are available to everyone. 

There is even a multi-day graduate and professional school fair for students interested in learning more about different programs! Be sure to check out the full calendar of events and sign up for summer enrichment today!