Alumni-in-Residence Events

Tuesday, April 25, 2024

Alumna Ryoko Imai (PhD’12 Comparative Human Development) shared her journey of exploring non-academic career possibilities during her graduate years at UChicago. Now working in the tech sector, Ryoko specializes in the societal implications of emerging technologies, ethical and inclusive AI, sustainability, and more. In conversation with Associate Dean of Students Chaevia Clendinen, she provided insights on how she leveraged her social science background to build a successful career in the tech and private research sectors.

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Alumna Erica Simmons (PhD’12 Political Science) engaged in conversation with Professors Paul Staniland and Austin Carson, exploring the future of qualitative research in Political Science. Erica, who has been honored three times by the American Political Science Association for her contributions to qualitative methods—with the David Collier Mid-Career Award (2023) and two Sage Paper Awards (2008–09, 2016–17)—shared her valuable insights during the discussion. The event was moderated by Deputy Dean Robert Vargas.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

UChicago alumnae Roli Gostelow (PhD’20 Sociology) and Cris Sakamoto (PhD’21 Sociology) shared their experiences working in the public sector, covering perspectives from both federal and local levels. 

In conversation with Deputy Dean Robert Vargas, they provided valuable insights on how to get a foot in the door in public sector careers. Participants left inspired with practical advice for their professional journeys.

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

A conversation with alumnus Rupal Patel (MA’05 CIR). Rupal Patel’s career has taken her from military briefing rooms in jungles and war zones to corporate boardrooms and international stages. After a career as an analyst and field agent at the CIA, she started her first award-winning business over a decade ago. Called a “Power Woman” by Harper’s Bazaar Magazine and a “super-strategist” by her clients, Rupal is a sought-after international speaker, corporate consultant, and executive.

In conversation with Associate Dean of Students Chaevia Clendinen, Rupal Patel spoke about her own career path and offered insights into ways you can brand yourself in-person and online, build your social network, and make yourself a top competitor for the job you want.

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

A discussion with Rodrigo García-Verdú (MA’98, PhD’02 Economics). García-Verdú currently works as the International Monetary Fund’s Resident Representative in Cabo Verde, and has previously worked with the World Bank as an Economist for the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM) unit of the Latin America and Caribbean region.

In conversation with Deputy Dean Robert Vargas, García-Verdú touched on topics such as the research environment at the World Bank and IMF, career paths in international economics, and advice on how to best compete for jobs in this sector.

May 15, 2023

A conversation with S. Ramachandran (UChicago Alum and Retired Economist at the World Bank and IMF). Ram has spent much of his career helping governments manage their economies better and avoid or cope with crises. The conversation touched on topics such as the research environment at the World Bank and IMF, career paths in international economics, and advice on how to best compete for jobs in this sector.

May 22, 2023

A panel discussion centering women in leadership positions. This event featured alumna Tara Schwegler (Senior Lecturer, University of Texas at San Antonio, and Co-Founder and former Director of Research Strategy, RedSquared Consulting) and Booth School of Business Adjunct Assistant Professor of Strategy, Susana Vasquez (former Associate Vice President of the University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement), in conversation with Deputy Dean Robert Vargas.

May 2, 2023

A panel discussion on how to navigate the challenge of dual careers as an academic with a partner or spouse. This panel featured Jenna Storey (PhD’10 Social Thought, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute), and Liv Leader (Director of the Office of Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation) in conversation with Deputy Dean and Professor Robert Vargas.

April 11, 2023

How can data science serve the greater public? This panel featured Forest Gregg, Partner at DataMade and UChicago Alumni-in-Residence (AM’12 Sociology), Jennifer Smith Richards, data-driven investigative Reporter at the Chicago Tribune, and Alejandro Ruizesparza, Co-Director and Data Analyst at Lucy Parsons Labs. They were joined by Deputy Dean Robert Vargas in a conversation about the role data science can play in addressing today’s most pressing social issues.

March 22, 2023

A large portion of MA and PhD students stay or consider staying in Chicago after earning their degree. Chicago is home to many Fortune 500 companies, international organizations, and not-for-profit industries. SSD alumna Alya Adamany Woods (AM’03 CIR), who has held several positions in industries across Chicago since earning her degree, was joined by Matthias Staisch, Associate Director and Associate Senior Instructional Professor, Committee on International Relations, for a conversation about finding and capitalizing on networking opportunities in Chicago, building your Chicago network, and finding your career.

February 3, 2023

Social scientists are increasingly playing roles in the development and production of documentary and feature films. This panel brought together SSD alumni Raymond Winbush  and Isabella Alexander-Nathani, who each have worked extensively in the world of film. They were joined by Sociology faculty member and documentary filmmaker Kristen Schilt for a conversation about the opportunities for social scientists in the film industry and the ways film can be used as a medium to share social scientific ideas.

Read a summary of the "Filmmaking for Social Scientists" event here.

January 13, 2023

Being the first in your family to earn a degree is a huge accomplishment, but it is not without its challenges. Alum J. Michael Raley shared his personal narrative and strategies for success in the academy for first-generation, low-income students. As an undergraduate student who went to graduate school and is now a professor,  Dr. Raley shared his unique insights on the first-gen experience and ways faculty and staff can best support students on their journey from undergraduate to graduate to the professorship.

October 27, 2022

The turbulent economy raises important questions about how social science informs the practice of law and finance. This panel brought business leaders and UChicago faculty experts in conversation with one another to identify the mismatch in knowledge, and how the social sciences might adapt to better meet the demand for knowledge in today’s economy. The conversation covered questions such as: What is social science missing in the study of law and finance? What questions do social scientists need to tackle? How can the academy and private sector evolve to improve the relationship between social science and business practices?

Featuring Cyrus Amir-Mokri (PhD'92 History, General Counsel, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Corporate and Investment Bank), Scott Cooley (AM'14 MAPSS, PhD'21 Political Science, Teaching Fellow, University of Chicago), Jonathan Levy (James Westfall Thompson Professor of US History Fundamentals, Social Thought, and the College), and Kimberly Kay Hoang (Associate Professor of Sociology, Director of Global Studies). Moderated by Elisabeth Clemens (William Rainey Harper Distinguished Professor of Sociology).

June 6, 2022

Clay Risen, MA ’01 (MAPSS), deputy op-ed editor at the New York Times, discussed how writers can make their work stand out, what editors are looking for, and how to increase your chances of placing your op-ed. This virtual session was moderated by Dave Nussbaum, op-ed expert and founder of Psychgeist Media, a non-profit that helps researchers share their research with the public in an accurate and engaging way.

May 17, 2022

Have you wondered what it is like to be a faculty member of color in the academy? What are the most rewarding aspects of the job? What are some of the most challenging aspects? What strategies should be implemented to improve their experiences? This panel aimed to provide a glimpse into the lived experiences of faculty of color for current and aspiring academics.

Moderated by Neil Roberts (PhD'07, Political Science, Professor of Africana Studies, Williams College), with Rashauna Johnson (Associate Professor of US History), Victor M. Muñiz-Fraticelli (Associate Professor of Law and Political Science, McGill University), and Robert Vargas (Associate Professor of Sociology).

November 4, 2021

Have you ever thought about what it would take to open your own business, be your own boss, and use the skills from your graduate degree to power your success? Alicia Menanteau, PhD, started her own business using the superpowers gained from her degree. This presentation offered a view of entrepreneurship and considerations to keep in mind should you ever consider going into business for yourself.

With Alicia Menanteau (PhD'99, Sociology).

October 28, 2021

Ever wonder what it would take to land an academic job outside the USA? As academic jobs in the US stagnate, the academic job market overseas is expanding. This panel discussed how you can navigate the academic job market outside the US.

Featuring Shali Wu (PhD'07, Psychology), with Leigh Jenco (PhD’07, Political Science) and Luis Felipe Barrón Córdova (PhD’04, History)

October 22, 2021

Students are often wondering what’s next. Or if they know where they want to go, they may wonder how to get there. Pamela Paresky (PhD’05, Psychology and Human Development, Senior Visiting Research Associate, Institute on the Formation of Knowledge and Senior Scholar, Network Contagion Research Institute) offered a clarifying conversation to help put the future in focus.

August 12, 2021

Whether you want a career in or outside academia, building a network that can support and advance your research, professional, or personal goals is key.

Throughout his career, Rochdi Younsi, PhD, has helped numerous students and young professionals align their goals and network with purpose. This workshop provided students with a framework to understand their own goals and objectives and impart practical networking skills they can apply immediately.

May 7, 2021

Your interests, experiences, and expertise give you a unique skill set that is valuable in different domains.  Alumni-in-Residence Wendy Edelberg, PhD’03 Economics, discussed identifying those skills and ways to give yourself an advantage in navigating and excelling at your professional path.

April 27, 2021

Alumni-in-Residence, David Bholat, PhD, presented a workshop designed to demonstrate how PhD students and recent graduates can draw on their entrepreneurial experience and research skills to find jobs outside the academy. The talk itself eclectically drew on philosophy and social science research just as David draws on these every day in leading high-performing data science teams.

The workshop provided participants with a framework for thinking about whether to pursue a career outside the university, tips on finding non-academic jobs, as well as suggestions on navigating the application process, including resume writing and interviewing.

May 7, 2021

Your interests, experiences, and expertise give you a unique skill set that is valuable in different domains. Wendy Edelberg (PhD’03,  Economics) focused on identifying those skills and ways to give students an advantage in navigating and excelling at their professional path.

April 27, 2021

David Bholat, PhD, presented a workshop designed to demonstrate how PhD students and recent graduates can draw on their entrepreneurial experience and research skills to find jobs outside the academy. The talk itself eclectically drew on philosophy and social science research just as David draws on these every day in leading high-performing data science teams.

The workshop provided participants with a framework for thinking about whether to pursue a career outside the university, tips on finding non-academic jobs, as well as suggestions on navigating the application process, including resume writing and interviewing.

April 5, 2021

Graduate School is both challenging and rewarding. How can you get the most out of your graduate school experience and prepare for next steps? What are things you that would be really good to know that could smooth out the journey?

Neil Roberts (Williams College, Alumni-in-Residence), Jasmin DeJesus (UNC Grennsboro), and Antonio Sotomayor (UIUC) reflected on their experience as graduate students, the students they have mentored, and what would have made their time at graduate school both personally and professionally more rewarding. This session was moderated by Katherine Kinzler, Professor of Psychology and Deputy Dean of the Division of the Social Sciences.

Read a summary of the "What I Wish I Knew in Graduate School" event here.

March 11, 2021

Have you ever wondered how to approach networking? How to present yourself in writing and in person to leave the best impression that could help grow your network and opportunities?

Both Rochdi Younsi and Brian Portnoy, Alumni-in-Residence, have been approached by students and professionals seeking guidance. They spoke about the things they have learned over their careers and common pitfalls individuals make in trying to network and advance their careers. Geared to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and recent alumni of SSD, this session was moderated by Katherine Kinzler, Professor of Psychology.

Read a summary of the "Networking Skills You May Not Know" event here.