Weekly PDA Newsletter - July 30, 2017

Fri Jul 28 16:28:25 EDT 2017

Dear MIT Postdocs,

Our annual Postdoc BBQ is this Friday! Please join us at McDermott Court on
Friday, Aug. 4th, from 5-8pm for food and fun, meeting postdocs from around
the campus and seeing old friends. The PDA will be providing food and
drinks for all MIT postdocs, their families, spouses, and significant
others. Please bring your 21+ ID and your MIT ID. We hope to see you all
there!

Enjoy your week!

Cheers,

Meghan

-----

Dr. Meghan Huber

Corresponding Secretary

Postdoctoral Association of MIT (PDA)

Follow the MIT-PDA on social media!

MIT-PDA

website <http://pda.mit.edu>

Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/groups/44093460815/>

Twitter <https://twitter.com/MITPDA>

Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/mitpda/>

LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2506720/profile>

Boston-PDA

website <http://bostonpostdocs.org/>

NEXT MIT-PDA MEETING

Monday, August 14, 2017

12:00pm

Rm E25-401

Lunch will be provided!

REGISTER HERE
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-vT1gzgyik3JHFWaRgQwAVeVoiaoQFK7iP2MO4dtKwo/viewform>

Please join us for our monthly MIT-PDA meeting! Get involved with any of
the various committees (e.g., sports, advocacy, committee, community
building) and have your voice heard. This is a great opportunity meet your
fellow postdocs on campus!

MIT-PDA NEWS AND EVENTS

Postdoc Volleyball

Hosted by MIT-PDA Sports Committee

Join us for outdoor volleyball every Thursday throughout the summer! Never
played before? Don’t worry! All abilities are welcome. If you are a
beginner, we encourage you to show up early to learn how to play and
improve skills. Afterwards, we’ll head to the Muddy for drinks (requires
ID) and occasionally pizzas. Anyone can join for the Muddy afterwards (you
just need to be with someone who has MIT ID) provided you are 21 or over.
Note the Muddy is cash only if you want to buy drinks. Please also add
yourself to our sports Facebook group
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499342643696472/>!

Date and Time Every Thursday starting 5:15 PM

Location Sand court between Buildings 62 and 64

***For Soccer, please check PDA sports Facebook group
<https://www.facebook.com/groups/1499342643696472/> for upcoming events.***

MIT PDA BBQ

Hosted by MIT-PDA BBQ

Please join us at McDermott Court on Friday, Aug. 4th, from 5-8pm for food
and fun, meeting postdocs from around the campus and seeing old friends.
The PDA will be providing food and drinks for all MIT postdocs, their
families, spouses, and significant others. Please bring your 21+ ID and
your MIT ID.

Date and Time Friday, August 4, 5:00 - 7:00PM

Location McDermott Court, MIT (https://whereis.mit.edu/?go=G2)

No RSVP necessary!

Join us for POWER Summer BBQ

Organized by the Postdoctoral Organization for Women Engaged in Research
(POWER)

Sponsored by the MIT Postdoc Association (PDA) Posdoc Initiative Grant
(PInG)

Celebrate summer with us!  Meet other postdocs over good food and
conversation.  We will be grilling hamburgers, turkey burgers, and veggie
burgers outside at the Kresge BBQ Pits.  Family and friends are welcome!
*The professional and socio-cultural activities of POWER are open to the
entire MIT community. POWER does not discriminate against individuals on
the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity,
religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, ancestry,
or national or ethnic origin.

Date and Time Friday, August 11, 4:00 - 7:00PM

Location Kresge BBQ Pits https://whereis.mit.edu/?go=G9

Registration Please RSVP: https://goo.gl/forms/Xk1x9z8rSMZAqM2e2

PDA and Strategic Games Society (SGS) Partnership

Hosted by MIT-PDA Community Building Committee

MIT-PDA is happy to announce a new partnership for the board games nights
with the MIT Strategic Games Society (MIT-SGS). It is now free for Postdocs
to join the weekly board games nights hosted by the MIT-SGS. Moreover, you
can bring your non-MIT friends for a small fee of $5 per year. SGS meets
every Friday at 7PM in MIT Building 50-316 (Walker Memorial Hall, Floor 3,
Room 16) for  board games and card games. Gaming sessions typically go
until around 12-2 AM. For more information about the board game branch of
SGS, contact the officers <sgs-officers at mit.edu>.

Postdoc Orientation Sessions

The PDA offers Postdoc Orientation Sessions open to all postdocs at MIT.
Topics covered include:

   -

   Data on postdoc population at MIT

   -

   MIT oversight of postdocs
   -

   Defining postdoc expectations
   -

   Differences between fellows and associates
   -

   PDA structure and initiatives
   -

      How to get involved

The sessions will be typically the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 12pm
(45-60min) in E49-5145. Lunch will be provided. The dates for the semester
are as follows: July 31, and August 14. If you are interested in
participating, you can register via Atlas or here
<http://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CDT21061c>.

Postdoc Jogging Club

Now that spring has sprung, consider joining the Postdoc Jogging Club!
Those interested in joining club can sign up for the email list here
<https://mailman.mit.edu:444/mailman/listinfo/postdoc-jogging>.

GLIMPSE (PDA PInG Initiative)

If you would like to be interviewed by GLIMPSE podcast or would like to
help with the podcast (music, logo, artwork), please contact us at
glimpse.podcast at gmail.com. For more information, please visit us at:
http://glimpse.mit.edu/

OTHER MIT AND LOCAL EVENTS

This Week

BPDA Careers Networking Pub Night at Meadhall

Hosted by Boston Postdoctoral Association (BPDA)

Please join the Boston PDA for a fun night of networking at Meadhall! Meet
your fellow postdocs and rub elbows with industry professionals from local
Biotech and Pharma companies. We'll have lots of excellent hors d'ouvres
and our space will be staffed by bartenders eager to serve your favorite
adult beverage from our cash bar. Bring your friends, your business cards
and come make some new friends and contacts! Availability is first come,
first served and is filling up quickly! Meet Professionals from: Cambridge
Biomarketing, Immunogen, Novartis, Rockland Immunochemicals and more!

Date and Time Wednesday, August 2, 6:00 - 9:00 PM

Location Meadhall, 4 Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA
Registration Registration is required here
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bpda-careers-networking-pub-night-at-meadhall-8217-tickets-34994681033?mc_eid=bf82aadadd&mc_cid=b1891b42be>
.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Career Development Workshop

Hosted by Boston Postdoctoral Association (BPDA)

Join the American Chemical Society for a workshop focused on preparing
graduate students and postdocs for careers outside Academia. Self-assess
your values and strengths, learn how the four sectors of chemistry
employment compare and contrast, determine which sector/career best aligns
with your values and strengths, learn how to utilize an individual
development plan (ChemIDP.org) to structure and plan for your career, learn
crucial networking techniques to enhance your career planning and job
search, and leave with a career plan/Individual Development Plan and
concrete career preparation steps. All STEM graduate students and postdocs
are welcome!

Date and Time Thursday, August 3, Workshop 1:00 - 6:00 PM, Networking
Reception 6:00 - 6:30 PM

Location Pfizer Lecture Hall, Dept. of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, 12
Oxford St, Cambridge, MA
Registration Registration is required here
<https://www.eventbrite.com/e/american-chemical-society-career-development-workshop-8317-harvard-university-registration-35747487698?mc_eid=bf82aadadd&mc_cid=b1891b42be>
.

Upcoming Deadlines

Volunteer as an English Conversation Partner!

Hosted by MIT Women’s League

The MIT Women’s League offers an English Partner Program pairing volunteers
with an international graduate student or partner on a weekly or biweekly
basis. For most of these students, having an English Partner is their most
valuable experience while part of the MIT community. In turn, our volunteer
partners experience new cultures and often form lasting friendships.If you
are interested in volunteering as a partner or teacher, or for more
information, contact Kirsty Bennett in the Women's League office:
wleague at mit.edu / 617.253.3656

MASS-AWIS Mentoring Circle Program

Hosted by Association of Women in Science Massachusetts (MASS-AWIS)

Are you a grad student, postdoc, early stage career, nearing the end of
your training? Wondering about your next career steps? Would it help to
get guidance from researchers with years of experience in biotech / pharma
/ academia / consulting / law / scientific writing fields? Consider joining
MASS AWIS Mentoring Circles program! A mentoring circle is a small group
of women scientists committed to meeting monthly to support each other with
advice, encouragement and information. Each circle will consist of 3-5
peers and will be coordinated by at least one experienced mentor and one
connector. The MASS AWIS mentoring committee will review submitted surveys
and match you with a circle based on interests, career goals, geography and
other factors. Apply to the program online by filling out the Mentee
Application <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mentee2017-2018> by August
15th!

Mentor Advocate Program

Hosted by the Office of Minority Education

We pair MIT freshmen with an MIT staff, faculty, post-doc and graduate
student for a yearlong (September to May) mentoring relationship. They meet
one-on-one every month and also participate in group activities. Mentors
and Protégés must submit an application and complete required trainings.  The
MAP Mentor application is online and is open until August 1st. Visit
https://ome.mit.edu/programs-services/mentor-advocate-partnership-map for
more details and application.

CHECK OUT THESE SITES FOR ADDITIONAL EVENTS

postdocs.mit.edu (Office VPR)

MIT GECD Events <https://gecd.mit.edu/mit-events>

MIT Spouses&Partners Events <http://spouses.mit.edu/mit-events>

MIT Events <http://events.mit.edu/>

Boston PDA Events <http://bostonpostdocs.org/events-calendar/>

Mass-AWIS Events <http://mass-awis.org/category/events-calendar/>

MIT RESOURCES FOR POSTDOCS

MyLife Services

MyLife Services
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/1/-kBne3WjUT8Ww6LEA98gxw/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>
is
a free, confidential, 24/7 counseling, consultation, and work-life referral
service provided by KGA, Inc., a trusted external provider of employee
assistance programs. Postdoc Associates and Fellows are eligible for
services provided by KGA, Inc. through the MIT Work-Life Center and MyLife
Services. You can now access a network of experts who can help with the
challenges of life and work, such as:

   -

   Financial planning, debt management, and legal issues
   -

   Personal and work relationships
   -

   Sleep and nutrition
   -

   Stress, anxiety, depression, and other emotional concerns
   -

   Child and elder care

This includes some FREE confidential mental health counseling sessions, as
well as

access to 24/7 confidential counseling services. We encourage you to learn
more about

the program <http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/mitmylifeservices> (including
frequently asked questions), and to call MyLife Services directly

at 1-844- 405-LIFE (1-844- 405-5433).

FREE Mindfulness and Meditation Classes from MIT Medical

Find Some Om Under the Dome

MIT Libraries is offering drop-in meditation and relaxation sessions.
Please join us for silent meditation in the Barker reading room. Sit for a
minute, or 30. Beginners welcome - no experience necessary. Every Monday at
noon in the Barker Dome of Barker Engineering Library (10-500). Please
arrive promptly. Registration is required.
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

Meditation for your Wellbeing

Community Wellness at MIT Medical offers drop-in meditation and relaxation
sessions. Sit back and relax - no experience necessary. Please arrive
promptly. A short talk and guided meditation begins at 12:10 pm. This class
is held every 2nd Wednesday of the month, 12:10 pm-12:40 pm. Led by Seth
Monk. Registration is required.
<https://medical.mit.edu/community/wellness/classes/mindfulness-meditation>

MIT Writing & Communication Center

The Center provides free professional advice about all types of writing and
speaking/oral presentations, including specialized help for non-native
English speakers. See their website for more details:
http://cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-communication-center/

MIT Spouses&Partners Connect

Offers social and career-related groups and events for your
spouse/partner/family. For more information and event listings, visit
http://spouses.mit.edu/.

MIT Employee Resource Groups

Join an Employee Resource Group (ERG) at MIT!

ERGs are employee-led groups formed around common interests, issues and/or
a common bond or background. ERGs host activities such as lectures,
socials, dinners, etc. Both Postdoctoral Fellows and Associates are invited
to join. Current ERGs include:

   -

   African, Black, American, Caribbean @MIT (ABAC at MIT) ERG
   -

   Asian Pacific American ERG
   -

   Latino ERG,
   -

   Lesbian, Gay, ,Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) ERG
   -

   Millennials ERG
   -

   Women in IT ERG

Check out the link for more information and upcoming events:
http://hrweb.mit.edu/diversity/ergs/current

MBTA Access

As a reminder, all postdoctoral fellows and postdoctoral associates on
MIT’s Cambridge

campus are eligible for free, unrestricted subway and local bus access. MIT
provides this benefit

through a special MBTA* chip embedded in the MIT ID card. (*Massachusetts
Bay

Transportation Authority). Check the back of your ID card. If “Charlie
INSIDE!” is written on it,

you are all set. Questions? Visit the Atlas Service Center (E17-106).

OTHER RESOURCES

Free Membership for the National Postdoctoral Association

MIT is a Sustaining Member of the NPA, which means you can become an
affiliate member for free. This will help you network with other postdocs
across the country and gain access to members only resources that can help
further your career. To join, click on this Affiliate Memberships direct link
for MIT
<http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/general/register_start.asp?regkey=B87D7B9B-5C95-48F6-9ECA-A5014531B05D>
and follow the registration process, using your MIT email address. Once you
click “submit,” the NPA will review your request and confirm your
membership by email about a week later.
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