Weekly PDA Newsletter - June 25, 2017

Sun Jun 25 10:19:11 EDT 2017

Dear MIT Postdocs,

Don’t forget to check out the International Community Coffee Hour this
Tuesday! See below for details.

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, July 10, 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

International Community Coffee Hour

Hosted by MIT-PDA Human Affairs Committee and MIT International Students
Office

Meet other international students & scholars through ice-breaker
activities. Ask your questions about MIT & American culture. Hear from
different representatives from other offices/departments and learn about
MIT resources at each coffee hour. Enjoy coffee and snacks

Date and Time Tuesday, June 27, 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Location E19-202

Trip to the Boston Harbor Islands

Hosted by MIT-PDA Community Building Committee

On July 9th we would like to take you out to the Boston Harbour Islands (
http://www.bostonharborislands.org/). We will take a ferry at 9 AM (Meeting
8:30 AM sharp) from Long Wharf and spend the day out on the islands. You
are basically free to roam wherever you like, but here some suggestions.
First we will go to Georges Islands, where you can visit Fort Warren, if
you want. Later we will take a ferry over to Spectacle Island and spend the
rest of the day on the beach. Bring some stuff for a potluck picnic. The
return ferry will leave Spectacle Island to Boston at 4:30 PM. However, if
you want to stay and camp on the islands or separate from the group and
leave at different times, feel free to do so. Just be aware that you might
have to pay for your return ferry.

Date and Time Sunday, July 9, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Location Boston Harbour Cruises at Long Wharf 1
<http://www.bostonharborcruises.com/harbor-islands/>

Registration RSVP here
<http://mit.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=669&cid=36>. Cost is $5

Innovation Networking with MIT Alumni

Hosted by MIT-PDA Alumni Relations Committee and MIT Club of Boston

The MIT Postdoctoral Association and the MIT Club of Boston is excited to
announce a joint networking evening to strengthen links between current MIT
Postdocs and MIT alumni. Come socialize with MIT alumni and fellow
postdocs, share your ideas and expand your professional network. Free
Admission! Ticket includes a beverage and appetizers.

Date and Time Wednesday, July 12, 6:00 - 12:00 PM

Location Mead Hall, 4 Cambridge Center, Cambridge

Registration RSVP is required and space is limited. Sign up here
<http://boston.alumclub.mit.edu/s/1314/2015/club-class-main.aspx?sid=1314&pgid=38290&gid=10&cid=59380&ecid=59380&post_id=0>
.

The Nuts and Bolts of an Academic Job Search

Hosted by the MIT Graduate Student Council, Global Education & Career
Development Career Services, and Office of the Vice President for Research

Are you considering an academic career? Wondering how to mount a successful
job search in a highly competitive academic job market? Come and hear how
others have done it. Faculty panelists who successfully landed a position
will outline an effective search strategy and discuss important elements of
the process – finding opportunities of interest, preparing a strong
application, the role of your advisors, interviewing, negotiating, and how
the increasingly competitive job market is changing the faculty search
process. We are very honored to have a diverse group of panelists
consisting of MIT, Tufts, and Wheelock College professors.

Date and Time Wednesday, July 19, 2:30 - 4:00 PM

Location 34-101

Registration We encourage you to register on CareerBridge
<https://www.myinterfase.com/mit/event_view.aspx?token=QBuKgF8txKMiWkOMNg+ufQ%3d%3d>
(at “more information”)

Basic Tips & Tricks for Data Visualization

Hosted by MIT-PDA Professional Development Committee

Whether you are writing a paper, designing a poster, or giving a talk,
effective data visualization is key. It is easy to be distracted by the
large amounts of data and statistical results, leading one to overlook the
importance of the figures that represent your data. This talk will help you
communicate your message more accurately and effectively and raise
awareness on the common mistakes in your production of basic graphs and
figures.

Topics will include:

• What is Data Visualization?

• Essential Attributes to Data Visualization

• Case Studies ... What Not To Do

• Perspectives of Data Visualization

Date and Time Tuesday, July 25th, 12:00 - 1:00 PM

Location 4-270

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

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 17, 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

Networking Skills

Hosted by MIT Human Resources Department

This class is designed to help you understand the importance of networking
in the job search process. It will show you how to prepare for and execute
effective networking practices that can lead to job related conversations.
It will offer tips and tools for building your networking list targeted to
your job search objectives.

Date and Time Wednesday, June 28, 12:00 - 2:00 PM

Location NE49-5145
Registration Registration is required here
<https://web.mit.edu/training/course.html?course=CEB0315c>.

Free Fun Friday at the MIT Museum

Hosted by MIT Museum

It's time once again for Free Fun Friday at the MIT Museum, a fun-filled,
free day with drop-in activities for all.  Sponsored by the Highland Street
Foundation, this annual tradition has allowed children and families to
enjoy free admission at cultural venues throughout Massachusetts. So mark
your calendar for our Free Fun Friday on June 30. See you at the Museum!

Date and Time Friday, June 30, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Location N51

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

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 is providing ID cards with a special MBTA* chip inside that
will provide this access. (*Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority). If
you received a new MIT ID card on or after June 21, 2016 (or after August
9, 2016 in the case of many postdoctoral fellows), check the back of your
ID card. If “Charlie INSIDE!” is written on it, you are all set, and
already have access. If not, you can visit the Card Office (E17-106) with
your current MIT ID card to swap it for one with the MBTA chip inside it.
The Card Office is open between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.

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/

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 5 FREE confidential mental health counseling sessions, as
well as access to 24/7 confidential counseling services. We encourage you
to learn more about MyLife Services by calling 1-844-405-LIFE
(1-844-405-5433) or going online
<http://o6os.mj.am/link/o6os/xlkt8jnnqpg8/2/y46EmaQ0aMF6d85vixaLTg/aHR0cDovL2hyd2ViLm1pdC5lZHUvd29ya2xpZmUvbWl0bXlsaWZlc2VydmljZXM>.
For more information or to provide feedback, please contact the MIT
Work-Life 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

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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