AfterRIT Workshops
Our focused 50-minute workshops are led by experienced volunteers and designed for students approaching graduation. Small group sizes ensure personalized attention and meaningful discussion.
Optimizing Your Job Search
This session will provide tips, suggestions, and resources for conducting a successful job search, including developing a cohesive brand and accessing the hidden job market.
Workshop Leader: Maria Richart
Building Confidence and Self-advocacy Skills
Confidence and self-advocacy are essential for success in every stage of a scientific career, but they don’t always come naturally. This interactive session helps participants recognize their strengths, practice assertive communication, and develop strategies to speak up for their needs and ideas.
Workshop Leader: Breanne Kisselstein
Thriving as an International Scholar - Abroad and in the U.S.
This workshop will provide practical tips and strategies for international scholars and professionals, covering topics like funding, visas, healthcare, laws/taxes, as well as cultural adaptation, communication, and cuisine. Through sharing practical tips and tricks, as well as personal anecdotes, we hope to encourage you to seek out meaningful international experiences.
Workshop Leaders: Stefan Schulze and Sydney VanWinkle
Networking Lab: Experimenting with Career-Building Skills
Step into the Networking Lab to test out essential career-building skills. Join us to design and refine your networking approach in a lab-like setting—because building connections is both a science and an art!
Workshop Leader: Melissa Scrimo
Finding Work-Life Balance and Community
Life after school or in a new environment can feel like starting over—but it’s also a chance to create the balance and friendships you want. Join us for a conversation about balancing career goals with personal well-being. Learn tips for time management, setting boundaries, and building a fulfilling social life in your new community.
Workshop Leader: Linda Kerrigan
From the Bench to the Boardroom
Two RIT science alumni share their journeys from the research lab to leadership roles in the business world. In this engaging discussion, they’ll explore how scientific thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills translate into success beyond the bench. Join us to learn how to leverage your STEM background in business and industry, and discover new ways to apply your scientific training to real-world innovation.
Workshop Leaders: Taylor Evans and Tony Sampognaro
What comes next: Crafting a standout cover letter and optimizing your post-grad job search
Transitioning from academia to the professional world requires more than a strong résumé- it takes a compelling cover letter that tells your story. This workshop helps recent and soon-to-be graduates translate their research, teaching, and leadership experiences into language that resonates with employers. Participants will learn how to write standout cover letters and optimize their post-grad job search.
Workshop Leaders: Olivia Fraser and Lea Michel
Wine for Normies
Inspired by the podcast and book, Wine for Normal People, this class will break down wine into a relatable and fun topic, without the stuffiness. Join winegrowing consultant Andy Dunn with wine writer and New York Kitchen Beverage Education Manager Maiah Johnson Dunn to learn wine tasting, discussion, and pairing through a curated flight of three wines donated by New York Kitchen. No question is off limits so come prepared with everything you’ve wanted to know. You'll leave with newfound confidence as a wine consumer and perhaps discover a new favorite NY wine!
Workshop Leaders: Maiah Johnson Dunn and Andy Dunn
Personal Finance 101
Starting your career comes with new responsibilities, including managing your money wisely. This workshop breaks down the essentials of budgeting and understanding student loans. Learn how to create a realistic spending plan, prioritize debt repayment, and set yourself up for financial success as you transition into the workforce.
Workshop Leader: Ira Hoffman