Shop Talks
Grad College Shop Talks include everything that has to do with your graduate degree, from program requirements to research and everything in between. Grad College Shop Talks provide presentations in key areas of your shop — including strategizing efficient degree completion, finding research support, disseminating your scholarship, and planning for your career. We even offer a certificate of completion which you can add to your resume!
Upcoming Shop Talks
Our Shop Talks are always free, and we invite you to join us for as many sessions as you would like. To view Shop Talks descriptions and to register, select a Shop Talk title that you are interested in learning more about.

If you would like to register for a Shop Talk on a mobile device, turn the device horizontally to access the registration link on an entry below.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Think of this Shop Talks session as a mini-orientation or orientation refresher! Ashley Carrington, Student Development Specialist II at The Graduate College, goes over several resources available through The Graduate College and the university, including career prep services, library tools, graduate student organizations, funding opportunities, and more. Tips from Ashley and other graduate students also shared at the end of this presentation that can help you succeed in your graduate studies.
Presented by: Ashley Carrington, Student Development Specialist II for Retention Initiatives, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This workshop will provide attendees with a brief overview of the scholarly publishing process, as well as tips and tricks for a successful publishing venture. We will discuss strategies and practices that are considered “common knowledge” for veterans of the publishing world, but are often learned the hard way by novices.
Presented by: Alexa Hight, Assistant Director, Research and Data Services, University Libraries
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This Shop Talk is part of a series that introduces graduate students to the grant-writing process. This session will cover grant seeking and sponsored research. If you are wondering what a grant is, how to find one, and what role graduate student researchers play in the university’s grant submissions, this session is for you!
This session is part one of a four-part Grant Writing series. All four parts will be held consecutively through the week May 30 – June 2, 2023. If you attend all four parts, you will qualify to earn the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Participation in the Grant Writing Series. Earning this certificate of participation is a great way to highlight your knowledge in grant writing and you can add this achievement to your resume, CV, and professional profiles. If you attend all four sessions, The Graduate College will reach out to you and mail your certificate. This certificate is separate from the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Completion (www.gradcollege.txstate.edu…), but attending the Grant Writing series sessions does count towards earning the Certificate of Completion.
Presented by: Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, External Funding Coordinator, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
Grad College Shop Talk: Grant Writing Series Part 2: The Grant Writing Process from Start to Finish
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This Shop Talk is part of a series that introduces graduate students to the grant-writing process. This session will provide a step-by-step guide to the grant writing process, from planning to submission. If you are thinking about applying for grant funding and wondering how to get started, how long it will take, and what steps are involved, this session is for you!
This session is part two of a four-part Grant Writing series. All four parts will be held consecutively through the week May 30 – June 2, 2023. If you attend all four parts, you will qualify to earn the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Participation in the Grant Writing Series. Earning this certificate of participation is a great way to highlight your knowledge in grant writing and you can add this achievement to your resume, CV, and professional profiles. If you attend all four sessions, The Graduate College will reach out to you and mail your certificate. This certificate is separate from the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Completion (www.gradcollege.txstate.edu…), but attending the Grant Writing series sessions does count towards earning the Certificate of Completion.
Presented by: Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, External Funding Coordinator, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This Shop Talk is part of a series that introduces graduate students to the grant-writing process. This session will focus on how to write applications for funding. Attendees will gain an understanding of the genre, purpose, and audience of grants, as well as the stages of the writing process. If you are applying for funding – through a grant, scholarship, or fellowship – and wondering what funders are looking for and how to sell your idea, this session is for you!
This session is part three of a four-part Grant Writing series. All four parts will be held consecutively through the week May 30 – June 2, 2023. If you attend all four parts, you will qualify to earn the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Participation in the Grant Writing Series. Earning this certificate of participation is a great way to highlight your knowledge in grant writing and you can add this achievement to your resume, CV, and professional profiles. If you attend all four sessions, The Graduate College will reach out to you and mail your certificate. This certificate is separate from the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Completion (www.gradcollege.txstate.edu…), but attending the Grant Writing series sessions does count towards earning the Certificate of Completion
Presented by: Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, External Funding Coordinator, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This Shop Talk is part of a series that introduces graduate students to the grant-writing process. This session will focus on the funding request at the heart of a grant proposal – budgets and budget justifications. Attendees will learn about the categories of allowable expenses, direct and indirect costs, and common formats for budgets. If you want to learn how to craft well-researched, persuasive requests for funding, this session is for you!
This session is part four of a four-part Grant Writing series. All four parts will be held consecutively through the week May 30 – June 2, 2023. If you attend all four parts, you will qualify to earn the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Participation in the Grant Writing Series. Earning this certificate of participation is a great way to highlight your knowledge in grant writing and you can add this achievement to your resume, CV, and professional profiles. If you attend all four sessions, The Graduate College will reach out to you and mail your certificate. This certificate is separate from the Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Completion (www.gradcollege.txstate.edu…), but attending the Grant Writing series sessions does count towards earning the Certificate of Completion.
Presented by: Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz, External Funding Coordinator, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Preparing for a job interview is a necessary step to ensure success during the interview itself. Knowing what to research, how to prepare for tough questions, and making a great first impression are all integral parts of the preparation. This Shop Talks session will cover tips for best practices in job interviews and strategies to stay calm and confident during the process.
Presented by: Sherry Yang, Career Counselor, Career Services
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This workshop combines reflection activities with practical strategies to increase your confidence as a writer and improve your writing productivity. The session will challenge common writing myths and address typical pitfalls that often hold writers back, such as waiting for inspiration, “binge writing,” all-or-nothing thinking, and more. Participants will identify their own attitudes and beliefs about writing, learn techniques to shift their writing mindset, and practice exercises to build writing stamina and promote positive writing experiences. Participants will also have the opportunity to build their own writing community by signing up to join a writing group. We recommend bringing materials to type or write with to this session!
Presented by: Dr. Joanna Collins, Associate Director, University Writing Center
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Designed for doctoral or master’s students writing a thesis or dissertation (or planning to!), this Shop Talks session focuses on important elements and strategies for successfully submitting the thesis/dissertation. One of our Degree Audit Specialists at The Graduate College, discusses helpful resources and information, required formatting, common mistakes and what reviewers are checking for when they look over your document. We encourage you to also check out the Thesis & Dissertation Information page on The Graduate College’s website to see the resources that are covered in this session.
Presented by: Austin Hoeft, Degree Audit Specialist, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This workshop combines reflection activities with practical strategies to increase your confidence as a writer and improve your writing productivity. The session will challenge common writing myths and address typical pitfalls that often hold writers back, such as waiting for inspiration, “binge writing,” all-or-nothing thinking, and more. Participants will identify their own attitudes and beliefs about writing, learn techniques to shift their writing mindset, and practice exercises to build writing stamina and promote positive writing experiences. Participants will also have the opportunity to build their own writing community by signing up to join a writing group. We recommend bringing materials to type or write with to this session!
Presented by: Dr. Andrea Hilkovitz and Dr. Brian Smith, External Funding Coordinators, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Learn how you can use materials for research, in teaching, and for publication without violating copyright, and learn how to preserve your own copyrights. In this session you will be introduced to the exceptions to the Copyright Act that can help you, as well as learn how to request permissions to use copyrighted materials.
Presented by: Stephanie Towery, Head of Scholarly Resources, University Libraries &
Margaret Vaverek, Librarian, Scholarly Resources Dept, University Libraries
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
At this workshop, Arlene Salazar, librarian for the College of Education, will cover search tips that can help when searching library databases. No matter what discipline you’re in, these search tips will help you conduct more effective searches. The workshop will also cover related library services and resources, as well as citation management tools & software that you can consider incorporating into your research to help keep you organized.
Presented by: Arlene Salazar, Librarian, University Libraries
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Wondering how to attend to your mental well-being in graduate school? This Shop Talks session will address factors that impact mental well-being in graduate school (e.g., work-life balance), as well as briefly cover skills for coping with common mental health concerns faced by graduate students (e.g., anxiety).
Presented by: Dr. Alyssa Fernandez, Psychologist, Counseling Center
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Goal setting and motivation are two major factors needed for career success. In this session, we will discuss how to set sustainable and attainable goals and how to maintain motivation through the career planning and management process. Skills gained in this Shop Talks session can be applied to other academic and personal aspects of your life.
Presented by: Sherry Yang, Career Counselor, Career Services
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
This virtual workshop will equip you with the communication tools you need to effectively engage with professors, peers, and advisors. Learn how to craft professional emails, navigate office hours with ease, and handle advisor relationships with confidence. We’ll also cover best practices for collaborating with classmates, ensuring you make a positive impression in all your academic interactions. Join us to sharpen your skills in professional communication and build the confidence to handle any situation that comes your way!
Presented by: Ashley Carrington, Student Development Specialist II for Retention Initiatives, The Graduate College
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
- Location:
- Online
- Cost:
- Free
- Contact:
- Ashley Carrington
512-245-3593
amc189@txstate.edu - Campus Sponsor:
- The Graduate College
Learn the secrets of successful graduate students. In just one hour, you will understand advanced search queries, effective research, database tricks, and library services you never knew existed.
This workshop covers finding unique databases, identifying important articles through citation analysis, using citation management tools, exploring a topic with knowledge graphs, and locating opportunities for publishing your scholarship and building your research identity.
Presented by: Audrey Stewart, Assistant Director, University Libraries
Did you know you can earn a Certificate of Completion by attending Shop Talks? Learn more. Click here for more information.
What Students Are Saying

"As an international student, I am continuously impressed by the resources offered by The Graduate College to help student success, as I did not encounter anything similar at my previous institutions. I am very grateful for the Shop Talks because they have helped me grow as a writer, improve my presentation skills, feel more structured in my finances and gain more self-confidence on the job market. In short, they have become crucial to my development as a graduate student and professional in academia."
– Elisabeth Cuerrier-Richer, PhD, Department of Anthropology

"As a current graduate student working towards my M. Ed. In Student Affairs in Higher Education, Shop Talks have been essential to my program by helping me understand the process of research, walking me through helpful links and tools for classes, and helping me find new ways to fund my degree. The Shop Talks have taught me to be a better student by reaching out to and using the resources around me on and off campus. I have grown in my program, as a student, and as a person in learning about these topics."
– Kayanna Resetar, M. Ed. Student Affairs in Higher Education

"I gain much more than academic support, but a set of handy tools to bring along in the next stage of my professional journey."
– Crosville Williams, Master's in Public Administration
If you require accommodations due to a disability in order to participate, please contact 512-245-3451 or ods@txstate.edu at least 72 hours in advance of the event.
Texas State is a tobacco-free campus.