![Pile of open books](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/storytelling.jpg)
Participants will be guided through the process of identifying unique stories from their personal and professional experiences that make them unique and create a compelling professional narrative that will enable them to stand out during networking, informational interviewing and job interview processes.
![two wooden figures fitting puzzle pieces together](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/emotional_intelligence.jpg)
Leadership starts with you! As you move from interaction to interaction, how you show up matters and creates a ripple effect. As the pace of change and demands increase in our work and personal lives, our ability to lead from within and demonstrate strong personal leadership becomes more important. Emotional intelligence and social intelligence have been linked to leadership and managerial success in the workplace.
![people having a virtual meeting](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/effective_meetings.jpg)
In this workshop, you’ll learn how the meeting is a tool with great potential to help you get the resources you need and get projects completed. You’ll also learn why this tool is so often misused or misapplied, and how to avoid common mistakes in meeting planning, so your meetings can be well organized and meet deliverables.
![Abstract image of network and human facial profile](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/networking.jpg)
In this workshop, we will discuss the value of making connections throughout your graduate and postdoctoral studies that can positively contribute to career exploration, decision-making, and creating a community of support in your career.
![People working in the Velocity garage](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/working_for_a_start_up.jpg)
Want to learn more about career possibilities in this startup ecosystem after grad school? Attend this panel discussion to hear from former grad students who work (or have worked) in the startup space. This session will be relevant to you as someone seeking a potential career in a startup company, or as a potential founder.
![People holding signs with symbols for skill development](https://uwaterloo.ca/graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/sites/ca.graduate-studies-postdoctoral-affairs/files/uploads/images/c018461_psfoundations-web-1000x400_2.jpg)
To start off the GRADventure Professional Skills Conference, you’ll hear lightning talks from four different University of Waterloo staff members presenting on relevant topics from their areas of expertise. After the lightning talks, you’ll have an opportunity to join a breakout room with one of our lightning talk facilitators to learn more about the topic and ask questions.