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Past Meetings

Special Topic Past Meetings

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Software Engineering Alumni Panel
Jan 28, 2026 on Zoom
Meeting recording
Panelist bios

International student alumni will share what students need to know to pursue a job in industry after graduation (OPT, sponsors, finding positions, etc,).

Navigating Industry Post-Graduation for International Students
March 25, 2026

Meeting recording
Meeting slides: 

International scholars face unique challenges studying in the U.S., from navigating cultural differences to having fewer opportunities for research, internships, and job prospects due to funding restrictions, ITAR regulations, and the need for CPT or OPT authorization. This forum will allow international students majoring in physics and astronomy to network, share resources, and get support from each other and the TIMESTEP team.

International Scholars Forum
Guest Speaker: Noelle Sallaz, Senior Associate Director, International Student Services
October 8, 2025
Meeting recording

A team of astrophysics graduate students will be sharing their tips and tricks for how to best navigate the AAS winter conference in Phoenix in January. They'll share advice on presenting your work, connecting with grad school representatives and potential advisors, and taking advantage of all the conference has to offer.

How to Navigate the AAS Winter Meeting
December 3, 2026
Meeting slides: 

This hands-on workshop will introduce the topic relational databases and how to perform basic operations with SQL.

Intro to SQL with Fernando Rios
May 2nd, 2025

Meeting recording

Headshots of each speaker and a background showing the telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Text: Join Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham) and Dr. Kate Daniels (Chickasaw/Comanche) in a discussion about the Community-Based Astronomy work they are doing and how they are engaging with Native/Indigenous Communities.

Transformation Through Mutual Stewardship: Kitt Peak and Cosmic Explorer
Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham) and Dr. Kate Daniels (Chickasaw/Comanche) discuss the Community-Based Astronomy work they are doing and how they are engaging with Native/Indigenous Communities.

Meeting recording- You must sign in with UA NetID to access

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All About Papers: How to Find, Read, and Write Them
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Wednesday, Sept 25th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Steward, N305 
Meeting recording here

Meeting slides:

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Careers in Outreach & Education
Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Zoom meeting

Panelist bios
Meeting recording

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Academic-adjacent careers in astronomy and physics
Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Zoom meeting

Panelist bios
Meeting recording
 

 

This panel discussion focuses on post-graduation options, featuring UA astronomy and physics alumni who took a gap period between their undergraduate degree and next steps in either academia or industry

Gap Year Planning
Feb 25, 2026
Meeting recording

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How to Write Your Resume- Feb 11, 2026
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Meeting slides: 

Resume Review Workshop- Feb 18, 2026
Advice From Industry Professionals: Meeting recording

Meeting description and details with headshots of the student panelists

Internship Student Panel
Wed, Feb 4 in PAS 236
Meeting recording
Panelist bios

Meeting description and details with headshots of the presenters, Dr. Besla and Dr. Varnes

Overview of the Graduate School Application Process
Dr. Gurtina Besla & Dr. Erich Varnes
Wed, Oct 15 in Steward N305 
Meeting recording
Meeting Slides: 

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Graduate Student Panel
Wednesday, Sept 24 on Zoom

Panelist bios: 

Meeting recording

Meeting information with a headshot of Gurtina Besla on a dark background

Preparing for Research & Grad School: A Plan for Years 1-3
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Wed, Sept 17 in Steward N305 

Meeting Recording
Meeting Slides:  

Meeting description and details with headshots of the panelists

Navigating the Physics and Astronomy Majors
Wednesday, Sept 10 in Steward 204 

Meeting recording
Meeting slides: 

Descriptions of the resume writing and resume review workshops on a turquoise background

Resume Workshops
Industry Panel Workshop- Feb 26 on Zoom • 5:00 – 6:30 pm  Meeting Recording
Dr. Gurtina Besla- Wednesday, Feb 12 in Steward N305 Meeting recording
Meeting slides: 

Meeting description and details with headshots of each of the 6 student panelists

Summer Tech Internship Student Panel
Wednesday, Feb 5th • PAS 236

Panelist bios
Meeting recording

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Gap Year Planning, Alumni Panel
Wednesday, Jan 29th • Zoom 

Panelist bios
Meeting recording here

 

Make a plan to obtain a position doing research that you find compelling! We will assist you in narrowing down areas of research that interest you, identifying opportunities available, and planning your application- materials needed, requesting reference letters, and making deadlines. Get a head start on writing your research statement and get personalized advice on which research opportunities might be a good fit for you- includes research at U of A, as well as summer REUs and internships.

Research Opportunities Workshop
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Wednesday, Nov 20th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Steward, N305 
Meeting recording here

Meeting slides: 

Headshots of each speaker and a background showing the telescopes at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Text: Join Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham) and Dr. Kate Daniels (Chickasaw/Comanche) in a discussion about the Community-Based Astronomy work they are doing and how they are engaging with Native/Indigenous Communities.

Transformation Through Mutual Stewardship: Kitt Peak and Cosmic Explorer
Dr. Jacelle Ramon-Sauberan (Tohono O'odham) and Dr. Kate Daniels (Chickasaw/Comanche) discuss the Community-Based Astronomy work they are doing and how they are engaging with Native/Indigenous Communities.

Meeting recording- You must sign in with UA NetID to access

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Undergraduate Research Student Panel
Wednesday, Nov. 13th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • PAS, Room 236 
Panelist bios

Meeting recording

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Graduate Student Panel
Wednesday, October 16th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Zoom meeting

Meeting recording

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Overview of the Graduate School Application Process
Wednesday, October 9th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • PAS, Room 236 
Meeting recording

Meeting slides:

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All About Papers: How to Find, Read, and Write Them
Dr. Gurtina Besla
Wednesday, Sept 25th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Steward, N305 
Meeting recording here

Meeting slides:

Meeting description and details with a headshot of Dr. Gurtina Besla

Preparing for Research and Graduate School: A Pathway for Years 1-3, presented by Dr. Gurtina Besla
Wednesday, Sept. 18th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • PAS, Room 236 
Meeting recording here

Meeting slides & McNair program info:

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Navigating the Physics and Astronomy Majors: Resources and Tips for Success
Wednesday, September 11th • 5:00 – 6:30 pm • Steward Observatory, Room 204

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