Dear Geoed research community, If you run seminars or teach a course on professional/career development for students or postdocs in the geosciences and would be willing to share your approach, please consider submitting an abstract to this session at AGU. See the session description below: ED028: New approaches to professional and career development for students and postdocs in the geosciences Submit an Abstract to this Session <https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm16/ed/papers/index.cgi?sessionid=13371> Please note: this session is being considered for an alternate session format. Please be aware that if your abstracted is accepted in this session, your abstract may be scheduled as a panel discussion or lightning poster presentation. For more information please visit the following link: http://fallmeeting.agu.org/2016/alternate-session-formats/. *Session ID#: *13371 Session Description: Best practices for student and postdoc training recognize that young scientists need to have exposure to career paths, and to acquire non-technical skills that prepare them for future careers. These skills include written and oral communication, leadership, teamwork, mentoring, grant-writing, managing, and diplomacy. Students and post-docs also need support in preparing application materials for graduate school and employment. Studies suggest that professional development activities lead to higher confidence in applying for graduate school or positions in the workforce, increased research productivity, better relationships with advisors, fewer conflicts, and higher job satisfaction. This session will present and discuss what faculty and mentoring programs do in this arena to increase students’ understanding of the non-research skills that are vital to a successful career in the sciences, academia, research and industry. Papers that present novel approaches and research on impact of these strategies are encouraged. Primary Convener: *Valerie Sloan*, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, United States Convener: *Rebecca Haacker*, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, United States I hope that you join us there! Best regards, Val Sloan * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Valerie Sloan, Ph.D. SOARS Center for Higher Education NCAR|UCAR P.O. Box 3000 Boulder, CO 80307-3000 [log in to unmask] 303-497-2572 Office 303-497-8629 Fax Visit the GEO REU Webpage at: www.scied.ucar.edu/soars/reu