The webinars that were offered during the summer of 2023 are listed below. In 2024, the professional development opportunities will be expanded to include three programs:
MEISPP Prep: Your first two weeks will be part-time, virtual, and full of powerful workshops and activities that will ensure you are set up for success in your summer experience and beyond.
Monday Morning Mentor: Weekly meetings to check in on your progress and hear from various leaders across the DOE complex.
Ready to Work (R2W): A series of workshops that will prepare you for the process of applying for federal positions within the DOE.
Check back for more details!
It is not enough to be good at what you do; you must also be able to communicate effectively about your work and its importance. In this workshop we’ll talk about what makes for effective reports and presentations and you’ll get some practice at revising writing and redesigning slides for maximum impact.
Maria Taydem has a PhD in chemistry, a master’s degree in pastoral studies, a micro-masters in Leading Educational Innovation and Improvement, and is a certified Project Management Professional. She started her career as a catalyst chemist in the petrochemical industry before making a switch to higher education. While in academia she has trained students in effective science communication and STEM outreach as the Director of Education and Outreach for an NSF-funded interdisciplinary research center, taught general and inorganic chemistry, and served as the Dean of Math and Science at a community college. She has led academic process improvement teams as an independent consultant, provides success coaching for STEM students, and since September 2021 has managed educational programs for ORISE.
Developing Your Professional Brand and Growing Your Network – Internships are an important step to creating your professional reputation and building your network. All interns should approach each relationship and task strategically, understanding that your performance and presentation will create a lasting impression. This session will provide tips on how to be your best and how to leverage every interaction for your future success as a young professional.
Kerene N. Tayloe, Esq. is a Management and Program Analyst in DOE’s Office of Economic Impact and Diversity. Kerene helped to develop the Department of Energy’s Community Benefit Plan requirement in the BIL and IRA funding opportunity and is working to operationalize these plans that incorporate Justice40, DEIA, Workforce Development and Quality Jobs across all of DOE program offices. Kerene also led in the execution of the first DOE MBE Connect Annual Summit this past February 2023, which brought over 400 Black and Brown entrepreneurs, educators, and energy justice advocates into the DOE to learn about resources and network with each other. Before joining ED, she was Director of Federal Legislative Affairs for WE ACT for Environmental Justice. She is focused on ensuring that communities of color lead and speak for themselves as we address the important challenge of climate change. To that end, she believes it is imperative that people of color and women have access to economic opportunities in the clean energy sector. She was a leading contributor to the landmark Environmental Justice for All Act, which was the first major environmental justice bill to pass through a congressional committee. In 2019, she was chosen for the Grist 50, an annual list of emerging leaders from across the U.S. who are working on fresh, real-world solutions to our world's biggest challenges. In 2020, she was selected for the Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award celebrating women of color who are building a healthier, safer, and more just world Kerene has shared her insight and experience as a speaker at various events including Afropunk, Broccoli City Fest, The Clean Energy Leadership Institute and The Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference, just to name a few. She is a sought-after expert on environmental justice and has been quoted in several publications including the New York Times and the Washington Post. Kerene received her Juris Doctorate from Florida A&M College of Law and passed the New York State Bar. She attended Fisk University and the University of South Florida, where she majored in Political Science. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, the largest sorority of Black college educated women.
Imposter syndrome—that nagging feeling that you really don’t belong- that you aren’t as capable or intelligent as those around you despite your successes. Imposter syndrome is quite common among high-achieving persons. Join me in examining the origins of imposter syndrome as well as some ways to combat those self-defeating messages and counterproductive thoughts in order to to move forward unencumbered.
Dr. Beth White is an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Senior Project Manager working with the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educators Fellowship Program (AEF) for the US Department of Energy Office of Science, as well as programs sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and Research from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Beth has 28 years’ experience as both a college professor and a licensed clinical professional counselor. Prior to her move to ORISE, she was a Faculty Development Coordinator and Psychology lecturer at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, working predominantly in STEM faculty development, assessment of STEM curriculum design, and new faculty professional development more generally.
Additionally, she has a strong background in management, curriculum development, and professional editing. She is the author of several resource manuals and various test banks for Macmillan Publishing, peer reviewed articles, and other educational resources. She is a contributor to several psychology textbooks, which are updated regularly. Her current research projects relate to diversity and access for underrepresented groups in STEM fields, and mentoring.
In this presentation we will discuss the various career paths you can take to make an impact, including academia, industry, government, policy, consulting, and think tanks. You may discover some options you haven’t been aware of! We’ll discuss how these different paths are all necessary and interrelated and we’ll pointing out how pivoting between different paths is not only possible, but really encouraged to bring different perspectives to working groups. After this talk you should feel encouraged to try multiple types of internships and ultimately not to worry too much about taking a “wrong” first step.
Caleb Woodall works at the US DOE in the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, where he primarily helps manage the University Training and Research Program. This program provides early-stage R&D funding to universities, with a particular focus on HBCUs and other Minority Serving Institutions. Caleb has a strong interest in enabling everyone to contribute to preventing catastrophic climate change through sustainability and carbon management. He earned his BS in chemical engineering at the University of Arkansas and a PhD in chemical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he took a multi-faceted approach to advance carbon mineralization including lab-scale experimentation, product utilization analysis, policy development, and youth outreach. He has a deep background in policy and technical analysis of industrial decarbonization and carbon removal through positions as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Center of Global Energy Policy within Columbia University, a science analyst at Carbon Direct, and a policy fellow at ClearPath.
This professional development session will help guide you in ways that you can bring your DOE intern experience to other students and members of your communities. The focus of the discussion will be outreach strategies and tools you can use to communicate your important work to others who look to you for inspiration
Melinda Higgins is the Director of STEM Programs in the Office of Nuclear Energy at the United States Department of Energy. Her background in STEM education and research segues well with her focus—working to ensure equal access to STEM opportunities for all students. The NE STEM engagement and outreach efforts work to expose, engage, and inspire underrepresented and underserved populations in STEM fields so they can be aware and open to pursue STEM careers for economic empowerment, especially in the nuclear energy fields. Melinda continues her work started as a former support contractor and Tribal STEM Advisor, in collaboration with the Tribal Working Groups at the Department of Energy to support Tribal interests and efforts in STEM Education.
More information coming soon.
The purpose this training session is to raise Interns’ awareness and understanding of values and beliefs, how they show up in the workplace/school, their impacts, and how they affect their decisions. A definition of values and beliefs will be the catalyst for a comprehensive discussion of how your values and beliefs evolve. Additionally, Interns will discuss how values and beliefs align with each other and how we intentionally or unintentionally pass our values on to others.
Dr. Lillian Robinson is the Lead, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Training and Organizational Development Specialist in the DEIA Training and Organizational Development Division (TODD). She is responsible for developing, managing, and delivering DEIA training. Dr. Robinson has more than 39 years of Training and Development, Management, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and DEIA experience. She served more than 22 years in the United States Air Force and 17 years with the Department of the Interior. Dr. Robinson joined the Department of Energy in December 2022. Dr. Robinson is passionate about the work she does in the DEIA arena. She had dedicated her life and career to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Dr. Robinson also teaches at several universities and enjoys spending time with her family.
Joins us for a discussion of the federal hiring process, how to customize you federal resume, and tips for utilizing USAjobs.
Tiffany Jones works in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Workforce Management Office as a Staffing Liaison. She supports the Golden Field Office, coordinates fellowships and mentors co-workers.
MEISPP Interns are also eligible to attend the Office of Personnel Management Intern Webinars
The Office of Personnel Management also provides extensive resources for DOE interns. The current listing of webinars is listed below.
Ready to launch your Federal career with an out of this world experience? Join us on Tuesday, June 6th, for a special visit from NASA Astronauts Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) Astronaut Koichi Wakata fresh from their recent mission to the International Space Station. The crew members, who flew to space as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5, will share their reflections, experiences, and advice to the next generation of talent.
6/13 Training: Problem Definition
Join Beth Simone Noveck, Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change, in this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn how to narrow down tough problems through creating a hypothesis and defining the root causes. Participants will walk away with tools for clearly articulating and reframing the problems and root causes of projects that they are working on.
6/20 Rethinking Imposter Syndrome
Why Capable People Feel Like Impostors and What to Do About It
Do you chalk your success up to luck, timing, or computer error?
Do you agonize over even the smallest flaws in your work?
Are you crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your ineptness?
When you do succeed, do you think “I fooled them again!”?
Millions of people — CEOs and entry-level professionals, first year college students and PhDs, artists and programmers — secretly worry they’re not as smart or talented or qualified as other people “think” they are. It’s called impostor syndrome. Left unchecked, it can lead to costly consequences not only for individuals but for their organizations as well.
In this surprisingly upbeat session you’ll discover what impostor syndrome is and who is most susceptible. As importantly, you’ll walk away with practical, immediately usable tools and strategies to help yourself and/or the people you lead, manage, mentor, or parent.
6/22 Aspiring SES
As an intern, aspiring to become a member of the Senior Executive Service may be in your long-term career goals. This webinar will familiarize you with the SES hiring process, help you understand the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and how they apply to SES hiring, give you strategies for writing strong ECQ narratives and resumes, and guide you to drafting a personal action plan to prepare for becoming a member of the SES.
6/27 Training: Equitable Engagement
Join Sofía Bosch Gómez, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Burnes Center for Social Change, for this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn about processes and tools that allow us to better tap the collective wisdom of our communities in defining our problems and devising innovative solutions. Participants will discuss innovative engagement tools, and understand key considerations for collaborating in effective and equitable ways.
6/29 Executive Speaker Series
The executive speaker series aims to provide interns with valuable career insights, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from renowned leaders across the Federal government. Hear from Noreen Hecmanczuk, Digital Experience Advisor to the Federal Chief Information Officer for a candid conversation that you don’t want to miss!
7/13 Resiliency Workshop Session One
Get trained by one of OPM’s very own coaches to learn about personal resilience and the importance of values in setting a foundation for alignment, purpose, and meaning in life. Use these gained skills to uncover your personal mission and align to your career. Attend BOTH sessions to maximize your learning!
7/18 Training: Writing the Killer Memo
Join an InnovateUS faculty member in this 90-minute virtual training, where participants will learn about strategies for persuasive memo writing. To implement your projects, you will need to persuade people at every step of the process. Memos can help pitch your projects to participants, funders, and managers. Participants will walk away with practical tips for how to improve their writing and will learn how to write the killer memo to advance their work.
7/20 Resiliency Workshop Session Two
Get trained by one of OPM’s very own coaches to learn about personal resilience and the importance of values in setting a foundation for alignment, purpose, and meaning in life. Use these gained skills to uncover your personal mission and align to your career. Attend BOTH sessions to maximize your learning!
7/25 Training: Resume Writing and How to Apply
Job seekers will be able to apply for positions using a resume and an optional cover letter. This information session will provide participants with information on how best to write a resume that highlights strengths, accomplishments and results. You will learn what information to include on your resume, tips to market yourself how to describe your experience. Participants will leave this session armed with information to craft an effective resume.
7/27 National Intern Day: Executive Speaker Series
The executive speaker series aims to provide interns with valuable career insights, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from renowned leaders across the Federal government.
8/1 New Hire Panel
Join us for an engaging and informative New Hire Panel. Hear recently hired federal employees who started out as interns and made the decision to join the Federal government. Ask questions and learn from their experiences.
8/3 Personal Narrative
As public servants, being able to tell your individual story and our collective story is one the most essential tools you'll need in order to be effective. This workshop will help you unlock the tools to better tell your personal story in a way that inspires and drives action for the public good.
8/8 Landing a Job in the Federal Government
Learn interview tips, resume best practices, and about streamlined pathways into full-time, permanent roles.
8/10 Final Event: Executive Speaker Series
The executive speaker series aims to provide interns with valuable career insights, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from renowned leaders across the Federal government.
