Series: 2025 Navigating (beyond) Academic Waters
August 27 - November 5, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Professional development activities targeting early career hydrologists effectively highlight career opportunities within and beyond academia; however, these conversations often overlook the specific needs of early career hydrologists as they embark on their careers. For this year’s Navigating Academic Waters webinar series the AGU Hydrology Section Student Subcommittee is developing a series of webinars to help early career hydrologists identify skill sets for non-academic careers, locate and secure project funding, and explore new data science tools for hydrology.
Presentations from this Series
Navigating Academic Waters: Reframing research language for impactful and relevant Broader Impact statements
Aug 27, 2025 / 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
This seminar will focus on supporting early career researchers such as graduate students, postdocs, and early stage faculty, as they navigate NSF proposal writing (postdoctoral fellowships, GRFP, CAREER). The panel will include professionals such as NSF program managers, university deans, mid-career professors with experience shifting language, and mid- to late-career government researchers who have experience with administration turnover.
Navigating Academic Waters: Highlighting Skill Sets for Careers Outside of Academia
Sep 17, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Many essential skills that graduate students develop during their studies can be valuable in non-academic careers. Join us for a discussion with professionals from industry, state/local government, and nonprofits as they share their insights and tips for early-career researchers, scientists, and professionals looking to succeed in careers outside of academia. This seminar will focus on how to identify key skill sets and develop new ones necessary for a successful career outside of academia. Topics will include guidance on finding non-academic jobs, resume building, interview preparation, and expanding your professional network.
Navigating Academic Waters: Expanding Funding Landscape: Non-Federal Funding Opportunities
Oct 8, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Securing funding remains a critical challenge in academia. As traditional federal sources become increasingly competitive or constrained, diversifying funding streams is becoming more important in hydrology and environmental science. This seminar will focus on identifying and navigating non-federal funding opportunities from a broad range of funding bodies, including nonprofit organizations, state, and local agencies. Through expert presentations and interactive discussion, participants will explore strategies for finding relevant grant opportunities, developing competitive proposals, and aligning our project goals with funder missions.
Navigating Academic Waters: Leveraging AI and Data Science in Hydrology
Nov 5, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science are transforming environmental research by enabling more accurate predictions, deeper insights, and innovative solutions to complex challenges. This seminar will highlight how these tools are being applied in hydrology and related fields to improve modeling, forecasting, and decision-making. Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring experts working at the intersection of data science and environmental science. Topics will include emerging methodologies, open-source platforms, cross-sector collaboration opportunities, and the evolving skill sets needed in this data-driven landscape. Whether you are a student, early-career researcher, or established professional, this seminar will offer valuable insights into the role of AI and data science in shaping the future of environmental science and water-related fields.
Navigating Academic Waters: Reframing research language for impactful and relevant Broader Impact statements
Aug 27, 2025 / 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
This seminar will focus on supporting early career researchers such as graduate students, postdocs, and early stage faculty, as they navigate NSF proposal writing (postdoctoral fellowships, GRFP, CAREER). The panel will include professionals such as NSF program managers, university deans, mid-career professors with experience shifting language, and mid- to late-career government researchers who have experience with administration turnover.
Navigating Academic Waters: Highlighting Skill Sets for Careers Outside of Academia
Sep 17, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Many essential skills that graduate students develop during their studies can be valuable in non-academic careers. Join us for a discussion with professionals from industry, state/local government, and nonprofits as they share their insights and tips for early-career researchers, scientists, and professionals looking to succeed in careers outside of academia. This seminar will focus on how to identify key skill sets and develop new ones necessary for a successful career outside of academia. Topics will include guidance on finding non-academic jobs, resume building, interview preparation, and expanding your professional network.
Navigating Academic Waters: Expanding Funding Landscape: Non-Federal Funding Opportunities
Oct 8, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Securing funding remains a critical challenge in academia. As traditional federal sources become increasingly competitive or constrained, diversifying funding streams is becoming more important in hydrology and environmental science. This seminar will focus on identifying and navigating non-federal funding opportunities from a broad range of funding bodies, including nonprofit organizations, state, and local agencies. Through expert presentations and interactive discussion, participants will explore strategies for finding relevant grant opportunities, developing competitive proposals, and aligning our project goals with funder missions.
Navigating Academic Waters: Leveraging AI and Data Science in Hydrology
Nov 5, 2025 / 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM ET
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data science are transforming environmental research by enabling more accurate predictions, deeper insights, and innovative solutions to complex challenges. This seminar will highlight how these tools are being applied in hydrology and related fields to improve modeling, forecasting, and decision-making. Join us for an engaging panel discussion featuring experts working at the intersection of data science and environmental science. Topics will include emerging methodologies, open-source platforms, cross-sector collaboration opportunities, and the evolving skill sets needed in this data-driven landscape. Whether you are a student, early-career researcher, or established professional, this seminar will offer valuable insights into the role of AI and data science in shaping the future of environmental science and water-related fields.