Graduate school comes with a set of unspoken expectations and norms, often referred to as the “hidden curriculum.” These are the informal rules, behaviors and cultural knowledge that aren’t explicitly taught but are essential for success in academia and beyond. For many first-generation graduate students, navigating this hidden curriculum can feel like learning a new language without a guide.
In this session, Speaker Omar Abdullah will cover: Practical, non-cringey strategies to gain buy-in, follow up meaningfully, and stay top of mind inside and outside academia. In this session, graduate students will get comfortable with the parts of professional life that no one really teaches: influence, presence and connection. We’ll explore how to read the room, communicate your value with clarity and confidence, and build genuine relationships in a way that feels authentic and non-cringey. It’s practical, interactive, and a little bit fun, built around real stories and tools you can start using right away.
Late breakfast/early lunch will be served!
Omar is a business development professional, interdisciplinary scholar and former comedian (key word being “former”) based in Austin, TX. He holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from the University of California, Davis. Omar consults with organizations across healthcare, information technology and manufacturing, and has partnered with Fortune 500 companies including Dow Chemical, Airbnb, LinkedIn and Boar’s Head to help them grow sustainably and build meaningful influence. He has delivered business relationship and manager training to these organizations, helping improve collaboration, leadership effectiveness and team performance. Omar also has direct experience scaling private equity-backed portfolio companies, leading the charge in strategic growth and operational excellence. A former university lecturer, Omar has taught courses at UC Davis and Texas A&M University. He’s spoken at major conferences and facilitated workshops at Trinity University, Georgetown University, SXSW, and for leadership teams at top-tier companies. Whether in the classroom, on stage, or in the boardroom, Omar brings warmth, clarity, and a genuine desire to help—plus a few moments of awkwardness to keep it real.