Graduate Professional Development

Stanford's graduate students will be leaders in educational, governmental, business, community, and social organizations throughout their lives. We aim to help students develop a wide range of communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills that are essential for them to thrive as graduate students and as they pursue their various career paths. “Graduate Professional Development” encompasses three domains in which graduate students should develop knowledge and skills, or core competencies: Communication, Interpersonal Development, and Personal and Career Development.

Explore the resources below and create your own professional development plan. The At-A-Glance Overview is intended to help you identify Workshops and Events that fit your schedule and are appropriate to your stage in graduate school. These resources are here to help you thrive at Stanford and succeed beyond.

   Communication

Effective written and oral communication of ideas is crucial for all students and professionals. Understanding how to communicate one’s thoughts effectively in different settings, and understanding the requirements of different genres, allows students to tailor their communication appropriately and, thereby, be effective in the delivery. Good communicators work hard to polish their writing and speaking. Skills improve with practice and feedback.

Key areas for development include Writing and Speaking.

   Interpersonal Development

All of us work with other people. For students, ideas are hatched and refined when complementary skill-sets and knowledge-bases are brought to bear on a problem. In the workplace, effective management and leadership requires working effectively with others. Honing these “soft skills” requires understanding your own approaches and styles as well as those used by others.

Key areas for development are Enhancing Interpersonal Skills and Working in Teams.

   Personal and Career Development

Preparing for life after Stanford includes finding a fulfilling career that will use your skills and talents. Along the way, students should attend to their personal growth. Students need to learn about themselves, including what they value and what their strengths are, so that they can move towards their career goals. Grad school is a time to develop strategies for living a healthy and fulfilling life.

Key areas for development include Developing Life Skills, Increasing Self-Awareness, and Planning Career Paths.