Professional Learning Opportunities
Professional learning is a key part of a graduate student's journey, preparing them for careers both within and beyond academia. These opportunities help students build a diverse skill set in areas like leadership, communication, and project management, which boosts their marketability and career prospects. Additionally, service-oriented activities allow them to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges, fostering a sense of social responsibility and building meaningful connections in the community.
1:1 Professional Coaching
Coaching for the Heart & Mind
Your growth, on your terms, at your pace.
Dr. Shelley Kurland, Assistant Dean of Professional Learning & Strategic Initiatives, is available for 1:1 professional coaching sessions for GSN students.
She helps graduate students navigate common challenges like major transitions, interpersonal interactions, and finding a healthy school-work-life balance. Dr. Kurland provides guidance and support to help students embrace change, unlock potential, and achieve goals.
All sessions are strictly confidential.
Writing Center
The Writing Center designed support specifically for graduate students. A writing coach provides support by giving suggestions and feedback on areas like organization, research, sentence clarity, etc. (Please note that the writing coach does not edit or proofread work.)
GSNetwork (Monthly Newsletter)
Stay connected with everything happening in our GSN community!
GSNetwork, is our monthly newsletter is the go-to source for the latest news and opportunities. We'll keep you informed on upcoming professional learning opportunities, celebrate the accomplishments of our students, faculty, alumni, and staff, and provide timely reminders for important deadlines.
Access 2026-2027 GSNetwork here
Access 2025-2026 GSNetwork here
Graduate School - Newark (GSN) Hub
The GSN Hub is the central resource for navigating a graduate student's academic journey. Located in Canvas, the university's learning management system (LMS), the GSN Hub houses essential information on GSN resources, processes, professional learning opportunities, detailed guidance on candidacy processes and forms, technology support, and comprehensive student services resources to support student success.
Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
Created in 2008 by the University of Queensland,
the Three Minute Thesis Competition (3MT®) has become an acclaimed national and international research competition.
The P3 Collaboratory and the Graduate School–Newark invite doctoral students to present their research at our inaugural 3MT competition, as we partner with universities across the globe to enhance scholarly communication, promote publicly-engaged research, and celebrate our PhD students’ outstanding work.
We also invite master's students to present their research at our THREESIS competition. Created by NYU, THREESIS offers master's degree candidates the opportunity to hone their research communication skills while showcasing their scholarly accomplishments. We are pleased to host this contest in conjunction with the 3MT.
Experiential Learning Opportunities
Experiential learning opportunities bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and professional practice. It also provides the chance for you to step into a professional role, clarify goals, and build authentic confidence. These hands-on experience allows you to gain insight into job cultures, expand your professional network, apply complex concepts, refine crucial skills, and build a real-world portfolio that will make your CV/resume stand out.
Explore Career Resources & Exploration (CRE)
and
Office of Global Initiatives & Experiential Learning (OGIEL).
Professional Organizations
GSN is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), the National Association for Graduate and Professional Students (NAGPS), and the Consortium for the Advancement of Research Methods & Analysis (CARMA). The organizations provide resources and benefits to members.
Please click on the name of each organization to access their website.
GSN strongly recommends engagement with your discipline's professional organization(s) as well. Please reach out to your graduate program directors for suggestions.
Service-Oriented Opportunities
Participating in service-oriented activities provides unique benefits by allowing students to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. This not only deepens their understanding of course material but also fosters a sense of social responsibility and civic engagement. Through these "giving back" experiences, students can develop empathy, collaborate with diverse groups, and build meaningful connections in the community, creating a well-rounded foundation for their future careers.
Please refer to the calendar of events and GSNetwork (monthly newsletters) for volunteering opportunities.
Student-Led Opportunities
Interdisciplinary Qualitative Collective (IQC)
The INTERDISCIPLINARY QUALITATIVE COLLECTIVE (IQC) is a student-driven collective of PhD students and postdoctoral associates who meet monthly in a collegial, collaborative, and supportive environment to deepen their learning of qualitative methods and to share works in progress.
No previous qualitative research experience is required!
Calendar of Events
Rutgers University provides a wide range of professional learning programs and events through the GSN, the P3 Collaboratory (RU-N's Center for Teaching and Learning), Career Resources & Exploration (CRE), Student Affairs, the Institutional Review Board (IRB), and many other departments. We have reviewed these offerings and selected programs and events that align with the academic journey, career paths, and well-being of graduate students.