Get career ready
Dal GradPD is your go-to hub to learn about professional development designed for your specific needs as a graduate student. Together with partners across the university and external providers, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) assembles an ongoing schedule of free workshops and events aimed to help you prepare for a diversity of careers.
The four pillars of the Dal GradPD program are dedicated to building skills necessary for success in any career — Communication, Career Intelligence, Health and Wellbeing, and Leadership — and are offered exclusively to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Upcoming Dal GradPD workshops and experiential learning
Professional Career Development Group
Graduating this year and feeling anxious about life after university or unprepared for an uncertain job market?
Attend this career development support group facilitated by a career counsellor to build a peer support network and confidence as you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your life!
Registration is now available on the MyCareer events calendar. Go to the next Friday on the events calendar to register, after which you will be contacted to confirm your eligibility and additional details. New registrations will be accepted weekly throughout the term, but space is limited, so students are encouraged to register early!
Date and time: Ongoing weekly; Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m.
Partner: Bissett Student Success Centre Academic Advising and Career Services
Type: In-Person
Pillar: Career intelligence
Location: McCain Arts and Social Sciences Building
Dalhousie Libraries Research Camp
The Research Camp is designed to take you through the elements of research from basic to advanced. The program is offered through a combination of asynchronous modules on Brightspace and live online sessions on Teams. Modules may include short video lectures and interactive exercises to help you brush up on your literature searching, writing, information management, and research skills. Some modules include recordings of our live sessions from Research Summer Camp. Modules and sessions are prepared and delivered by research and writing specialists affiliated with Dalhousie Libraries and the Dalhousie University Writing Centre. How does it work? Register for Research Camp and you will have access to all of the asynchronous modules. Registered participants can access and work through module content at their own pace. Participants are not required to complete all modules. You can pick and choose modules based on your individual interest and skill level. Modules will be available until March 28, 2025.
Date and time: January 1 to March 28 (Asynchronous)
Partner: Dalhousie Libraries
Type: Online
Location: Brightspace
Our ASD Community Group will function as a space for sharing resources, information, support, and strategies. Our goal is to make this group a place where students can check in on one another, share their thoughts, ideas, strategies for success, and connect with other students. This is an in-person, open group available to all students who identify as Autistic. Facilitator: Tressa Moore, Accessibility Advisor
Date and Time: Every Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m. (Ongoing)
Pillar: Health & Wellness
Type: In-person
Location: Room information provided upon registration
The SAC's Executive Functioning Group will be hosted online via Microsoft Teams on Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. beginning October 17. We will cover topics such as memory, emotion, focus, attention, and action. Students can participate in any way that they are comfortable (camera on or off, and using voice, chat, or emoji functions). Students can also attend some or all of the sessions. Facilitators: Abby Smith and Alyson Young, Accessibility Advisors.
Date and time: Every Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Type: Online
Partner: Accessibility Centre
Pillar: Health and Wellness
Location: Teams
Professional Career Development Group
Graduating this year and wondering what you are going to do with your degree? Feeling anxious about life after university or unprepared for an uncertain job market? Attend this career development support group facilitated by a career counsellor to build a peer support network and confidence as you prepare to embark on the next chapter of your life! Bonus: Participants who complete the group may be eligible to add it as an activity on their Co-Curricular Record.
The group will improve your confidence and skills in:
- Self-awareness, career planning and setting career goals
- Building hope and dealing with uncertainty in a changing job market
- Overcoming networking and interviewing anxiety
The group is open to students from any program who will graduate in 2025 and are available to meet in person on the Studley Campus on Tuesdays from 3 to 4 p.m. for five sessions from February 4 to March 11 (excluding Reading Week).
Date and time: February 4 to March 11 from 3 to 4 p.m.
Partner: Bissett Student Success Centre Academic Advising and Career Services
Type: In person (Register on MyCareer Events Calendar at mycareer.dal.ca by Jan. 24, 2025 (go to that date to find event))
Location: Studley Campus
3MT Coaching and 1-1 Feedback Session
Attend one of our online drop-in feedback and coaching sessions being held this week to receive 1-on-1 constructive feedback before the 3MT Heats. Registration is not required and participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Coaches:
- Dr. Adam Auch, Writing Advisor
- Dr. Vanessa Lent, International Student Writing Advisor
- Janice MacDonald Eddington, Writing Centre Coordinator
- Graduate student tutors
- Dr. Kala Hirtle, Director, Professional Development and Student Engagement, Faculty of Graduate Studies
Date and time: March 4 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Partner: The Writing Centre
Type: Hybrid
Location: In person at the Writing Centre or online via Teams
Do you have a CV, but are looking for ways to make it even better?
In this 45-minute virtual workshop, you'll join the Bissett Student Success Centre's Career Advisor as they guide you through a self-evaluation of your CV. You will leave with an improved version of your CV, as well as the knowledge and skills to continue improving your CV.
This workshop is intended for grad students at Dalhousie University and University of King's College.
Date and time: March 4th from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Partner: Career Services
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Want to make your research stand out in just three minutes? This crash course will help you craft a clear, compelling, and engaging 3MT presentation. Learn how to distill complex ideas into a powerful narrative, captivate your audience, and leave a lasting impact—all while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're preparing for competition or simply looking to refine your communication skills, this session will provide practical tips and feedback to help you shine.
Facilitator: Kala Clarke, Director, Professional Development and Student Engagement, FGS
Date and time: Wednesday, March 5 from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Partner: FGS
Type: Online via Teams
#Gradchat: Imposter Phenomenon
Join your Grad Mentors and Susan Lavoie, PhD, Registered Psychologist to discuss imposter phenomenon as a graduate student and strategies on how to navigate this experience.
Date and time: March 6th from 1-2:30 p.m.
Partner: Student Health Services and Grad Mentors
Type: In-Person
Location: Kenneth C Rowe Management, Room 3089
Managing Multiple Writing Projects
Writing is a multi-stage process, from brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, writing, and revising. Often, students find themselves with multiple writing assignments across courses during a semester. This workshop will cover strategies for organizing and prioritizing writing stages and tasks for students who are balancing a number of writing projects. Organizing these tasks ensures the writing process is as organized and stress-free as possible so students can feel confident in their writing.
Date and time: March 6th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Partner: Dalhousie Writing Centre
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Dalhousie Mental Health Forum
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Mental Health Forum, open to all students, faculty, and staff to inspire and unite those interested in mental health and well-being for the Dalhousie community. The Forum provides a platform for sharing ideas and collaborating on mental health-related themes, to contribute perspective on all things related to mental health and well-being, and to support each other. Facilitation of the Forum will be by the Dalhousie Student Union and Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness staff.
By collaborating together, we can all contribute to a supportive and safe campus community. Just drop in, no registration required! If you would like to count this event towards your workshop hours, please register. Facilitator: Jonnie-Lyn Baron, David Pilon, etc
Date and time: March 12th from 4:00. to 5:30 p.m.
Partner: Health and Wellness and FGS
Type: In-person
Location: Dalhousie Student Union Building, Council Chambers, Room 270, 2nd floor
BUILD: Use Your CV to Create Your Resume
Do CVs and resumes have similarities? Yes! Are they the same? No!
In this 30-minute virtual workshop, you'll join the Bissett Student Success Centre's Career Advisor in examining the differences and similarities between CVs and resumes. You will leave with increased awareness of what document to submit when prompted with a "Resume/CV" application field as well as concrete steps on how you can use your CV to build a strong resume.
This workshop is intended for grad students at Dalhousie University and University of King's College.
Date and time: March 18th from 10:00. to 10:30 a.m.
Partner: Career Services
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Facilitated by Lisa Goos, Cantrain COO and Jodi Langley, Cantrain Post-Doc award recipient - Introducing Cantrain! This session will provide an overview of Cantrain and explain how it is supporting clinical trial education and training in Canada, including student funding opportunities. The session will also provide an overview of what it is like to be funded through Cantrain as a student (presentations, webinars, educational materials, mentor support and the annual conference).
Date and time: March 19th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Partner: Cantrain and PREP
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Although some writing strategies cross academic fields, discipline-specific particularities exist. Some are peculiar to the exact field, but this workshop will discuss writing questions that commonly arise in science and other STEM writing, including discussions on jargon, active/passive constructions, tense, tone, using source material without 'patchwriting', and others. Participant discussion is welcome and encouraged! Time will be provided! Facilitated by Janice Eddington, Writing Centre Coordinator and Writing Advisor, sciences
Date and time: March 26 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Partner: Writing Centre
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Writing your Story: Statements of Intent
This workshop guides you through the process of writing an effective personal statement and will provide strategies for helping you begin your draft as well as revision and refinement. Statements of intent or personal statements can be part of applications to graduate programs, co-op placements, and funding applications.
Date and time: April 3rd from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Partner: Writing Centre
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Presenting with Purpose: Skills for Engaging Oral and Poster Presentations
Facilitated by Kirill Rosen, Assistant Dean Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, Faculty of Medicine Professor of Pediatrics & Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - This 1.5-hour session equips participants with the tools and techniques to create compelling oral and poster presentations. Learn how to structure your content for clarity, design visually appealing posters, and communicate with confidence.
Date and time: April 9th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Partner: PREP
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Plain Talk, Big Impact: Sharing Your Research Beyond Academia
Facilitated by Dayna Park, Manager, Advancement Communications and Laura Eggertson, Dalhousie Advancement - Unlock the art of impactful communication with Plain Talk, Big Impact: Sharing Your Research Beyond Academia. Led by journalism and public relations experts, Laura Eggertson and Dayna Park, this session is designed to help students learn how to translate complex ideas into compelling stories for non-academic audiences, including donors and the media. Gain practical skills in crafting plain-language elevator pitches, mastering media interviews, and aligning your research with donor priorities to build connections and secure support.
Date and time: April 16th from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Partner: Advancement and PREP
Type: In person (maximum of 15 participants)
Location: Provided upon registration
Open access: Improve impact, fulfill funders, and keep your cash
Most people have heard of open access publishing, but many misunderstandings and misconceptions persist. Many funders require open access publication which improves accessibility and potential impact. However, publishing in an open access journal can be extremely expensive and some free options do not fulfill funder policies. This session will dispel myths, clarify options, and prepare researchers to make informed decisions about where and how to publish and share their work.
Facilitator: Melissa Rothfus, Scholarly Communications Librarian, Dalhousie Libraries
Date and time: May 7th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
Partner: Dalhousie Libraries
Type: Online
Location: Teams
Participate in the Dal GradPD certificate program
To help you navigate your PD journey, we have created a free certificate program to recognize your efforts and help you identify the opportunities you need to take you where you want to go.
What you’ll do during the certificate program:
Individual development plan (IDP) workshop: In this session, you’ll explore the skills and experiences you need to achieve your professional goals and map your plan to get there. IDP workshops will be held every month, so don't worry if you missed an earlier session. An asynchronous video of the IDP workshop is also available in the Dal GradPD Brightspace.
Pillars workshops: Participate in two hours of workshops from each of the Dal GradPD pillars: Communication, Career Intelligence, Health and Wellbeing, and Leadership. You can select from options provided by Dal GradPD partners or find other opportunities you think will best suit your goals.
Experiential learning: Take on four hours of hands-on experience from each pillar. Write a blog, go to a networking event, practice a time management strategy, organize an event – the possibilities are vast and the experiences priceless.
Professional identity workshop: Wrap up the certificate with this session that will empower you to articulate the value of the skills you've gained at graduate school to prospective employers.
When done, you’ll receive a certificate signed by the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and recognition on your transcripts. More importantly, you’ll have developed a plan for where you want to go with your career and assembled the professional and personal skills you need to get there.
