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
Visit our online professional development opportunities page to explore ways to build your skills at your own pace.
Working with the Media: NATIONAL Public Relations
Date: March 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. AST (Registration closes March 23 at 9:00 a.m.)
Partner: OpenThink
Dal GradPD pillar: Communication
Building my Networks and Engagement in Communities: What Connections am I Growing and Why?
Date: March 28
Partner: Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Dal GradPD pillar: Leadership
Academic Voice
Date: March 29 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. AST (Registration closes March 28 at 9:00 a.m.)
Partner: Writing Centre
Dal GradPD pillar: Communication
Mitacs Project and Time Management (PTM) Masterclass Course
For more information or to register, please contact: emma.marquis@dal.ca
Date: March 30 & 31 from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Partner: Mitacs and Professional & Research Education Program (PREP)
Dal GradPD pillar: Leadership/Health and Wellbeing
Conversation Canada Part II: OpenThink Alumni Share Their Tips for Success
Date: March 31 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. AST (Registration closes March 30 at 4:00 p.m.)
Partner: OpenThink
Dal GradPD pillar: Communication
Graduate Skills and Competencies: How am I the Author and Narrator of my Story?
Date: April 4
Partner: Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Dal GradPD pillar: Career intelligence, communication
Putting Words Together: Paragraphs and Reverse Outlining
Date: April 5 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. AST (Registration closes April 4 at 9:00 a.m.)
Partner: Writing Centre
Dal GradPD pillar: Communication
Putting it All Together: How do I Articulate and Implement a Career Development Plan?
Date: April 11
Partner: Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL)
Dal GradPD pillar: Career Intelligence
Revision & Concision
Date: April 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. AST (Registration closes April 11 at 9:00 a.m.)
Partner: Writing Centre
Dal GradPD pillar: Communication
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.
