Professional Development
School of Public Information and Policy, SPIA, Virginia Tech National Capital Region, Alexandria, VA, graduate students, classroom, professor and students
We provide a range of events and activities designed to help our graduate students prepare, connect, succeed and stand out as they pursue their degree, and later, professional goals. The Graduate School partners with other university departments to offer scholarly and extracurricular activities based on the Transformative Graduate Education initiative.
Our offerings emphasize the use of innovative technologies, a commitment to excellence through diversity and inclusivity, active civic engagement, and support for interdisciplinary research and education.
Follow the weekly emails posted by the Graduate School year-round on Mondays for information, dates and times of events and activities designed specifically for you. The GLC Weekly goes to students in the Blacksburg and Roanoke area. The D.C. Area Weekly goes to students in the Northern Virginia and Greater Washington, D.C. area, as well as virtual students.
Virginia Tech is a member of the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL), a network of 45 research universities dedicated to preparing future faculty who are committed to the implementation and advancement of evidence-based teaching. Through this network, Virginia Tech graduate students and postdoctoral associates can access free online professional development opportunities led by experts across the CIRTL community. This summer, CIRTL will offer non-credit courses and workshops for graduate students and postdoctoral associates interested in higher education teaching careers. The full summer schedule—including program descriptions, registration details, and any participant caps—is available at https://cirtl.net/events/.
For more information about the CIRTL Network, visit https://www.cirtl.net/. To learn more about CIRTL at Virginia Tech, visit https://cirtl.vt.edu/ or contact cirtl@vt.edu.
Career and Professional Development (CPD) provides assistance through all stages of career exploration and preparation. CPD partners with the Graduate School to offer weekly walk-in career advising sessions in the GLC, and a series of workshops and seminars to help you hone skills you need for the job you want.
CIRTL at Virginia Tech offers professional development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral associates seeking to gain teaching-related knowledge and skills for educational environments as well as work-based contexts for which such skills are used.
Often referred to as internship, the Cooperative Education Program, or Co-op, provides opportunities for students to obtain professional employment experience as part of their academic programs.
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate sponsors this annual opportunity for graduate and advanced undergraduate students to showcase their scholarly pursuit and achievements. Held during Graduate Education Week each spring, it offers an opportunity to present your work to other participants, faculty members, research entities and attendees. Find out more on the Senate's research symposium and exposition webpage.
The Graduate School offers a broad range of workshops for graduate students across the university's programs and locations. Many of the workshops can be offered either in-person or synchronously online. The list can be found on this webpage.
The Graduate School hosts a variety of workshops and seminars designed to provide graduate students with tools for success in their career pursuits. Visit the Graduate School's calendar for upcoming events, or contact Graduate Student Services (grads@vt.edu) to suggest topics for new workshops. You'll find a list of the existing workshops on this webpage.
Publication Academy courses are a great opportunity for you to pursue and develop skills that can be useful in your current and future professional settings. Course offerings include navigating job searches, mentoring and supervising others, and managing time and priorities as a researcher. The courses are free and a list of them can be found on this webpage.
The Graduate and Professional Student Senate helps graduate students with research and academic travel expenses through two funding programs that are managed in multiple cycles annually. Find out more about the travel and research funds on the GPSS programs page.
The Technology-enhanced Learning and Online Strategies department, known as TLOS, offers specialized courses and consultations to help participants explore technology-enhanced active learning across disciplines.
Regardless of your field, writing will be a key means of communications. The Writing Center at Newman Library offers free assistance to graduate students, and helps facilitate Graduate Student Writing Groups. The Writing Center holds sessions in the GLC during fall and spring semesters. Watch the GLC Weekly listserv for dates and times.