Orientation and Welcome Events
Welcome to Virginia Tech Graduate School! We know that starting graduate school can be a challenge, so we offer a variety of events and activities to help new students connect with fellow students, faculty, staff, and local resources. Click on each event to find out more details. Events with an ** require registration.
Events and sign-up links will be added when plans are confirmed.
Preorientation Zoom: "Getting Started As a Student" - December 16
Preorientation Zoom: " I Have an Assistantship, Now What?" - December 20
International Graduate Student Orientation** January 15
GTA Workshop** - January 16
Graduate Orientation* - January 17
Career Fair Prep for Graduate Students - January 29
Lunch with the Dean** (Please only sign-up for one lunch)
Using Generative AI in Career Exploration and the Job Search for Graduate Students - February 7
Cooking Workshop - Vegetable Soup - February 7
Resume Writing for Graduate Students - February 11
What Have I Gotten Myself Into?** February 14
*Registration Requested
**Registration Required
The following workshops are sponsored by University Libraries. Registration is required for all of the sessions and will be held via Zoom. More information, registration links, and recordings of all sessions can be found here, or use the links below to register for individual sessions.
Finding Resources for Literature Reviews in the Social and Behavioral Sciences - January 27, 2:30-3:45pm
AI Tools For Researchers & Publishing Tips - January 28, 3:30-4:30pm
Introduction to Research Data Management - January 29, 2:30-3:30pm
Getting Started with Zotero - February, 3, 4 - 5:15pm
Tips & Tricks for Literature Reviews in Engineering - February 4, 3:30-4pm
Getting Started with Mendeley - February 10, 4-5:15pm
Reviews and Database Searching for Animal and Life Sciences - February 11, 3:30-4:45pm
Getting Started with EndNote - February 17, 2:30-3:45pm
Introduction to LaTeX with Overleaf - February 18, 2-3:30pm
Getting the Most Out of Your Citation Manager - February 24, 4-5:15pm
What You Need to Know: Academic Publishing & Online Profiles - February 25, 3:30-4:45 pm
Advanced LaTeX for ETDs and More - March 3, 2:30-4pm
GLC Cafe (Every Thursday and 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month)
Tour of the Lyric Theatre * January 24
Grocery Bingo * January 29
*Registration Requested
New students are encouraged to watch the videos below to learn more about life as a new graduate student. These sessions were given in summer 2024 and targed to new students.
Getting Started as a Student - Friday, June 28
Getting Started as a Student Powerpoint Slides. Here is an accessible pdf with the information and links from the PowerPoint Slides.
Graduate Student Life - How to Find Community - Monday, July 8
Support and Resources for Spouses/Partners/Children
Managing Expectations in a Research Program
Graduate School Dean Dr. Aimee Surprenant will help you learn how to establish expectations and manage the relationship with your advisor. This session is intended for research students, both master's degree and Ph.D.
I Have an Assistantship. Now What?
If you are an incoming on a graduate assistantship, you may be wondering what steps you need to take next. At this session you will learn more about your contract, what benefits are included with your assistantship and what questions you need to ask your supervisor.