Success and Socialization Coffee Bagel Donut Day is a popular weekly event hosted by the Graduate Student Association.
Success in graduate school or a postdoctoral position requires taking a proactive role in your professional development. To help ensure success, Graduate Studies, your program, and your faculty mentors work together to provide orientations; advising; and workshops, courses, and symposia focused on program milestones. Through these opportunities you will enhance and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to master your field of study and learn its norms (socialization).
Identify resources to support your professional development. Click on categories below to expand.
Quick Quarterly Guide - F24
For an overview of activities and events use this quick quarterly guide:
Courses in Departments/Groups – Many departments and graduate groups offer courses to introduce graduate students in the disciplinary norms of their program of study. These courses may also cover other aspects of professionalism such as preparing for conferences, creating posters and presentations, instruction in teaching and grading, and the many other activities graduate students need to master in order to be successful in their programs and future careers.
Individualized Advising
One-on-One mentoring or specialized programming to meet your individual needs is available.
Diversity Officer, Josephine Moreno, offers workshops, provide academic support, and are committed to diversity graduate student success, and overall contribute to a welcoming and supportive campus culture for a diverse graduate student population.
Meet with a Professional Development Specialist
GradPathways Director Daniel Moglen develop and coordinate professional workshops, classes, and activities to help ensure the success of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Dr. Moglen is also available to consult with graduate students and postdoctoral scholars seeking information about professional development opportunities and provide assistance in creating Individual Development Plans.
Continued Meetings With Your Major Professor or Principal Investigator
As you advance in your program of study or postdoctoral training, your mentors will continue to meet with you individually to help you further develop and hone your research skills, set professional development and career goals, and map out a timeline for completion of the graduate degree or postdoctoral training experience. Meetings with your faculty mentor are part of a partnership in which both parties collaborate for a successful outcome. Open and regular communication is essential to this process.
Staff and graduate student success coaches offer 30 minute appointments in South Hall, supporting the design, pursuit, and achievement of academic, personal, and professional goals. Your coach will listen and ask questions to help you reflect on your goals, plan out your actions, and monitor your progress. Sessions with your coach can be ongoing—bi-weekly or monthly.
Community Building and Activities
Building community is essential to success. Consider participating in the following activities:
Meet and network with new and continuing graduate students through the GSA. Also, take the opportunity to build your leadership skills and give back to your graduate community by serving as a representative or an officer.
The Postdoctoral Scholars Association (PSA) provides resources, information and representation for postdoctoral scholars on the UC Davis campus. The PSA also strives to create a stronger sense of community through an e-mail listserv, website and social activities.
The CGPSA board was established to facilitate direct communication between the Chancellor and graduate and professional students at the University of California, Davis. The board informs students about activities within the Offices of the Chancellor and provides comprehensive recommendations to the Chancellor about graduate and professional student needs. The purpose of the Chancellor’s Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board is to advise the Office of the Chancellor and advocate on behalf of graduate and professional students.
- Review the Graduate Student Orientation training - Attend Holistic U diversity orientation - Take required courses and those that complement your research - Form your research committee - Meet with your academic advisor or principal investigator (PI) to discuss goals and plans
Midway through your Graduate Career
- Apply for travel grants through Graduate Studies and the Graduate Student Association to attend conferences - Create a portfolio of your skills and competencies - Seek mentors beyond your department - Finalize your research committee - Get involved with Graduate (GSA) and Postdoctoral (PSA) Student Associations
Later in your Graduate Career
- Finalize your research results - Prepare for your defense - Take Professionalism courses offered through your department, the university, or professional organizations
Throughout your Graduate Career
- Schedule regular meetings with your major professor to discuss progress and obstacles - Attend GradPathways workshops and events to complement your academic and professional growth - Develop competence in your degree program
