Call for Applications: Professional Development Liaisons Graduate Professional Development is hiring three doctoral students to join GradPro‘s team of Professional Development Liaisons (PDLs). We’re looking for graduate students who are ready to serve as a peer leader and give back to the campus community
Graduate Writing Center – Postdoctoral Position The Graduate Writing Center is hiring for a Postdoctoral Position. UC Berkeley doctoral students in any discipline who will have received their doctoral degrees by August 15, 2025 are eligible to apply.
Thriving as a Graduate Student This Summer Summer is a great time for graduate students to catch their breath, make progress on goals, and tap into campus resources that support their academic and personal growth. Whether you’re planning your housing situation, prepping to teach for the first time, or getting involved in inclusive communities, there’s a lot happening this summer to support your journey.
How to Hustle as a Humanist: An Interview with Erica Machulak For those of us in the humanities, the world of entrepreneurship can seem entirely foreign. The very mention of hustling sets our teeth on edge, and if you bring up revenue streams and project rates, we're just about ready to run out the door. Erica Machulak's new book, Hustles for Humanists, seeks to dispel that discomfort and prove to us that entrepreneurship is not only a viable potential career alternative, but one that many of us are doing already. I sat down with Dr. Machulak to ask her advice for taking the first steps into freelancing, balancing entrepreneurship and graduate work, and setting expectations with clients. Our conversation has been edited for concision and clarity.
Eight Steps to a Successful Summer Break Summer is often seen as a season of endless possibilities, offering a chance for graduate students to make progress on their research, catch up on tasks, and enjoy a break. At the same time, it can also be a time of uncertainty and anxiety, especially when it comes to the pressure to be productive without the usual structure of the academic year. Balancing the opportunities and challenges of summer can be a delicate task, but with some careful planning and thoughtful strategies, you can make the most of your break.
Leverage Big Interview to Prepare for the Job Search For many graduate students, the hiring process for their first post-graduate job can be daunting and unfamiliar. Interviews, a key component of the hiring process, can be particularly stressful—especially for those who have never had to formally interview for a position. Successful interviews require substantial practice and preparation, and it is important to begin preparing well before you are offered your first interview. Luckily, there are valuable resources and support available to graduate students as they navigate interview preparation.
Don’t Miss Grad Slam 2025! Announcing the Ten Berkeley Grad Slam Semi-Finalists Cheer on our ten Grad Slam Semi-finalists as they present their three-minute research talks in our virtual Grad Slam championship! This year’s event will be live-streamed, and we want you to join in as part of our virtual audience.
Launch a Career in Social Justice Work: ACLS Fellowship Opportunity for Humanities PhDs This prestigious fellowship provides a two-year placement with a nonprofit organization committed to social justice, offering financial support in the form of an annual stipend of $70,000-$74,000, health insurance, and professional development funding. The program goes beyond traditional postdoctoral opportunities by fostering meaningful partnerships between fellows and host organizations.
Apply to the LA Review of Books Summer Publishing Workshop Many graduate students will opt for careers beyond academia, but may not immediately know what kind of non-academic careers fit their interests, goals, and skills. Career exploration is a key step in not only broadening your knowledge of career possibilities, but also reflecting on your values and motivations.
Finding Community and Accountability in GradPro’s Check-In Groups The start of a new academic year often brings feelings of both promise and overwhelm. That's where GradPro's check-in groups come in.
Develop Your Presentation Skills through Grad Slam! Last spring, Victoria Chevée, a final year Ph.D. candidate in molecular and cell biology, now a postdoctoral fellow at the Pasteur Institute in Paris (France), became Berkeley's 2024 Grad Slam Champion for her presentation, "A Bacterium's Journey: From Guts to Brain." Victoria went on to compete against the nine other campus champions across the UC system. In this Q&A, Victoria talks about her experience with Grad Slam and her recommendations to other graduate students who might want to participate in the competition this year or in the future.
Tips for Establishing a Daily Writing Routine Students often single out finding time to write as one of the key time-management challenges of graduate school. With the various responsibilities of being a graduate student, including teaching, seminars, and conferences, writing can often fall by the wayside. A key strategy for combating resistance to writing is learning how to establish a daily writing routine.
Making the Most of Your Winter Break for Professional Development Winter break is finally here—a chance to take a breather after a hectic semester. But it can also be a strategic moment to invest in your professional growth. Without the usual demands of classes, research, or teaching, you have the space to think about your next steps, build new skills, and refocus on your career goals. Here’s how to make the most of your time off.
Start Thinking about Your Three-Minute Thesis Talk for Grad Slam! Each year, GradPro hosts a campuswide Grad Slam event in which up to 10 graduate students present their research in three-minute talks and compete for monetary prizes and the chance to represent Berkeley at the UC systemwide Grad Slam event in late spring.
Five Tips to Make the Most of Handshake as a Graduate Student In recent years, graduate students have found themselves navigating a dynamic job market that can make exploring and preparing for careers challenging. Handshake is a key tool that graduate students can use to ease this process.
Prepare for Future Careers with Skill Development Courses this Spring Take a look outside of your department for course offerings that will help you round out your skill set.
Enhance Your Academic Writing and Mentoring Skills through Two Outstanding Spring Courses Registration for Spring 2025 classes will begin soon for courses hosted by our Graduate Student Professional Development Program. These will help you target the specific skills you wish to develop.
Meet the GSI Teaching & Resource Center’s Peer Teaching Consultants and Postdoc Fellows! Meet with a member of our GSI Teaching & Resource Center to discuss any aspect of teaching, arrange for a consultant to observe your class, or get feedback on a course you are designing or teaching-related materials you are preparing for the academic job search.
Discover Professional Development Opportunities Across Campus After a much-needed summer break, the fall semester is in full swing! Whether you're just starting out, planning your post-grad life, or somewhere in the middle, we're here to help.