GPS ribbon cutting Steele and Doyle
(Left to right) Doctoral student Erica Lee, Provost Claude Steele, Graduate Dean Fiona Doyle, doctoral student Aaron Smyth, Assistant Dean for Professional Development Linda von Hoene, and Graduate Writing Center Director Sabrina Soracco at the ribbon cutting for the new GPS Center.

On October 22, graduate students and postdocs joined faculty and staff for a festive ribbon-cutting celebration at the new Center for Graduate Professional Services — better known as GPS Center — in 309 Sproul Hall. This multipurpose space is available, at no charge, to campus collaborators who help prepare advanced degree-holders to succeed in whatever careers they choose.

Aaron Smyth, a Ph.D. candidate in Jurisprudence and Social Policy, has represented the Graduate Assembly in the GPS project. He praised the productive partnership of the administration and students in launching this initiative.

Erica Lee, a Ph.D. candidate in History and an organizer of the annual Beyond Academia career exploration conference, noted various career paths: “Ph.D.s can bridge knowledge gaps among industries and institutions, applying their know-how to the world beyond the university.”

GPS partners include the Graduate Assembly, the Visiting Scholars and Postdoctoral Scholars Association, the Career Center, academic departments and programs, and student networks. A GPS Resource Coordinator will be on board soon as a point person connecting a wide range of campus events, programs, and resources.

For more information, see the GPS website, or to  explore areas in which students and postdocs can build skills and take self assessments, go to the Professional Development Guide.