Professional Development Resource Lists

As the Graduate Student Professional Development Resource Hub, GradPro keeps track of valuable professional and career development resources and opportunities for graduate students. Below, find curated lists of selected on- and off-campus career and professional development resources and opportunities. Graduate students can also sign up for one-on-one consultations with a GradPro Professional Development Liaison to get customized guidance on resources and opportunities.

Developing a Professional Network

• General Networking Resources
• Working with Academic Mentors and Advisors

Professional Development Resources by Identity or Affinity Group

• Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Graduate Students
• First Generation and/or Low-income (FGLI) Graduate Students
• Neurodivergent, Disabled, and Chronically Ill Graduate Students
• Undocumented Graduate Students
• Womxn Graduate Students

General Networking Resources

• “Cultivating Your Network of Mentors, Sponsors & Collaborators“: A National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity webinar on the importance of networks throughout your career (make an account or sign in with your Berkeley email to access the webinar).
• Networking Guide: Access this GradPro Guide to Networking in the section “General Career Preparation.”

Working with Academic Advisors and Mentors

• Working Productively with Mentors and Faculty: Access this GradPro guide to working with academic advisors in the section “Group Management and Team Work.”
• Getting the Mentoring You Need: A Berkeley GradNews article full of resources and tips on how to navigate relationships with academic advisors.
• Mentoring Graduate Students Checklist for Faculty: While this checklist was developed for faculty use, graduate students can use this guide to get a sense of what they can expect and ask of their advisor.
• The Ombuds Office: Provides students with impartial and confidential feedback on conflict.
• The Student Advocate’s Office: Advocates for students experiencing conflicts or issues on campus.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Graduate Students

• Black Graduate Student Association: Focuses on building community amongst graduate students of African descent across the African diaspora. Opportunity to build networks of mutual support.
• Path to the Professoriate Workshop: A UC Berkeley program supporting underrepresented students as they prepare for an academic career in their discipline.
• Inclusive Excellence Hub: A physical venue where underrepresented graduate students can find camaraderie and build multi-disciplinary networks with their peers.
• STEM*FYI: Informal gatherings, workshops, and social events dedicated to increasing the success and retention of historically underrepresented students in all graduate STEM fields at UC Berkeley.
• “Survival Guide for Black, Indigenous, and Other Women of Color in Academe”: A 2020 article from the Chronicle of Higher Education on how to protect oneself from racism that may be encountered while working in academia.
• The Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational, & Mixed Methods: A hub that offers a series of programs to advance underrepresented scholars of color in data science and other STEM fields.

First Generation and/or Low-income (FGLI) Graduate Students

• Path to the Professoriate Workshop: A UC Berkeley program supporting underrepresented students as they prepare for an academic career in their discipline.
• Inclusive Excellence Hub: A physical venue where underrepresented graduate students can find camaraderie and build multi-disciplinary networks with their peers.
• FGLI Grads: A student-run group supporting FGLI graduate students at UC Berkeley.
• STEM*FYI: Informal gatherings, workshops, and social events dedicated to increasing the success and retention of historically underrepresented students in all graduate STEM fields at UC Berkeley.

Disabled and Neurodivergent Graduate Students

• Career Engagement Resources for Disabled Students: A list of career-oriented resources developed by Career Engagement for disabled students at Berkeley.
• DSP Career Engagement Counselor: Sign up for a consultation with Ricardo Flores, the counselor who specializes in working with students with disabilities, by emailing him at [email protected].
• Neurodiversity and Disability Resources: A key collection of professional development focused resources for neurodivergent and disabled graduate students.
• Workforce Recruitment Program: A government program that places students with disabilities in federal jobs and internships.
• Big Interview Disability and Neurodiversity Playbooks: These specifically address challenges that candidates with disabilities and/or neurodiversity may face during an interview process.
• Path to the Professoriate Workshop: A UC Berkeley program supporting underrepresented students as they prepare for an academic career in their discipline.

Undocumented Graduate Students

• UndocuGrads Program: Access the Undocumented Graduate Student Specialist, sign up for a listserv, and learn about events specifically for Undocugrads.
• Free Legal Support Appointments: The East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) provides free legal consultations on employment options to undocumented UC Berkeley students and alumni.
• Birgeneau Perelman Fund for Undocumented Students: This on-campus financial award can be granted for professional development activities.
• Working for Yourself: A step-by-step guide that provides an overview of what is needed to become an independent contractor.
• Undocuprofessionals: An immigrant-led platform aimed at supporting professional development, regardless of one’s immigration status. Sign-up for their newsletter.
• My Undocumented Life: Compilation of resources and information for undocumented students, including information on various career paths.
• Career Services Presentation: A powerpoint presentation prepared by Dr. Behrens, a Ph.D. Career Adviser, which overviews professional development resources that are available to Undocugrads.
• Resources for Staff and Faculty: This article on the experiences of Undocugrads at UC Berkeley, this video on effectively supporting Black undocumented students, and this compilation of resources.

Womxn Graduate Students

• Forté: An organization focused on launching womxn into meaningful careers in business and leadership. They host skill-building workshops, leadership conferences, networking opportunities, and webinars.
• Women Who Code: A community that empowers, connects, and establishes community amongst womxn in tech. Membership is free, and provides access to all resources, live events, networking opportunities and more.