Connecting with Graduate Blogs

Find your balance in your graduate studies by watching videos on the PhD Balance YouTube Channel. Check out video playlists below.

Another way of feeling more connected as a graduate student is to tune into some of the top Graduate blogs and handles. From PhD Comics to the Professor is In, these resources will reinforce that you are not alone in your journey. You can find more resources here: https://www.online-phd-programs.org/top-50-blogs-for-phd-students/

Share exciting events and graduate hurdles on LinkedIn or other forms of social media and tag your supporters. Let your network celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how big or small! #GradThriving

Get involved in your discipline

You can get involved both on-campus and off-campus in your discipline. Join your discipline specific graduate student organizations. Don't forget that many national organizations have graduate level groups, including:

  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • Black Doctoral Network
  • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS)
  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
  • Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
  • American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN)
  • LatinXinBME
  • Academic and Research Leadership (ARL) network (https://arlnetwork.org/)
  • International Scholar Association

Attend a regional or national conference with an organization above or with one in your discipline. This can be a great way to start building your community!

In addition, you can explore PhD Student Meet-ups, and check out your University Calendar to stay updated about upcoming Events.

Don't pass up opportunities to get involved with your department! Be a part of your school culture - this will help you meet others and grow your network and a sense of belonging. You can help increase belonging for others by getting involved as well.

Many universities have cultural centers where you can go, connect, and learn about your culture as well as others. It is never too late to find your community on campus!

Find your people: Mentoring

Peer Mentorship: Get involved in your graduate student organization and ask about peer mentoring activities!

Get the mentoring you need from faculty: General Suggestions for Mentees (shared from the Purdue Engineering Student Mentoring Handbook):

The following suggestions may help graduate students enhance their mentoring experience.

  1. Develop a vision of the mentoring you need.
    • Identify your objectives in graduate school and your career goals.
    • Reflect on the type of mentoring required to meet your objectives and goals.
  2. Identify potential faculty mentors.
    • Acquaint yourself with faculty members' work to learn about their past research and future interests.
    • Speak to other graduate students about their mentoring experiences with various faculty members. This is important for gaining insight into the various working styles of faculty.
  3. Remember faculty mentors are unique individuals with differing backgrounds, goals, and capabilities.

Sometimes a faculty match might not work. This happens and if you cannot have a discussion with your faculty advisor about it, then you should reach out to graduate staff and administrators that serve as your advocates! Do not be afraid to reach out to them to help you navigate any situation!

If you are an undocumented student, then check out the following website's Navigating Graduate School Resource guide here: https://www.thedream.us/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Navigating-Graduate-School_-Resource-Guide-for-Undocumented-Stude-1.pdf