| Abstract | Nationally universities have identified promising practices in doctoral education to increase completion, particularly for women and minorities in STEM disciplines. The goal of GSPD is to facilitate the transition from graduate student to career professional through programming, skill development, and self-reflection of career goals. The objectives include augmentation of current departmental activities available and collaboration with graduate student organizations to identify academic and professional development needs. To achieve these goals, GSPD curriculum was developed based on three programs: (1) Navigating Graduate School – Avoiding the Roadblocks, (2) Packing Your Portfolio – Tools for Career Success, and (3) Embarking on Your Career Journey – Passport to Career Opportunities. The student learning outcomes are to (1) visualize careers as journeys not as destinations, (2) create a career strategic plan, and (3) enhance student professional identity through skill development and self-reflection. Through completion of activities, student explore the topics of mentoring, networking, project and time management, development of a professional identity, teaching, research, and leadership. Additionally, oral and written communication skills include presentation skills and grant writing. Several challenges were encountered in program delivery and implementation including student motivation to participate in professional development given the perceived competing demands of research particularly when faculty advisors are not supportive of these activities. Another challenge is based on observational data that the student communities participating in GSPD are not as diverse as desired. Future directions of GSPD include marketing of GSPD, avenues to increase student motivation such as courses and certificate programs, and methods to internationalize and diversify the GSPD curriculums and student communities participating in the GSPD program. |
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