Exploring Community Engagement as a Pathway to Professional Growth
Event Description
This interactive virtual workshop will explore how community engagement through research, teaching, and service can enhance professional development for graduate students, especially for those interested in careers beyond academia. Participants will gain insights into how meaningful partnerships with community organizations can build transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and project management while fostering a strong sense of purpose and societal impact.
The session will feature a panel of graduate students, including the two second annual SGS Community Engagement Award winners, who have worked closely with community partners. They will share their experiences and offer practical advice on translating those engagements into valuable career skills and professional growth. Speakers will include Karen Ardizzone (Student Volunteer Engagement), Ghada Endick (Graduate Student Life), and Ramazan Gungor (School of Graduate Studies), each bringing unique institutional and personal perspectives on the role of community engagement in graduate education and career development.
One of our panelists, Rebecca Risman, a Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate and one of the SGS Community Engagement Award winners, shares:
“As a graduate student, my work has centered on the intersection of research and community engagement, particularly with biomedical engineering approaches to study blood clotting. Throughout my experience, I’ve seen how collaborating with diverse stakeholders—whether through research, education, or outreach—can develop skills that are highly transferable beyond academia. Engaging with communities has strengthened my ability to communicate complex ideas to different audiences, manage projects effectively, and work across disciplines. These experiences have also shaped my perspective on the broader impact of research and how we, as graduate students, can contribute meaningfully beyond the lab or classroom. I’m excited to be part of this discussion and share insights on how community engagement can be a valuable part of professional development.”
If you’re a graduate student curious about growing your skills and impact through community engagement or a faculty or staff member interested in supporting this work, we warmly invite you to join us for this conversation!
Talks by Akther and Armour
The School of Graduate Studies at Rutgers University will host its April Research Café on Wednesday, April 23, at 3 PM, spotlighting two graduate students addressing vastly different but equally impactful challenges from cancer biology to how students navigate complex information ecosystems. This month’s presentations will offer
Research Café
Research Café is a key component of Grad CareerCraft: Tools for Diverse Professional Futures, the School of Graduate Studies’ initiative to support graduate students in developing versatile skills for a range of careers.
Insight & Evidence
This section features research that sheds light on how graduate students navigate career choices and the barriers they may face. By connecting recent research findings with students’ real experiences, each piece invites readers to reflect, take ownership of their career paths, and make informed decisions about their futures.
Grad CareerCraft
Grad CareerCraft: Tools for Diverse Career Pathways
iJOBS and Novus I-Corps Program: How to Become an Entrepreneur
Professional Development
Event Description
Join us on-campus for an introductory half-day training/workshop/networking event for university-based researchers & innovators at Rutgers, NJIT, Stevens, Rowan and Princeton to help scientists and researchers shift the mindset from the technology to the people who would benefit. Innovation-minded teams & individuals are welcome to attend including faculty, graduate students, post-docs, research staff, and undergrad students. Networking Lunch will be provided where you can meet with key leaders to get your questions answered about Intellectual Property, innovation & entrepreneurship, and possibly identify new team members to participate in an upcoming I-Corps regional program. Come learn about various ways to get started with innovation!
June 12 from 10am-2pm
IN PERSON ONLY 185 South Orange Ave, Medical Science Building Room B619
Lunch will be served
iJOBS and CES Workshop: Resume and Cover Letter Preparation Tips
Professional Development
Event Description
A solid resume and cover letter are an essential part of any job search. But how do you know if your resume will stand out to employers? What does a good resume look like? What should you put in your cover letter to tell your story? Attend this session to get tips from Rudrani Gangopadhyay, PhD the Senior Assistant Director of Graduate Student Career Pathways from Rutgers Career Exploration and Success.
Click here to see slides.
iJOBS and CAPS Workshop: How to Have A Resilient Mindset in the Face of Uncertainty
Professional Development
Event Description
This is a very stressful time for many students and postdocs doing research in academia as well as individuals who are international in origin. Join Dana and Mei-ling, along with your peers, as we focus on addressing skills for recognizing and managing stress and emotions, and increasing resilience in the face of uncertainty.
Click here to see slides.