Professional Development
Penn State graduate students have access to dozens of resources at the University for improving their professional skills — through their program or college, through the Graduate School, or through other Penn State administrative support units. Learn more about the most commonly used resources and support options for professional development. Once you begin your graduate studies, watch for opportunities offered by your graduate program, college or school, and other organizations around Penn State.
Graduate School Professional Development Services
Support your professional and career development with our resources and services, including: networking opportunities, workshops, and career counseling.
Teaching Development
Learn about resources to assist you in teaching, with your thesis or dissertation, or throughout your academic journey at Penn State.
Penn State CIRTL Teaching Certificate
Hone your pedagogical skills with a teaching certificate offered in collaboration with the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL).
Accelerate to Industry
An innovative approach to workforce training that connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with industry companies to explore employment opportunities.
Three Minute Thesis
With only three minutes and one presentation slide, can you communicate the importance of your research to a general audience?
Graduate Exhibition
Communicate your scholarship and research to a general audience and compete for monetary prizes at our annual exhibition.
Programs with Extended Optional Practical Training Eligibility
Certain students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training.
Professional Development Resources
Accelerate to Industry
An innovative approach to workforce training that connects graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with industry companies to explore employment opportunities.
Career Services
Learn about programs and resources provided to assist students and alumni with specific career goals, expanding knowledge of career alternatives, understanding effective decision-making, and acquiring appropriate strategies and skills to carry out the process.
Career Services by Identity
Career Services has a Career Resource Center and Career Resource Specialist to provide and assist you with career resources. Stop by the Bank of America Career Services Center or connect with us to ask questions about our resources.
Center for the Integration, Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)
National network that offers professional development workshops and seminars, offered free to Penn State graduate students through Penn State's membership in CIRTL.
Graduate Exhibition
Annual event each spring to share research and creative scholarship with a general audience for professional development. Categories include research poster, design, visual arts, video, or performance.
Graduate Mock Interviews
Prepare for your next interview and get feedback on your answers.
Graduate Student Career and Professional Development
Central Graduate School resources for graduate students seeking professional development opportunities.
Grant Writing Workshops
The Graduate School offers three grant writing workshops in the fall semester. Topics on grant writing include Introduction to Grant Writing, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute of Health. Each workshop includes a presentation on the topic by an expert in the field, with the opportunity to ask questions.
International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA)
Offers advising, immigration services, and training to support international students, scholars, and faculty.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships (GRFP) Program
The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees.
Nittany Lion Careers
Penn State’s single system recruiting platform for all students, alumni and employers.
Penn State CIRTL Teaching Certificate
Hone your teaching skills and get connected with learning communities through the Penn State CIRTL teaching certificate.
Professional Attire Closet
Rent free professional suits to be confident and look great for your next interview.
Schreyer Honors College
The mission of the Schreyer Institute is to advance and inspire excellence in Penn State’s teaching and learning community.
Veteran Student Career Resources
Explore a combination of general resources and those specific for veterans to give you leverage when searching for your next career opportunity.
Professional Development Events
Find career and professional development events offered throughout the year, such as fireside chats, networking receptions, webinars to support international students, our Accelerate to Industry series, and more.
EventsContact our Career and Professional Development Specialist
Lesley Jackson
- Associate Director of Graduate Student Career and Professional Development
- Career exploration
- Job searching and application process
- Interviews
- Networking