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Graduate School
The University of Mississippi

G-R-A-D graphic banner

The “G-R-A-D” program is a professional development framework, composed of several paths for students to pursue, with a view towards acquiring and improving the necessary skills for graduate school and the job market.

Professional development can be thought of as a kind of glue that binds together large chunks of study or work experience. In particular, it provides cohesion to the various avenues of graduate study. Here are just a few benefits to engaging in professional development activities:

  • Distinguishing yourself for employment positions and promotions
  • Becoming or stay current with academic or industry trends
  • Expanding your network beyond the department or university
  • Increasing your competence and comfort with a range of challenges
  • Building confidence in yourself


INTRODUCTION
G-R-A-D circles

Participating in the “G-R-A-D” program shows initiative, organization, and inquiry, and provides the opportunity for self-reflection. According to their preference, individuals interested in the program should aim to complete at least one, but ideally several*, of the following five competencies (listed in alphabetical order) during the course of their graduate studies:

  • Artificial Intelligence;
  • Cultural Competency;
  • Networking/Leadership;
  • Spoken Communication/Presentation;
  • Written Communication;

*Additional competencies, adjustments, and amendments may be added in future.


TIME & MANAGEMENT

The “G-R-A-D” program is an independent study type of endeavor, akin to an individualized development plan (IDP) with a singular focus, where each student outlines their plan and aims. Students should be proactive in finding the relevant learning sessions, by regularly reading the G School Journal, UMToday, and other communication channels. Furthermore, students will need to carefully document the specific details regarding the sessions attended, the research conducted, and the time involved, to present to the Graduate School for approval.


OVERSIGHT

The Assistant Dean of Professional Development & Communication in the Graduate School will oversee the program. Students should schedule an initial consultation or attend an informational session.


UPON COMPLETION

Upon the successful completion of each competency, “G-R-A-D”uates will receive a certificate of completion. In addition, those completing their first* competency will be invited to attend a dinner where business and dining etiquette will be demonstrated and discussed. Time & date TBD.

Sample certificate of completion

Sample certificate of completion for the AI competency

The Competencies

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)Graphic with 5 circles for professional development, highlighting AI

Go: attend at least 4 sessions advertised by the Graduate School, CETL, or other University entity. Examples of past sessions include:

  • AI Lunch & Learn, Using AI Tools for Literature Searches and Mapping, Generative AI on the Syllabus, Teaching in the Age of AI, Beyond ChatGPT

Research: try out various AI programs, view AI generated work

Apply: apply the software to your project (e.g., ChatGPT in thesis or paper, AI artwork or computer modeling of research), with appropriate citation of the AI

Disseminate: give a short presentation in the Image of Research competition or a Lunch & Learn professional development showcase, publish your project in a journal or public facing online outlet, or blog about how you leveraged AI for your work.

 

Additional skills gained and possible language for a resume or CV: leveraging technology for efficiency, learning and adapting new technology (OpenAI, 2024), information literacy and critical thinking, iterative querying (OpenAI, 2024), flexibility, creative inquiry (OpenAI, 2024), responsive prompting, interactive technology literacy (OpenAI, 2024)

 

CULTURAL COMPETENCYGraphic with 5 circles for professional development, highlighting cultural competency

Go: attend at least 4 sessions advertised by the Graduate School, the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, or other University entity. Examples of past sessions include:

  • DEI Presentation and Discussion, Impostor Phenomena, Writing Diversity Statements, Inclusive and Equitable Hiring (or Teaching) Practices, Divisibility Awareness Training, Engaging with Sex, Gender, and Sexuality to Foster Inclusive and Equitable Spaces, Supporting Neurodivergent Students with Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, and Dyspraxia, Forum on Race and Ethnicity

Research: pursue opportunities to engage with individuals from other backgrounds, read a book recommended at a training you attended, participate in a trip for Sites of Resistance/Sites of Healing

Apply: complete a diversity statement, either for an application, or to have your thoughts organized for employment interviews and societal discussions, join a student organization focused on supporting diverse students, conduct research drawing on a culturally informed perspective, volunteer with campus groups that support underrepresented students

Disseminate: present or publish your project, lead a new initiative that supports success of diverse individuals, write an op-ed on the value of cultural competency for you

Additional skills gained and possible language for a resume or CV: working with diverse individuals, facilitating inclusivity, self-awareness, empathy, humility, community building, increased capacity to adapt to needs of others, effective communication with individuals whose experiences and culture differ.

 

NETWORKING/LEADERSHIPGraphic with 5 circles for professional development, highlighting Networking

Go: attend at least 4 sessions advertised by the Graduate School, CETL, the Career Center, or other University entity. Examples of past sessions include:

  • Night at the Museum, Making the Most of Career Fairs, First Generation Student Networking Event, Pastries on the Porch, ‘Sip-Stroll-and-Explore, Career Chicks, Black Trivia Night

Research: look into various campus groups according to interest (see UMForum), identify individuals whose work inspires/interests you on LinkedIn and connect with them

Apply: join (or create) a group with a view towards being an officer/senator, conduct an informational interview, collaborate with someone new from your regional/national professional organization on a project, attend a conference social hour and introduce yourself to someone new

Disseminate: participate on Graduate School Orientation student panel, serve as an officer in a campus-based student organization, volunteer as a student committee member in a national/regional organization in your field, mentor a student who is newer to your field, serve as a Graduate School Ambassador or similar roles on campus

Additional skills gained and possible language for a resume or CV: Growing a network, collaborating with a team to produce a tangible result, recruiting individuals for your organization; facilitating and initiating discussions; conducting efficient meetings; effectively navigating a bureaucracy, managing a team and delegating tasks; being proactive in identifying a need or creating a resource in a community; locating and obtaining institutional resources to solve problems, motivating others and enlisting leadership support for your initiatives.

 

SPOKEN COMMUNICATION/PRESENTATIONGraphic with 5 circles for professional development, highlighting Spoken Communication and Presentation

Go: attend at least 4 sessions advertised by the Graduate School, Speaking Center, CETL, or other University entity. Examples of past sessions include:

  • Facilitating Effective Discussions, Speaking on Your Scholarship, Three Minute Thesis info session, Three Minute Thesis competition rounds, Making the Most of your Teaching

Research: schedule a meeting with the Speaking Center or CETL, look into various presentation mediums like Beamer in LaTeX, PowerPoint, etc., or prepare your talk

Apply: departmental seminar, teaching

Disseminate: defending your thesis or dissertation, conference presentation, Three Minute thesis, speaking about your project with news outlets or on vlogs

Additional skills gained and possible language for a resume or CV: presenting research to academics, communicating ideas to a broad audience, managing audience engagement, gauging audience understanding of ideas, aligning presentation media with audience needs and presentation aims, collaboration and teamwork for multi-presenter speaking engagements, professionalism.

WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONGraphic with 5 circles for professional development, highlighting Written Communication

Go: attend at least 4 sessions advertised by the Graduate School, Graduate Writing Center (GWC), or other University entity. Examples of past sessions include:

  • Writing Teaching Statements, Writing Diversity Statements, Endgame – finalizing manuscripts, proofreading and revision strategies, Beyond ChatGPT

Research: schedule a meeting with the GWC, attend a writing boot camp, discuss writing strategies with your major professor

Apply: join a writing group and advance your project, share your writing with your major professor and others, incorporate feedback on your writing

Disseminate: submit your finished project (thesis, dissertation, publication, etc.), write an op-ed

Additional skills gained and possible language for a resume or CV: distilling key information, writing for a specific audience and/or general audience, leadership skills for team projects, intensive editing, collaboration and teamwork for multi-author projects, revising work, resilience, persistence, composing persuasive arguments, organizing content, analytic skills, incorporating feedback.


CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information, or to get started in the program, contact the Graduate School at 662-915-7474 or gschool@olemiss.edu, or email the Assistant Dean of Professional Development & Communication, Dr. Sandra Spiroff at spiroff@olemiss.edu.

   
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