Graduate Student Professional Development Associates

Graduate students are at the heart of our mission, and they play a key role in the development of our programming, events, and strategic planning. One example of this is our newly-developed Professional Development Associates Program. Associates from each academic division work closely with our team to co-create bespoke initiatives for their division. Students also serve on our Professional Development Working Group, and we often partner with the Graduate Student Government and other graduate student organizations.  

The Professional Development Associates program is an opportunity for graduate students to engage with the GradFUTURES team to assist with the expansion of professional development initiatives at the department and divisional level. Associates liaise with the departments within their division to promote and support graduate student professional development. We are looking to work with eight associates, two from each division. Please apply or nominate someone. 

Camila Llerena-Olivera Headshot
“GradFUTURES has helped me build confidence in my soft skills, learn about various career paths, and connect me to some amazing individuals. As a professional development associate, I get to enhance GradFUTURES-affiliated programs that I have participated in such as the business skills learning cohort and ReMatch+ mentorship program. With this position, I can also provide ideas for new programs.” 

Camila Llerena-Olivera, GS, CEE

Current Professional Development Associates

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“As a GradFUTURES Professional Development Associate, I developed projects that use data and storytelling to promote awareness for career diversity for PhDs in the humanities. I spearheaded a digital project that brings transparency to the diverse career outcomes of PhD alumni from the East Asian Studies Department."

Yuzhou Bai,*23, EAS

Past Professional Development Associates

Qiqi Yang Headshot
“The GradFUTURES international students workshops helps me understand the unique strengths and challenges of international graduate students. Now as a Professional Development Associate, I'm excited to work with GradFUTURES to develop career development programs and events for international graduate students."

Qiqi Yang, GS, EEB

We empower graduate students to create their future(s) -- on their terms.

GradFUTURES Star

Established by the Graduate School in fall of 2019, GradFUTURES® serves as Princeton’s professional development hub for empowering graduate student futures through a broad spectrum of skills training, mentorship, bespoke experiential opportunities and interdisciplinary learning programs. 

Learn more about our approach.