By Olivia Gacka, PhD Student
At a school as large as UW–Madison, and one where there are a larger number of undergrads than graduate students, it can feel like I’m not a key part of life here on campus. But GradConnections is my weekly reminder that this is simply not true – graduate students are a vital part of the everyday workings of this university. By keeping us connected to opportunities and keeping us informed, GradConnections is just another way to remember that we are not alone.
GradConnections is a weekly newsletter specifically curated for graduate students. Every Tuesday throughout the academic year, you will see it pop up. You will want to take the couple of minutes of time it’ll take to read all about the different events, resources, information, and cute animals specifically curated for graduate students. Here are just some of the things you can look forward to every Tuesday:
- Staying in the know: Our Announcements and Events categories are the best way to find out what graduate students should know about what’s happening on campus. Whether you want to know when you can play laser tag with your friends, where to punch up your public speaking skills, or how much time you have left to add or drop a course, these are the categories you’ll want to brush up on every week if you’re looking to attend campus events or just know whether the construction is going to affect your commute to school.
- Curated content: Have you ever found what looks like the perfect part-time job, but then realized it’s meant for undergrads? Or found a really great scholarship opportunity but found out it’s only meant for rising juniors? No more! Our Fellowships and Job Opportunities sections are specifically curated for graduate students. Let us do all the work of sifting through the mountains of postings for you!
- Opportunities to join in the fun from beginning to end: Not to be biased, but as the resident Tips for Grads writer, I think this section is a fun read. But most of the time, my favorite weeks are the ones where YOU contribute! If you think you have a great idea for a column, or have a piece of advice or a tip you wish you had known earlier in your graduate career, consider lending your voice to Tips for Grads. We are always looking for Tips for Grads guest writers, so if you’re interested, let us know! On the other end of the newsletter, Pet of the Week is the best way to ensure your Tuesday gets a dose of cute animal energy, plus you can submit a photo of your own critter for consideration!
We here at the Office of Professional Development wish you the very best for a productive, enjoyable, and GradConnections-filled fall 2022 semester!
Tips for Grads is a professional and academic advice column written by graduate students for graduate students at UW–Madison. It is published in the student newsletter, GradConnections Weekly.