Overview

Graduate professional development refers to a range of activities that help graduate students to gain enhanced academic skills and explore potential career pathways. The graduate professional development landscape at U of T is rich and diverse. To support graduate students as they navigate this landscape, CGPD provides both programming and wayfinding. Our programming supports students as they begin graduate study, as they transition to doctoral candidacy, and as they plan their own professional development pathways. We also help graduate students to find their way through the range of programming that is offered at all levels of the institution. 

Our key goal is to support graduate students as they build autonomy in their professional development. Graduate students have a wide range of strengths, motivations, challenges, and ambitions. As a result, each must chart their own path through their graduate degree and beyond, acquainting themselves with what is offered and choosing to engage with the topics that will enhance their studies and support their professional goals.  

Navigating the U of T professional development landscape

SGS professional development programming is available to all graduate students, in all faculties, across the St. George, Scarborough, and Mississauga campuses.

Some professional development programming is from central offices at U of T:  

• Centre for Research Innovation & Support 
• Centre for Teaching Support & Innovation 
• Centre for Learning Strategy Support 
• Centre for International Experience 

Some professional development programming is organized by campus:

• Career Centre (UTM) 
• Academic Advising & Career Centre (UTSC) 
• Career Exploration & Education (UTSG)
• Graduate Student Support, Centre for Teaching & Learning (UTSC) 
• Academic and Professional Development Resources (UTM)

Some professional development programming is offered at the divisional level:

• Faculty of Arts & Science Support for Graduate Student Development 
• Career Exploration at the Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering 
• OISE Registrar’s Office & Student Experience Career Resources 
• Graduate Professional Development at Temerty Faculty of Medicine 
• Faculty of Information iSkills Co-Curricular Workshops

Given this wealth of resources, graduate students are encouraged to learn what they can access centrally and what may be available to them from their department, their faculty, and their campus. They should also investigate relevant institutes and Institutional Strategic Initiatives such as the Jackman Humanities Institute, Data Sciences Institute, Critical Digital Humanities Initiative, Black Research Network, Indigenous Research Network, as well as the Student Life Grad Inventory. 

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