The MU Graduate School is dedicated to fostering the holistic development of graduate students by offering comprehensive, in-person, and online professional development resources in collaboration with campus partners. Our priorities include assisting with goal setting, skill building, leadership development, and career preparedness, tailored to graduate students across all disciplines.
Professional development efforts align with the eight skill areas identified by MU Graduate School to essential to graduate student professional development and growth. Engage in our professional development program to empower yourself for a confident transition into your chosen profession.
Upcoming Workshops & Events
One-on-One Coaching
Career Coaching
In partnership with the MU Career Center, the Graduate School offers graduate career coaching. Our graduate career coaches work with graduate students graduate students from all disciplines to explore the diverse career pathways open to them after completing their degrees. They are here to support students wherever they are in their career exploration journeys and at any stage of their graduate school careers. Services include:
- Career exploration and job searching
- Job document reviews (CVs, resumes, cover letters, etc.)
- Interview preparation
- Offer negotiation and acceptance
- General career-related inquiries and guidance
Our dedicated coaches, Audra Jenkins and Dr. Laura Roesch, are available for both in-person and virtual meetings. Schedule an appointment through MU Connect.
Postdoc Job Coaching
Mizzou graduate students exploring postdoctoral opportunities are welcome to schedule consultation sessions with our Director of Postdoctoral Education, Dr. Valli Sarveswaran. These sessions offer guidance on various aspects of postdoc positions and address inquiries such as:
- Is a postdoc job right for me?
- Where to find postdoc jobs and how to find the right one for me
- Postdoc application timeline
- If I am an international scholar, what are the visa options?
- Questions about the postdoc salary, contracts, benefits, responsibilities, etc.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Valli Sarveswaran.
Campus Resources
Writing Support
Graduate students have the opportunity to receive personalized feedback on specific writing projects through 50-minute individual writing tutorial appointments (in-person or on Zoom) or by submitting their work to the Online Writery. Additionally, the Writing Center provides a range of targeted writing support programs tailored to meet the needs of graduate students. These include:
- Evening and Saturday writing accountability sessions
- Dissertation retreats
- Workshops on formatting your thesis/dissertation
- GradsWrite weekly groups
Not sure which resource suits you best? Check out this infographic!
Beyond the Professoriate
Beyond the Professoriate’s Career Training Platform is an online professional development tool where postdocs and doctoral students can explore career options and learn job search strategies. Through two programs of study (Academic Careers and Professional Careers), students are empowered to make informed decisions about their career path and learn successful job search strategies from other PhDs. To log in simply visit Beyond Prof’s Career Training Platform, select University of Missouri, and enter your institutional login information.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD)
Graduate students interested in faculty careers can take advnatange of Mizzou’s institutional membership to NCFDD. NCFDD pGraduate students aspiring for faculty careers can leverage Mizzou’s institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD). NCFDD offers convenient access to mentoring, tools, and support essential for thriving in academia. Resources available to graduate students include the 14-Day Writing Challenge, Dissertation Success Curriculum, and WriteNow Access. To explore further, visit the NCFDD page to become a member and check out the Graduate Students and Postdocs page for additional information.
Follow us on LinkedIn
The Graduate School encourages students to create a LinkedIn profile early on. It’s a vital tool for building professional connections, showcasing achievements, and accessing opportunities in academia and beyond. Follow Mizzou Graduate School on LinkedIn for professional development opportunities, insightful tips, and a network that can contribute to your academic and career success.
Customized Workshops & Events
The Graduate School is happy to offer customized workshops and events upon request for departments or student organizations. Examples include Professional Development 101, Individual Development Plans for Graduate Students, Resume Workshops, Job Search Skills, and more. To request a workshop, please contact Dr. Heather Hoffman, Assistant Dean for Professional Development & Leadership.
Contact Us
Heather Hoffman, PhD
Assistant Dean for Professional Development & Leadership
210 Jesse Hall
Email: hoffmanh@missouri.edu