Professional development doesn’t always have to feel like work

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Sometimes it’s a relaxed, engaging conversation over a meal with interesting folks.

Sometimes it means getting together with a group of peers to share experiences and support.

Sometimes it will have you tapping into your creative side for improvisational fun and games.

Graduate Student Appreciation Week starts on Monday, and the Office of Graduate Student Affairs has been busy planning a week of programming to acknowledge the tremendous contributions that graduate students make to Duke. Take a little time to check out some of the professional development events that focus on personal growth, social interaction and support:

• Alumni Lunches: come enjoy lunch at the Graduate School and hang out with recent alumni in an informal setting. Register now for one of the following:

Basic Medical Sciences, Tuesday, March 25, 12:00-1:30pm

Humanities and Social Sciences, Wednesday, March 26, 12:00-1:30pm

Engineering and Natural Sciences, Thursday, March 27, 12:00-1:30pm

• Humanities and Social Sciences Postdoc Panel Discussion – “What to Know Before You Go.” Get the inside scoop from current Duke postdocs in Sociology, Women’s Studies, and the Fuqua School of Business. Wednesday, March 26, 3:00-4:00 pm.
• “Academic Career Burnout among Graduate Students: Is It a Problem?”
  Join GradConvos to speak honestly, while suppressing judgment, about the graduate/professional student life experience. Wednesday, March 26, 7:30-9:00pm.
• Finish out the week on a fun note with “Thinking On Your Feet,” an interactive workshop with renowned improv educator Greg Hohn on Friday, March 28, 10:00-11:30am, before heading to the Graduate School lawn for some kid-friendly fun, food, and games beginning at 4:00pm. It looks like spring might be showing up to stay by the end of the week, and that’s something I’m sure we can all appreciate!

Abbie Langston is a PhD candidate in the Graduate Program in Literature and an intern in the Office of Graduate Student Affairs.