GSAS Graduate Student Professional Development
We promote an intentional approach to professional development, one that begins with the first year of your PhD and continues to evolve as you build knowledge and shape your scholarly and professional identity. We encourage you to think about diverse career outcomes and to see professional development training as useful across many possible jobs, inside and outside of the academy.
Internships
Professional Development Opportunities (in lieu of teaching)
The GSAS professional development opportunities through the Teaching Fellows program allows some graduate students to pursue a Professional Development Opportunity in lieu of a standard teaching assignment, with approval from the Graduate School. These positions allow you to learn about alternative academic careers and build your leadership skills. These opportunities include:
- Beinecke Library Research Fellowships
- Center for British Art Assistantships and Funding
- Yale University Art Gallery Assistantships
See the Graduate Student Teaching Opportunities website for a full list of positions offered in each term.
GSAS Professional Experience (GPE) Fellowship
The GPE Fellowship is designed to help you strengthen your professional skills and broaden career exposure by working with experienced administrators outside of your academic programs. Host offices across Yale offer mentored experiences that help you develop your skills in strategic planning, research, project management, program design, communications, data analysis, and more. These internships are designed to be low-intensive experiences; they take 5-7 hours per week and come with a modest stipend.
Yale Graduate Impact (YGI) Fellowship (the YGI fellowships have been paused for 2025-26)
The YGI Fellowship is open to humanities PhD students who wish to pursue external work experiences related to their academic research at organizations outside of Yale. YGI fellows develop key professional skills and gain work experience while furthering their scholarly goals. You design your own position in conversation with outside organizations, such as museums, presses, and nonprofits. These internships are designed to be low-intensive experiences; they take up to 10 hours per week and come with a modest stipend.
External Internships
Graduate students may pursue outside internships during the summer or regular school year, with permission of their department.
Fellows Programs
McDougal Fellows Program
The McDougal Fellows Program provides graduate students with the opportunity to collaboratively work with deans and directors overseeing recruitment, retention, community building, career and professional development, and student well-being at Yale. This is a year-long commitment with a stipend.
Learn more about the McDougal Fellows.
Peter Salovey and Marta Moret Data Science Program
This is a unique fellowship for Yale University PhD students from any discipline. The program provides a structured way for Yale PhD students to complement the training of their academic discipline with activities in data science. Fellows receive mentorship, support, and professional development as they engage with a wider community of scholars to address pressing challenges in science and society.
Learn more about the Peter Salovey and Marta Moret Data Science fellowship program.
Yale Digital Ethics Center Director's Fellow program
The Director’s Fellowships program at the DEC offers an opportunity for graduate students to engage in groundbreaking research on digital ethics and AI governance. The Senior Digital Fellow position is designed specifically for graduate students. Each fellow completes a semester-long research project, participates in regular cohort meetings, and receives a stipend.
Learn more about the Director's Fellow program at the DEC.
Professional Certificates
Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning Certificates
The Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning offers two professional certificates. The Certificate of College Teaching Preparation prepares you for a career in teaching, offers a cohort of teaching-oriented graduate students, and is an excellent job market credential. The Public Communication Certificate gives you a chance to expand your impact by getting training and feedback on designing and delivering public presentations. Each certificate appears on the transcript upon completion.
For academic certificate programs, navigate to this page.
Digital Humanities Certificate
The DHLab welcomes graduate students to complete our Digital Humanities Certificate, a combination of workshops, consultations, and project work. The Certificate is structured around four competencies: DH methodologies (text mining, digitization, etc.), equity (accessibility, community engagement, etc.), digital materialities (digital media, archives, etc.), and job functions (project management, technical writing, etc.).
Learn more about the Digital Humanities Certificate.
Public Speaking
3-Minute Thesis Competition
The 3MT competition gives graduate students from across the disciplines the chance to practice their public communication skills and share their research with the university audience. Preliminary rounds are divided by 5 divisions, while 2 winners from each division go to the final event, which is broadcast live. Practice your communication skills and compete for cash prizes!
Summer professional development
Yale Summer Academy for Graduate Students
Summer is a great time to explore new research tools, develop your scholarly identity, and explore diverse career paths. The YSA is a set of short courses on special topics open to graduate students interested in pursuing professional development alongside their degree research. Topics will change from year to year, but the overall goal of promoting intentional, timely professional development will remain the same.
Learn more about the Yale Summer Academy.
External Internships
Graduate students may pursue outside internships during the summer or regular school year, with permission of their department.