The Center for Internships and Career Development (CICD) hosted a graduate school workshop on Sept. 23 in the Science Building and its annual graduate school fair on Sept. 24 in the Betty Tipton Room of the Student Center.

The CICD’s role on campus is to advise and provide students with resources that will guide them in the process of career development. As part of the CICD’s mission to help students with their future careers, the staff began to organize the graduate school fair and workshop the summer prior to the fall 2019 semester.

The graduate workshop was designed so that students could drop in and out as their schedules permitted and speak with faculty and staff about different aspects of graduate school, such as financing, applying and graduate programs. The CICD involved staff from other departments who covered topics at different tables. Elizabeth Scott, the interim dean of the School of Education and Professional Studies/Graduate Division, hosted a table centered on helping students choose a graduate school that is right for them. She explained the application process, the expectations and what different graduate programs look like.

Julia DeLapp, director of the Center for Early Childhood Education, hosted a table focused on graduate school scholarships and fellowships. Katherine Wrana, associate director of financial aid, shared options on how to finance graduate school. Other tables covered the application process and standardized testing.

“We intentionally made the event casual,” said Janice Patry, assistant director of the CICD. “It was set up in the form of a table round discussion so students could move around freely from table to table, so if a student only had 20 minutes between classes they could just drop in and out whenever.”

The CIDC organized the graduate school fair to help students make further choices on prospective graduate schools. The CICD chose schools with programs that match majors offered at Eastern. Participating universities included Central Connecticut State University, the University of Connecticut’s School of Social Work, Quinnipiac School of Law, Johnson and Wales University and Springfield College. A total of 40 universities attended the event.

Deajah Curry ‘21, a communication major, attended the fair to see what graduate programs best suit her. “My main purpose for coming here today is to see which colleges have the best programs that fit me, as well as to network and create new connections.”

“A great group of colleges are here today,” she added, “because there are some that are closer to the area and some further out. The variety is good, and it got me thinking about other aspects of grad schools, such as what town I want to attend school in.”

The CICD will host a career and internship fair on Oct. 23 in the sports center gymnasium from 1-4 p.m. An estimated 90+ employers will attend, representing industries across all majors. To learn more about the CICD and their upcoming events, visit http://www.easternct.edu/career/.