Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week 2026

April 6-10, 2026

Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week is our opportunity to show our grad and professional student some additional gratitude. Below is a list of events curated for graduate and professional students across the Charles River campus, Medical campus, and online.

These events are open to all graduate and professional students. Please note that registration may be required for some events.

Additional events may be organized by schools and colleges, or individual graduate programs.

Medical Campus

Terrier F1RSTS Tuesday (GPSAW Edition!)
Hosted by the Newbury Center
Registration
Date: Tuesday, April 7
Time: 12:30pm-2pm
Location: Medical Campus

  • Join us at the BUMC for a special Graduate & Professional Student Appreciation Week edition of Terrier Tuesday! Stop by to grab lunch, get to know your first-gen graduate community, and win some Newbury Center Terrier F1RSTS swag! A first-generation graduate student at BU is “A student who is in the first-generation of their families to pursue an advanced degree (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, such as a JD or MD).”

GMS Annual Research Symposium
Hosted by GMS
Registration
Date: Thursday, April 9
Time: 12pm-3pm
Location: Medical Campus, Hiebert Lounge (14th floor, L Building)

  • View posters and research talks from GMS master’s students, PhD students, MD/PhD students, and postdocs across campus. Lunch will be provided.

Charles River Campus and Online

Leveraging LinkedIn for Graduate Students
Hosted by the Center for Career Development
Registration
Date: Monday, April 6
Time: 12pm-1pm
Location: Online

  • Do you have a LinkedIn profile and wonder how to more effectively market your skills? Have you heard people say, ‘you HAVE to network’ and wondered how you should start? This workshop will give you the tools to optimize your LinkedIn profile and confidently network with professionals on the platform. Grab your lunch and learn with us!

    Graduate Writer’s Salon BRUNCH
    Hosted by the Graduate Writing Center
    Registration
    Date: Tuesday, April 7
    Time    : 10:30am-12pm
    Location: Charles River Campus, Mugar Memorial Library, Riverview Reading Room

    • Come join us for light brunch fare and a chance to connect with fellow graduate writers, BU libraries staff and the Graduate Writing Support team! There will be a combination of informational stations with resources & guidance relevant to graduate writers and creative stations with writing activities designed to re-energize your writing practice. Get some food, some tips and some writerly fun!

          Getting Unstuck – Writing Workshop
          Hosted by the Graduate Writing Center
          Registration
          Date: Tuesday, April 7
          Time          : 3pm-4pm
          Location: Online

          • It can be challenging to start writing – this workshop will offer strategies to conquer that challenge and get yourself back to work! Bring your questions!

          Learn & Network: Careers in Education and Human Services
          Hosted by the Center for Career Development
          Registration
          Date: Tuesday, April 7
          Time          : 5:30pm-7:00pm
          Location: Charles River Campus, Yawkey Center, 100 Bay State Road

          • Hear from professionals working across education and human services as they share their career paths, key skills, and day-to-day experiences. Gain insights, ask questions, and make meaningful connections in an informal networking setting. Refreshments will be served.

          Managing Up and Across: Building Influence Without Authority
          Hosted by Alumni & Friends
          Registration
          Date: Wednesday, April 8
          Time          : 12pm-1pm
          Location: Online

          • Titles can open doors—but it’s leadership skills that truly drive sustained career growth. Join us for a virtual Lunch & Learn featuring Leslie Griffin (COM ’06, BUA ’03, Questrom MBA’17). Leslie will share practical insights and real-world strategies for managing up and across organizations, building credibility, and influencing outcomes—regardless of title or formal authority.

            Aviation Consulting 101: A Career Chat with an Early‑Career Aviation Planner
            Hosted by the Center for Career Development
            Registration
            Date: Wednesday, April 8
            Time            : 2pm-3pm
            Location: Yawkey Center, 100 Bay State Road

            • Curious about what a career in consulting looks like, especially in the fast‑moving world of aviation? Join us for an engaging conversation with an early‑career Aviation Planner from Jacobs Solutions’ Manchester, UK office. As a recent graduate who has already begun building their career in the transportation sector, they’ll share their personal journey, what drew them to aviation consulting, and what their day‑to‑day work looks like, followed by an open Q&A!

            GPS Snack Break & Open House
            Hosted by Graduate & Postdoctoral Success (GPS)
            Registration
            Date: Wednesday, April 8
            Time            : 2pm-3:30pm
            Location: Charles River Campus, 755 Comm Ave, Suite 101

            • Take a snack break or play a quick game of Jenga in our new space for Graduate & Postdoctoral Success (GPS)! Learn more about GPS and our resources, connect with other grad students at BU, pick up some GPS swag, and enjoy light refreshments. Online students: We want to connect with you, too! Check out question #6 on the registration form.

            First-Gen Graduate & Professional Student Social
            Hosted by the Newbury Center
            Registration
            Date: Wednesday, April 8
            Time            : 7pm-8:30pm
            Location: Charles River Campus, Fuller’s Pub

            • Come celebrate Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week with the Newbury Center! We will have snacks and drinks at the BU Pub. Each student will receive one ticket for a free drink. It will be a fun night of socializing, and we hope to see many of you there! A first-generation graduate student at BU is “A student who is in the first-generation of their families to pursue an advanced degree (i.e., a student whose parents/guardians/caregivers did not earn a master’s, doctorate, or professional degree, such as a JD or MD).”

              Chips & Tips: Job & Fellowship Writing
              Hosted by the Graduate Writing Center
              Registration
              Date: Thursday, April 9
              Time: 1pm-2pm
              Location: Charles River Campus, 100 Bay State Road, Room 545

              • Do you need assistance in transforming your CV into a resume, or a second set of eyes to review a cover letter? Are you used to academic writing, and feeling a bit stuck navigating application writing? Whether you’re applying to a job or a fellowship, come grab a snack and get some support through the process. We’ll briefly discuss best practices for these genres of writing and then offer consultations on specific materials. Bring your questions and drafts!

              Busting Imposter Syndrome
              Hosted by Student Wellbeing and Graduate & Postdoctoral Success (GPS)
              Registration
              Date: Thursday, April 9
              Time              : 2pm-3pm
              Location: Charles River Campus, 755 Commonwealth Ave, Suite 101 (GPS Suite)

              • If you have ever felt like an intellectual fraud, you are not alone! Many accomplished people have felt like an impostor at some point. In this interactive workshop, students will learn about the causes of impostor syndrome and the five types of impostor syndrome. Participants will learn a variety of techniques they can personalize to lessen the impact of impostor syndrome and gain greater confidence in their academic and professional life.

                From Grad School to Career: Marketing Your Transferable Skills as a Graduate Student
                Hosted by the Center for Career Development
                Registration
                Date: Thursday, April 9
                Time                : 5:30pm-6:30pm
                Location: Online

                • Graduate students bring a wealth of transferable skills from research, teaching, professional experiences, and beyond, but translating those skills for employers can feel challenging. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to identify your most valuable skills, connect them to your career goals, and effectively communicate them in resumes, interviews, and networking conversations. Whether you’re pursuing roles in academia, industry, or exploring new paths, you’ll leave with strategies to confidently market your experiences and stand out in your next step.

                Panel Discussion “Non-Academic Careers for Social Scientists: Insights from Recent PhDs”
                Hosted by the Center for Innovation in Social Science (CISS)
                Registration
                Date: Friday, April 10
                Time                : 2:30pm-4pm
                Location: Online

                • National data show that one in four recent social science PhDs works in a non-academic setting, typically non-profits, governmental organizations, or industry. These positions enable social scientists to use the research, writing, analysis, and translational skills acquired during their graduate training. But how do PhD students find and successfully apply for non-academic positions? What are the pros and cons of working in academic versus non-academic settings?