Fostering graduate student engagement for the future of career development

This article addresses the challenges faced by graduate students throughout their academic journeys and highlights the pivotal role of organizations such as CERIC in enriching their experiences through active engagement, mentorship, and fostering a sense of connection and belonging. It emphasizes the significance of engagement programs, specifically focusing on the Graduate Student Engagement Program (GSEP). The GSEP offers valuable opportunities for graduate students to connect with peers and experts in their field, fostering an environment conducive to sharing experiences, exchanging knowledge, and building professional networks. GSEP serves as a platform for graduate students to showcase their work and research outcomes, receive constructive feedback, and actively contribute to a vibrant community of scholars. By acknowledging and supporting the unique needs of graduate students, organizations and engagement programs play a vital role in empowering the next generation of researchers and practitioners in career development.