Global Ambassador Stories
Networking With Graduate Students in Your Program
Story by Zhixu Yang and Deepti Tagare
August 31, 2022
As new graduate students, you might be wondering how to network with fellow students. The word ‘networking’ may also sound a little intimidating to you. We recommend that you think of networking as creating long-term friendships and building a supportive community.
Networking can especially be challenging for students who have a diverse cohort of peers from different cultures and backgrounds. Difficulties in communication may arise because of language barriers. Breaking the ice becomes harder. In such cases, knowing that you are not the only one who is facing this challenge can help better navigate the situation.
Building Meaningful Friendships
Engaging in collaborative activities is a good way to work around difficulties with communication and cultural differences. Initial cohort introductions
can often take place during work. It is easy to just drop by each other’s offices to brainstorm research ideas and talk about grad school life. Through these casual conversations, we get to know each other and gain social support. To hangout outside of work, consider exploring Purdue campus and the Greater Lafayette area together. Workouts and team sports in CoRec, happy hours in local pubs and restaurants, trivia nights, trail hiking, and movie nights are all leisure activities that one can engage in, on and around Purdue campus.
A Sense of Community
Building a sense of community is important for graduate students to feel like they belong here. One way to do that is engaging in voluntary service. Most departments have student organizations with such opportunities. The communities of Lafayette and West Lafayette also offer multiple service opportunities that welcome Purdue graduate students.
About the Authors
Rick volunteers in the Purdue Association of Graduate Students in Industrial Psychology (PAGSIP). He works with other students to increase their program's visibility on social media and connect students with past alumni. They have also put together a voluntary program to provide mentorship for undergrads.
Deepti serves as the President of Purdue Association of Learning Design and Technology (PALDT) where she has engaged in organizing events and creating opportunities for student professional development, community building, and making the organization more inclusive.
The views of the author are not necessarily those of the Grad School or Purdue University.