The University of Sydney runs an innovative self-development scheme that is helping higher degree by research (HDR) students turn ideas into opportunities while building professional skills and creating valuable experiences for their peers.
The Graduate Research Activities and Development Scheme (GRADS) provides up to $5000 for HDR students to run events that explore topics important to graduate researchers, build skills and foster a sense of belonging across the research community.
The scheme’s benefits extend beyond the skills gained by event attendees. Event organisers also develop valuable project management, communication and leadership skills to boost their CVs.
For PhD graduate Eileen Yang, participating in GRADS in 2024 became a stepping stone to her current casual role as an HDR Officer at the University of Sydney.
At the time, Eileen was completing her PhD in Education and researching the experiences of international students navigating academic writing and belonging at Australian universities.
As a first-in-family student herself, Eileen recognised that other HDR students with similar backgrounds lacked the networks and insider knowledge that can make university life easier.
So Eileen decided to apply for GRADS funding to host a panel discussion featuring four former first-in-family students who had built successful careers in academia and professional fields.
“We invited them to talk about their experience, how they overcame their challenges, and how they become successful in their careers,” she said.
Around 60 students attended and had the chance to engage in a thoughtful Q&A session with the panellists. The event also highlighted the variety of career pathways available for HDR students beyond academia. Eileen said event feedback was very positive, with participants describing the session as inspiring, helpful and a valuable opportunity to connect with other first-in-family peers.
For Eileen, organising the event offered benefits beyond supporting fellow students. It strengthened her project management, teamwork and leadership capabilities. She was able to talk about her GRADS experience in the job interview and secure her first professional role. Today, Eileen supports HDR students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Science by answering enquiries, organising events and communicating with students and their supervisors.
“Whatever job you do in the future, you will need to be able to collaborate with others. GRADS helps you to develop teamwork skills and interpersonal skills, even leadership skills,” she said.
Eileen believes GRADS is great way to demonstrate transferable skills to future employers and she encourages other HDR students to take part to prepare for the future career within or beyond academia.
“If you want to secure GRADS funding you’ll need to prepare a compelling application, and that’s a skill I think all research students need to have for other funding applications,” she added.
Yulia Ulyannikova, HDR Development Manager in the University’s Graduate Research School, said it was rewarding to see GRADS events created by HDR students, for HDR students.
“They address the topics that matter most to researchers and provide opportunities for peer learning and skills development that are difficult to replicate elsewhere.” Yulia said.
Each year, GRADS events cover a range of topics such as working with AI, HDR career pathways, collaboration and creativity in research or public speaking skills for international researchers. See the full list of GRADS events.