The Connected Science Community PhD is a one-of-a-kind program that maximizes the benefit and power of PhD training for candidates and society. Within this community, students will learn from, collaborate with, and draw on the experiences of their peers.
The critical first component of the Connected Science Community PhD is the Summer Skills Session. This is an optional program for all incoming COS PhD students, which takes place during the August before the PhD program begins.
The Summer Skills Session includes:
Proposal-writing training that includes cross-disciplinary peer review and faculty support
Skill-building workshops led by Northeastern staff and faculty
Opportunities for community-building with students across PhD programs
Career panels and networking events
Orientation to Northeastern resources
After the summer, all incoming COS PhD students begin coursework and research within their PhD programs. As members of the Connected Science Community of PhDs, students continue to receive opportunities for additional skills development, group mentoring, work experience, and career exploration.
The Summer Skills Session helped me hit the ground running with a robust network of fellow incoming PhDs across many departments, which made the beginning of my program much smoother. Additionally, I was encouraged and helped to write a fellowship proposal which I may otherwise not have completed on my own. More than anything else, the program made me feel like a supported member of a community, with access to numerous resources alongside a newfound network to help me start strong.
– PhD Student, College of Science
“I was nervous to start my PhD program. Being able to find my way around campus and connect with my cohort without the stress of classes, teaching, and research was key to the very smooth start to my semester once September rolled around.”
– PhD Student, College of Science
“The Summer Skills Session made me feel a true sense of belonging within the College of Science. The experience made me feel stronger and more confident, reinforcing my readiness for the PhD journey.”
