Graduate Gold Rush Welcomes New Graduate Students to Purdue

New graduate students at the West Lafayette campus participated in the Graduate Gold Rush on Aug. 18, an orientation hosted by The Graduate School. Over 800 graduate students attended this half-day event, which included a welcome convocation, resource fair, and professional development workshops.

The Purdue Graduate Student Government (PGSG) led the convocation, sharing tips, tricks, and traditions to prepare new graduate students for life at Purdue. Students were welcomed by Dr. Eric Barker, Associate Provost of Graduate Programs, before learning about disability and wellness resources on campus. The convocation concluded with a panel of current graduate students sharing what they wish they would have known during their first year of graduate school.

New graduate students meet in LOEB Playhouse to learn more about life at Purdue at the Graduate Gold Rush morning convocation.

After the convocation, students were encouraged to attend a Resource Fair where they could visit with over 40 campus and community organizations, grab a coffee, and network with fellow graduate students.

The event concluded with five professional development workshops designed to help graduate students successfully transition into their new roles. Workshops included: 

• What Hats Are You Wearing? Student, Employee, or Researcher? A Survival Guide
• Impostor Syndrome
• Protecting Your Mental Health During Graduate School
• Getting the Mentoring You Need
• What You Need to Know About Your Purdue Health Insurance

New graduate students gather for the Graduate Gold Rush professional development workshops.

Students who were unable to attend the event can view a live recording of the convocation and attend a virtual resource fair online at the Graduate Gold Rush website.