There are many ways to engage in professional and leadership development opportunities as students at Northeastern. See what resources you have available below.
Graduate Leadership Institute
Connecting Global Leadership & Career Advancement
NU Fund Me
Professional Development within California
Professional Development Award
Expand Your Professional Development Beyond California
Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI)
The Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) is our premiere leadership experience designed exclusively for graduate students to network and build community across industries while enhancing their proficiency in the global leadership competencies necessary to catalyze their career advancement. GLI is currently our only program offered across the global network, involving students from the Silicon Valley, Seattle, and Vancouver campuses!
GLI is a totally FREE program that is offered in both the fall and spring semesters. Participants will attend 8 weekly 90-minute sessions, where you will have the opportunity to interact with other students and practice your leadership skills. Applications will open in early Fall term!
Topics covered in GLI include (varies by cohort):
- Competencies for successful Global Leadership
- Leveraging Strengths for Leadership
- Communication and Negotiation
- Values-Based Leadership
- Social Justice and Leadership
The virtual cohorts are open to students from any location. The in-person cohort is limited to Boston-based students who are available to attend in person.
NU Fund Me (within California)
NUFundMe is a professional development grant open to Silicon Valley students. Current students in good standing can apply to receive funds to help cover the cost of attending a variety of professional and academic opportunities, including conferences and networking events within California. Please check the application for details.
All students who receive an NU Fund Me award will be required to give back to the campus community through a reflection, panel, or info session event.
Email Karen Pryor, Director of Student Services, at k.pryor@northeastern.edu if you have other questions.
Please proceed to the NU Fund Me Application to apply for funding support. NU Fund Me is not eligible for the Grace Hopper Conference.
Professional Development Award (outside California)
The Professional Development Award is designed to financially assist Northeastern University’s current Silicon Valley Campus graduate students in attending co-curricular professional development such as academic conferences and workshops outside the state of California. Awards are up to $500 per academic year (August to May).
Application period
The application is now open for the 2024-2025 year and will run until funds are exhausted. Click here to apply and review all terms and condition for funding.
Request process and timeline
Requests must be submitted by the student directly through the online application. Students will receive an email with the award decision within 2 weeks of after submitting a FULL AND COMPLETE application.
Criteria/Requirements
- Completion of Professional Development online application
- A statement of 550 characters (120 to 150 words) summarizing your proposed professional development or training enrichment activities.
- The statement should explain why this is a unique opportunity and how it will complement your degree or support your career goals.
- A statement on how professional development will contribute to your understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (of 550 characters (120 to 150 words).
- Resume
- Recommendation Letter (from staff or faculty only)
- Recommendation letter should be emailed directly to Karen Pryor (k.pryor@northeastern.edu).
All students who win an award will be required to give back to the campus community through a reflection, panel, or info session event.
Please email Karen Pryor (k.pryor@northeastern.edu) if you have any questions.