Getting Involved in Graduate School: Building Connection and Opportunity

Why Getting Involved Matters (Even When You’re Overwhelmed) 

Graduate school is hard and can be quite isolating. It is easy to spend weeks interacting only with your advisor, your cohort, and your laptop. Getting involved creates structure for connection with people outside your immediate academic bubble, and those connections can shape your experience more than you might expect. 

I learned this somewhat late. During my first year of graduate school, I did very little socializing beyond my classroom. I went to classes and office hours, completed group projects, and went home. At the time, this felt practical. I thought focusing exclusively on coursework and research was the responsible choice.  

In hindsight, that lack of engagement was to my detriment. I missed opportunities to build relationships and to become visible in spaces where opportunities often begin. Getting involved often leads to access to information you would not otherwise hear about, stronger relationships with faculty and administrators, and professional opportunities such as TA roles, RA positions, funding, and leadership experience. It also helps create a sense of belonging within the institution beyond simply having a Tufts student ID. While some of these opportunities can support your career down the line, involvement is really about positioning yourself so that opportunities can find you. 

1. School Government and Graduate Councils: More Useful Than They Sound 

   Student government and graduate councils often get a reputation for being bureaucratic or time consuming, but they can be some of the most effective ways to build visibility and connection. These roles create direct interaction with faculty, deans, and administrators, offer insight into how institutional decisions are made, and allow graduate students to represent the interests of their peers in meaningful ways.  

   I currently serve as the Secretary of the Graduate Student Council. While the role is demanding, it has given me the chance to connect with other graduate students, work closely with university leadership, and contribute to panels, workshops, and events that are genuinely meant to support the graduate community. Over time, this kind of consistent presence helps you become a known and trusted person within the institution, which is often how students are recommended for committees, new initiatives or paid opportunities. 

    

2. TA and RA Roles as Relationship-Building Opportunities 

   Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions are often viewed mainly as sources of funding, but their value goes far beyond financial support or a section of your resume. These roles are important relationship builders. Serving as a TA helps graduate students develop mentoring and teaching skills, build closer working relationships with faculty, and gain confidence communicating complex ideas. RA positions deepen research skills and provide opportunities to work closely with faculty or research teams, often offering early exposure to publications, grants, or projects. Many opportunities like these do not come from cold applications. They often arise because a faculty member remembers a student as reliable, capable and involved. Being present and building relationships makes it much more likely that you will be thought of when support, funding, or collaboration opportunities become available. 

    

3. Volunteering  

   Volunteering can be a great way to get involved, not only as a means of civic engagement but it’s also an inexpensive way to become acquainted with the city you live in, especially if you’re new to the area! One great opportunity I am familiar with is volunteering at the Boston Public Library. Whether or not you’re a big reader, they have many opportunities for people to get involved at one of their many locations. Beyond libraries, local nonprofits, community centers, and mutual aid groups also offer meaningful ways to connect with people outside of academia while contributing to causes that matter to you. These experiences can ground you in your community and provide a refreshing escape from your academic life.  

   Getting involved in graduate school does not mean overcommitting yourself or adding unnecessary stress to an already demanding schedule. It is about being intentional with how you show up and where you invest your time. Even small steps toward engagement can open doors, build relationships, and make your experience feel more connected and fulfilling.