Starting grad school often brings up anxiety about their careers. Take a deep breath, exhale, and join Assistant Director for Outreach Liyao Zhao and Associate Director Alex Stonehill for a conversation about connecting your passions to your career path, and making the most of the many opportunities to grow while in the Comm Lead program.

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What classes should you take in grad school? Are there other ways to make the most of your learning?

Associate Director Gretchen Ludwig and Assistant Director of Academic Services Heather Werckle give advice for following your passions in choosing courses, and charting a path through Comm Lead that supports your goals.

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A conversation about building community in grad school with Assistant Director for Outreach Liyao Zhou and Associate Director Alex Stonehill.

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How can incoming students make the most of a small graduate program at a big university? Associate Director Gretchen Ludwig and Assistant Director of Academic Services Heather Werckle offer insights on how to get oriented, and share the best things about UW, from activities to facilities.

Mentioned in the episode:

IMA | UW Libraries | Grad student housing

| Recording studios: COM * Odegaard * Open Scholarship Commons | Handshake | Career Center, Wardrobe Checkout & Headshots

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Today we’re talking with Margarita Aguado and Michelle Rojas, two students who are the first in their families to attend grad school.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leading the Way

02:53 Meet Margarita Aguado and Michelle Rojas, today’s guests and first generation students

20:52 The role of mentors and advocates

41:41 Pursuing grad school as a first generation student

1:14:22 How grad schools can support first gen students

Mentioned in the episode:

College Bound Scholarship

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Today we’re talking with Dane Garfield and Gautam Malyala, two students who have and are using grad school to shift careers.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome & Introductions

2:22: Dane’s journey

7:18: Gautam’s journey

19:50 the value of networking and real-world applications

41:10 navigating grad school challenges

50:59 Advice for prospective grad students

1:10:26 final thoughts and farewell

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Welcome to our very first episode of Leading the Way! Today we’re talking with Amy Niu and S'Morr, two students about to finish graduate school, about their mental health journeys through the Comm Lead program.

Chapters

00:00 Intro to Leading the Way

04:40 Amy’s Story

7:15 Imposter Phenomena

20:45 S'Morr’s story

36:45 Mental Health Practices that work

Mentioned in the episode:

Mental Health at UW | UW Counseling Center | UW Crisis Services

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A podcast guidebook for navigating grad school, from the University of Washington’s Communication Leadership Master’s Program. Leading The Way is your guide to making the most of your graduate school experience. Hear how students are navigating everything from career drama, to mental health, to visa regulations, and more to find their own unique path to success.