Reaching out begins with identifying people who can offer insight and guidance. Remember: most graduate students and alumni are happy to share their experiences and help others, especially those on similar paths. 

Aim to identify 1-3 people from your program (or a few programs you’re exploring) who can give you insight into the student experience. These could include current graduate students, recent alumni, faculty or staff mentors.

How to Identify Who to Reach Out To

Look for individuals who: 

  •  Are current students in the program you’re considering.

  • Are recent alumnus whose career or research path aligns with your interests.

  • They share a similar background, identity, or lived experience (e.g., first-generation, Latinx, BIPOC)

  • They have research, work, or academic interests that overlap with yours.

Where to find them:

  • LinkedIn: Search the program name, filter by “People” and look for current students or alumni.

  • University website: explore the departments alumni pages.

  • Research labs: lab websites often list graduate students, alumni, and their bios.