Employers are interested in hiring job candidates that have high-level transferrable skills, such as leadership, communication, project management, and problem-solving. EMPOWER is designed to cultivate these skills in the trainees throughout their graduate education. On Friday Sept, 2, EMPOWER trainees spent the afternoon learning about the opportunities to develop these skills by participation in the program.

The afternoon was filled with activities and information, including assignment of peer-mentor pairs, a discussion of the NSF’s Research Traineeship program, and a detailed description of each of EMPOWER’s training elements. Faculty representatives from Syracuse University’s School of Education, Whitman School of Management, College of Law, and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, in addition to ESF, participated in a panel to discuss the range of courses students might take to satisfy their Professional Development Specialization Requirement. Additionally, Dan Olson-Bang, from SU’s Graduate Career Services, facilitated a lively workshop on networking. The afternoon concluded with a well-attended reception with the trainees, EMPOWER’s Leadership Team, Affiliated Faculty, and staff.

Thanks to all who contributed their time and expertise to make the kick-off event a success!