GSAS Emerging Professionals Network (in collaboration with the Mentor Collective)
Connecting Graduate Students with Alumni, Mentors, and Professional Pathways
The Tufts Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is launching the GSAS Emerging Professionals Network, a new mentoring initiative in partnership with Mentor Collective.
This program connects current GSAS students with alumni and professionals who can offer career insight, professional guidance, encouragement, and perspective as students explore opportunities within and beyond academia.
Whether you are an alum interested in mentoring, a student looking for professional connection, or a faculty member who wants to share this opportunity with students, this page will help you get involved
Program Commitment
The Emerging Professionals Network is designed to be flexible and accessible. Mentors and students are encouraged to connect periodically throughout the academic year in a way that works for both participants.
Conversations may take place virtually, by phone, or through the Mentor Collective platform.
Who Can Participate?
The program welcomes participation from across the GSAS community.
Alumni mentors may come from any academic discipline, career field, or professional stage.
Student mentees may include master’s, doctoral, certificate, and post-baccalaureate students interested in career exploration, professional development, and networking.
Faculty and staff can support the program by helping students and alumni learn about the opportunity.
For Alumni: Become a Mentor
GSAS alumni play an important role in helping students understand career possibilities, build confidence, and navigate the transition from graduate school to professional life.
As an alumni mentor, you will be matched with a current GSAS student based on shared interests, academic background, career goals, or professional experience.
Mentors do not need to have all the answers. Students benefit from hearing your story, learning from your experiences, and gaining insight into the choices, challenges, and opportunities that shaped your professional journey.
Mentoring conversations may focus on:
- Career exploration and professional pathways
- Navigating graduate school and career transitions
- Networking and professional communication
- Workplace culture and expectations
- Building confidence and professional identity
- Translating graduate education into career opportunities
- Internships, experiential learning, and industry insight
Why become a mentor?
By participating, you can:
- Give back to the Tufts GSAS community
- Help students make informed professional decisions
- Share lessons from your own graduate and career journey
- Strengthen connections across the Tufts alumni network
- Support students as they build confidence and direction
- Participate in a flexible, manageable mentoring experience
Alumni Mentor Sign-Up
Alumni interested in serving as mentors can register through the Mentor Collective platform.
After registering, mentors will complete a brief profile to support thoughtful matching with students.
For Students: Connect to an alumni mentor
The Emerging Professionals Network gives GSAS students the opportunity to connect with alumni and professionals who can offer guidance, encouragement, and real-world perspective.
As a student mentee, you can use this program to explore career paths, ask questions, build your professional network, and gain insight from someone who has navigated graduate education and professional life.
You do not need to have a fully defined career plan to participate. This program is designed to support students at different stages of exploration and preparation.
Students may use the program to:
- Explore career options within and beyond academia
- Learn how alumni have applied their graduate education
- Build confidence in professional conversations
- Receive guidance on networking and career transitions
- Ask questions about industries, roles, and workplace expectations
- Gain perspective on internships, applied experiences, and job searching
Student Sign-Up
Current GSAS students interested in being matched with a mentor can register through the Mentor Collective platform. After registering, students will complete a brief profile to help identify a mentor whose background, experience, or interests align with their goals. More information will be coming about this soon.
For Faculty and Staff: Help Students Connect
Faculty and staff are important partners in helping students become aware of opportunities that support their academic and professional development.
The Emerging Professionals Network is designed to complement the academic mentoring students already receive by connecting them with alumni and professionals who can offer career perspective, networking support, and insight into professional pathways.
Faculty and staff can support the program by:
- Sharing the opportunity with students
- Encouraging students to participate as mentees
- Referring alumni who may be strong mentors
- Identifying departments or programs that may benefit from targeted outreach
- Helping students see mentoring as part of their broader graduate education
Faculty and Staff Information
Faculty and staff who would like more information, sample language to share with students, or opportunities to collaborate with GSAS on program promotion are encouraged to contact us.