Graduate Student Engagement Program

GSEP members have the unique opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, learn from sector experts, and access top-tier resources designed to advance their careers in the field of career development. 

CERIC encourages the engagement of full-time and part-time graduate students enrolled in a Canadian university whose academic focus is on career development and/or related fields through the Graduate Student Engagement Program (GSEP).

The GSEP brings together engaged graduate students interested in advancing their academic, personal and professional development through unique opportunities of networking with peers across the country, recognized experts in the field, accessing top-tier resources and more. 

Take your academic and professional development to new heights by joining CERIC’s Graduate Student Engagement Program!

Through the GSEP, graduate students are invited to take advantage of these opportunities:

  • Present a poster at Cannexus Canada's Career Development Conference
  • Join one of CERIC's committees
  • Write for the CareerWise website
  • Network with peers and experts in the field
  • Connect with other graduate students
  • Submit an article to the peer-reviewed Canadian Journal of Career Development
  • Compete for the GSEP Award (free registration to Cannexus and $1,000 prize)
Applications are now open.
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Why apply?
Read this article that addresses the challenges faced by graduate students throughout their academic journeys and discover how CERIC’s GSEP program enriches students’ experience through active engagement, mentorship, and fostering a sense of connection and belonging.
  • Full-time and part-time graduate students enrolled at a Canadian university (domestic or international students) living in Canada
  • Students need to be full-time or part-time graduate students at the moment of application and keep their status for the upcoming year
  • Students who have a connection to the career development field

2025-2026 TIMELINE

August 6, 2025 – October 31, 2025: Call for Applications

November 3, 2025 – November 28, 2025: Applications review

December 3, 2025: Announcing new GSEP members and GSEP Award winners

December 5 2025- January 12, 2026: Student posters submission for Cannexus26

January 26 – January 28, 2026: GSEP members attend Cannexus26, present Student posters, network and enjoy!

May 2026 – June 2026: Announcing GSEP members joining the Advisory Committees

July 2026: Selected GSEP members attend their first Committee meeting

Do you want to know more about the program and how graduate students can benefit from joining, the requirements and eligibility criteria and what you need to submit your online application? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions!
Still deciding if GSEP is where you belong to? Find out what previous GSEP members and mentors have to say about the program and how it impacted their graduate studies and professional journey after graduating.
Visit the GSEP Corner and browse through the collection of articles written by past GSEP members, including the winners of the GSEP Award and learn about their research or career development topics of interest. Your article could be next!
This award provides a free registration to Canada’s Career Development Conference and up to $1,000 to cover expenses to attend the conference. Discover who are the previous winners and how to submit your application for this prestigious award!

 

Any questions? Email Alexandra Manoliu at gsep@ceric.ca.