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The Graduate School

Preparing for Your Future

Take charge of your professional growth and be among the first 100 graduate students to complete the Professional Development Level Up challenge.

Level Up

Members of the Grad Pack will build practical skills, make progress toward a certificate, and earn exclusive NC State Graduate School rewards along the way. Complete each step, collect each reward, and join a community of graduate students investing in what comes next. Sign Up Today! The challenge ends December 1, 2026.

The First 100 to Take The Challenge

Be among the first 100 to complete every item on the list before December 1, and earn top prizes.

Complete the Competencies Assessment

Identify your strengths, reflect on your goals and discover where to focus your professional development.
Your reward: An NC State custom sticker set
Learn more

Sign Up for a Certificate

Choose a certificate that aligns with your interests and career goals, then create a clear path for building new skills. Once you enroll in a certificate, you will have completed this requirement for the “Level Up” challenge.
Sign Up

Attend Three Eligible Fall Professional Development Workshops

Complete at least three fall Professional Development workshops that count toward your selected certificate. We encourage participants to take three workshops that count towards the certificate(s) they enroll in; however, any three of our professional development workshops will count. Be sure to sign in for each workshop you attend so that we can see when you have fulfilled this “Level Up” requirement.
Your reward: A Professional Development T-shirt
View Workshops

Complete a Program Area Group of Microlearning Modules

Build new skills through a flexible, focused learning experience that fits your schedule. View and take the quizzes for each “micro” module that is associated with one of our program areas (i.e., Career Readiness, Communication Skills, Leadership or Teaching) and earn the badge that you can add to your LinkedIn profile. Once you earn the badge, you will have successfully completed this requirement for the “Level Up” challenge.
Your reward: Professional Development Portable Power Bank
Learn more

Complete the Full Challenge

Finish every item on the list and earn your place among the First 100. Participants who complete the full challenge will receive:

  • An NC State Graduate School lapel pin
  • Recognition as one of the first graduate students to complete the Professional Development Level Up challenge

Why Take Part?

Professional development helps you turn your graduate education into action. Through the First 100 challenge, you can better understand your professional strengths, build skills that support your academic and career goals, make measurable progress toward a certificate, connect with other driven graduate students and create a professional development plan you can continue building. Every step moves you forward, and every completed activity brings you closer to your goals.

Sign Up Today!
student in front of class

Ready to Level Up?

The challenge ends when the first 100 participants complete every requirement. Start now, track your progress and claim your place in the First 100.

Questions about the challenge? Email us at [email protected]

Ready to take the challenge!