The Graduate Undergraduate Partnership is a new organization that is creating a network partnership between undergraduate and graduate students at Auburn University.
GUP is in the process of building a database to help link undergraduate and graduate students together who may want to discuss research ideas, find out about degree programs, share work experiences and give information about possible career options.
“I see GUP as a much needed organization that will be extremely helpful for all Auburn students,” said Lauren Hayes, GUP undergraduate chair and a junior in public administration. “Our hope is that it will bridge the gap between undergraduate and graduate programs and students at Auburn. Our recently launched Web site is filled with resources, Web site links, and a graduate and an undergraduate database for students who are interested in learning about various majors, graduate programs, and future career opportunities.”
The idea for GUP began in the fall of 2006 when several undergraduate and graduate students along with faculty and staff from the Center for Leadership Connections Leadership Steering Committee recognized a need for interaction between undergraduate and graduate students. The two groups of students could use one another as resources as they plan for their futures.
As a result, two surveys were conducted. One survey was distributed through the Graduate Student Council and the other was conducted through the SGA. Results showed strong support for an organization like GUP, and the group was given provisional status in April 2006.
GUP provides a graduate student database that contains a list of graduate students who have chosen to volunteer their time as a helpful resource to those interested in graduate school or employment in specific areas of study.
GUP also provides an undergraduate student database that contains a list of undergraduate students who need more information about graduate school. Some of these students look to participate in activities such as research projects, meetings and department activities.
“I hope that the feedback I will get from GUP will help me be able to pick the right graduate program and concentration,” said Claire Carter, a junior in international trade and Spanish. “I would like to be able to talk about different employment options available with different concentrations as well as weighing the various styles of the programs at different schools.”
Being involved with GUP involves discussing degree areas, work experiences and/or career paths with undergraduates and graduate students through e-mail who are interested in finding out more about a specific degree area or field.
Events and activities include bi-monthly meetings at 7 p.m. in Foy, brown bag lunches, seminars, workshops, guest speakers, information fairs and team-building activities. There will not be another meeting before the end of the semester but meeting dates for the spring semester will be posted on the Web site soon.
“We want to relieve some of the, ‘am I making the right decision?’ stress,” said Jere Thorne, GUP graduate chair and has a master’s degree in economics. “After using GUP’s database and online resources, we are hopeful that students will feel confident that they are, indeed, making the right decision about their future. Our first meeting was a great success. Dr. Jack Walls from Career Development Services spoke to our group regarding the process of pursuing professional goals. I often think to myself that I wish there was an organization like GUP around when I was an undergrad.”
For more information, visit www.auburn.edu/gup. Send gup@auburn.edu with name, degree, major, department, school or college, anticipated graduation semester and year and any questions.
