Starting your career is exciting, but it can also bring big questions about how to advocate for your needs, especially if you’re navigating a disability, exploring whether to disclose one, or learning how to speak up for yourself. This webinar offers practical guidance for graduate students and emerging professionals who want to enter the job market with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of self.

Join the Graduate Students & New Professionals Community of Practice (GSNPCOP) and the Coalition for Disability (CD) for a session facilitated by the Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD). We will break down what self‑advocacy during graduate school and the transition to the workforce can look like across the job search, interview process, onboarding, and early career roles. We’ll explore strategies for communicating your needs, understanding your rights, requesting accommodations, and building supportive relationships in both academic and professional environments. Whether you have a disability, are newly exploring your needs, or simply want to be better prepared for your professional journey, this session will equip you with tools to thrive from day one.

This webinar is presented in partnership by ACPA's Graduate Students & New Community of Practice (GSNPCOP) and Coalition for Disaibility (CD).

Registration Fees:

Complimentary for ACPA Individual Members

$10 for Chapter Only Members

$10 for Non-Members Based in U.S.

$5 for International Non-Members

ACPA/NASPA Professional Competencies:

Webinar participants will develop their professional competencies in the areas of: Organizational and Human Resource; Personal and Ethical Foundations; Social Justice and Inclusion; Values, Philosophy, and History. For more information about the ACPA/NASPA Professional Competency Areas for Student Affairs Practitioners, visit our website.

Presenters:

Kate MacDonald, Professional Development Coordinator, AHEAD
Elisa Laird, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, AHEAD
 
Accommodations:

The ACPA General Access and Accommodations Form is for requesting assistance in accessing member benefits associated with ACPA resources and services. Please complete this form at least one week in advance of needing the requested support and a member of the International Office Staff will work with you to meet the request. For questions, comments or concerns about the General Access and Accommodations Process, email info@acpa.nche.edu.

From Grad School to the Workplace: Advocating for Your Needs with Confidence-Presented by GSNPCOP & CD

  • Thursday Jan 29 2026, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM