Graduate school can be freeing for students, including neurodiverse learners, who felt boxed in by traditional classrooms. That freedom shaped Dr. Charisse’s journey from overcoming challenges to earning her Ed.D. at Columbia University. Today, she mentors through Another Degree, offering graduate school admissions consulting, dissertation coaching, and career guidance. Her work centers equity, resilience, and well‑being, empowering every student to define success on their ow

Much of the conversation around graduate school focuses on technical skills and subject matter expertise, but soft skills like communication, resilience, and teamwork are just as critical. In this article, mentor Renee, MLIS, explores how graduate school can help you build these transferable skills, and how mentorship can support you in developing them with intention and towards graduate student success.