Interpersonal Skills

Conflict resolution

MIT Ombuds Office

is a confidential resource available to all MIT community members to help problem solve difficult situations you may experience. The Ombuds office provides resources and confidential support in various areas including communication, mediation, and group facilitation. Ombuds are available to strategize about challenges that are impacting your life at MIT. To utilize this resource, contact the Ombuds office to schedule an appointment.

Institute-Wide Resources for Easing Friction and Stress

iREFS are graduate peers who are trained in conflict resolution. Students are available for confidential peer support in navigating challenging situations and can provide information on pertinent campus resources. dREFS are department specific and iREFS are available to support graduate students regardless of departmental affiliation.

Assessment tools

MBTI and StrengthsQuest

Self-assessment and exploration are integral to developing strong interpersonal skills. It is useful to understand your individual preferences and behaviors; that information can serve as a starting point to understand others in your professional and academic environments.  To help achieve this, consider taking a self-guided assessment such as the MBTI and StrengthsQuest. To determine which self-assessment tool best meets your needs, make an appointment with a career counselor.

PhDs: Suggestions for every stage