*Session 7 will feature Dr. Shirley Tilghman, President Emerita of Princeton University!*
GradFUTURES in partnership with the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business is delighted to launch the Business Skills for PhDs in Academia & Beyond Learning Cohort. The cohort discussions will be facilitated by Princeton PhD alumnus, Jim Scully *03 (Economics), Managing Director at Accenture Strategy. This is a first-of-its kind academic and alumni partnership designed especially for Princeton graduate students.

From research and writing, to project management and problem-solving, you are acquiring many transferable skills in your PhD program that can be applied in academic roles as well as within a variety of industries and job functions. To succeed in academia and beyond ALL PhDs in every discipline must acquire another set of highly transferable skills often framed as business skills. Typically, most people associate the term “business” with the private sector. However, business skills and models are widely applied in every sector- public, private and non-profit which includes academia. Based on graduate alumni career outcomes, labor market demand, and future of work trends, the business knowledge and skills that will help you embark on and advance within your chosen career field include inclusive leadership, strategy and social responsibility, ethical decision-making, creating and assessing value, communications and storytelling, innovation and change management. With discussions led by Princeton PhD alumnus, Jim Scully *03 (Economics) and including course content and case studies developed by faculty at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, this learning cohort will develop a capstone presentation focused on the ways an organization can address some of the most pressing societal challenges.

Cohort participants will learn:
Fundamental business concepts and approaches
Common terms used in business
Organizational and industry structures
Purpose and ethics, social responsibility, and public trust
Strategy, competitive analysis, and innovation
Inclusive and ethical leadership
Business communications
Applicability of PhD skills in diverse professions
Benefits of interdisciplinary discussions, and holistic thought and perspectives

This session will explore the organizational structure and administrative functions of higher education institutions. Research universities are complex organizations made up of many administrative offices that support the core University teaching and research mission. Featuring a prominent higher education administrator as a guest speaker, this session will explore the organizational, governance and committee structures, management philosophy, institutional priorities, and culture of the University through a business lens.

Ten unique sessions of the Business Skills for Ph.D.s in Academia & Beyond Learning Cohort will be offered and graduate students are encouraged to attend all sessions. Princeton graduate students who attend all of the sessions, complete all pre-readings, reflection activities, and the final project will be eligible to receive a co-curricular certificate of completion and a Business Skills for PhDs badge on their LinkedIn profile.

Please note that registering for one session will automatically register you for all sessions.

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GradFUTURES Learning Cohorts

GradFUTURES’ interdisciplinary learning cohorts build community among and between graduate students and reinforce each student’s graduate training while drawing on their content knowledge to inform the cohort’s investigation of the topic. As part of the cohort, students will read and discuss books, articles, and case studies. Learning cohorts typically also include at least one experiential component such as an immersive project, a site visit, conference presentation, or fellowship/internship opportunities. Interdisciplinary discussions, reflection, synthesis, community building, and immersive experiences are integral components of each learning cohort experience.