Exploring diverse career paths, developing job search skills and materials, and building relationships that enable you to achieve your current and future professional goals.
Key Topics:
- Explore professional options within and beyond the academy
- Develop a plan to acquire and hone the professional skills and competencies needed
- Prepare job search materials and practice interviewing
- Leverage social and digital media to establish your professional brand
- Build a professional network
Upcoming Events
Signature Programs
University Administrative Fellows gain a better understanding of the administrative units that make up a university, information valuable for those preparing for the tenure-track job market, for those preparing for careers in academic administration, and for those looking for experience that will position them for careers beyond the academy.
The fellowship consists of working on a project under the direction of the host department, attending meetings when appropriate, and discussing with the host the various aspects of the host’s position, including specific responsibilities, organizational dynamics, external networks, etc. University Administrative Fellows receive a $1,000 stipend in addition to their normal support. Before accepting the fellowship, selected students must receive permission from their dissertation adviser(s) and must be in good academic standing.
Princeton GradFUTURES Industry Exploration Days: day-long site visits to expose graduate students to a wide range of organizations employing PhDs within the innovation ecosystem.
Resources
Princeton’s Center for Career Development assists graduate students in exploring and preparing for their careers. The Center offers one-on-one advising and programs for career development tactics such as self-assessments, networking, internship and job options and more.
ImaginePhD is a career exploration and planning tool for Ph.D. students and postdoctoral researchers and scholars dedicated to the humanities and social sciences. It is a free, online resource that enables you to explore careers by evaluating and reflecting on your own abilities, values and interests that navigates related professional opportunities.
LinkedIn Learning offers more than 5,000 on-demand courses on business, creative and technology skills that is available to you at no additional cost.
myIDP is a free, career-planning tool that is designed to meet the needs of Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars in the sciences. This tool helps you define and pursue your career goals with exercises to match your skills, interests and values with a variety of scientific professions.
Suggested Career Management Roadmap
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Early Stage
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- Explore the resources at the Center for Career Development (CCD)
- Set up your Handshake profile
- Develop your Individual Professional Development Plan (IDP)
- Attend the Pathways with a Ph.D. Alumni Speaker Series
- Explore summer opportunities such as short immersive experiences and internships
- Participate in Industry Exploration Days, City Treks and Employer Site Visits
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Mid Stage
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- Review and update your IDP
- Schedule an appointment with the Ph.D. Career Advisor and the Center for Career Development
- Join GradFUTURES Learning Cohorts such as American Higher Ed, Ethics of AI, Venture Capital & Startups, Biotech and Pharma
- Develop and update your CV and Resume
- Apply for Professional Development travel funds
- Participate in the University Administrative Fellows program
- Review the PhD Long-Term Career Outcomes for your field, department and division
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Advanced Stage
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- Explore the academic job market in your discipline
- Prepare one year in advance of your graduation for the academic job market
- Attend the Career Center's job fairs and undercover bosses events to meet employers
- Develop your professional digital identity
- Update your CV and Resume
- Practice interviewing and research talks
- Prepare your teaching philosophy statement
Student and Alumni Stories
Read how current students and alumni have leveraged the professional skills and resources that they’ve gained to explore a broad range of career paths.
