Graduate students and postdocs in STEM fields have a wealth of resources to help you explore careers that could be a great fit for you. Take advantage of the STEM-focused resources listed below to jump start your career development. It is never too early to begin this career exploration process! Make an appointment with an OCS adviser via the Yale Career Link to help hone a professional and career development strategy to maximize your time at Yale.
Start with self-reflection
Assessing your transferable skills, interests and values will help you structure your career exploration process and develop a professional development strategy to maximize your time at Yale.
Explore diverse career paths
As a Yale PhD student or postdoc in the humanities or social sciences, you have a wealth of resources to learn about the many career options available to PhDs, including comprehensive online career guides; insights from PhD alumni about their careers; and information about PhD employment trends and outcomes. You will also find curated resources for career paths commonly pursued by PhDs:
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Industry
Entrepreneurship, Startups, & Venture Capital
Consulting
Science & Health Policy
Science Education & Outreach
Technology, Data Science, and Engineering
Thinking broadly about job functions beyond a particular sector or industry can expand your set of opportunities; doing so will be particularly important if you face other constraints, such as geographical limitations, in your search. For example, companies in the tech sector hire PhDs as content strategists, project managers, and educators.
Networking is essential!
There is no substitute from hearing first-hand from practitioners in the field about their work, the skills required, their path to their current position, and their advice about how to prepare for this career. Read our advice on networking and informational interviewing, and be sure to take advantage of the many opportunities on campus to connect with alums and employers. Even if you are not yet approaching the job market, attending career fairs can be an efficient way to learn from employers about opportunities for Ph.Ds.
Invest in professional development
As part of your process, consider professional development opportunities that can help you do a deeper dive into career paths of interest and develop relevant skills to fill in gaps on your current resume. There are many ways you can invest in your professional development without disrupting your academic priorities, so review our resources and think carefully abut your objectives. OCS advisers can also help you develop a plan that works for you.
