Please click the image above to view a brief (3-minute) video specifically for Faculty and Staff about the resources of OCS.
OCS has a team of 19 that supports students and alums in Yale College, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences to clarify career aspirations, identify opportunities, and obtain advice at every stage of career development. OCS does not work with students within Yale’s Professional Schools.
Yale faculty and staff are uniquely positioned to support the career aspirations of students and graduates; however, this can sometimes raise unanticipated legal or ethical issues. As a member of the National Association of Colleges & Employers, OCS encourages our colleagues to review the Faculty Guide to Ethical and Legal Standards in Student Employment. Please note that this guide is not all encompassing and you should contact the general counsel’s office if you have concerns on how to address a particular issue.
Top OCS Resources to Share with Your Students
- Advising, Workshops & Employer Events: OCS offers scheduled and drop-in advising, 100+ educational programs, workshops, student peer networking, and employer events.
- Professional Experiences & Internship Opportunities: OCS is here to help every step of the way and provides many resources for students to get started.
- Applying to Graduate & Professional School: OCS advisors support students and alums in clarifying goals, researching programs, and navigating the application process.
- Yale Career Link: A centralized place to view career resources and find opportunities. Faculty and advisors are invited to contact OCS for a YCL account to help guide your students.
- Outcomes: Visit our Outcomes pages for the paths of Yale College students and information collected by the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.
Writing Letters of Recommendation
- If you are new to writing letters of recommendation, start by using this sample draft from the National Association of Colleges & Employers.
- Please note it is not appropriate to ask a student to draft their own letter, as a strong letter requires the kind of judgment and comparative evaluation that only the recommender can provide.
- You may, however ask the student to provide a list of bullet points they would like the letter to address and/or a factual narrative of key achievements.
Collaborate with OCS
OCS is delighted to meet with faculty to discuss ways to provide support to our students and postdocs. For inquiries, please contact Jeanine Dames, Director of the Office of Career Strategy. If you have a specialized request, please connect with the appropriate team member below.
- Hyun Ja Shin, Director, Graduate & Postdoctoral Career Services
- Jacob Gonzalez, Senior Associate Director, Graduate & Postdoctoral Career Services
- Contact the OCS Common Good & Creative Careers Cohort to discuss ways we can support them.
- Derek Webster, Director, Common Good and Creative Careers
- Jorimel Zaldivar, Senior Associate Director for Common Good Careers
- Stephanie Glover, Senior Administrative Assistant
- Lori Ferrara, Senior Administrative Assistant
Contact the STEMConnect Cohort to discuss ways we can support students interested in STEM careers.
- Kristin McJunkins, Director, STEMConnect
- Laurie Coppola, Senior Associate Director
- Reed Srere, Senior Associate Director
- Stephanie DelVento, Senior Administrative Assistant
Direct your students to the OCS Health Professions Advising Program
- Kristin McJunkins, Director, Health Professions Advising Program
- Laurie Coppola, Senior Associate Director, Health Professions Advising Program
- Stephanie DelVento, Senior Administrative Assistant
Frequently Asked Questions
Students in Yale College, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and postdocs may meet with any OCS career advisor for advice on any stage of the job search process, from career exploration to salary negotiation. OCS offers numerous skill-building workshops and employer events throughout the year. To make appointments and register for events, students should access the Yale Career Link. All students and postdocs also receive a weekly newsletter which details upcoming events and highlights job search resources and tips. Please note, OCS does not work with students within Yale’s Professional Schools.
OCS welcomes inquiries from employers interested in Yale talent, and offers a number of formats for employers to engage with Yale students on campus. Please forward any inquiries or suggestions for employer development to our Director of Employer Relations, Kelly McSergi
Yes! The Yale Career Link has a job board that is accessible only by Yale students and postdocs.
Visit our Job Market Insights tool and explore hundreds of industries and occupations. Learn about market trends, salary, technical skills, and career-ready competencies employers are seeking.
OCS offers many opportunities for students to engage with employers over the year, including 10+ industry-focused career fairs/networking events and numerous employer information sessions. For the latest information on upcoming events, students should consult the Yale Career Link.
Yes, OCS closely tracks the paths of Yale College students during the summer and after graduation. Visit our Outcomes for more information on the paths of Yale College students and GSAS Program Statistics for aggregate data about Ph.D. admissions, enrollment, degree completion, and employment.
OCS offers online resources and one-on-one consultations only to Yale PhD students preparing for a faculty job search. These resources are designed to supplement the support provided by departments including advisors, department Placement Officer, and Director of Graduate Studies.
OCS participates in a series of annual workshops focused on the academic job market known as The Academic Job Search (current schedule can be viewed here). This is a collaborative effort between the GSAS Professional Development, Poorvu Center’s Teaching Development and Initiatives and Graduate Writing Lab, and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
