Faculty & Staff

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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 18 that supports students and alums in Yale College, the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, postdoctoral scholars, and alums seeking to clarify career aspirations, identify employment opportunities, and obtain advice at every stage of the non-academic job search process. 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

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.

  • Working with students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences or Postdocs?
    • Hyun Ja Shin, Director, Graduate & Postdoctoral Career Services
    • Jacob Gonzalez, Senior Associate Director, Graduate & Postdoctoral Career Services
  • Working with students interested in Common Good or Creative Careers (e.g. Nonprofit, Government, Education, Arts, Media, Communications)?
    • Contact the OCS Common Good & Creative Careers Cohort to discuss ways we can support them.
    • Robyn Acampora, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Public Service Careers
    • Derek Webster, Senior Associate Director for Creative Careers
    • Jorimel Zaldivar, Senior Associate Director for Common Good Careers
    • Stephanie Glover, Senior Administrative Assistant
    • Lori Ferrara, Senior Administrative Assistant
  • Working with students interested in STEM Careers (e.g. Engineering, Programming, Data Science, Healthcare, BioTech)?
  • Questions about health professions (e.g. Medical, Dental, Veterinary School)?
    • 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

  • How can graduate students and postdocs connect with OCS?
    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.
  • How can I refer potential employers?
    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, David Halek.
  • Does OCS maintain a job database?
    Yes! The Yale Career Link has a job board that is accessible only by Yale students and postdocs.
  • Do students and postdocs have the opportunity to interact with employers on campus?
    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.
  • Does OCS track what students do after graduation?
    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.
  • What support does OCS offer for the academic job search process?
    OCS supports GSAS students and postdocs exploring non-academic careers. Students pursuing academic careers are advised to seek the assistance of their advisor, department Placement Officer, and Director of Graduate Studies. In collaboration with the Poorvu Center for Teaching and Learning and the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, OCS delivers a series of annual workshops on the academic market.