Find Your Future Career
At Guarini, we recognize that many graduate students and postdocs may need help navigating the path toward their future career, whether it lies in academia, industry, business, consulting, non-profit, or government. We are here to help you explore, find, apply, interview, and negotiate to ensure your success as you embark on the first stop of your career journey.
Career Paths for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Graduate students and postdocs pursue a variety of career paths, each with its own unique set of opportunities and challenges. Two main areas stand out:
Academic Careers
Many PhDs aspire to become professors or researchers at universities and colleges. Academic careers involve conducting research, teaching, mentoring students, and publishing work. These careers require a commitment to intellectual growth and may take years to establish.
Career Outside Higher Education
Careers outside of higher education offer a diverse range of opportunities across sectors such as pharmaceuticals, technology, finance, policy, and social organizations. Careers in these fields often require specialized knowledge, leadership skills, and the ability to apply your expertise to solve real-world problems. Many roles in these sectors offer competitive salaries and opportunities for career advancement.
Job Market Trends
Explore potential jobs and industries in depth using data that reflects real-time labor market trends on Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design, the undergraduate career center. Information include average earnings by location, top employers, employment trends and projections in the next ten years, “hard” skills, and popular job titles. Use keywords of by filtering for industry and occupation.
The Basic Steps for Finding Your Future Career
The journey toward your future career begins with exploration and culminates in negotiation. The steps below outline this process, providing you with the framework to confidently move forward:
The first step is to explore and reflect on your strengths, passions, and values. Understanding who you are will guide you toward the right career path. Ask yourself:
- What are my long-term goals?
- What skills do I enjoy using?
- What work environments inspire me?
- What type of impact do I want to have on the world?
Take the time to research different fields, industries, and organizations to understand what aligns with your interests. Reach out to mentors and professionals, attend workshops, and use career resources to build a clear picture of your future.
Once you understand yourself better and have explored your interests, it’s time to find opportunities that match your career goals. Use a variety of resources, including:
- Academic conferences and networking events
- Online job boards and professional networks like LinkedIn
- Career fairs and recruitment events
- Informational interviews with professionals in your field
Develop a strategy to stay informed about openings and make connections in your desired field. Leverage Dartmouth’s extensive alumni network and career support services are here to help with your search.
The application process begins with creating materials that highlight your strengths and experiences. Key elements of this stage include:
- Resume: Craft a resume that effectively showcases your academic achievements, research experience, technical skills, and any leadership or project management roles.
- Cover Letter: Tailor your cover letter to each position, demonstrating your interest and how your background aligns with the organization’s mission and needs.
- Informational Interview: Conduct informational interviews to learn more about the field and specific organizations. These interviews help build your network and may uncover hidden job opportunities.
- CV: For academic roles, a curriculum vitae (CV) is typically required, detailing your research, publications, presentations, and academic achievements. Make sure your CV is detailed, well-organized, and updated regularly.
The interview stage is critical in showcasing your expertise and fit for the role. Whether you’re interviewing for an academic or non-academic position, preparation is key.
- Academic Interview: Academic interviews often involve discussing your research, teaching philosophy, and potential to contribute to the department. Be prepared to present your research, answer technical questions, and engage in discussions about teaching and mentoring.
- Non-Academic Interview: In non-academic sectors, interviews may focus more on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and fit within a team. Be ready to discuss how your graduate training can apply to real-world scenarios, your leadership experience, and your ability to manage projects and collaborate with others.
Once you receive an offer, it’s time to negotiate – always ask for time to think about the offer before saying yes. Consider not just the salary, but the full compensation package, including benefits, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance. Understanding your value and being prepared to negotiate confidently is an important skill that ensures your career decisions align with your goals.
We’re Here to Support You
At the Guarini Career Center, we offer personalized career coaching, resume reviews, mock interviews, and networking opportunities to support you through every stage of your career journey. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or preparing to negotiate an offer, we’re here to help you achieve your goals.
