Explore Your Options
Getting started or rethinking your career path
Whether you are pausing for the first time during your graduate career to consider your career options, or deep in process of rethinking your career goals, take advantage the resources available to you through the Career Services Center. Make a confidential appointment with an advisor dedicated to the needs of PhD and Master’s students.
Career Assessment Tools
It is critical engage in self-assessment before you begin any job search. Which careers interest you? What skills do you offer an employer? What skills and abilities are highly sought? What characteristics do you value in a job? You do not want to waste time pursuing jobs that are ill-suited to your skills, interests, and values. Read about the career assessment tools you have access to through the Career Services Center.
Research
| Salary Information |
Check out the Career & Salary Information section of this website for additional resources |
| Career Insider | Through Port Triton, grad students have access to Vault’s career intelligence guides, salary reports, employer rankings and reviews. Search profiles and analyze companies and industries. |
| Occupational Outlook Handbook | Published by the US Department of Labor - Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information on jobs, such as: the training and education needed; earnings; expected job prospects; and working conditions. |
| Informational Interviewing | Gain a better understanding of a particular field, job or employer, and make professional connections. |
| Networking | Making connections with professionals is widely known to be the most effective way to find a job - inside and outside of academia. |
Resources
The Chronicle of Higher Education - The Chronicle of Higher Education is a leading source of news, information, and jobs for college and university faculty members and administrators.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) - AAAS, publisher of the journal Science - leading outlet for scientific news, commentary, and cutting-edge research. Print and online publications also include extensive material on science careers.
Tooling Up Series - Search through dozens of articles that will help clarify the transition from advanced degree student to industry professional.
Industrial Postdocs: The road less traveled
UC San Diego Career Services Center
Access hundreds of titles and guides especially for PhD students on professions in industry and academia at the Career & Internship Library.
Non-Academic Career Survival Handbook
Academic Career Survival Handbook
Recommended Reading
Put Your Science to Work - A valuable resource for science and engineering PhDs based on a recent lecture from Peter Fiske, PhD
A PhD is Not Enough!: A Guide to Survival in Science,
Peter J. Feibelman (Addison-Wesley, 1994)
What Color Is Your Parachute? 2008: A Practical Manual for Job-hunters and Career-Changers, Richard Nelson (BollesTen Speed Press; 2008 & Revised, edition, October 2007)
The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success, Nicholas Lore (Fireside, 1998)
Who are you? Inside Higher Ed (2005)
Grad Students
Graduate Career Development Seminars
Log in to Port Triton for more detail or to RSVP.
- Questioning Career Transition Group for PhD Students
- It's Never Too Early to Think About the Job Search
More events and seminars for PhD and Master's students