Careers: explore…, then seize!

Dr. Joseph Barber

If you are a graduate student or postdoc and have been enjoying exploring “Penn & Beyond”, then perhaps it is time that you now “Carpe Careers”! Yes, seize them, seize them now! This is a blog written specifically for doctoral and postdoctoral scholars who are exploring faculty and non-faculty career opportunities, and who want to hear relevant career advice directly from graduate student and postdoc advisors and administrators from different universities. Carpe Careers is hosted on the Inside Higher Ed website, and is written by members of the Graduate Career Consortium – a professional network of staff and administrators who provide professional and career development for PhDs and postdoctoral scholars at their universities and institutions. Take a peek now and you will find a diversity of topics covered, and some great advice shared. Here is just a small sample:

Writing an Introductory Email
Advice on how to reach out to different types of people as part of your networking efforts

What’s Next?
Advice on preparing for a non-faculty job search

The Right References
Advice on picking the right references to support you academic and non-faculty job applications

Get Over the Guilt
Some encouragement for graduate students and postdocs to seek career help

Timing Is Everything
Information on issues of time and timing in a job search for a new PhD

Developing Your Story
Advice on how new PhDs can work with mentors and use IDPs to develop their career story

Check back fortnightly for new posts, and add Carpe Careers to you list of required reading. You are bound to find information that will be directly helpful in your job search and professional development whether you are seeking academic careers or venturing beyond.

 

Author: Joseph

Joseph Barber is a Senior Associate Director at Career Services serving graduate students and postdocs. He has a PhD in animal behaviour and animal welfare, and continues to teach these subjects as an adjunct professor at Hunter College (CUNY).