SciPhD Business of Science Program

Image

Find a competitive advantage for interviewing and launching a career in industry through this program's interactive, fun, and experiential practical learning. The SciPhD team has been training PhD students and postdocs in how to navigate getting their first job for over 10 years. The results:

1. Participants typically get interviews from the first three jobs to which they apply
2. Participants are successful at negotiating excellent compensation packages

The program will address these topics:

• The kinds of jobs you can do with a PhD
• The kinds of companies that value PhDs
• How to match all your skills and accomplishments with specific job requirements
• How to identify and articulate your competitive advantage
• How to build your network to get your résumé to the right people
• How to score big in your interview
• How to negotiate the best possible compensation

The SciPhD Business of Science program is designed to offer in-depth, hands-on training and resources to identify and develop skills in communications, leadership, negotiations, team building, networking, and project management to prepare STEM trainees to launch their careers in industry. This program will be available to Duke trainees in May 2023 in a two-week virtual format. Due to limited capacity, priority enrollment will be offered to Duke Graduate School students (Ph.D. and M.S. degrees) and postdocs. Graduate alumni who graduated during 2022 or 2023 are also eligible to apply.

Required session dates (all virtual, all Eastern Time):

• Tuesday, May 16, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Thursday, May 18, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Tuesday, May 23, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Wednesday, May 24, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• Thursday, May 25, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
• SciPhD alumni VIP Networking event on June 1, 5:00 to 7:00 pm

Recommended (optional): Participate in STEM PhD Careers Networking event in person at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center on the morning of Friday, May 26.

Application instructions

• Ensure that you can attend all session dates and times. Participation in these interactive sessions is required and the sessions will not be recorded. Due to limited enrollment, please do not apply for the program if you cannot attend all sessions.
• Prepare a brief essay answer to the question, "Why are you interested in participating in the SciPhD Business of Science program? What do you hope to gain from the experience, and how does it align with your career and professional development goals?" The essay should be less than 250 words. 
• Prepare an updated résumé and save it in PDF format.
• Complete all fields of the application survey.