Careers Beyond Academia
Graduate students and postdocs interested in exploring career options in industry, government, and nonprofit can learn about opportunities in the Careers Beyond Academia series throughout the 2016-17 academic year. You can find topics relevant to all students as well as specialized programming for two broad disciplinary areas: the humanities and social sciences, and sciences and engineering. This series is offered every two years and is co-sponsored with the Duke Career Center and the Office of Postdoctoral Services.
Science and Engineering Events
Careers in Finance for STEM Graduate Students and Postdocs
Friday September 30, 9-10:30 am
The analytical research skills that graduate students and postdocs develop can be applied to careers in finance and business. This panel will highlight how your experiences can be leveraged for these career paths. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube channel
Careers in Science Writing
Tuesday October 4, 9-10:30 am
If you enjoy explaining science to audiences beyond the colleagues in your immediate discipline, possess excellent communication skills, and have a drive to share science with the wider world, then you may be interested in a career in science writing. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube channel
Science Writing and Journalism with Fannie Mitchell Expert-In-Residence Fenella Saunders
Wednesday October 5, 10:30 am – 12 pm
How do you communicate complicated research to audiences with diverse backgrounds? And how can you build a career around this type of work? During this workshop, attendees will discuss common problems in writing, learn about structuring a magazine article, and receive hands-on experience with how to approach journalistic writing. More information
Careers in Tech Transfer, Patent Law, and IP for STEM Graduate Students and Postdocs
Wednesday October 12, 9-10:30 am
Are you interested in a career where you learn about science and engineering but you don’t perform experiments? Careers in intellectual property (IP) allow you to tap into your areas of expertise in order to determine how novel ideas or prototypes can have broader impact. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube channel
“Finding the Right Fit“ for STEM Disciplines, with Dara Wilson-Grant
Friday, October 14, 10 am-12 pm
What makes a career a right or wrong fit? How can you choose a rewarding career path? Participants will answer these questions through a series of self-assessments and small group activities. More information
“How to Identify and Leverage Your Transferable Skills“ for STEM Disciplines with Dara Wilson-Grant
Friday, October 28, 10 am to 12 pm
“How do I prove that I am qualified, even though I do not have industry experience?” The key is learning how to translate your graduate education and postdoctoral training into a language that is understood beyond academia. More information
Short Course: Basics of Clinical Trials Management in the CRO Industry
November 4-November 18
In this course, you will learn the following topics which are directly applicable to careers in CROs:
– How to design a clinical study.
– First-hand knowledge of how the CRO industry works.
– Complete a hands-on CRO industry assignment: analyze a clinical study and prepare a management plan. More information
Careers in Clinical Research
Friday November 18, 9:30-10:30 am
Increasingly, life science PhDs are entering the field of clinical research – a career path that used to be almost exclusively the province of RNs, PharmDs, and MDs. Settings for careers in clinical research include pharma companies, CROs, academic medical centers, government agencies, and more. In this panel, PhDs will talk about their job searches, give tips on applying for these types of jobs, and give advice on how to get your foot in the door for clinical research positions.
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube Channel
“Careers in Small Life Sciences Companies” with Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD
Tuesday November 29, 12:30-1:30 pm
In this limited-enrollment talk, alumnus Kenneth Kornman, DDS, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer at Interleukin Genetics, shares his experiences drawn from a career that spans faculty roles in academia as well as small life sciences companies. More information
Humanities and Social Sciences Events
The Versatile Scholar: Writing Beyond the Academy
How can research in the humanities and social sciences make a difference, both inside and outside the university? How can PhD students use their skills and experience to write for different audiences? Join us for a panel discussion. More information
Careers Leveraging Teaching and Mentoring Skills in Business for Humanities and Social Sciences PhDs
Thursday October 13, 3-4:30 pm
This panel discussion features PhDs from social sciences and humanities disciplines who leverage the teaching and mentoring skills they developed in graduate school daily while working in business environments. Learn how they translated those skills for potential employers during the application process and leverage those skills in their current roles. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube channel
Careers in Research for Humanities and Social Sciences PhDs
Wednesday October 19, 3-4:30 pm
What research-focused jobs are available for social sciences and humanities PhDs? Our panel will feature professionals who leverage their research expertise in their current roles. Learn how they navigated the application process to find their current positions and what the typical workday of a researcher looks like. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube channel
“How to Identify and Leverage Your Transferable Skills“ for Humanities and Social Sciences Disciplines, with Dara Wilson-Grant
Wednesday, October 26, 12:30-2:30 pm
“How do I prove that I am qualified, even though I do not have experience outside academia?” The key is learning how to translate your graduate education and postdoctoral training into a language that is understood beyond academia. More information
Resume Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Thursday September 1, 12-1:30 pm
Non-academic employers typically request that applicants provide a focused 1-2 page resume instead of a more exhaustive CV. What are the essential accomplishments to include in a resume? How do you identify the relevant qualifications that highlight the best of what you have to offer? In this workshop you’ll learn how to write a focused, tailored resume that creates a compelling depiction of your significant skills and experiences. More information
A View From the Inside: Panel Discussion with HR Managers
Thursday September 22, 9:30-11 am
So you uploaded your resume and cover letter to your target organization – what happens next? In this panel discussion with human resources (HR) managers from SAS, Research Triangle International (RTI), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we will learn how HR professionals screen and sort applicants, and how to make your application stand out. More information
Watch on the Duke Postdoctoral Services YouTube Channel
“Converting Your CV to a High-Impact Resume“ with Dara Wilson-Grant
Tuesday, September 27, 2016, 9:30-11 am
In addition to learning the differences between an academic CV and a resume, you will learn specific steps and strategies to help you craft a resume that effectively promotes your qualifications in a way that appeals to a broad audience. More information
“Innovate a Career You Love” with Samantha Sutton, PhD
Thurs Sept 29, 12:30-2:30 pm
This workshop gives participants the ability to systematically identify and pursue a career that ignites their passions and talents, whether that is in academia or beyond. Participants leave the workshop with a sense of confidence that they can and will find a career that is right for them. More information
Take Your Teaching Skills Anywhere: IDENTIFYING Transferable Skills from your teaching experiences
Monday, October 3, 12-1:30 pm
This interactive workshop will help you identify the transferable skills you’ve cultivated through your teaching and mentoring experiences and market them effectively in your application materials. More information
“Networking: A Tool for Exploring Careers and Building Professional Relationships“ with Dara Wilson-Grant
Tuesday, October 18, 9:30-11 am
Networking is one of the most effective approaches to getting your career on the fast track. In this talk, learn easy-to-use strategies for face-to-face networking, corresponding via email, and the appropriate use of social media. More information
SHARING ACADEMIC RESEARCH WITH A BROAD AUDIENCE: INSIGHTS FROM DR. TOVAH KLEIN, PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR AND "TODDLER WHISPERER"
Core Competencies
An Introduction to Your Professional Development at Duke: A Workshop for Master’s Students
Monday, September 12, 12-1:30 pm
Join us for this event with Melissa Bostrom, assistant dean for graduate student professional development, and learn about career and professional development resources, programs, and opportunities available at Duke and beyond. More information
An Introduction to Your Professional Development at Duke: A Workshop for Ph.D. Students
Friday, September 16, 12-1:30 pm
Join us for this event with Melissa Bostrom, assistant dean for graduate student professional development, and learn about career and professional development resources, programs, and opportunities available at Duke and beyond. More information
Graduate Etiquette Workshop and Luncheon
Learn how to project a professional image and optimize your confidence in professional interactions. Topics will include the art of dining graciously, the art of introductions, conducting interesting conversation, electronics/ communication etiquette, interviewing etiquette, conduct in public places, business meals, and thank-you notes. More information
Relationship Engineering: How to Have Great Relationships with Your Advisor and Others
Preparing Ph.D. Applications: A Workshop for Master's Students
Thursday, October 6, 12-1:30 pm
Gain insights into the decision-making processes of doctoral admissions committees with this workshop. More information
Cultivating a Culture of Mentoring: A Workshop for Graduate Students
Ph.D. Career Paths
Careers in Language Translation for Humanities and Social Science Ph.D.s (Online)
Monday, September 19 through Friday, September 23
In this free online panel discussion, hear from ABDs and PhDs from Humanities and Social Science fields who have made the transition to careers in language translation. More information
Careers in Medical Writing for STEM Ph.D.s (Online)
Monday, October 17 through Friday, October 21
In this free online panel discussion, hear from ABDs and PhDs from STEM fields who have made the transition to careers in medical writing. More information
Careers in Cultural Resource Management for Humanities and Social Science Ph.D.s (Online)
Monday, November 14 through Friday, November 18
In this free online panel discussion, hear from ABDs and PhDs from Humanities and Social Science fields who have made the transition to careers in cultural resource management. More information