# Career Development

### Figuring out your career path <a href="#careerexploration-figuringoutyourcareerpath" id="careerexploration-figuringoutyourcareerpath"></a>

* **This is an important part of your education here, too**: Good science and good research is our ultimate goal, but you need to set yourself up first in order to get there. Set aside a small amount of time periodically for your career development. This can include going to career development seminars, setting up writing appointments, doing a mock interview, etc.
* **It’s never too early to start thinking about your next career step**: planning early gives you time to explore, collect information, mull, and anticipate opportunities. Even if you don’t know or are unsure, having a direction can help you think strategically about your time and energy
* **Do informational interviews /talk to people in that career track**: Informational interviews are a great low-stakes way to make connections and learn more about someone’s career path. Cold emailing works, though having even a tenuous connection to the person is better. To increase the likelihood of someone agreeing to do an informational interview with you, find people who are already active in career development/exploration (e.g., department alumni, at a conference)
* **Find mentor(s):** Having mentors is such a useful thing! Identify who can be your mentor(s), and aim to find ones that cover different aspects and stages of your scientific and general development

**Links:**

* [UT Austin Texas Career Engagement](https://careerengagement.utexas.edu/about/campus-resources/)
* [Engineering Career Services](https://cockrell.utexas.edu/student-life/career-services)

### Where to look <a href="#careerexploration-wheretolook" id="careerexploration-wheretolook"></a>

* Professional society boards: MRS, APS, ACS, AICHE, IEEE, TMS
* Journals
  * e.g., Science: [Career Trends: A Scientific Career Toolkit](https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.aaas.sciencepubs.org%2F%3Fqs%3D06d180e6226ac6e4c940bd181f1ba89f1b904f729ed1ae0f70257a659e1d61a783d7c455f344a899992c3901f54192915f1eb73ffaee9864dceffc8899f12e52\&data=05%7C02%7C%7Ce9afbf95a2684005a06408dd4c40d918%7C31d7e2a5bdd8414e9e97bea998ebdfe1%7C0%7C0%7C638750563590090367%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C\&sdata=xcdRfN2yb3S8eoj9uAuMuEUO8r2RBFot1fWnvUi8HhI%3D\&reserved=0)
* word-of-mouth
* Psi K: <https://psi-k.net/jobs/>

### Preparing a job application <a href="#careerexploration-preparingajobapplication" id="careerexploration-preparingajobapplication"></a>

* **Have a master CV:** with everything you have ever done/accomplished (publications, activities, awards/honors, etc.) and update it regularly throughout the year. Having a master version makes it easier to create tailored CVs/resumes when applying for positions. Many examples on the group website!
* **Keep all versions of your statements**: You will be writing many statements (personal, research, service) throughout your career!

## Resources for Undergraduates and Graduates:  <a href="#careerexploration-whatcanidowithaphd" id="careerexploration-whatcanidowithaphd"></a>

### What can I do with a PhD? <a href="#careerexploration-whatcanidowithaphd" id="careerexploration-whatcanidowithaphd"></a>

* Map out a career plan, e.g., [Versatile PhD](https://gradschool.utexas.edu/services-and-resources/career-resources/versatile-phd): for humanities and STEM fields; has example application materials
* Beyond Academia: [Berkeley](https://beyondacademia.berkeley.edu/), [UCSB](https://beyondacademia.ucsb.edu/): many example topics and profiles of people who did cool things in their post-PhD life.

## Resources for Postdocs: <a href="#careerexploration-preparingajobapplication" id="careerexploration-preparingajobapplication"></a>

* [UT Office of Postdoctoral Affairs](https://postdocs.utexas.edu/professional-development): Be on the look out for the application cycle for the Early Career Postdoctoral Fellows Program, which provides additional seminars and social activities, e.g.,
  * achieving a tenure-track appointment
  * syllabus and classroom management
  * raising your visibility profile
  * establishing good conversations during negotiations
  * future-proofing your career
  * effective communication for productive collaborations.
  * using improv and storytelling to improve your research pitch
  * mentoring undergraduate and graduate students