Professional Development

It’s never too early to think about your professional development! Keep an eye out for new opportunities to present your work, interact with professionals from your desired field, and sell your brand!

See the information and links below for ways to get started:

Networking Opportunities:

  • 80% of jobs are found through networking
  • Start networking early and use social media to maintain and expand your network, in addition to what you can do at the local level.
  • ACS Columbus Chapter (http://columbus.sites.acs.org/)
  • Invite speakers for seminars on campus (MLS invitation)
  • Become a member of national organizations (ASBMB, ASCB, AAAS, etc.)
  • Join BioOhio and gain access to their networking events, career fairs, and training resources.
  • Buckeyes Helping Buckeyes
  • Annual CBC Industry Day
  • Handshake: a career network for college students and recent grads

 

Brand yourself with social media

It is another way to share your skills and accomplishments and maintain an active network of colleagues. LinkedIn and Research Gate are common forums for these. Additionally, the links below are useful tips for creating and updating your profile.

 

LinkedIn

Research Gate

 

Decide on a Career Path:

Use helpful guides to help determine your career goals for after graduate school.

myIDP

Individual development plan to assess your interests, skills and goals. Combines these three things to set monthly goals for embarking on your path

Careers in Biomedical Sciences

A book from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press describing the variety of career options available to science PhDs

ACS Career Portal

Examine career options and pathways and view a variety of resources for each step of the process: from choosing a field to interviewing.

Versatile Ph.D.

Online community of Ph.D.s. Explore career options, paths and view job postings.

MentorNet

Online community of STEM professionals that matches you with a mentor in your field of interest to provide you with advice and help you explore that career path.

IGP Career Day

Hosted bi-annually by OSBP and other IGP programs to provide students with opportunity to interact with successful professionals and learn about the variety of career fields available to STEM PhDs. **If there is a field that interest you, please contact your program’s Professional Development Chair.

 

Throughout Graduate School:

Ohio State provides a number of resources to help you prepare for your career goals.

Resources for transitioning into Industry:

  • SciPhD provides training for scientists who want to transition from academia to non-academic careers
  • American Chemical Society Career (ACS)
  • Apply for internships:
    • OSU Technology Commercialization Office (TCO)
  • Frequently update your resume and tailor it to each job posting. Really integrate the keywords in the job posting into your resume.
  • NETWORKING! Connect with all professionals you meet on LinkedIn.
    • Send a personalized message with the invitation to increase your chances of them accepting the connection.
  • Take initiative and reach out to someone in your career field of interest… most people would love to meet for coffee or even talk over the phone to discuss their job!

Explore the career resource center from your undergraduate institution. As an alumnus, you will always have access to their alumni networks and often will have access to their career advising as well.