Graduate Student Career Search Timeline

Beginning of Program

• Meet with your program advisor and establish goals and strategies for your degree progression

• Develop connections within your department and with other professionals in your field

• Research career possibilities and meet with a CDC advisor to develop appropriate strategies

• Perform a self-assessment (including utilizing assessment tools available at the CDC) to insure that your career goals correspond to your interests, skills, and abilities

• Assemble a portfolio of achievements: collect information regarding academic and extracurricular activities, awards, key projects, and work experiences (undergraduate & graduate)

• Identify and attend conferences, seminars, and developmental workshops related to your program at FAU and at other locations

• Attend CDC workshops: including those focused on resume and CV writing and choosing a career path

• Draft a general resume or CV (use a CV if interested in an academic or research position)

• Join FAU’s graduate student organizations and other regional & national professional organizations in your field

Mid-Program

• Revisit your goals and strategies for your degree progression with your program advisor – Are you on track? Do you want to change your focus?

• Continue to refine your resume/CV by adding new accomplishments

• Conduct informational interviews with individuals connected to your career goals

• Participate more actively in graduate and professional organizations focused on your specialty – serve on committees; assist or lead research endeavors; author or co-author papers; and/or present posters at local, regional, and national conferences

• Learn about and/or become involved in governance issues within your department – this is particularly important if you are contemplating an academic career post-graduation

• Secure internships, research experiences, and/or teaching positions in your area of interest

• Attend CDC workshops focused on academic and non-academic job searches

• Determine which skills and experiences you need to strengthen for your profession and develop an action plan to secure them

• Masters Students: If you are considering applying to doctoral programs, attend Professional/Graduate School Information Day held in the fall

• Doctoral Students: If you are interested in a Postdoc position (grant that funds further research/study) begin researching programs and funding opportunities

Approaching Graduation

• Consult your program advisor, faculty members, and personal contacts for career advice

• Identify your references and ask for their assistance and any required documentation

• Contact your personal contacts both within and outside of your profession – inform them of your career goals and ask them to pass along related opportunities

• Continue to network by attending and participating in professional meetings

• Finalize your general resume/CV (make an appointment with a CDC advisor for assistance)

• Conduct a job search for positions and apply to opportunities with tailored resumes/CVs and cover letters

• Practice interviewing through mock interviews (contact the CDC to arrange one with a career advisor)

• Register in the OWL CareerLink (formerly Interfase) database and conduct job searches in relevant areas

• Masters Students: Attend Career Day (held in the fall and in the spring)

• Doctoral Students: With assistance from your advisor, develop a strategy and timeline for completion of your dissertation and determine a realistic start date for post-degree employment – Note: a typical academic hiring cycle begins in the fall and ends in the spring

• Doctoral Students: If interested, search for and apply to Postdoc positions and ABD (all-but-dissertation) positions