Career Advising
Whether preparing for a career path in academia, industry, nonprofits, or government, meeting individually with a professional career advisor can be instrumental in a career journey. Advising conversations can focus on a range of topics, including but not limited to: exploring your skills and interests as it relates to identifying career options, job search and networking best practices, crafting effective job documents, and negotiating job offers.
UChicago PME postdoctoral researchers have multiple career advising support options. Those currently on the job market or in a more advanced training stage are welcome to meet individually with UChicago PME’s Director of Career Development, Briana Konnick, who can provide engineering-specific advising. In addition, the office of UChicagoGRAD offers robust career support that is more general. STEM career advisors assist in exploring career options, building professional networks, crafting effective job documents, interviewing, and negotiating job offers. Postdoctoral researchers can schedule career advising appointments directly through the GRAD Gargoyle platform.
Career Programming
UChicago PME’s Director of Career Development, Briana Konnick, collaborates with alumni, faculty, staff, and others to provide tailored and specific career development programming for UChicago PME graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. UChicago PME career development events occur minimally every quarter, with future recordings made available upon request. Past topics have included: Considering a Career in Industry, Getting to the Interview, Effective Poster Presentations, Navigating Lab Dynamics, Simultaneous Job Searches, Transferable Skills, and more. Notices of UChicago PME career development events are shared via the monthly UChicago PME Career Development newsletter and on the UChicago PME Career Development & Entrepreneurship webpage.
UChicago PME postdoctoral researchers also have access to a wealth of resources across the broader University of Chicago campus:
- myCHOICE programming exposes STEM postdocs to various career paths with mini-courses and workshops that support the development of professional skills and real-world experiences in careers outside of academic research.
- UChicagoGRAD provides career and professional development resources to help postdocs explore career options, build professional networks, craft effective job documents, interview confidently, and negotiate job offers. They offer these topics and more in workshops, alumni career conversations, summer camps, employer information sessions, career fairs, career exploration conferences, and more. Login to the GRAD Gargoyle system to RSVP for workshops and events, schedule advising appointments, and search job postings.
- Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation provides education and training, connects investors with partners, and supports new venture creation. They also collaborate with organizations across campus dedicated to advancing students’ and postdocs’ educational and professional career paths and connecting entrepreneurs to industry partners.
- Chicago Center for Teaching & Learning advances teaching and learning at the University of Chicago by fostering a vibrant community of pedagogical reflection and innovation. They provide comprehensive support for faculty, graduate students, and postdocs across all disciplines. They facilitate a wide variety of events, seminars, and workshops throughout the academic year. Orientations take place each fall. Seminars and workshops are offered throughout the year. See upcoming events for current programming.