Career Development

Engaging in a systematic and proactive career development process is instrumental in students’ ability to enhance career success. This process starts with self-assessment which involves the ability to identify and articulate one's skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to career goals, and also an ability to identify areas for growth. Other elements in the process include the ability to identify the knowledge and skills needed in specific industries or occupations, the ability to navigate and explore career options, the ability to understand and take the appropriate steps to pursue career opportunities, and the ability to self-advocate for opportunities in the workplace.

• UChicago PME programs: UChicago PME Career Development Series, UChicago PME Industry Seminar Series, UChicago PME Alumni Career Conversation Series

Professional oral and written communication skills allow students and postdocs to convey the substance and importance of problem-based research to a variety of audiences, to successfully prepare grant applications and scientific publications, and to effectively develop and deliver presentations relevant in the job search process.

• UChicago PME programs: UChicago PME Communication Skills for Industry Program, UChicago PME Science Communications Program, UChicago Academic and Professional Writing Course

Effective teaching and mentoring involve skills such as being able to set clear goals and expectations, providing structured guidance and meaningful feedback, managing group projects, and creating inclusive learning and working environments. Such skills are essential in both academic and industrial settings.

• UChicago PME Programs: UChicago PME Mentor Training Series, UChicago PME Mentoring Resources and Opportunities, Fundamentals of Teaching in STEM Workshop Series

Leadership involves the ability to envision the future, get others to share that vision, and take action to move toward that vision. Researchers who can demonstrate initiative, influence, and strategic planning in a variety of ways are essential in an interdisciplinary research environment where discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship are at the forefront.

• UChicago PME Programs:First Year Seminar Series, Student Leadership and Engagement, Outreach and Community Engagement

The UChicago PME-Advances platform is where UChicago PME graduate students and postdocs can view and register for upcoming events and programs, search for jobs and internships, and more! Login today. 

In addition to targeted workshops and supplemental programming in career preparation and exploration, the UChicago PME hosts several seminar series with researchers from around the world sharing cutting edge discoveries and innovations with critical engagement from our faculty and students.

• UChicago PME Distinguished Colloquium Seminar Series
• Chicago Quantum Exchange Seminar Series
• UChicago PME Immunoengineering Science Hour—A forum for postdoctoral scholars and graduate students from UChicago PME immuno-engineering laboratories to present and get feedback on their research.

UChicago PME students also have access to a wealth of resources across the broader University of Chicago campus.

• UChicagoGRAD—UChicagoGRAD provides resources to help graduate students explore career options, build professional networks, craft effective job documents, interview with confidence, and negotiate job offers. Career advising with the opportunity to focus on engineering-specific questions is available by appointment. Login to their platform to view upcoming workshops, employer info sessions, and career fairs. 
• myCHOICE—myCHOICE programming exposes STEM graduate students to an array of career paths with seminars, mini-courses, and workshops that support the development of professional skills and with real-world experiences in a variety of career paths. They offer part-time externships on a quarterly basis, and themed treks to regional areas. 
• Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation—The 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 the educational and professional career paths of students and work to connect student entrepreneurs to industry partners.
• UChicago Career Advancement—Career Advancement’s Careers in Engineering helps undergraduate students explore, prepare for, and obtain careers or professional school placements in STEM fields. All majors and minors may join the program, and students can participate in an elective workshop curriculum and experiential learning options such as treks, research opportunities, internships, job shadowing, and innovation competitions.

• Chicago Quantum Exchange—The Chicago Quantum Exchange partners with companies, national laboratories, and others to provide training opportunities for students and trainees, including internships and collaborative research opportunities.
• myCHOICE—myCHOICE collaborates with on- and off-campus partners to provide an array of part-time, unpaid externships in a variety of professional fields for graduate students in STEM fields.
• Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation—The Polsky Center offers students an array of opportunities to directly engage in entrepreneurship and innovation, including the Polsky ETA Fellows Program and the Commercialization Fellows Program.
• UChicagoGRAD—UChicagoGRAD supports graduate students in identifying and applying for internship opportunities on campus and around the world. Each year, their Graduate Global Impact (GGI) internship program places students in meaningful, skill-building internships that make use of their graduate training.
• Career Advancement—Career Advancement offers experiential learning opportunities for currently enrolled undergraduate students at all stages of career development. Programs range from one-day explorations to year-long internships.

• Students should begin by discussing the opportunity with their PI. All internship opportunities must be considered in the context of a student’s educational plan and timeline.
  • How will the opportunity advance educational and/or professional goals?
  • How will the opportunity impact research projects that the student is expected to complete or contribute to?
  • What is the timeframe of the opportunity? How many weeks? How many hours per week?
  • Is it a paid opportunity? If so, how much of the stipend will the PI continue to pay?
• International students must speak with the Office of International Affairs to explore work authorization options. International students in the UChicago PME often pursue the CPT option by registering for a consent-only course managed by the UChicago PME Dean of Students Office.
• At least a month in advance of the internship start date, graduate students must meet with the UChicago PME Dean of Students (DOS) to discuss the internship opportunity and all relevant details. For example, PI consent, timeline, hours/week, location, and work authorization. 
• The final step for graduate students is to confirm with their PI the details of the internship. The PI will then communicate with the DOS and with Human Resources to confirm any adjustments to the student stipend for the period of the internship.