Graduate School is More Than a Degree

No matter what career you plan to pursue after earning your graduate degree, being proactive in the career and professional development process and using your time strategically while enrolled in graduate school will enhance your future success. Getting an early start with the steps outlined below can prove instrumental and can make the difference between falling into a job because it’s available and finding an intentional match that meets your professional desires.

Orientation (beginning of your program)

Orient yourself to the career and professional development resources offered by:

Your department
The Office of Graduate Student Career and Professional Development
The Graduate School
Graduate School Alumni Society
Libraries
Many other centers, offices, and programs

Self-assessment (beginning of your program and beyond)

Learn more about who you are and what you want out of life. It’s important to know your:

Strengths & weaknesses
Work & life values
Decision-making style
Interests
Sources of motivation

Career exploration (beginning and middle of your program)

Learn more about the career paths you are considering. Be sure to explore:

Different employment sectors that offer careers that interest you (academia, corporate, non-profit, government, self-employment, etc.)
A variety of job titles and responsibilities
Salary and job outlook information

Individual Development Plans

One tool to help you explore your strengths, values, interests, and how they align with potential careers is an Individual Development Plan or IDP. We recommend myIDP, which is targeted for those in the sciences, and ImaginePhD, which is targeted for those in the humanities and social sciences. Although they were developed for doctoral students, they can be useful for all graduate students whether in doctoral, master’s, or professional degree programs.