Careers don't just happen – they are planned. It may be hard to think beyond your next experiment, but it is crucial for your long-term success to set a goal and make a plan for reaching it. Below are numerous networking, career development and job search resources to assist you.
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Related General Career Resources:
- The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE) offers a variety of archived videos of their career and professional development skills workshops on such topics as communication skills, grant writing, career exploration, networking for scientists and engineers, the industry job search and the academic job search.
- The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Career Development Center offers a range of online learning courses to members and non-members alike to bridge professional gaps. Courses include, networking and presenting, proposal writing and policy fundamentals.
- Science Careers is a great resource for articles on science related career information and news. Science Careers also provides a large searchable database of science related job opportunities.
- The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs is pleased to provide all WCM Postdoctoral Scholars with membership in the Science Alliance of the New York Academy of Sciences. Science Alliance provides career development programs, seminars and workshops to New York City area science trainees with the goal of increasing members' competitiveness in today's job market. Some recent Science Alliance programs include Scientific Speaking, Individual Development Plans, Interviewing Skills and Grant Writing. Members receive notification of special events, programs and career fairs across the region including the Academy's popular Frontiers of Science discussion groups covering a variety of cutting-edge topics. The Science Alliance website includes important career information, and has links to science news, jobs and career advice from its partner sites. For those unable to attend a specific Alliance event, the website includes "eBriefings" which are detailed, multimedia summaries of the event.
- MinorityPostdoc.org is a unique web portal on the minority postdoctoral experience especially in the STEM disciplines. They feature articles, resources and events around career advice, professional development, jobs, funding, fellowships, mentoring and diversity issues.
- For female graduate students and postdocs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) there are three organizations you should check out. These organizations routinely hold interesting and well-attended events and all three organizations look for members to get involved in a variety of capacities. The first organization you should check out is the NY Women in STEM organization. The second group is a local chapter of the national group, the Association for Women in Science (AWIS). The third is the local Graduate Women in Science group which strives to build a community to inspire, support, recognize and empower women in science.
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in Long Island, NY runs numerous courses for students and postdocs on particular scientific research focus areas. Cold Spring Harbor course listings.
- The Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts runs a series of summer courses for students and postdocs including a well-regarded one on microscopy. Marine Biology summer course listings.
- Are you considering an Industry career? If so you should definitely check out Science Career’s guide for scientists transitioning to Industry.
- For anyone interested in becoming a scientist-entrepreneur, you might want to check out The Entrepreneurship Lab, a NYC based organization designed for NYC life scientist students and postdocs interested in gaining practical entrepreneurial experience. Interested in learning more about the latest happenings in the science and technology entrepreneurship world? If so, you might want to keep up to date using Xconomy.
- Harlem Biospace is a biotech incubator where you can learn about the business of biotech and launching a small business. They sponsor the Riverside Chat Series of seminars.
- Are you interested in becoming a medical science liaison? Check out MSL Jobs.
- Does your research involve computer science? If so, you should definitely check out the ASCENT program: The NYC ASCENT program is for Computer Science and Engineering postdocs. ASCENT is a program aimed at Advancing Computer Science Careers through Enhanced Networking and Training.
- Do you wish to have personalized recommendations of the best research articles in biology and medicine by the world’s largest group of leading scientists and clinicians? Check out the Faculty of 1000 Prime. F1000Prime offers fast and comprehensive identification and assessment of the best research articles in biology and medicine by the world’s largest group of leading scientists and clinicians. F1000Prime provides researchers with a personalized literature service using a collection of innovative tools and resources.
Non-Profit/Government
- If you are interested in what is happening in the non-profit sector, a great resource is The Chronicle of Philanthropy, which also maintains a searchable database for jobs in the non-profit sector at many foundations and non-governmental organizations.
- Another great resource for the non-profit sector is Idealist, which maintains databases of volunteer opportunities as well as a plethora of jobs available at non-profits across the country.
- Are you interested in exploring a career working for the US government? Remember the US government encompasses many federal organizations such as the EPA, NIH, NSF, FDA, FBI and USDA among others.
- Interested in working on Science policy? If so you will want to look into the premier fellowship/training program.
- The Science & Education Policy Association (SEPA) serves the Tri-Institutional community interested in science and education policy. Their goals are to engage the community in policy issues, empower scientists to effectively engage in policymaking and explore science policy career options.
Consulting
- Thinking about exploring a career in consulting? Did you know that the Tri-Institutional Consulting Club comprises students and post-docs from Rockefeller University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medicine. They hold informational events about consulting and create networking opportunities to interact with industry professionals and club alumni, who are willing to share their unique experiences. They also seek to provide resources and personal development services that are necessary for success in consulting interviews.
- For anyone interested in life science consulting, you can check out The Solution Lab, a non-profit dedicated to educating graduate students and postdocs about healthcare and pharma consulting through workshops, seminars and volunteer experiences.
Data Science
- Data science is a growing and very exciting field that utilizes data to solve big problems. Many postdocs already possess a lot of the skills necessary for a career in data science, yet don’t know where/how to seek employment in this area. One great program for postdocs looking to make a transition to a career in data science is the Insight Data Science fellows program.
- Another great resource to learn about data science, take courses, learn analysis tools, gain skills and meet others in or interested in Data Science is General Assembly.
- You may also be interested in reading the following article on data science job searches.
Science Writing
- Want to learn about science journalism and the skills necessary to excel in this field? If so, you should consider taking the World Science Journalism Federation course (online and free).
- NeuWrite is an international network of working groups for scientists, writers, radio producers, and filmmakers. NeuWrite’s mission is to develop science communicators from all backgrounds that can convey scientific complexities with compelling narrative and accurate science. NeuWrite was founded in 2009 at Columbia University by students and postdoctoral fellows in the Department of Neuroscience in collaboration with students in the non-fiction and poetry MFA programs. NeuWrite quickly became a noted forum for interdisciplinary work, attracting academics from institutions across New York City.
- For anyone interested in the medical/science writing profession, there is a free weekly mailing list you can join to hear about numerous medical writing jobs, including many which could be performed part time as a freelancer. Also there is a course and book series on what you need to know about careers in medical/science writing available through their website.