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The Job Search for Graduate Students

Graduate students often face many questions about their career paths that impact their job searches. Some students are certain they would like to follow an academic path while others are sure that they want to work outside academia. And of course, many graduate students are considering both academic and non-academic career options. Wherever you are on your path, here is some guidance that may help.

Academic Job Search

The Career Center offers assistance with the academic job search through services such as the Dossier Service, workshops, and individual appointments. Scheduling an appointment is a great place to start to discuss your goals and get help with your CV.

CV or Resume?

Many people tend to think that the terms “CV” (curriculum vitae) and “resume” are interchangeable. However, each document is different and has its own unique purpose.

A resume is a one or two page summary that highlights your skills, qualifications, professional and volunteer experiences, activities, education, and other relevant topics such as computer skills, language skills and travel experience. A resume is a document used to create a picture of your experiences and skills in a succinct and clear manner.

A CV is a more comprehensive document which incorporates details including publications, reports, presentations (poster and oral), research projects, teaching experience, and so forth. A CV is most commonly used in the academic and research arenas. If someone asks you for your “CV” be sure to clarify that they are looking for this type of extended version of your experiences.

Resources:

• CV Handout (pdf)
• Resume Handout (pdf)
• Meet with a Career Center counselor

Transferring Your Skills Outside Academia

Graduate students sometimes underestimate the skills they have to offer employers outside of an academic setting. If you are considering employment outside of academia and wondering what you have to offer, this tips may help you to begin identifying skills you have not previously considered.

Numerous surveys of employers indicate that the skills that employers prize in employees include:

• Communication Skills
• Technical Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Writing Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Teamwork
• Analytical Abilities
• Research Skills

If you are completing a Master’s or PhD degree, you probably have developed many of these skills along with your subject area expertise. It can be helpful to think of the skills you possess as transferable from one environment to another. For example, if you have collaborated with others in your research, this can serve as evidence of both interpersonal communication and teamwork skills.
One way to identify skills is to review job descriptions in an industry or work environment that interests you. Highlight the skills that are listed in the position description. Then think of specific situations in which you have used similar skills in your work or research experience.

If you would like some help with this process, make an appointment with a career counselor in the Career Center by calling 410-516-8056. Our counselors are experienced in working with graduate students who wish to consider both academic and non-academic career paths.

• On-Campus Recruiting
• Career Fairs
• More about Job Searching