Preparing for a career in research requires much more than developing laboratory skills, synthesizing information, and making discoveries. Scientists must also be able to present their work in publications and at meetings, secure funding for their projects, manage employees, build a professional network, and be able to market their expertise and experience in pursuit of an academic position. While students may have some existing support, the UCSF NIGMS IMSD program has identified the following key areas in which academic enrichment will greatly benefit its participants preparing for careers in science:
| The Graduate Student Experience | Professional Development |
|---|---|
| Navigating the graduate school experience Advancement to candidacy Understanding your environment: Personality types and effective lab environments Choosing the right research advisor and maximizing your relationship How to prepare for qualifying exams Beating the mid-graduate career slump Lifestyle, work/family balance Making connections with other students and mentors Presenting your work Getting published / Publishing process Writing skills Oral presentation skills Creating an effective oral or poster presentation Race/Gender/Culture in academia |
Career preparation Building networks Teaching and mentoring skills Grant writing Lab management Choosing a career: Matching skills, interests, and values to the workplace Choosing a career: Researching potential employers Understanding corporate and university structures and cultures Networking Opportunities in academia vs. industry Interview skills Compensation negotiation |
The following departments, organizations, and programs at UCSF provide regular workshops and seminars that cover co-curricular topics that meet your needs as an NIGMS fellow and developing professional. Visit the websites listed for additional information about upcoming events of which you may take advantage. The NIGMS coordinator will also notify you of appropriate events as they are publicized.
Office of Career and Professional Development http://career.ucsf.edu/ We're here to serve the career services and professional development needs of UCSF students and postdocs. If you need to organize an internship/job search, write a CV/cover letter, practice your job talk or interviewing skills, or just want to explore career options, please visit the Career Center or check out our online tailored resources.
Center for Bioentrepreneurship http://www.ucsf.edu/cbe The Center for BioEntrepreneurship has developed programs and activities that are creating the next generation of leaders in life science entrepreneurship and industry, and that weave the University community into the wider fabric of leading companies, financiers and professionals necessary for the successful migration of discoveries from the laboratory to commercialization for the benefit of the institution and society.
Center for Gender Equity http://www.ucsf.edu/cge CGE provides advocacy, education and support services to both men and women of UCSF and the greater San Francisco community in each of these three areas. The Center draws upon the rich array of identities, experiences, perspectives and knowledge represented within UCSF, to strengthen its approach to engaging and supporting the community in its pursuit of excellence.
Postdoctoral Scholars Association http://saawww.ucsf.edu/psa The Postdoctoral Scholars Association (PSA) is an advisory group to the Graduate Dean that seeks to bring together postdoctoral fellows from different departments to promote a sense of community among young scientists at UCSF. The organization hosts the Practice of Science seminar series each year.
Preparing Future Faculty http://www.ucsf.edu/pff The mission of the Preparing Future Faculty program at UCSF is to aid graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in developing their teaching skills, to build an awareness of the diversity of careers in academia, and to provide them with the tools to competitively approach the academic job search.
Student Activity Center / Student Enrichment Series http://student.ucsf.edu/sac The Student Activity Center (SAC) works with campus and community resources to host a weekly Student Enrichment Series that brings student life topics to the campus. Topics are Finances, Personal and Interpersonal Wellness, Communication, Diversity, Advanced Learning Skills, and Career.
Women in Life Sciences http://rco.ucsf.edu/index.php/wils/ Women in Life Sciences (WILS) is a graduate student run organization that is dedicated to supporting women graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at UCSF by organizing networking, mentoring, and career-building activities.
This is just a sample listing of services and programs on the UCSF campus; other workshops, seminars, and programs may fulfill your co-curricular requirement. You may also attend off-campus workshops/programs, such as at other institutions or at scientific conferences.
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