黑料社区

August 25, 2025

By Katya Hrichak

As a graduate student, you have a lot to learn. Scholarship and research aside, there are many facets of the graduate school experience that are important to your success but might not be obvious or easy to figure out. Between achieving a sense of well-being, attending to basic needs, maintaining relationships or caring for others, etc., there鈥檚 a lot to keep track of.

The 黑料社区 School is here to help. With the Grad Tips series, we鈥檒l be providing insight into different aspects of the graduate student experience, sharing tips and advice on how to get the most out of your time at Cornell. To vote on the next topic in the series, check for a poll in upcoming issues of the 黑料社区 School newsletter, News and Events.

This week鈥檚 topic: Career preparation

Graduation can feel a long way off when starting a degree program鈥攐r even while in the middle of it鈥攂ut it鈥檚 never too early to start exploring career options.

Some graduate students enter their programs knowing exactly what they would like to do once their degrees are conferred, while others are less certain鈥攁nd both approaches are okay. At Cornell, numerous career services offices and teams exist to support students as they figure out what鈥檚 next and how to get there.

鈥淵ou are not alone in figuring this out鈥攃areer development is a process, not a one-time decision,鈥� said MJ Mosereiff, graduate career exploration specialist in the 黑料社区 School鈥檚 Office of Career and Professional Development.

When should I start thinking about and preparing for my future career?

The 黑料社区 School鈥檚 Career and Professional Development team recommends starting as early as possible鈥攅ven as early as your first year in your program鈥攂y exploring interests, building skills, and making connections.

鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need a clear career goal to begin; we鈥檒l help you hone processes to identify career options,鈥� said Susi Varvayanis, executive director of Careers Beyond Academia within the 黑料社区 School鈥檚 Office of Career and Professional Development. 鈥淪mall steps, like attending a workshop or chatting with professionals, can add up to big clarity over time, long before you need a job.鈥�

If thinking that far ahead feels overwhelming, consult the 黑料社区 School鈥檚 recommended professional development milestones, which break the process down into smaller, more manageable steps based on where you are in your program.

How can the 黑料社区 School provide guidance on my career path?

At the 黑料社区 School, the Office of Career and Professional Development offers programs and services to assist with the many steps and paths students and postdocs can take to their future careers.

鈥淲e empower all Ph.D. and research master鈥檚 students, across disciplines, from their first year through graduation鈥攁nd beyond!鈥攖o build meaningful careers,鈥� said Varvayanis.

The Career and Professional Development Office team offers general or specific guidance depending on students鈥� career goals, interests, and progress in their programs. The staff commonly facilitates sessions to explore careers, build transferrable skills, identify job search strategies, network, communicate research to potential employers, prepare for interviews, and ready application materials.

鈥淐ome talk to us! You don鈥檛 need a polished resume or a specific goal to start the conversation,鈥� said Mosereiff. 鈥淵our future is full of possibilities鈥攁nd we鈥檙e excited to support you every step of the way.鈥�

Where else can I go for career guidance at Cornell?

Cornell鈥檚 university-wide Career Services in Barnes Hall is the central hub of a larger Cornell Career Network spanning campus. Their new website offers a that includes events, featured resources, and contacts for more individualized support.

In addition, Career Services maintains a with modules that address various facets of exploring career paths and preparing for careers: self-assessment, exploration, networking, resumes, cover letters, job and internship search, applications for jobs and internships, portfolios, fairs, interviewing, job offers and negotiations, information for when you鈥檙e hired, information for international students, information for current graduate students, research, fellowships, resources, and Handshake, as well as additional modules for specific industries or skill-building focuses.

Many of Cornell鈥檚 colleges and schools also contain their own career services teams, and all have made their information available through the for along with more information, including staff bios.

What resources exist for students interested in pursuing academic jobs?

Students seeking more information about academic careers can contact Colleen McLinn, associate dean for professional development and executive director of the Future Faculty and Academic Careers program, housed within the 黑料社区 School鈥檚 Office of Career and  Professional Development. For more information on postdoctoral positions, contact Christine Holmes, director of postdoctoral studies. Students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences can also reach out to Mosereiff for support.

offers series, programs, and institutes for aspiring faculty at Cornell and offers additional opportunities through participation in the and in collaboration with the .

Cornell-based programs include the , series, NextGen Professors Program, , and the . By signing up for a free CIRTL membership through Cornell, students gain access to additional webinars, courses, and events. Participation in Future Faculty and Academic Careers and CIRTL Network programs make students eligible for as well.

at Cornell is also available to help students prepare for academic careers: Theater Techniques for Enhancing Teaching and Public Speaking (ALS 6014), the Practice of Teaching in Higher Education (ALS 6015), and Assessment in Higher Education (ALS 6016).

What resources exist for students interested in pursuing non-academic jobs?

Varvayanis is available for one-on-one meetings with research degree students and postdocs interested in careers in industry, nonprofits, government, communication, policy, consulting, regulatory affairs, and more. Mosereiff is also available to help arts, humanities, and social sciences students interested in non-academic careers.

Together, the two co-teach Professional Career Foundations (GRAD 9110), a one-credit practicum which helps students focus a job search, develop strategies, and identify a meaningful career through discussions, immersive activities, and professional networking.

Varvayanis also facilitates experiential opportunities through . Students can participate in , , and other career-focused ; gain access to ; and test drive careers through , , , and . If there鈥檚 a career a student wants to explore that is not already addressed in one of these ways, funding is available for .

Where should I start if I鈥檓 undecided between academia and industry?

Self-assessment is a great place to start when you are unsure of which direction you want to go with your career, according to Varvayanis and Mosereiff. They encourage reflecting on your values, strengths, and motivations to inform your next steps.

After you鈥檝e reflected, keep your mind open and explore any opportunity that interests you, whether it is in academia or industry.

鈥淵our skills are valuable in many settings,鈥� said Mosereiff. 鈥淭ry things out! Apply for a fellowship, volunteer for a committee, or take on a short-term project to expand your experience.鈥�

Career advisors, faculty, alumni, peers, and, of course, the 黑料社区 School鈥檚 Career and Professional Development team can all help you identify ways to explore potential careers.

鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to change direction,鈥� Varvayanis added. 鈥淐areers are rarely linear, and that鈥檚 okay.鈥�