Career Planning for Graduate Students
This three-phase career-planning guide is tailored for master’s and PhD students to develop capacities through their research, teaching, and Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵhip and program-specific internships.
Master's students
| Master's | Knowledge | Engagement | Strategy |
| Beginning of your program | • Learn about career resources at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ • Explore job and industry options for your degree • Determine whether an internship works for your program and schedule |
• Meet with a career adviser or counselor at NCA or the career center that aligns with your area of study • Attend graduate-student-focused career workshops and events on such topics as networking, interviewing, and job searching |
• Identify career paths to pursue • Understand recruiting timelines based on your experience and industry |
| Midway through your program | • Explore alumni and networking resources (e.g., NAA, NEXT, Mentoring Platform) • Review job descriptions of positions that interest you |
• Attend recruiting events, employer information sessions, and career programs | • Seek an internship opportunity (depending on your program duration) • Determine the gaps in your skill set and pursue opportunities to build the skills needed for your industry |
| Conclusion of your program | • Explore and research employers in your industry and consider how they align with your career goals and values | • Connect with professionals and alumni in your fields of interest to better position yourself for the job search | • With an NCA adviser, develop a plan to apply to jobs or postdegree opportunities • Revise and tailor your résumé |
PhD students
PhD students can find more information on how to develop capacities through their research, teaching, and Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵhip and program-specific internships on our PhD and Postdoc Success dedicated site.
Access PhD and Postdoc success website