Grad Tips: Career Preparation

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’s a lot to keep track of.

The Graduate School is here to help. With the Grad Tips series, we’ll 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 Graduate School newsletter, News and Events.

This week’s topic: Career preparation

Graduation can feel a long way off when starting a degree program—or even while in the middle of it—but it’s 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—and both approaches are okay. At Cornell, numerous career services offices and teams exist to support students as they figure out what’s next and how to get there.

“You are not alone in figuring this out—career development is a process, not a one-time decision,” said MJ Mosereiff, graduate career exploration specialist in the Graduate School’s Office of Career and Professional Development.

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

The Graduate School’s Career and Professional Development team recommends starting as early as possible—even as early as your first year in your program—by exploring interests, building skills, and making connections.

“You don’t need a clear career goal to begin; we’ll help you hone processes to identify career options,” said Susi Varvayanis, executive director of Careers Beyond Academia within the Graduate School’s Office of Career and Professional Development. “Small steps, like attending a workshop or chatting with professionals, can add up to big clarity over time, long before you need a job.”

If thinking that far ahead feels overwhelming, consult the Graduate School’s 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 Graduate School provide guidance on my career path?

At the Graduate 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.

“We empower all Ph.D. and research master’s students, across disciplines, from their first year through graduation—and beyond!—to build meaningful careers,” said Varvayanis.

The Career and Professional Development Office team offers general or specific guidance depending on students’ 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.

“Come talk to us! You don’t need a polished resume or a specific goal to start the conversation,” said Mosereiff. “Your future is full of possibilities—and we’re excited to support you every step of the way.”

Where else can I go for career guidance at Cornell?

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

In addition, Career Services maintains a Canvas toolkit 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’re 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’s colleges and schools also contain their own career services teams, and all have made their information available through the Career Services website for appointment booking 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 Graduate School’s 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.

Future Faculty and Academic Careers offers series, programs, and institutes for aspiring faculty at Cornell and offers additional opportunities through participation in the Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) Network and in collaboration with the Center for Teaching Innovation.

Cornell-based programs include the Academic Job Search Series, Building Mentorship Skills for Academic Careers series, NextGen Professors Program, Future Professors Institute, and the Inclusive Teaching Institute. 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 CIRTL certificates as well.

Graduate coursework 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 Careers Beyond Academia. Students can participate in courses, workshops, and other career-focused events; gain access to online trainings; and test drive careers through job simulations, employer site visits, shadowing opportunities, and internships. If there’s a career a student wants to explore that is not already addressed in one of these ways, funding is available for creating one’s own activity.

Where should I start if I’m 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’ve reflected, keep your mind open and explore any opportunity that interests you, whether it is in academia or industry.

“Your skills are valuable in many settings,” said Mosereiff. “Try things out! Apply for a fellowship, volunteer for a committee, or take on a short-term project to expand your experience.”

Career advisors, faculty, alumni, peers, and, of course, the Graduate School’s Career and Professional Development team can all help you identify ways to explore potential careers.

“Don’t be afraid to change direction,” Varvayanis added. “Careers are rarely linear, and that’s okay.”