PhD Career Connect
PhD Career Connect provides a select cohort of PhD candidates, recent graduates, and postdocs with career preparation, professional skills training, and connections with employers to explore diverse career paths.
The model
PhD Career Connect selects a multidisciplinary cohort of PhD candidates, recent graduates and postdocs each year to complete the program’s three stages:
Six weeks of self-directed, virtual, and instructor-led workshops to enhance professional and job readiness skills.
A three-day intensive program where students and employers network though workshops, panel discussions, case studies and a career fair.
A post-event workshop where students debrief their experiences and finalize a personalized career/action plan.
PhD Career Connect is an adaptation of the award-winning graduate training model titled Accelerate to Industry (A2I) which originated in North Carolina State University.
Program objectives

Explore careers
Inform PhDs of their diverse career possibilities, moving beyond the traditional academic career path

Professional development
Further enhance PhDs' professional and job readiness skills

Showcase skills and network
Create an opportunity for PhDs to demonstrate their professional and job readiness skills to prospective employers through case study analysis and networking

Raise awareness
Raise employer and student awareness concerning the diverse skills and expertise developed during a PhD education