PostDoc Timeline
First Year, Fall
Attend or use online career workshops.
Get familiar with the MIT Careers Office resources, programs and services.
Plan your postdoctoral program with your advisor. See the Postdoctoral Scholars at MIT and the Individual Development Plan for Postdoctoral Fellows. Also see How to Become a Successful Postdoc. (with permission of The Scripps Research Institute)
Attend department orientations, training sessions.
Attend talks on various fields with student groups such as MIT GSC, MIT SEBC and Tech Link.
Meet peers from many departments.
Industry
Attend events on many career topics.
Visit the website on career options beyond academia
First Year, Spring
Academia
Develop your CV. Attend a CV workshop.
Set up an annual review meeting with your postdoc advisor. Go to Postdoc Research and Career Progress: Annual Review. Suggestion: (discuss with your department whether/how this protocol might be useful).
Attend conferences in your field.
Seek experience overseeing student research.
Develop your teaching portfolio through the Teaching & Learning Laboratory
Attend GSC presentations on academic careers.
Industry
Attend panels on career opportunities outside the lab.
Read about career options.
Participate in IAP programs to expand your marketability and skills (finance, entrepreneurship, management).
If you are doing research that has industry applications, build industry contacts. Gain experience presenting your work to people in industry.
Attend career presentations sponsored by your department. Learn about careers alumni/ae have pursued.
Second Year, Fall
Attend or use online version of career workshops on the job search process (resumes, interviews, negotiating offers). Attend presentations by employers.
Use alumni networking to research career fields.
Meet with a career advisor to discuss your career plans.
Ask for critique of cover letters for job search.
Academia
Participate in the hiring process for any new candidates for faculty positions in your department. Attend their job talks.
Ask your advisor for advice about pursuing an academic career. Discuss your career plans with your advisor. Seek faculty advice and recommendations.
Actively pursue first interviews for faculty positions at academic conferences (fall-winter of final year).
Develop your publications.
Participate in IAP seminars.
Seek advice on publications from the MIT Writing Center.
Seek advice on rehearsing job talks from the MIT Writing Center.
Industry
Seek faculty contacts who have connections with industry.
Network with students who have done internships or interviewed in various fields. Learn about case interviews.
Attend career fairs.
Second Year, Spring
Arrange a mock interview to polish your interview skills.
Use the CareerBridge system to arrange on campus interviews.
Attend industry seminars sponsored by your department.
Participate in any department recruiting activities (with industry employers).
Repeat annual review process.
Last updated on Wednesday, October 01, 08 at 02:22:11 PM EDT.
