PhD Students

If you’re in a PhD program at MIT, you are an exceptional researcher and scholar. With your deep knowledge and skills set, there are no limits to what you can achieve. When you can do so much, narrowing your options and making decisions about what you want to do and where you want to go can be daunting. We’re here to help. Visit CAPD for a one-on-one conversation and address your questions with an advisor, use our resources to learn new skills like networking, and join our workshops to help you refine your job documents and search strategies. Whether you decide to pursue a career in academe, government, non-profit, or industry CAPD is ready to support you.

two women in office setting

Career Appointments

Schedule a one-on-one career advising appointment to discuss any career questions you might have. All of our advisors are trained and experienced in working with PhDs. We can help you with exploration and planning, job/internship searches, application materials, interviews, salary negotiations, and any other questions or concerns. Have questions about PhD career advising? Contact Alexis Boyer.

A person types on a laptop.

Application materials for PhDs and Postdocs: Examples and how-to guides

These resources are designed for MIT PhDs and postdocs to serve as guides through the process of career document preparation. Whether you’re converting your CV into a resume for an industry role, refining your CV for an academic job search, or creating other documents, you’ll find examples, how-to guides, and strategies here.

The words "graduate student professional development' over a backdrop of an MIT dome

Graduate Professional Development

MIT’s comprehensive collection of professional development opportunities are designed to help graduate students develop skills and knowledge valuable for any career path you decide to follow, within and beyond academe.

Graduate student professional development is skills-based training complementary to your discipline-based coursework, focusing on seven competency areas: career advancement, communication, interpersonal development, leadership and mentoring, personal development, social responsibility, and teaching.

Student working machinery with instructor observing

Career Exploration for PhDs

Have you ever wondered what’s out there for someone with your advanced skills and training? How do you find out what all the options are for PhDs? How did your mentors and advisors start their careers? Apply your researcher’s mind to career exploration and find answers to your most pressing questions about PhD careers. CAPD has what you need to start exploring career possibilities and forge your own path.

Person at booth talking to presenters

Workshops and Events

Take advantage of all MIT has to offer by participating in Institute career fairs and CAPD workshops and events tailored for PhDs. Refine your job documents, discover ways to develop your professional skills before you hit the job market, or learn how to leverage the power of your MIT network.

  • Hear about upcoming CAPD events through the Graduate Career Newsletter. Not getting the newsletter? Check your spam filters to make sure it gets through from Handshake!
  • Is your organization or academic department interested in specialized graduate career programming? Contact Alexis Boyer.

Consulting Opportunities Guide: Programs, Recruiting Timelines, and Bridge Initiatives for Advanced Degree Candidates (PhDs & Postdocs) – Boston Consulting Group (BCG), McKinsey and Bain & Company

News & Articles
Published on April 24, 2025

Read below for CAPD’s consulting opportunities guide specifically designed for MIT advanced degree candidates.

Boston Consulting Group

McKinsey & Company 

Bain & Company 

By Mitchell Moise
Mitchell Moise Employer Outreach and Engagement Specialist
Send Email
Read more

Disclosing identity information on applications 

Resources

As a student, postdoc, or alumni, you may have current or past experiences that provided you with highly-relevant competencies and transferrable skills. However, you may be uncertain about how you can discuss these experiences, or whether or not you should …

Read more

EVENT: Spilling the Tea on Leadership | 24 April 2025, 5pm

News & Articles
Published on April 2, 2025

Thursday, April 24 | 5-6pm | On-campus

There’s something very special about the opportunity to hear directly from a leader about what her path to success was really like, how she learned to lead, and what has helped her to thrive. In …

By Lydia Huth
Lydia Huth Communication and Program Manager
Send Email
Read more

Exploring careers? Check out career exploration events happening this April and May!

News & Articles
Published on April 1, 2025

The Career Exploration Series for the spring is now updated! This series is a collaboration between MIT departments, programs, and employers to help all undergraduate and graduate students learn about the different career and graduate/professional school options available to you.   

Visit the events page on Handshake and filter by the label …

By Tianna Ransom
Tianna Ransom Assistant Director, Career Exploration
Read more

Alumni voices in industry: Interview with Charles Chen from Big Pharma

News & Articles
Published on March 28, 2025

In this interview with Charles Chen, a senior scientist in Big Pharma specializing in lipid chemistry, he shared his journey from earning a bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Michigan State University to completing a PhD in chemistry at King’s College …

By Nicholas Rotello-Kuri
Nicholas Rotello-Kuri
Send Email
Read more

Sidebar

Featured Profiles

David Aaker

Alumni
  • Vice Chairman Prophet
Meet David

Yiqun Bai

Alumni
  • Vice President and Strategy & Operations Lead Flagship Pioneering
Meet Yiqun

Dr. Rebeccah Brown

Alumni
  • MIMEDX Group, Inc.
Meet Dr. Rebeccah

Tahmeena Godin

Alumni
  • Pfizer
Meet Tahmeena

Journee Harris, Grad Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient

Graduate Student, Graduate Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient
  • Degree: Master's in City Planning Evaluation Intern, Downtown Vision, Inc.
Meet Journee

Izzat Jarudi

Alumni
  • Co-founder and CEO Edifii
Meet Izzat

Natalija Jovanovic

Alumni
  • Co-Founder TNG Company
Meet Natalija

Breanna Lam, Grad Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient

Graduate Student, Graduate Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient
  • Degree: PhD in Biology Lab Design Consultant, Lee CMI
Meet Breanna

Sivananda Reddy

Alumni
  • Intellectual Property Counsel ZOLL Medical Corporation
Meet Sivananda

Hannah Shay, Grad Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient

Graduate Student, Graduate Student Career Exploration Grant Recipient
  • Degree: PhD in Chemistry Cosmic Ice Chemistry with SubLIME, NASAGoddard Space Flight Center
Meet Hannah

Marcio von Muhlen

Alumni
  • Co-founder and COO Turboprop
Meet Marcio
View All People

Featured Resources

/

Academia & education job/internship search sites

Comprehensive job sites that list academic positions (higher education) at all different levels and for all fields (mostly focused within …

Read More

Application Materials for a Faculty Job Search

The following materials are commonly requested.  We encourage you to schedule an appointment with a career advisor to review your …

Read More

Academic Interviews (Faculty Positions)

Interviews for faculty positions often include two rounds:

First round – Phone or Video  (20-40 minutes)

This is an initial …

Read More
Choosing between job offers (worksheet)

Choosing between job offers (worksheet)

Receiving two or more job offers can be both an exciting and stressful time. Whether you are waiting to hear …

View worksheet

Academic Job Offers

If you receive an academic job offer, express interest, and then take the time to carefully assess whether the offer …

Read More

Tips for virtual career fairs

Virtual career fairs offer the opportunity for students and employers to connect in ways that transcend physical distances, at greater …

Read More
View All Resources