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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Explore Careers at the 2024 Salata Institute Climate and Sustainability Career Expo

News & Articles
Published on October 8, 2024

Interested in climate and sustainability? The Salata Institute Climate and Sustainability Career Expo on Friday, November 1, 2024, is your chance to explore opportunities in this growing field. Held at Harvard’s Gutman Conference Center from 12:30–4:30 PM ET, the expo …

By Kendel Jester
Kendel Jester Assistant Director, Early Career Engagement
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Develop Your Writing Skills with the WCC

News & Articles
Published on October 1, 2024

This fall, the Writing and Communications Center (WCC) is holding a number of workshops to help you grow as a writer! Check out the following events:

WriteWise: Effective Research and Writing Strategies

When: Oct 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 5-6:30pm

Location:  …

By Tara Thakurta
Tara Thakurta Graduate Community Fellow
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Liberty Mutual Neurodiversity Internship Program – Summer 2025

News & Articles
Published on October 1, 2024

At Liberty Mutual, we recognize and value the unique skills and experiences of all individuals. Our Neurodiversity Internship Program offers an inclusive and supportive environment as you build key skills to drive your career forward and gain exposure working for …

By Kendel Jester
Kendel Jester Assistant Director, Early Career Engagement
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MIT Energy & Climate Hackathon

News & Articles
Published on September 28, 2024

🌍 Ready to Tackle Climate Change? Join the MIT Energy & Climate Hackathon! 🚀

TLDR: Interested in Renewable Energy, Transportation, Future Mobility, Circularity, Climate Change, and tackling real-world problems – all while getting free swag, food, and the chance to win up …

By Tara Thakurta
Tara Thakurta Graduate Community Fellow
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PKG IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge – Applications are open!

News & Articles
Published on September 27, 2024

The IDEAS Social Innovation Challenge is MIT’s 20+ year-old social impact incubator housed in the PKG Public Service Center. Since its founding in 2001, IDEAS has enabled MIT student-led teams to apply their education and expertise in collaboration with community …

By Kendel Jester
Kendel Jester Assistant Director, Early Career Engagement
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Featured Resources

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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 …

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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 …

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Academic Interviews (Faculty Positions)

Interviews for faculty positions often include two rounds:

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

This is an initial …

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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 …

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Academic Job Offers

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

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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 …

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