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.

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.

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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.


Career opportunities at top employers for people with disabilities

Lime Connect’s partners have endless opportunities posted for students and professionals with disabilities from internships to senior-level roles and more!

Click the titles below to log into your Lime Community account and apply to your favorite opportunities today. Don’t have …

By Kendel Jester
Kendel Jester Assistant Director, Early Career Engagement
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Get prepared for your photo!

By scheduling your appointment, you have successfully completed the first step towards having a really good photo! Here are some additional things to consider in preparation:

1. Get inspired

You might find it helpful to look at photos of MIT …

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MIT Comm Lab Spotlight: Engineers, Express Yourselves

The MIT School of Engineering Communication Lab, which turned 10 in 2023, helps students translate their work for broader impact.

For a decade, the MIT School of Engineering Communication Lab, which originated in the Department of Biological Engineering and has …

By Tara Thakurta
Tara Thakurta Graduate Community Fellow
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4th Annual MIT Research Slam Showcase

Research Slam is a research presentation that builds on the classic “elevator pitch” or 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) competition.

Presenters explain their research to a curious, non-specialist audience in ≤3 minutes (strictly enforced) using one slide with no animation, video, or …

By Tara Thakurta
Tara Thakurta Graduate Community Fellow
Read more

2024 GradFUTURES Forum: Building Clarity, Confidence, and Connections

The 2024 Annual GradFUTURES Forum is being held at Princeton University from April 5, 8-12, 2024

With more than a dozen engaging speakers, skill-building workshops, alumni panels, and networking sessions, the GradFUTURES Forum offers sessions with real-time relevance to success in graduate school …

By Tara Thakurta
Tara Thakurta Graduate Community Fellow
Read more

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Featured Resources

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

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

Interviews for faculty positions often include two rounds:

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

This is an initial …

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 …

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