Career Exploration and Planning Tools for PhDs and Postdocs

Luckily, you’re no stranger to research. The following tools and resources will help you explore different PhD career paths.

MIT PhD Survey

Our annual “Earned Doctoral Degree Survey” tracks the plans of MIT doctorates after graduation in both industry and academia. Data includes how graduates found jobs, top industries and companies, employers by department, and salaries.

MyIDP: Career Planning for STEM PhDs

MyIDP (or Individual Development Plan) is a free tool for science PhDs to explore career possibilities and find the career path that fits you best. Work with a career advisor to review your results and develop a plan. Features include:

• Exercises to help you examine your skills, interests, and values
• A list of 20 scientific career paths and how your skills and interests match those of professionals in each path
• A tool for setting and keeping track of strategic goals to advance your career plan
• Articles, guides and other resources

ImaginePhD: Career Planning for PhDs in Humanities and Social Sciences

ImaginePhD is a free tool for humanities and social sciences PhDs to explore career possibilities and find the career path that fits you best. Work with a career advisor to review your results and develop a plan. On ImaginePhD you will be able to:

• Assess your career-related skills, interests, and values
• Explore a variety of career paths
• Create self-defined goals and map out the next steps for your career
• View articles, sample documents and other resources

Developed by experts from over 50 universities, ImaginePhD offers a unique platform that teaches PhDs about popular job sectors, search strategies, and how to transfer skills across settings.