Library
Jul. 30, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development has a lending library of career-related books, which include topics of career options for scientists, academic and nonacademic job search, self-assessment, and professional skills. Please contact our office if you would like to borrow a book from our lending library. See the full listing of books here. Also, be...
Funding Resources
Jul. 30, 2018—VU Resources for Writing a Grant or Fellowship Fellowship and Grant Opportunities Internal Funding Opportunities NIH Resources for Writing an F Fellowship or K Career Development Award Other Resources for Writing Your Grant Vanderbilt ASPIRE Trello project board and blog posts The ASPIRE Grant Planner Trello board and accompanying blog posts provide a complete guide...
Alumni Spotlight
Jul. 30, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development presents Alumni Spotlight, an interview with a former BRET PhD student or post-doc and written by a current BRET trainee. Hear how Vanderbilt has shaped an alumnus’s career path, skill set, and network, as well as what career advice they have to give. For more information or if you are...
Faculty
Jul. 30, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development ASPIRE Program will help advertise your postdoc position, share a colleague’s job posting, and assist with training grant text. We also have many opportunities for your graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. See below. I need resources for the grant I’m writing. The Office of Career Development maintains a repository...
For Alumni
Jul. 30, 2018—Welcome to the BRET Office of Career Development! Thank you for visiting our site. Hire a current student or postdoc to fill a job or complete an internship or externship. Through the ASPIRE program, the Office of Career Development will be providing externships (short-term, job shadowing and learning opportunities) and internships (long-term learning opportunities). If...
For Employers
Jul. 30, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development invites employers to take advantage of opportunities for your organization to connect with our graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical sciences. We can put you in touch with bright, talented, self-motivated people who will have an immediate impact on your organization. About BRET Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt...
Path to Career
Jul. 30, 2018—Careers are rarely linear but the resources below can help you progress through your Ph.D. and postdoctoral training. Click on the ‘goalposts’ along the path to view articles that pertain to each stage of Ph.D. and postdoctoral training. Don’t forget the foundational skills (pictured in the center) which are critical at all stages of development: networking, career exploration,...
Exploration, Self-Assessment, Goal Setting
Jul. 30, 2018—How do your interests and skills translate to a career choice? What do certain industries do? What steps do I need to take in order to reach my goals? Find the resources to help you explore your career choices here. Exploration Don’t Let Your Dissertation Run Your Life by David A. McDonald, Carpe Careers, Inside...
Networking
Jul. 30, 2018—Personal relationships and personal well-being help carve out your next career steps. The relationships around you can assist you in finding a job as well as shape your decisions. Find out more about how networking and maintaining that work-life balance is essential to having a successful career. Networking Advanced Networking: Six Techniques for Maintaining Professional...
Choosing a Mentor
Jul. 30, 2018—There are many resources to assist you in choosing a mentor and maintaining that relationship. Choosing a Mentor Choosing a Thesis Lab by Skip Brass for ScienceCareers.org Choosing a Graduate or Postdoc Advisor by John Andraos for ScienceCareers.org Forecasting Compatibility: How to Select Your New Boss by Dave Jensen for ScienceCareers.org An Insider’s Guide to Choosing...
Skill Development
Jul. 30, 2018—Hone and polish the skills necessary to make you the most competitive candidate on the job market. Skill Development The NPA Postdoctoral Core Competencies Toolkit by the National Postdoctoral Association Understanding Emotional Intelligence: perhaps a secret to success? for the NIH Office of Intramural Training Education OITE Careers Blog gradLEAF from the Peabody Office of Professional and...
Grant Writing
Jul. 30, 2018—The Office of Career Development highly recommends visiting the Funding page on the BRET website. This site includes: Information from the October 18, 2011, Grants & Fellowship Workshop Tools for Identifying Funding Opportunities Previous Pre- and Postdoctoral Funding Awards at VUMC Training Grant Support Vanderbilt Resources for Writing Your Grant NIH Resources for Writing Your...
Resume & CV Writing
Jul. 30, 2018—There is no easy formula to create the perfect CV, resume, or cover letter. Fortunately, the articles below can assist you in building these documents, and we encourage you to reach out if you would like to have your CV, resume, or cover letter reviewed. The Guide to Resumes and Curricula Vitae by the NIH OITE is...
Search Strategies
Jul. 30, 2018—Career guides Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Management for Postdocs and New Faculty: This book is a collection of practical advice and experiences from seasoned biomedical investigators Career Basics: Advice and Resources for Scientists: Seven chapters of career advice from sciencecareers.org Career Advice for Life Scientists: Career guides from American Society for...
Navigating Dead Ends
Jul. 30, 2018—Opportunities that did not pan out, a time crunch, or a change in path may have you panicking about what to do next in your job search. Take a deep breath and know there are a few solutions to pursue. It’s April and I Still Don’t Have a Job! The Panicked Scientists’ Guide to Accelerated...
Post-Doc Search
Jul. 30, 2018—Academic Postdoctoral Positions Landing a Postdoctoral Researcher Position by the American Physiological Society Industry Postdoctoral Programs Some Real-World Observations on Industrial Postdocs by Allan Lanthes for Science Careers. List of (some) NIH postdoctoral opportunities (as in academia, not all postdoctoral opportunities are advertised; students are encouraged to reach out directly to potential postdoctoral mentors even if...
Non-Faculty Search
Jul. 30, 2018—Your Ph.D. degree can take you many places, not just to academia. Find out more about nonacademic career search. Start Here In the Beyond the Lab video series, the BRET Office of Career Development interviews Vanderbilt Ph.D. and postdoctoral alumni about their career path in different industries Branching Points blog, a collection of resources designed to...
Faculty Search
Jul. 30, 2018—Jump into your faculty job search with these resources. Job search documents: cover letters, CVs, teaching statements, research plans Writing a Research Plan by Jim Austin for ScienceCareers.org Teaching Portfolio resources from the Vanderbilt Center for Teaching (includes info on Teaching Statements) Visit the Vanderbilt Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education (AdvancED) with assistance...
Welcome.
Jul. 30, 2018—The BRET Office of Career Development provides career and professional development services and enrichment activities for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the biomedical and biological sciences. We welcome you to explore the many offerings within BRET Career Development. If you have any questions, please feel free to Contact Us.
Stay Connected
Jul. 30, 2018—How can you stay connected to all offerings of the BRET Office of Career Development? Read our Blog. The ASPIRE Program blog is the most up-to-date place to read about upcoming events, articles of interest, and job postings sent to the BRET Office of Career Development. Subscribe to our Newsletter. Our e-newsletter is published...