Path to Career Resources
From Neuroscience to Strategic Consultant
Sep. 14, 2020—This article was originally published in Results & Discussion, Issue 2, Fall 2015. From Neuroscience to Strategic Consultant By Courtney Anthony-Bricker, graduate student Anuraag Sarangi is the quintessential alumni success story. After Dr. Sarangi earned his Ph.D. in neuroscience from Vanderbilt University in 2009, he completed a brief stint as a postdoc at the University...
Time well spent: tending to your career and professional development
Sep. 1, 2020—“I’m a postdoc being paid by an NIH training grant. Can I take time out of the lab to participate in this ASPIRE module?” “I’m paid by my PI’s research grant. I’ve heard people say that means I have to spend 100% of my time doing research and I can’t go to the Career Symposium....
Non-ASPIRE Programs to Enhance Your Career and Professional Development
Aug. 28, 2020—The ASPIRE program provides many opportunities for career and professional development, but there are numerous other terrific opportunities at Vanderbilt and in Nashville to test your interests and build your skills and network. This list of potential activities to enhance your career and professional development was originally compiled by VU alumnus Teddy van Opstal, PhD...
Finding example F30, F31, and F32 NIH NRSA applications
Apr. 28, 2020—Grad students and postdocs who are in the midst of writing fellowship applications, and especially F30 or F31 or F32 NIH NRSA applications, usually find it helpful to see examples of successful fellowship proposals. Reading funded proposals provides insight into how the scientific proposal is structured, and the expected quality of the essays and training...
Tips for international postdocs on finding funding for your research
Apr. 8, 2020—Scholars who come to the U.S. to conduct postdoctoral training often seek help from our office to find funding for their research. International postdocs are not eligible to apply for NIH F32 NRSA postdoctoral fellowships or NSF postdoctoral fellowships, two major sources of funding for US citizens and permanent residents. Thus, we have compiled the...
30 Behavioral Interview Questions from LinkedIn Talent Solutions
Mar. 17, 2020—Great businesses are built on people. People who not only have the right skills and experience, but who have the potential to do great things in the role, the team and in the company. However, screening candidates for potential is the toughest part of an interview. Oftentimes you assess someone’s potential by looking at their...
New sample F31 NRSA predoctoral fellowship applications available from NIAID
Feb. 20, 2020—The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease recently posted three new examples of F31 NRSA predoctoral fellowship applications, along with their corresponding summary statements. One of the sample proposals was donated by a former Vanderbilt student, so you can see how she incorporated VU resources into her document. The sample proposals are available at:...
Great science policy career guide from the California Council on Science & Technology
Feb. 20, 2020—This terrific guide from the California Council on Science & Technology contains great profiles of science policy professionals, describes career trajectories in science policy and government, and lists science policy fellowships. Check it out! https://ccst.us/wp-content/uploads/CCST-Alumni-Science-Policy-Career-Guide-Feb-2020.pdf
Job Listings Resource – Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS)
Jan. 15, 2020—The Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS) is a new organization devoted to building capacity, advancing scholarship, growing partnerships, and providing resources to help scientists and engagement practitioners engage with and demonstrate the impact of research in their communities and society. One of their initiatives is to collect and disseminate job opportunities relating to...
New video series from iBiology about applying for jobs as an industry scientist
Jan. 17, 2019—iBiology posted a new four-part video series on “Job Hunting in Industry: Searching, Applying, Interviewing, and Negotiating for a Scientist Position in Biotech and Pharma,” presented by Bill Lindstaedt, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Career Advancement, International and Postdoctoral Services at the University of California, San Francisco. It’s a terrific resource for biomedical scientists who are...
Teaching Statements: an expansive guide via the VU Center for Teaching
Jan. 2, 2018—If you are not sure where to begin or your current one needs some work, this Vanderbilt Center for Teaching website covers a lot of useful ground on Teaching Statement execution, evaluation, and exercises. Don't miss out on this excellent resource: https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-statements/
2017-18 PhD Career Connections series start August 9th!
Jul. 7, 2017— Mark your calendars! The first seminar in or PhD Career Connections series will be on Wednesday, August 9th! If you are interested in participating as a moderator or assisting in any way with this year's seminars, please send an email to angela.zito@vanderbilt.edu indicating your career interests and desire to be a part of this program (in...
Perspective on ‘Communicating through teaching’ from VU Biological Sciences Ph.D. Alumnus, Edward van Opstal
Apr. 5, 2017—Edward van Opstal’s second blog post for the NIH BEST’s PhD/Postdoc blog series has posted! This month he discusses Communicating Through Teaching. Check it out at the link below: Communication through teaching – Edward van Opstal, Ph.D. (wordpress.com)
“Creativity in the Shadows: Working Beyond the Tenure Track” Wednesday, April 5th
Mar. 27, 2017—Kim Petrie, from the BRET Office of Career Development will be a featured panelist in the final event in the Women in the Academy Series. This program sponsored by thr Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center offers PhD students a chance to reflect on the ways gender affects their experience as they begin their professional journey in...
Science Careers 2017 Career Handbook available for download
Mar. 24, 2017— Science Careers has teamed up with some great organizations to bring you information about the latest career opportunities in many different fields. The profiles included in this booklet give you a sense of the types of organizations that are accepting resumes and the kinds of positions they offer. We've also included some articles with...
Perspective on ‘Finding my scientific voice’ from VU Biological Sciences Ph.D. Alumnus, Edward van Opstal
Mar. 3, 2017—NIH BEST’s PhD/Postdoc blog series features scientists at different stages of career development and includes BRET’s very own Edward van Opstal! He will be discussing training in science communication. Check out his first post at the link below: Finding my scientific voice – Edward van Opstal, Ph.D. (wordpress.com)
Vanderbilt is now an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
Mar. 11, 2016—As part of its commitment to supporting and expanding diversity, Vanderbilt University has become an institutional member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. The NCFDD is an independent organization dedicated to professional development, training and mentoring, helping faculty make successful transitions throughout their careers. It comprises more than 80,000 graduate students, postdocs and...
50 Most Common Interview Questions (great blog post from Glassdoor)
May. 1, 2015—Prepping for a job interview? Courtesy of Glassdoor, here's a list of 50 common interview questions you should be ready to answer in your interview.
Guest Blog Post: So you want to be a science writer?
Jan. 13, 2015—While moving away from the bench toward a science-writing career can feel daunting, it is possible (and as this collection of science writer origin stories shows, lots of folks have done it). When you’re interested in any career, whether it’s one at the bench or not, the best way to eventually get the job that...
PhD Jobs: How To Transition From Academia Into Business
Sep. 17, 2014—“I sent resumes to over 200 companies during my last year of graduate school and heard back from exactly zero of them. It was embarrassing. And confusing. I guess I just assumed that big corporations would fall all over themselves trying to hire me once I had a PhD. Not so much. Getting my PhD turned...