Career Corner
Career Support for Graduate Students
Navigating the transition from academic life to a successful professional career can be challenging, and the Office of Graduate Affairs and the Career Center are here to support you every step of the way. As part of the monthly graduate student newsletter, this page provides graduate students with expert insights, practical tips, and valuable resources to help you achieve your career goals. Dive in and discover the tools and knowledge you need to excel in your chosen field and make your mark in the professional world.
4 Tips for Job Searching from Your Career Center:
1. Define Your Goals
Identify target roles that align with your career aspirations that will help you achieve
what you want from your career. This will create a more focused job search that supports
your short-and long-term goals.
2. Use Existing Networks
Reach out to faculty, alumni, and professionals in the field for advice or referrals.
These individuals are already in your field of interest and can point you to hidden
job opportunities and industry specific resources.
3. Utilize Job Boards
Use job board websites, such as LinkedIn and Handshake, to see which employers are
hiring. Handshake is available to graduate students and can be a great resource to
see which employers are currently hiring recent graduates. Industry specific job boards
can be found on the Career Center website.
4. Be Patient
Job searching can take time. Staying positive, persistent, and patient can help to
reduce negative feelings associated with job searching. Try not to be discouraged
by rejection as those moments can become learning opportunities to improve your applications.
Schedule an appointment to speak with your career advisor through Compass. Contact the Career Center directly at 973-761-9355 if you have any difficulty scheduling online.
Tips for Successful Networking
1. Speak with your professors to get a sense of active professional associations in the area, upcoming networking events and experts in your field of interest.
2. Regularly review industry and trade publications and videos and identify current trends, recent events and new innovations/practices within the field. You will then be prepared to have more impactful conversations when speaking with professionals.
3. Identity one to three events each month related to your field and interests and add them to your calendar. Click here to view the University’s calendar for workshops and trainings.
4. Set a reminder to review and update your LinkedIn profile each month to ensure
that the information is always current.Be Patient
Schedule an appointment to speak with your career advisor through Compass. Contact the Career Center directly at 973-761-9355 if you have any difficulty scheduling online.
5 Tips for Graduate Students from Your Career Center:
1. Network Efficiently: Establish connections with peers, professors and professionals in your field. These connections can lead to valuable opportunities in the future. For instance, joining professional organizations related to your field or attending industry events will expand your network significantly.
2. Seek Practical Experience: Pursue internships, part-time roles or volunteer positions aligned with your field of study. These experiences not only enhance your skills but also provide valuable insights into real-world applications. For example, working as a research assistant for a professor or interning at a relevant company can give you hands-on experience in your area of interest.
3. Engage in Workshops and Seminars: Participate in workshops and seminars to supplement your academic learning. These events offer interactive and engaging ways to acquire new knowledge and skills. Additionally, they provide opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas with peers and professionals.
4. Create a Career Plan: Set clear short-term and long-term goals for your career and regularly assess your progress. Having a well-defined plan helps you stay focused on developing the necessary skills and competencies for your desired career path. For example, setting a goal to gain proficiency in a specific programming language within six months can guide your learning efforts and career trajectory.
5. Maintain Work-Life Balance: Dedicate time to socialize and engage in activities outside of your academic pursuits. Building a strong support system with friends and family can help prevent burnout and maintain overall well-being. Whether it's organizing game nights with friends or spending quality