Career Planning for Graduate Students
This three-phase career-planning guide is tailored for master’s and PhD students to develop capacities through their research, teaching, and leadership and program-specific internships.
Master's students
Master's | Knowledge | Engagement | Strategy |
Beginning of your program | • Learn about career resources at Northwestern • Explore job and industry options for your degree • Determine whether an internship works for your program and schedule |
• Meet with a career adviser or counselor at NCA or the career center that aligns with your area of study • Attend graduate-student-focused career workshops and events on such topics as networking, interviewing, and job searching |
• Identify career paths to pursue • Understand recruiting timelines based on your experience and industry |
Midway through your program | • Explore alumni and networking resources (e.g., NAA, NEXT, Mentoring Platform) • Review job descriptions of positions that interest you |
• Attend recruiting events, employer information sessions, and career programs | • Seek an internship opportunity (depending on your program duration) • Determine the gaps in your skill set and pursue opportunities to build the skills needed for your industry |
Conclusion of your program | • Explore and research employers in your industry and consider how they align with your career goals and values | • Connect with professionals and alumni in your fields of interest to better position yourself for the job search | • With an NCA adviser, develop a plan to apply to jobs or postdegree opportunities • Revise and tailor your résumé |
PhD students
PhD | Knowledge | Engagement | Strategy |
Beginning of your program | • Develop a foundation in discipline-specific research skills and conventions through graduate curriculum | • Attend discipline-specific panel discussions with faculty and visiting experts | • Identify potential mentors and research collaborators |
Midway through your program | • Master oral and written genres of your discipline through seminar, group, and conference presentations and written media • Develop knowledge of career fields by engaging with faculty, alumni, NCA programming, and career counselors and advisers |
• Develop and maintain relationships with mentors and peers • Explore leadership and engagement opportunities on campus, including graduate student organizations and fellowships |
• Take advantage of professional development certifications and graduate assistantships • Pursue outside funding options for the second through fifth year in order to have flexibility to bank a sixth year if necessary |
Conclusion of your program | • Gain in-depth, hands-on knowledge about specific careers of interest through on-campus opportunities or internships • Begin reviewing job postings to help you articulate how your research experiences align with positions of interest |
• Connect with alumni from Northwestern and previous institutions to learn more about the job search process and opportunities for advanced-degree candidates | • Ensure your professional online presence is up to date • Prepare field-specific application materials (e.g., CVs, résumés, cover letters, research statements, teaching philosophy, and sample syllabi) |