Explore Career Options and Strategize your Career Transition

PhDs have transitioned into and have had fulfilling careers across a wide range of sectors (academia, private sector, non-profits, government) and job functions (research, business development, administration, communication, consulting, teaching, marketing, fundraising, policy, pharmacovigilance, intellectual property, patent law, product development…).

To support you in your career exploration journey, we have compiled PhD career stories, articles and videos, job simulations, and career transition resources on 20 career areas biomedical science PhDs can transition into. The goal of these resources is to help you learn about different career options, make choices of the career option(s) you would like to pursue, and initiate your transition:

• Academic careers – Postdoc-ing and Professor-ing.
• Academic careers beyond the Professoriate.
• Application Scientist and Field Application Scientist.
• Business Development.
• Clinical Research Roles.
• Consulting.
• Data Science/Analyst.
• Entrepreneurship.
• Intellectual Property, Patent Law, and Technology Transfer.
• Medical Affairs & Medical Science Liaison.
• Medical/Technical Writing and Communications.
• Product Management.
• Project Management.
• Regulatory Affairs, Ethics, and Compliance.
• Research and Development (R&D).
• Sales and Marketing.
• Science Communication & Journalism.
• Science Policy and Advocacy.
• Teaching, Education, and Training.
• Venture Capital and Investment Banking.

Please note that these resources are updated regularly – feel free to check the webpages linked above out from time to time, and share any resources you come across to help keep these career area resources up-to-date for your fellow student and postdoc colleagues.

The Graduate and Postdoctoral Success (GPS) provides self-paced online resources through PhD Progression, their digital badging professional development program for Master’s and PhD Students. Modules from the Career Development Pathways 1 and 2 are especially helpful for career exploration and transition purposes.

“AI can be a valuable tool as long as it’s used to enhance—not replace—personal input” (How to use ChatGPT to craft a cover letter that sounds like you, BU Careers Blog). Boston University provides access to multiple AI tools with Data Protection, including the Microsoft Copilot chatbot (with BU Login).

To learn more about:

• ways to use AI responsibly and ethically, feel free to check out the Alumni Medical Library Artificial Intelligence LibGuide,
• approaches towards effective prompting, feel free to check out online resources like BU AIDA.

The Center for Career Development (CCD) provides multiple resources, including VMock, an AI-powered tool to help craft and refine CVs and resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and prepare for job interviews (refine an elevator pitch, do mock interviews, etc.). You can also request feedback or specific interview questions from mentors and career advisors directly from VMock. Get started with VMock (alumni can still access it for 2 years post-graduation)!

Lauren Celano, CEO and co-founder of Propel Careers, offers personalized one-on-one virtual career advising to graduate students and postdocs. You can meet with Lauren to review your CV/résumé and cover letters, prepare for interviews, discuss networking skills, learn social media tools for job searching and more! Reserve a free, 30-minute one-on-one coaching session with Lauren.

Founded in 2009, Boston-based Propel Careers is a life sciences search and career development firm with the unique distinction of being dedicated to networking, mentoring, and career development. Lauren is a BU alumna who has worked with thousands of students, postdocs, medical residents and professionals to advance their careers and with > 50 companies to help them hire talent. She has a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Gettysburg College and an MBA with a focus in the health sector and entrepreneurship from Boston University.

Learn more about one-on-one coaching with Propel Careers here.

Bénédicte Gnangnon (Béné), Director of Professional Development for GMS, offers office hours for graduate students and postdocs seeking coaching or to discuss career exploration, job search, networking, and more… topics, and to review Individual Development Plans (IDPs) or job application documents.

Book a 30-min appointment with Béné here, and email her any documents that you would like her to review 24 hours before the appointment at the latest.

The BU Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Success (GPS) manages Postdoc Affairs and provides professional development support to all postdoctoral scholars.

Virtual one-on-one meetings can be booked to discuss or review an Individual Development Plan (IDP), a CV or Resume, prepare for job interviews, or discuss any other postdoc life matter. Check out the Postdocs’ Professional Development resources page to learn about upcoming office hours, or email postdocs@bu.edu to request an appointment. You can also join Postdoc office hours.