Introduction - PFP

Introduction - PFP

The Ohio State University is dedicated to the success of its graduate students and to preparing them for a meaningful and rewarding career after graduation. An advanced degree from Ohio State will provide many professional opportunities for graduates, but it is the soft (transferable) skills that will help shape the path for graduates. Academic departments teach their graduate students how to be experts in their content area by teaching theory, methodologies and techniques. These are key facets of the graduate degree, but the graduate curriculum often does not include the other fundamental skills needed to be successful in the 21st century job market: soft skills. Contemporary employers look for more than content expertise in potential job candidates; they want a professional who knows how to communicate, lead and work as part of a team. 

These skills, among others, can usually be developed in tandem with the departmental curriculum through experience working in laboratories, through fieldwork, shadowing or participating in mentorship opportunities. However, these skills are generally not explicitly taught in graduate programs and often exist in what was called “the hidden curriculum.” It is expected that graduate students will build their skills during their studies, but generally there are not courses offered in these soft skills in their academic departments. Additionally, students do not necessarily know how to articulate that they have these skills, either in writing or in interviews. 

Ohio State acknowledges that there are many career paths that graduate students can pursue after earning their advanced degree. Traditionally, students have pursued advanced graduate degrees to prepare for a career in academia, industry, government, health care, etc. While some students will take a traditional career trajectory, the contemporary landscape has changed and there are many other career options for students with advanced degrees, such as entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). In addition, students are faced with an evolving job market (such as automation, artificial intelligence and new technologies) and new job opportunities, influenced by students’ values, interests, lifestyle choices, etc. This guide was created by representatives from units across Ohio State to help graduate students navigate the vast resources available to them, and to prepare them for their careers as professionals.

Know Yourself

  1. What matters are important to you? 
  2. What are your interests? 
  3. What is your world view?
  4. What are your strengths?

Research Careers

  1. Websites 
  2. eBooks 
  3. Informational Interviewing
  4. Job Shadowing
  5. Professional Associations
  6. Career Events

Try Out a Career

  1. Internships
  2. Job shadowing
  3. Volunteering 
  4. Part-time jobs  

Develop Skills

  1. Hard skills (coursework and labs, etc.) 
  2. Soft skills (transferrable) skills (workshops, in-class training, etc.)

Job Search

  1. Career fairs and job postings
  2. Prepare resume/cover letter
  3. Interviewing
  4. Job offer
  5. Negotiation
     
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