Careers in Science and Engineering A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond (1996) / Chapter Skim
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5 HOW DO YOU GET THE JOB THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
5 HOW DO YOU GET THE JOB THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Pages 91-108
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From page 91... ...
Many recent science and engineering graduates are lucky enough to move into desirable employment immediately. But it's common to spend months or even more than a year in the job search.
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From page 92... ...
As the academic and research job markets have tightened, employers have learned that they can pick from a larger pool of applicants. Will an institution hire a PhD fresh off the campus when it can hire a PhD with 1-4 years of postdoctoral experience?
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From page 93... ...
You will find many first-person anecdotes about how the job market works -- and does not work -- as well as tips, queries, complaints, anecdotes, statistics, and advice about such topics as the job search, getting along with your adviser, and forming dissertation support groups. The National Research Council's online Career Planning Center For Beginning Scientists and Engineers centralizes job openings, career information, guidance, and links to other forms and sources of information.
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From page 94... ...
There you will find abundant trade literature and a social environment that makes it easier to meet people in your field. National meetings of science and engineering disciplinary societies are where job-seekers can contact employers who have advertised jobs or postdoctoral positions.
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From page 95... ...
In the state of Virginia, it is possible to obtain certification based on your professional experience with minimal coursework. She has taught more than 3,000 students in 10 years, exposing every incoming freshman to an innovative curriculum featuring hands-on work with biotechnology laboratory methods (e.g., cells, DNA, and proteins)
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From page 96... ...
It was a real empowerment for me. Doing scientific research with a goal of a thesis develops a habit of mind.
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From page 97... ...
Those advertisements not only show you what is available, but also offer a realistic picture of the qualifications that employers expect. These publications and many others can be found via the Internet (and are directly accessible via the National Research Council's online Career Planning Center For Beginning Scientists and Engineers)
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From page 98... ...
Interview dynamics vary greatly between research and nonresearch positions, but in both cases, be specific: How can you make a contribution to the organization? For research positions, familiarize yourself beforehand with the research interests of the faculty member or the industrial group that you will meet.
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From page 99... ...
In the case of doctoral or postdoctoral candidates, learn the considerable differences between interviewing for industry and for academe. For a research position, both will scrutinize the depth of your research presentation, your teaching experience and skills, how well you work with others, your research plans, and your list of publications.
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From page 100... ...
At a minimum, if you are a doctoral student, plan routes leading to both academic and nonacademic careers. ➤ Do not pass up an entry-level position.
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From page 101... ...
That didn't suit me temperamentally." Instead, she took advantage of each opportunity in her career path. Smith College acquired its first computer during her freshman year, allowing her to build early computing and mathematical skills.
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From page 102... ...
CAREERS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING TOXICOLOGY AND RISK ASSESSMENT -- continued appointment in toxicology and regulatory policy, where she discovered her current field.
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From page 103... ...
Although a lucky few might land positions before leaving school, finding a good job normally takes time and hard work. Good career-planning centers are available at most universities for undergraduates, but not all departments and universities take seriously the challenge of helping graduate students to find employment.
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From page 104... ...
Career changes constitute tremendous opportunities. The sooner you make a constructive move, the better you will feel about yourself and the better you will look to the next employer.
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From page 105... ...
By following her interests, she finds herself -- several degrees and career changes later -- happily (and unexpectedly) employed as technical manager of a Human Factors and User Interface Design group at AT&T Bell Laboratories.
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From page 106... ...
We conduct user needs and task analyses; we create and test user interfaces of new products. "A major challenge is to determine how much we can do, within demanding cost and time constraints, to ensure that the product meets users' needs and is easy to learn and use.
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From page 107... ...
How will the change benefit your career? You might find that most of your career changes occur fairly early; large directional changes become more difficult as you advance (Beynon 1993)
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From page 108... ...
➤ Know yourself so that when you see an open ing, you can market yourself -- your education, skills, and attributes. ➤ For research positions, practice the presenta tion of your research before faculty and fellow students.
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