January 2025

"Finding My Path: How an Internship Shaped My Post-PhD Career Plans"

By Yuexuan Chen, PhD Candidate in Immunology, Microbiology and Virology

As a fourth-year PhD candidate, I often found myself wondering: What should I do after graduation? Should I pursue a career in industry, or should I stay in academia and apply for a postdoctoral position? At that time, I felt stuck. I had been a student my entire life, without any gap years, and I had little knowledge about careers in the industry. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to make the transition from student to employee or if I would even enjoy working in a corporate environment. When I shared my concerns with my mentor, she suggested that doing an internship could help me make a more informed decision. She also encouraged me to connect with myHub Career Services for additional support. I’m incredibly grateful for her advice, as I had never considered an internship before. Her encouragement made a huge difference, and I deeply appreciate her support throughout the process. Even though I had to suspend my PhD projects for 12 weeks, I knew it would be worth it if I could gain exposure to the industry. I hoped the experience would help me develop a deeper understanding of the field, gain insight into various roles, and build a network of professionals. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made during my PhD.

"Building Your Dream Team: Tips for Choosing Your Thesis Committee"

by Jeff Koslofsky - Senior Marketing Communications Manager - Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs

How to align expertise and mentorship with your career goals

Choosing a thesis committee is a pivotal step in a graduate student’s academic journey. The right committee can influence the quality of your research and the trajectory of your career. A well-assembled committee provides not only subject-matter expertise but also mentorship, constructive feedback, and professional connections that will be invaluable throughout your studies and beyond.

In a recent episode of The Next Step podcast, Cindi Lewis ’14M (PhD), who now serves as executive management to the Director General at the World Health Organization, and Vivek Nanda ’13M (PhD), Assistant Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham shared their thoughts on factors to consider when selecting your thesis committee. From finding diverse expertise to fostering relationships between members, these tips will help you make informed decisions to set yourself up for success.