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Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development WebsiteThe UCLA Professional Development website is a collaborative project of UCLA campus units representing the interestsof graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UCLA. We provide a calendar of workshops, speakers and presenterson and off campus who can provide insight and expertise on professional and career development topics.https://grad.ucla.edu/careerhub/h Subscribe to the RSS feed for upcoming eventsh All professional development events across campus are posted hereh Individual Development Plan information for students, postdocs and facultyh Versatile PhDh Opportunities unique to graduate students and postdocsVersatile PhDThe oldest, largest online community dedicated to nonacademic and non-faculty careers for PhDs in humanities, socialscience and STEM fields. UCLA Career Center and The Graduate Division hold a subscription to this site where graduatestudents and postdocs can access premium content and use the site to network with fellow PhDs in a range of careerpaths, look at sample application documents, and participate in panel discussions. A few additional ways to use the siteare listed belowwww.Versatilephd.comh To access premium content, you will need to log in through the UCLA Career Center website or the Graduate Studentand Postdoctoral Scholar Professional Development Websiteh Discover interesting career paths – Use the PhD Career finderh Consult the communityh See job listings appropriate for PhDsh Network with successful PhDs nationwideh Attend local meet upsHandshakeHandshake offers graduate students and postdocs a personalized, user-friendly interface to findskill specific jobs and internships, register for professional development events, and employerrecruitment opportunities.Through Handshake, Graduate Students can schedule graduate career advising and graduatewriting appointments.career.ucla.edu/handshakeGraduate Students & Postdocs can.h Explore thousands of jobs and internships and connect with employersh RSVP for professional development workshops, programs, and eventsh Discover jobs and internships in collections tailored towards your interestsh Track deadlines (job application, on-campus interviewing, events, etc.)h Explore and utilize online career resources like Vault, VersatilePhD, InterviewStream, and GoinGlobalAnalyze your Skills, Strengths & Values13

Transferable Skills AnalysisThe following list of transferable skills is a great start to identifying and prioritizing your skills gained as a graduate student,postdoc, and through other experiences. Using the list below, check the box next to the skills you feel confident using.Then evaluate the checked skills and underline those that you enjoy doing daily.Research & Information ManagementLocate and assimilate new information rapidly, applicable to a given problemUnderstand and synthesize large quantities of complex informationDesign research instruments (e.g., surveys) and effectively analyze resultsDevelop organizing principles to effectively sort and evaluate dataAnalysis & Problem SolvingClearly define a problem and identify possible causesComprehend large amounts of informationForm and defend independent conclusionsDesign an experiment, plan, or model that defines a problem, tests potential resolutions and implements a solutionCommunication Skills – Written & OralPrepare concise and logically written materials, for different audiences in different contexts: from abstracts to booklength manuscriptsEdit and proofreadOrganize and communicate ideas and complex information effectively in oral presentations to specialized and nonspecialized audiences in small and large groupsPersuade others in both written and oral format using logical argumentWrite effective grant and research proposalsInterpersonal & Leadership SkillsFacilitate group discussions or conduct meetingsTeach skills or concepts to othersWork effectively in teams, and collaborate on projectsNavigate complex or bureaurocratic environments effectivelyDiplomatically communicate and respond to positive or negative feedbackMotivate others to complete projectsBuild consensus among groups or individuals (e.g., with your department/committee)Effectively mentor subordinates and/or peers14Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values

Organization & ManagementManage a project or multiple projects from beginning to endIdentify and establish goals or tasks to be accomplished in areasonable timelineOrganize and prioritize tasksAnticipate possible challengesMaintain flexibility in the face of changing circumstancesSupervision SkillsEvaluate others’ performance (e.g., grade exams or papers)Monitor or oversee the work of others in a lab or classroom, andprovide feedbackHelpful TipUse Your Transferable Skills toExplore Career Optionsgo to www.indeed.com andenter in one of the transferrableskill categories you haveidentified as a search termwith either your discipline, oran interest area.Self Management, Work Habits & Entrepreneurial SkillsMeet deadlines and manage competing prioritiesPerform under pressureWork independentlyAcquire funding (e.g., write grant/fellowship proposals) andmanage a budgetRank order the top five skills that you do well, and enjoy doing daily.1.2.3.4.5.Do any of these fall under a particular skill category?Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values15

SWOT AnalysisIdentify a job description or career field that you are interested in pursuing. Using the following criteria, analyze yourselfand the external landscape for that career field. This will help you identify your strengths as a candidate, areas forimprovement, and networks/training opportunities to build toward this career.What do I do well?What is my biggest achievement?StrengthsWhat do others recognize me for?What personal qualities do Ipossess?What do I need to improve?WeaknessesWhat tasks do I typically avoid?What are my personal flaws?What are the trends in myprofessional industry/discipline?OpportunitiesWho can support me in achievingmy goals?What additional training orexperience is available to me?What are the obstacles?Threats16Who is competing for this kind ofjob/career?What macro-level changes mightimpact this career?(political, environmental)Analyze your Skills, Strengths & Values

Values WorksheetPlace the abbreviation for each of the values listed in the Work Values Inventory into one of the categories below toindicate how important each value is to you in your work.Highly ImportantModerately ImportantNot ImportantRank order the values in this category.Work Values Inventory1Achievement (ACH)Advancement (AVA)Adventure (AVE)Aesthetics (AES)Predictable work (PRE)Competition (COM)Early entry (EAN)Altruism (ALT)Creativity (CRE)Fairness (FAI)Health (HAE)High income (HIN)Home and leisure life (HLL)Independence (IND)Friendships at work (FRI)Interesting work (INT)Leadership (LEA)Exhibition (EXH)Lifestyle (LIF)Location of work (LOC)Mechanical and physical activity(MPA)Moral and religious concerns (MRC)Outdoor work (OUT)Physical appearance (PHA)People contact (PEC)Recognition (REC)Security (SEC)Status/prestige (STP)Variety (VAR)Work environment (WEN)Top Ten Work Values1.2.3.4.5.6.78.9.10.1 Lock, R. D. (2004). Taking charge of your career direction: Career planning guide, book 1 (5th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks ColeAnalyze your Skills, Strengths & Values17

Assess Your Professional NetworkSurrounding yourself with a network of supportive individuals while a graduate student or postdoc is important to asuccessful experience. Rather than trying to identify one person to provide you with everything, develop a broad networkthat can serve to support you in many different areas. Use the chart below to evaluate your professional network,identifying multiple mentors and areas to develop.InternalProfessional DevelopmentExternalPeers/ColleaguesIntellectual Community/ResearchExternal CollaboratorsFacultySafe SpaceSupportive lyEmotional Support/Well BeingOtherOrganizational Groups18Analyze your Skills, Strengths & ValuesSupportive Individuals121212121212121212121212

Informational InterviewingInformational Interviews are 20-60 minute long conversations for you to ask questions, listen, and learn aboutorganizations, career paths, and industry trends from a professional in a field of interest. This is also an excellent way toexpand your network in a particular industry, and gain more nuanced information about a career or organization.This is not the same as a job interview, so use the time to listen and learn.When you reach out to a potential contact, communicate these three things:1.Why you are reaching out: What would you like to learn about them? It is best to be brief in your explanation.2.Why THEY are the best person for you to learn from: What makes them unique in their field? What about theircareer, position, or work intrigues you?3.What you are asking for: How much time will you need? Do you want to meet in person, through Skype, or byphone? Offer times to meet, but indicate that you can adjust to their schedule. Ask for 20-30 minutes of their time.Sample Informational Interview Request (Email)Dear Dr. ,I am a current (PhD Student/Postdoc) at UCLA in the BioengineeringDepartment, and I came across your name while browsing the UCLALinkedIn alumni group. Over the past 6 years my research has beenfocused on the use of nanotechnology in medical devices. Althoughthis work has been gratifying, I am now seeking to shift my career intoscience policy.If possible, I would like to learn more about your work in science policyat AAAS. The opportunity to learn about your career trajectory, andany advice you might be willing to share regarding steps I could starttaking now would be greatly appreciated. If you are available for 20-30minutes in the next month we could meet over coffee (my treat), Skype,or talk by phone. I’m typically available Monday-Wednesday 9am-12pm,but am happy to meet when it’s most convenient for you.Helpful TipDo not take it as a rejection ifthe contact offers to chat viaphone when you requested an inperson meeting. Remembertheir schedules are busy.Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,Jillian EngineerCareer Exploration & Informational Interviews19

Sample Informational Interview QuestionsCareer Explorationh What are your major responsibilities?h What is the most interesting project you haveworked on?h What is the most/least rewarding aspect of your job?h Would you choose this career again?h What is a typical day like, or what does an averagework week involve?h What is the most common career path?h What obligations are expected of you outside of theactual job?h What are some lifestyle considerations for thiscareer field?h What are some common entry-level positionsin the field?h What kind of salary range and benefits could an entrylevel position expect to receive? NOTE: You are notasking for their specific salary!h What kind of individual (skills/personality) would be bestsuited for these entry-level positions? What types ofpeople typically do well in this field?h What are the most important factors used when hiring?h What is the best educational preparation for a career inthis field?h Which classes and experience would be most helpful toobtain while still in my degree program?h How high is turnover?h How does one move or advance within theorganization?Job Search and Industry Knowledgeh How do people find out about open positions in this field?h What types of skills and experience should I emphasize on my CV or resume?Helpful Tiph What do you think this industry will look like in 10 years? How is it changing?h How do you see jobs changing in the future?h Which professional journals or organizations would you recommend that Iresearch to learn more about this field?h Who else do you recommend I talk with, and may I have permission to useyour name?If you have done researchin preparation of this interview,demonstrate that by thequality and relevance of thequestions you ask.Specific questions that demonstrate your research on the person, field or industry:h How did your research background inh What are the pros and cons of working onh How does your research background onh Would you suggest (field specifichelp you in your job search?come into play, if at all, in your current position?h How did your experience in betterprepare you for this position?20Career Exploration & Informational Interviewsproject?experience) will help in this position?

Sample Thank You Email (Follow - up)After you have met with the professional or alumni and had a chance to learn more about the position, industry or field,your next step is to FOLLOW UP with them using a thank you email or hand written note. You should always thankpeople for their time, even if you have decided you don’t want to pursue careers in that direction. You never know whereyour next opportunity will come from and establishing a professional network is key to navigating successful careerchoices throughout your professional life.Thanking someone for their time is the easiest way to follow up, communicates professionalism, and is an opportunity toplant seeds for future interactions.When following up with an alumni or professional, communicate these three things:1.Thank them for their time and any specific resources, tips or contacts they shared highlighting what you hadin common.2.Demonstrate how you plan to use their advice, or share additional resources that are related to your conversation.3.Do not ask for a job, or send your resume unless it was something they offered during your meeting. You are stillbuilding a relationship and asking for a job is premature.Dear Dr. ,Thank you for meeting with me last week to learn about your career atAAAS, and the kinds of projects you have had the opportunity to workon. Our discussion helped me think about my doctoral work morebroadly, and I took your advice and reached out to your colleague, Dr.at RAND – we are meeting next week. Your detailed informationconcerning the AAAS Fellowship program was really helpful, and I planto apply for the fellowship when it opens next month.I appreciate your willingness to meet with me, and hope I can have theopportunity to return the favor in the future.Sincerely,Helpful TipAlways follow-up with an emailor hand written thank you note.Even if you feel you won’t reachout to this individual again, younever know where your nextopportunity may come from.Highlight what you havein common or learned fromthem and acted on whenfollowing up. It makes youmore memorable.Kelly EngineerCareer Exploration & Informational Interviews21

Career Experiences and Job SimulationsGaining experience by working on a project in a particular industry is one of the best ways to explore career options.However, as a graduate student or postdoc there are significant barriers around time, funding, and experience that canmake committing to an internship challenging. We have identified some low risk opportunities to help you “try work” thatinvolve minimal time commitments and allow you to reflect on how much you actually enjoy the work.Challenges & CompetitionsCrowdsourcing online platforms provide opportunities for organizations to pose problems and users to solve thoseproblems for incentives ranging from cash rewards to on-site interviews. Pay attention to fine print on crowdsourcingsites, including:h Intellectual Property – who owns your ideas if you participate, and at what point do your ideas become the intellectualproperty of the organization posing the idea? The most reputable sites either never own your idea, or own your ideaonly if you win the competition. Consult with the Technology Development Group and your lab director regardingthe complexities of intellectual property before you participate, too. In some cases—and especially if the work on acrowdsourcing platform is similar in scope to your research at UCLA—the university, your lab, or a funding agency mayalready have rights to your work product.h Fair Compensation – be sure the work on these platforms is worth the effort, and understand exactly what thecompensation for your work will be before you participate. In some cases, prize money is awarded only to winningideas. In other cases, each bit of work performed is compensated. And some crowdsourcing sites – particularly workfor nonprofits and government agencies – do not provide any compensation at all. Even if the pay is not great, though,determine if the work experience will be useful to you for building a portfolio for future employment or learning newskills.Example of Using a Competition Experience on Your Resume:Jaime Smith112211 Westwood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 91234 310.123.4567 JSmith@biology.ucla.eduAwards SectionFirst Place, HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design & Planning Competition. Challenge.gov( 10,000)Project Leadership & Management ExperienceProject Lead, Team Houses4People – challenge.govFall 20152018 HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Student Design & Planning Competition Initiated and led a multidisciplinary team of 5 researchers in the development of an affordable urbandesign for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Proposed a business plan for a novel solution driven by large-scale 3D printing technology thatreduced construction cost by 30% to HUD executives and community stakeholders.22Career Exploration & Informational InterviewsResume TipsWinning solutions canbe cited as an awardand experience,whereas solutionsthat don’t win canstill be cited asexperience or projectwork

Some Crowdsourcing PlatformsPlatformURLDescriptionDisciplinary ExpertiseInnoCentivewww.Innocentive.comFeaturing Research &Development problemsposed by companies andgovernment agencies.Natural Sciences, Biomedical Sciences,Social Sciences, Business, TechnologyKagglewww.Kaggle.comFocused on Data Scienceand analytics with jobpostings and onlinelearning modules.Machine Learning, Python, DataVisualization, Data Mining, SQL, R, DeepLearning ModelsTop Coderwww.Topcoder.comBusinesses posedesign, code anddigital challenges.Visual Design, Code Development andData Science ProjectsChallenge.govwww.Challenge.govFederal agenciescrowdsource ideas fromthe public and solveproblems with thinkersand doers from anyneighborhood and fieldof expertise.Technology, Public Input, Creative,Scientific, Policy, Public Health,Data Science, Ideation, Defense,Biomedical SciencesMind Sumowww.Mindsumo.com/challengesEmployers post microchallenges, compensatewinning solutions andrecruit employees fromsubmissions.Challenges includeideation, implementationand insights.Business, Humanities & Arts, ComputerScience, Food Science, Math andSciences, EngineeringCareer Exploration & Informational Interviews23

InterSECT Job SimulationsInteractive Simulation Exercises for Career TransitionsOnline platform that allows PhD-level scientists and humanists, regardless of professional stage, to explore futurecareer options through true-to-life job simulation exercises that help individuals consider the following questions:h What are my professional interests and skills?h How do my interests and skills tra

The UCLA Career Preparation Toolkit for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars is designed . h A tool for setting strategic goals for the coming year, with optional reminders to keep you on track h An opportunity to help map out or frame your career development . h Individual Development Pla