CAREER DEVELOPMENT

To further your career development, explore these opportunities and online resources.


UMN & local opportunities

Research Group Management course: Aimed at postdoctoral scientists and senior graduate students who envision transitioning to a project or group leadership position in academia, industry, or government research. The course will introduce principle areas where advanced planning and knowledge will facilitate a smooth transition to leadership, including best experimental and data tracking practices, managing finances, mentor-mentee relationships, collaborations, and managing field work. 

Boreas Leadership Program at the Institute on the Environment. Offers graduate and professional students and post-doctoral fellows free co-curricular leadership development opportunities that build on the strengths of graduate education to create effective change agents. 

Teaching. If you're planning a career in academia, teaching opportunities for postdocs, often with a mentorship, can be arranged at local colleges and universities, as well as the University of Minnesota.


Online resources

National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity (NCFDD): An independent professional development, training, and mentoring community for faculty members, postdocs, and graduate students. NCFDD are 100% dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers. UMN has an institutional membership; see https://faculty.umn.edu/professional-development/faculty/national-center-faculty-development-diversity to activate your UMN institutional membership.

ScienceCareers: Excellent system called myIDP for deciding on planning for your next career moves. Also many articles about surviving your postdoc and transitioning on to your next career.

Postdoc Academy:Comprehensive online program built on the National Postdoctoral Association core competencies to support skill development throughout postdoc training, from orientation to the next career step.

CheekyScientist: Videos, articles, and podcasts aimed at assisting PhDs and Postdocs in transitioning to industry positions. 

Burroughs Wellcome Fund: Articles and books about the right moves when transitioning to a tenure-track faculty position. 

Beyond the Professoriate: Webinars and other resources to help you prepare for a career outside of academia.

NIH Office of Research Integrity: Resources and training on the responsible conduct of research (under “RCR Resources” tab).

NIH Training and Career Development Resources for Postdocs and Early Career Scientists.

Negotiating a job offer: Guidance from the University of Illinois Graduate College.

Interviewing tips for online interviews: Directed at leadership/administrative positions, but tips are relevant for everyone.


Online learning

LinkedInLearning (Formerly Lynda.com): Online educational platform for business, technology-related, and creative skills through expert-led course videos. The University of Minnesota offers institutional access.

Training Modules to Enhance Data Reproducibility, from NIH National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

Develop a personal website through Google or Drupal with the help of UMN IT guides online.

Online training and Self-help guides from UMN IT on a variety of topics including Google tools, Drupal, SAS & JMP, Excel, etc.

CrashCourse on Youtube: Educational videos on a variety of topics including philosophy, psychology, and history.

Coursera offers many free online learning courses from leading universities and companies.

Academic and Career Support (from UMN Graduate School): Workshops and resources to help with CV development, job searches, etc.


Mental wellbeing

Mindfulness Mondays: Online Stress Buster sessions: Weekly informal hour of meditation and light movement from the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing.

Learn to Live: Online programs based on the proven principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).