SELF-ASSESSMENT SERIES

The Self-Assessment Series is designed to encourage you become more self-aware of your career interests, skills, and values, and to then help you interpret and apply this information to your career exploration and development. This series of workshops will introduce you to various self-assessment tools, including myIDP, ImaginePhD, and the Strong Interest Inventory (note: we are planning to announce a Winter workshop focused on the Strong Interest Inventory; stay tuned for updates). Attending these workshops will help you determine your unique professional skill set and preferences; how to seek career paths and opportunities that align with your interests, identity and values; and how to build and market your transferable skills.

Managing Your Career: Introduction to IDP

Monday, October 11, 12 – 1 PM

There are many paths to success for PhDs and postdocs. But no matter the path, it is useful to have a map to guide you. This workshop will help you develop a plan to identify and work towards your overall career goals. Through completion of the myIDP or ImaginePhD assessment, you will gain insight into your current skills, interests, and values. This workshop will help you identify how to apply that information in exploring career options, gaining useful skills, and developing a plan to help you reach your short- and long-term career development goals. This session will also include information about how to share these goals with others, including your supervisors.

It is highly recommended that you complete the myIDP (for those in STEM fields) or ImaginePhD (for those in SS/HUM fields) assessment prior to attending this workshop. Please note: this workshop will offer information applicable to PhDs and postdocs of all disciplines.

Integrating Identity & Values Into Your Career Development

Tuesday, October 19, 12 – 1 PM

In this workshop, you will reflect on your identity and professional values and learn how to integrate them into your career exploration and job search. The presentation will focus on questions you can ask yourself — as well as strategies and resources you can utilize — to determine whether you are pursuing a path or a job that aligns well with your identity and values. Note: This event is relevant to those in STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities fields.

How to Evaluate, Build, and Highlight Transferable and Relevant Career Skills

Monday, Nov. 1, 12 – 1:00 PM

This seminar, led by Lauren Celano of Propel Careers, will provide insight on how to evaluate transferable skills and which skills are valued in various careers, including both research and non-research-focused roles. Through this seminar, Propel will highlight common non‐scientific skills that scientists can build while performing research and will demonstrate ways to apply these to desired career paths. Propel will provide guidance on how to package scientific and non‐scientific skills on LinkedIn and resumes, in cover letters, and during interviews. Note: This event is relevant to those in STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities fields.

About the speaker: Propel Careers is passionate about developing future and current leaders in the life sciences and related industries. Our representatives routinely speak at universities, postdoctoral institutions, and industry conferences throughout the United States and Canada on topics pertaining to career development and career opportunities for individuals with scientific and technical training. Propel Careers Career Development Seminars provide valuable relevant and tailored information to help individuals plan their career. Please note that while Propel Careers focuses heavily on life sciences, we have provided career advice and have spoken at universities and conference to individuals with varying backgrounds.

Where Do I Go Next? Strong Interest Inventory Assessment & Workshop

Register here

Thursday, December 2

3:30-5:30 PM

When choosing a career path, it is important to consider how your personality and interests might align with certain professions. The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) assessment is a career-planning tool that measures your interests over several categories, such as academic interests, work, and leisure activities, then matches them to various careers and work environments that could be a good fit. Register for the SII workshop to complete the assessment and receive results from a Certified Strong Practitioner that will help you to identify potential career paths.

Participants will complete the assessment prior to the workshop and will receive their assessment results during the workshop (registrants will receive instructions via email on how to complete the assessment). This event will be limited to 15 participants, so please only register if you are certain you can attend the workshop.

This event is presented as part of the Columbia University Individual Development Plan (IDP) Program and is applicable to PhD students and Postdocs in both STEM and Social Sciences/Humanities fields.