Welcome to OGPS Career Resources!
OGPS Career Services offers a curated selection of resources and articles, uniquely designed to support Tulane's graduate students and postdoctoral fellows throughout their career preparation process. Additionally, our OGPS Career Services team hosts bi-weekly workshops and one-on-one career coaching appointments throughout each academic semester.
Schedule a 1:1 career coaching appointment today here: https://ogpscareer.youcanbook.me/
Who's Eligible for OGPS Services?
Graduate students in the School of Liberal Arts (Master's and PhD), School of Science and Engineering (Master's and PhD), Public Health and Tropical Medicine (PhD only), Freeman Business School (PhD only), and School of Medicine (Biomedical Sciences only, PhD and Master's).
All Postdoctoral Fellows at Tulane University.
We highly recommend that each master’s student schedule their first meeting with our career counseling team at least six months prior to graduation, and PhD students meet with us before completing their qualifying exams.
Your Graduate Career Readiness Roadmap
Our roadmap is designed to guide you through essential steps for career success, aligning with the NACE Core Competencies for Career Readiness.
Phase 1: Explore & Understand Yourself (Career & Self-Development)
Explore your skills, interests, and values to gain a deeper understanding of your goals and potential career paths. This phase is about developing a clear understanding of yourself, your strengths, and the career landscape.
NACE Professional Skills Self-Assessment: Pinpoint your current professional skill levels. https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedFiles/files/2022/resources/professional-skills-self-reflection.pdf
InterSECT Job Simulations: Experience day-to-day tasks in various careers. https://intersectjobsims.com/
ImaginePhD: A career exploration and planning tool for humanities and social science PhDs. https://www.imaginephd.com/
Focus2 Assessment: Connect your interests, values, and skills to potential careers. https://www.focus2career.com/Portal/Login.cfm?SID=1846
ChemIDP (for Chemistry Graduate Students): A career planning tool specifically for chemistry students. https://chemidp.acs.org/
myIDP (for STEM Career Planning): An interactive tool to help science PhDs and postdocs create an Individual Development Plan. https://myidp.sciencecareers.org/?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
O*NET Interest Profiler (U.S. Department of Labor): Discover careers that match your interests. https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Occupational Outlook Handbook (Career and Salary Info): Research detailed information on hundreds of occupations. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
Versatile PhD (for PhDs exploring non-academic careers): Community and resources for PhDs exploring diverse career paths. https://versatilephd.com/
Upskilling via LinkedIn Learning (Tulane Access): Enhance your skills with thousands of online courses. https://hr.tulane.edu/linkedin-learning-library/activate-your-account
Phase 2: Build Your Application Materials (Communication, Technology Professionalism)
Develop compelling application documents that effectively showcase your qualifications and align with your target careers. This phase focuses on crafting professional representations of your skills and experiences.
2A: Career Planning and Job Searching within Academia
CV Writing:
Academic Cover Letters (Postdocs / Faculty Jobs):
Teaching and Research Statements:
Teaching Statements:
Research Statements:
References: Secure strong letters of recommendation.
Inclusion Statements: Articulate your commitment to equity and inclusion.
Demystifying the Diversity Statement (Inside Higher Ed): Gain clarity on the purpose and components of a diversity statement.
The Effective Diversity Statement (Vanderbilt University): Learn strategies for writing a powerful and impactful diversity statement.
Developing and Writing a Diversity Statement (University of Washington): Step-by-step guidance on crafting your personal diversity statement.
Postdoctoral Pathways & Resources
To Postdoc or Not to Postdoc (ORISE Blog): Consider the pros and cons of pursuing a postdoctoral position and if it's the right path for your career goals.
Postdoc Guide (NIAID NIH): A comprehensive guide from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for current and prospective postdoctoral fellows.
Postdocs in the United States (NSF NCSES): Access data and trends on the postdoctoral population in the U.S. from the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics.
Opportunities for Current Graduate Students and Postdocs (OGPS Tulane): Discover relevant opportunities and funding specific to Tulane's graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
Postdoctoral Fellows at Tulane (OGPS Tulane): Find tailored information and support services specifically for postdoctoral fellows at Tulane University.
2B: Career Planning and Job Searching Beyond Academia (Non-Academic Careers)
Many graduate students and postdoctoral fellows choose to leverage their advanced skills and unique training in sectors beyond traditional academia. This section provides tailored resources to help you explore, prepare for, and succeed in non-academic career paths, including industry, government, non-profits, and more.
Transitioning to a Non-Academic Career: Understand how your PhD skills transfer.
Resume Writing:
General Cover Letter Writing:
Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile: Enhance your professional online presence.
Leveraging Technology in Your Job Search: AI Best Practices
Guidelines for the Ethical and Responsible Use of AI at Tulane: Familiarize yourself with Tulane University's official guidelines for responsible AI use in academic and professional contexts.
Keeping Your Resume Out of Online Oblivion (NPR): Gain insights into how technology impacts resume visibility and strategies to ensure your application gets seen.
What AI-Based Hiring Means for Your Students (Harvard Business Publishing): Explore the broader implications of AI in hiring processes and how it might affect your job search.
How Students Should NOT Use Generative AI in the Job Search (NACE): Learn about crucial ethical considerations and pitfalls to avoid when using AI tools for your job applications.
Phase 3: Ace Your Interviews & Negotiate (Critical Thinking)
Prepare for successful interviews, effectively communicate your value, and confidently negotiate offers. This phase emphasizes strategic thinking, problem-solving, and advocating for yourself while considering diverse perspectives.
Interviewing (Academic & Non-Academic):
Negotiating an Offer (Academic & Non-Academic):
Funding, Grant Writing, and Budgeting: Secure financial support for your research and career.
Phase 4: Launch Your Search & Network (Leadership & Teamwork)
Strategically plan and execute your job search and build a strong professional network. This phase emphasizes initiative, organization, and collaborative engagement.
Job Search Strategy & Tracking:
General Job Search Platforms (for various fields and experience levels):
Indeed: A massive job board with millions of listings across all industries, offering extensive search filters.
LinkedIn Jobs: Leverage your professional network and apply to jobs directly through the world's largest professional networking site.
Glassdoor: Search for jobs while also gaining insights into company reviews, salaries, and interview questions.
USAJOBS: The official job board for federal government opportunities across the United States.
Idealist (for Non-Profit and Social Impact): Find jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities in non-profit organizations around the world.
General Postdoctoral Job Boards:
PostdocJobs.com: A leading job board dedicated exclusively to postdoctoral positions across numerous fields.
National Postdoctoral Association Career Center: The official career center of the NPA, offering a dedicated platform for postdoctoral job postings and career resources.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Postdoctoral Jobs: Explore specific postdoctoral research opportunities at one of the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratories.
Science Careers (jobs.sciencecareers.org): A comprehensive database of scientific job listings, including a strong section for postdoctoral opportunities, from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education (OITE) Job Listings: Explore a wide range of training and employment opportunities, including postdoctoral positions, within NIH's intramural research programs.
Nature Careers (nature.com/naturejobs): Find a wide array of academic and research job listings, including postdoctoral positions, often with a focus on life sciences and physical sciences.
HigherEdJobs (Postdoctoral section): A well-established platform for academic job seekers, with filters to narrow down to postdoctoral roles.
Academic Positions: Search for academic, research, and science jobs from universities and research institutions globally, including postdoc roles.
Professional Identity and Networking: Build connections and leverage your network.
Tulane Alumni Networking on LinkedIn: Connect with Tulane graduates in various fields. https://www.linkedin.com/school/tulane-university/
Informational Interview: Learn about careers directly from professionals. https://careerengagement.tulane.edu/resources/informational-interviews/
Cold Outreach Tips: Strategies for connecting with new contacts. https://joinhandshake.com/blog/students/cold-outreach-in-job-search/
Get Involved (Peer Networking & Community Engagement):
Graduate Student Association (GSSA): Connect with fellow graduate students. https://gssa.tulane.edu/ https://www.instagram.com/tulane_gssa/
GAPSA Sponsored Student Organizations: Explore diverse student groups. https://lbc.tulane.edu/join-organization
As you navigate your unique career journey, remember that the skills and insights gained through this roadmap are invaluable. The OGPS Career Services team is committed to your success beyond Tulane. We are always here to provide the personalized support you need to thrive in your chosen profession.
Fall 2025 Career Workshop Schedule:
Workshops will be promoted through the OGPS weekly newsletter and email reminders, which will include the Zoom registration link for each.
Workshop 1: Academic CV Writing for PhDs and Postdoctoral Fellows
Date: Monday, August 25, 2025, Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Description: Learn how to design a clear, concise, and compelling academic CV tailored for faculty and research positions. This session will cover formatting tips, content strategy, and how to highlight academic accomplishments effectively.
Workshop 2: Academic Job Searching and Preparation for Postdocs and PhDs
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025, Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Description: Discover tools and strategies for navigating the academic job market. This session will cover timelines, how to identify and evaluate job postings, key application materials, and how to prepare for academic interviews.
Workshop 3: Time Management in the Job Search
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025, Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Description: Learn pratical strategies to effectively manage your time during the job search, covering everything from prioritizing applications and scheduling interviews to networking efficiently and balancing other commitments.
Workshop 4: Networking and Building Professional Relationships (Academic/Non-Academic)
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025, Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Description: Build confidence in professional networking. Learn how to start conversations, make meaningful connections, and leverage both academic and professional contacts for job searching and career growth.
Workshop 5: Interview Skills and Techniques (Academic/Non-Academic)
Date: Monday, October 20, 2025, Time: 3:00PM – 4: 00PM
Description: This workshop will help you prepare for interviews across academic and non-academic settings. Learn how to answer common questions, tell your story effectively, and adapt to different interview formats.
Workshop 6: Career Searching: Finding the Best Career Fit
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025, Time: 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Description: This workshop is designed to help participants explore their passions, values, and strengths to identify the best career path that aligns with their personal and professional goals. Participants will engage in self-assessment exercises and learn strategies to make informed career choices.
Workshop 7: Resume Writing for Non-Academic Jobs
Date: Monday, November 10, 2025, Time: 3:00PM – 4: 00PM
Description: Learn how to convert your CV into a results-oriented resume tailored for industry, nonprofit, and government roles. We'll focus on formatting, language, and emphasizing transferable skills.
Workshop 8: Non-Academic Job Search Strategies and Hidden Opportunities
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025, Time: 2:00PM – 3:00PM
Description: Not all jobs are posted online. This workshop will introduce proactive job search strategies, from leveraging informational interviews to uncovering roles through personal and professional networks.
Workshop 9: Negotiating Compensation and Benefits
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2025, Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Description: In this workshop, participants will develop the skills necessary to negotiate a fair salary and benefits package. Topics covered include researching market rates, identifying negotiable aspects, and effective negotiation strategies to maximize compensation and overall job satisfaction.
To get support for non-academic career pathways for PhD students, go to VersatilePhD and follow the instructions.
