Tools & Tips | Outreach

On July 19, 2010, we held two events at Texas Tech University. Brianna Blaser presented on both Careers Away From the Bench and Networking Strategically.

Resources

• Careers Away From the Bench handout (PDF)
• Careers Away From the Bench slides (PDF)
• Networking slides (PDF)

Related Articles

Career Options

• Mastering Your Ph.D.: Goodbye to All That
• Scientist Lawyers: Test Tubes to Briefs
• Steering Science from a High Altitude
• A Matter of Policy
• Mastering Your Ph.D.: Exploring Nonprofit Organizations
• Science Writing: Some Tips for Beginners
• Analyzing Scientific Investments
• Transferring Skills to Tech Transfer
• Careers in Research Support
• Mastering Your Ph.D.: A Career in Management Consulting
• Education Research: A New (Tenure) Track for Scientists
• Do You Wanna Be a VAP (Visiting Assistant Professor)?
• Community College Faculty: Must Love to Teach
• Darwins Legacy: Rich Collections, Deep Expertise
• Careers in Perspective: Chemists Can Do Anything
• Scientists in Public Relations: Resources for Starting a Career
• A Toilet Technologist
• In Person: The Trick to a Rewarding Career

Networking

• E-Persona Non Grata: Strategizing Your Online Persona
• Maximizing Productivity and Recognition, Part 2: Collaboration and Networking
• Tooling Up: The Informational Interview
• The One-Minute Talk

Other Resources

• AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships

Event Summary

Careers Away From the Bench

Could you be missing out on an exciting and rewarding career outside of academic or industrial research? Increasingly, Ph.D.-level scientists are becoming aware of other career opportunities beyond bench research. This workshop considered what a career path in these so-called "nontraditional" areas might look like. We discussed the types of alternative careers available, parlaying your current skills and values into a new area, ways to research career options, and developing needed skills.

Making New Connections: Networking Strategically

This talk helped participants find ways to make networking work for them. Many people have negative impressions of networking, but by being strategic about meeting people, networking can become easier. We discussed the myths and realities surrounding networking and different strategies for networking including: informational interviewing, attending conferences, participation in professional societies, and social networking websites. We also discussed some of the nuts and bolts of networking including: proper etiquette, business cards, elevator pitches, and following up with contacts. Participants had a chance to practice their handshakes and elevator pitches as well as brainstorm questions to ask in informational interviews.

Questions? E-mail outreach@sciencecareers.org

See all Outreach Events