Welcome! This page is designed to provide content of interest to doctoral students who are exploring career options and career pathways.

Your doctoral journey is more than just big words and complex topics—it’s also a time to sharpen the skills that will carry you into the next chapter of your career. Employers across industries look for more than just subject-matter expertise—they seek well-rounded professionals who can lead, adapt, and communicate with impact. 
 
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) outlines eight core competencies most valued by employers: Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking , Equity & Inclusion, Leadership , Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology.

Understanding these can help you identify your strengths—and spotlight areas for growth. If you notice any gaps, use this time strategically: seek out experiences on campus, connect with peers and mentors, or explore opportunities beyond academia to build those skills. This page will guide you through all of this and more and prepare you for everything through your doctoral program and past it. 
 
Your degree already sets you apart. Now’s the time to make sure your full skillset does too. 

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Featured Jobs

Explore jobs and internship opportunities currently available within this community and apply now.

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Focused job boards, educational content, and other tools to further your exploration of this community.

A Guide to Career Wellness

Career wellness is present in many aspects of life in graduate school and exploring these materials can help to improve …

UConn eCampus

Explore UConn eCampus for all online courses, post baccalaureate certificates, graduate certificates, and graduate programs at the University of Connecticut.

Leadership & Management Skills

Employers are often eager to learn about a candidate’s leadership and/or management skills. Consider these resources to begin to expand …

ChemIDP

ChemIDP is an individual development planning tool for graduate students and postdocs in the chemical sciences

Graduate Student Résumé & Cover Letter Guide

A U.S.-style résumé is typically a document that presents critical and relevant information to the reader or external audience. For …

Job Search Action Plan

Use the Job Search Action Plan to help organize your job search.

Featured Articles

Trends, advice, and experiences in this community, written by Career Center staff and industry experts.

Student Organizations

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Professional Organizations

Join organizations of professionals who work in this community to expand your network.