More Workshops
New Postdoc Orientation
UC San Diego has one of the largest postdoctoral communities in the UC system (1250+ postdocs). As a postdoc, we want to ensure that you receive the best training, feel engaged with campus community and receive opportunities to enhance your postdoctoral experience. To set the foundation of expectations, inform you of resources, benefits, services and professional development, please attend the mandatory New Postdoc Orientation, held every month.
STEM Career Symposium
Organized by UCSD PDA, join the Annual STEM Career Symposium in a variety of panels speaking on hot topics ranging from entrepreneurship to data science to policy. Volunteers are also welcome!
Career Connection Workshops
Career Connection helps UC San Diego employees who are interested in assistance with career planning, goal-setting, job enhancement, and lateral or upward mobility. All UC San Diego staff employees, retirees and individuals on lay-off status are eligible to join Career Connection.
Succeeding as a Postdoc
Address foundational skills and career planning and establish the professional habits that postdocs will need to strategically prepare for their career and succeed in their postdoc. This six-week course will run 1-2 times per year.
Employer Information Sessions and Workshops
Browse the Career Center's list of events and workshops. RSVP and get connected to your next big opportunity!
International Job Search and Visa Workshops
Access workshops and programs tailored to International Faculty and Scholar support. IFSO Programming is open to our international scholars, faculty, postdocs, researchers and their families etc as well as to our department affiliates and community members to attend for free.
PhD Career Summit
View the Career Center's resources announcing any career summits available relating to PhDs.
GPSA Career Nights
grAdvantage GPSA Career Nights expose graduate students and postdocs to the many career pathways available to those with advanced degrees and helps build an interdisciplinary network of support to ensure professional success. The events vary in structure and often include alumni panels, semi-structured networking, and free dinner!
NPA SmartSkills
SmartSkills is a free, virtual course for postdocs who are members of the NPA. Monthly classes are taught by experts and focus on building skills critical to career and personal success. Postdocs that attend 10 out of 12 sessions live will receive a certificate of completion.
PDA Networking Night
The UC San Diego Postdoc Association (UCSD PDA) hosts Networking Night to bring together postdocs from local research institutes, and industry professionals in a welcoming atmosphere. Connect over fun games and more!
Resources
Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs
These resources are offered by our office.
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Individual Advising/Coaching Appointments
- The Office of Postdoctoral Scholar Affairs provides 1:1 career coaching and advising for postdocs. Whether you are trying to figure out your plan or are seeking advice on how to successfully transition to your chosen career field, we are here provide guidance and answer your questions. Coaching is available to support you across your career journey, including defining your career plans, reviewing your resume/CV, guidance on your career search, and more! Contact Heather Dillon at hadillon@ucsd.edu to schedule an appointment.
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Finding Funding Opportunities
- View search databases, resources, and lists of funding opportunities applicable to postdocs HERE.
National Postdoctoral Association
These resources are offered by the National Postdoctoral Association. The National Postdoctoral Association's mission is to improve the postdoctoral experience by supporting a culture of inclusive connection. At the individual, organizational, and national levels, the NPA facilitates enhanced professional growth, raise awareness, and collaborate with stakeholders in the postdoctoral community. You can learn more about the National Postdoctoral Association here.
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National Postdoctoral Association Affiliate Membership
- As the national voice of the postdoctoral community, the NPA is the one national entity representing both postdocs and their institutions. Promoting a culture of inclusion through advocacy, professional development, and a tireless dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion. UCSD postdocs can register for a free NPA affiliate membership and join over 20,000 individuals and 230 organizational NPA members HERE.
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Flamingo™
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Flamingo™ can help you figure out what jobs excite you, guide you in importing and analyzing job descriptions using SciPhD's Job Analytics Engine to identify the critical skills, and help create a targeted resume to help you get the job. Learn more HERE.
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A Postdoc's Guide to Career Development
- Learn more about career development and the tools you can use to further your professional journey HERE
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A Postdoc's Guide to the Postdoc Timeline
- Discover the essential milestones and resources to navigate your postdoc journey successfully HERE.
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Guide to Using an IDP (My IDP & Me)
- Learn how an Individual Development Plan (IDP) can help you set and achieve your professional goals HERE.
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NPA Core Competencies Resources
- Explore the core skills and competencies essential for postdoc success, as outlined by the National Postdoctoral Association HERE.
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A Postdoc's Guide to Mentorship
- Understand the importance of mentorship and how to cultivate meaningful mentor-mentee relationships HERE.
UC San Diego
UC San Diego is committed to supporting you in achieving your goals at the university and in your pursuits beyond graduation.
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Mentoring for All Initiative
- Through the Mentoring for All initiative, we assist students in their success, connect them with campus resources, and serve to enhance students' overall well-being. Learn more HERE.
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TritonsConnect
- Tritons Connect is your UC San Diego resource, connecting alumni, students, faculty and staff to the greater campus community. Engage with mentors, join specialized interest groups, access a robust Triton directory and so much more. Connect HERE.
Postdoc Academy
These resources are offered by the Postdoc Academy. The mission of the Postdoc Academy is to create a comprehensive and flexible professional development program targeting the needs of postdocs to help postdocs develop the transferable skills that will enable their success in a diverse set of careers. You can learn more about the Postdoc Academy here.
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Building an Actionable Career Plan
- The Postdoc Academy helps you plan for a fulfilling career by looking ahead to your next career step and incorporate your short-term goals into a longer-term career plan. Learn more about the course HERE.
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Finding and Landing the Job
- The Postdoc Academy helps you pursue your career pathway by overviewing important strategies for taking that next step. Learn more about the course HERE.
Individual Development Plan
An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is a dynamic document that identifies career goals, sets a path and helps trainees manage their career development plans. IDPs have long been used in the business world and because their effectiveness has been proven, they are increasingly used by universities to promote graduate student and postdoctoral training. Below is a list of IDP tools tailored towards specific fields. You can learn more about the general UC San Diego IDP resources here.
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MyIDP
- Hosted by Science Careers, myIDP is a unique, web-based career-planning tool tailored to meet the needs of PhD students and postdocs in the sciences. Access for free HERE.
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ImaginePhD
- The ImaginePhD project is powered by the Graduate Career Consortium (GCC). ImaginePhD is a free online career exploration and planning tool for PhD students and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and social sciences. Access for free HERE.
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ChemIDP
- Supported by the American Chemical Society, ChemIDP is an Individual Development Plan designed specifically for students and postdoctoral scholars in the chemical sciences. Through immersive, self-paced activities, users explore potential careers, determine specific skills needed for success, and develop plans to achieve professional goals. Access ChemIDP HERE.
Professional and Career Development
View more offerings that will expand your skillset in different essential domains, applicable to your journey as a postdoc.