Fundamentals of Career Exploration

While many postdocs want to become faculty members, some are looking for positions in industry, and some are unsure which career to pursue. The good news is that all postdocs have developed the skills necessary to thrive in any career and learn any new skill! Learning basic career exploration skills is critical for all postdocs to successfully transition to a career of their choosing.

To help postdocs discover careers of interest, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers training in the fundamentals of career exploration every summer. Based on expert knowledge from one of the founders of myIDP, this training uses self-assessment, reading about careers, informational interviews, and goal setting to explore careers, identify a professional objective, and create a plan to transition to a successful career.

2025 Fundamentals of Career exploration

Program overview

The program relies heavily on an active and engaged group learning community. As such, participants are expected to prepare, attend, and actively engage during sessions. Activities will range from self-reflection, reading, informational interviews, and goal setting to build critical career exploration skills as well as plan your transition to a successful career. The program uses the following platforms for Individual Development Planning:

myIDP | Science Careers

Imagine PhD

Program Details

6 sessions (1h each)
In person - Gillis Building, conference room 104
Mondays at 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM (you have the option to attend one or the other!)
Once a week (with a 3-week break for informational interviews)
Starts July 7, 2025
Ends August 25, 2025

Schedule

07/07/2025 | Introduction to Career Exploration
07/14/2025 | Self-assessment Discussion
07/21/2025 | Reading about careers
07/28/2025 | No meeting
08/04/2025 | No meeting
08/11/2025 | Informational Interviews Discussion
08/18/2025 | Choosing plans A & A*
08/25/2025 | Setting Transition Goals

Accommodating schedules

In an effort to accommodate as many participants as possible, sessions are offered twice in the same day, once at 12:00 PM and repeated once again at 5:00 PM. In the application, you will be asked which is more convenient to you. However, you have the option to attend one or the other each week.

Accommodating remote attendance

This program is held in person to foster an engaged group learning community. However, accommodations for remote attendance are provided for (1) postdocs who work outside of Lexington, and (2) if a participant is travelling to e.g. a conference.

Eligibility

All University of Kentucky doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars & fellows are eligible to participate. The program can accommodate 30 participants and seats will be given on a first-come-first-served basis. Priority will be given to postdocs but doctoral students are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Application

This program accepts participants on a first-come-first-served basis. The first 30 applicants will be accepted in the program and any additional applicants will be added to a waitlist. Application will close on Wednesday July 2, 2025 at midnight.

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