Research Employers

Explore (First Year)

• Explore majors and careers by utilizing research resources:
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • ONET
  • Career One Stop
• Meet with a JSOM Career Development Specialist and your Program Director or Coordinator to discuss your career interests. The UTD Career Center also provides career assessments and career counseling. https://utdallas.joinhandshake.com/appointments/new
• Begin designing a strategy for reaching your career goals. Determine measurable goals that will help you get started, e.g., attend two career events this semester and participate in a student organization to learn more about industries
• Conduct informational interviews with a professional, faculty member, or mentor to learn the realities of your intended career
• Activate your Handshake account and complete your profile
• Create your college résumé using the JSOM format.
• Consider career-related experience through an externship, internship, co-op, research or volunteer
• View internships posted in Handshake, identify job titles of potential interest and begin applying for summer internships
• Identify potential mentor to help you be successful in your professional development
• Challenge yourself to learn new skills through campus activities, organizations and programs

Develop (Second Year)

• Update your résumé and Handshake account with experiences from summer jobs, volunteer experiences, academic projects, activities, and awards
• Continue to explore majors and careers through networking, attending program and student organization events and more
• Participate in an externship/job shadowing
• Search out volunteer opportunities through UT Dallas or JSOM.
• Join a student organization that is related to your major or intended career – consider a leadership position in JSOM organizations.
• Attend UT Dallas Career Expos and Career Fairs
• Create your LinkedIn account
• Attend career seminars about résumé writing, interviewing, and job search strategies
• Search for part–time, full–time and/or summer jobs in the Handshake system
• Begin to build a professional network
• Conduct informational interviews and keep a log of contacts
• Build your cover letter template
• Report your internship for credit when obtained

Experience (Third Year)

• Update your résumé and Handshake account with experiences from summer jobs, academic projects, new jobs/volunteer experiences, activities, and awards
• Fine tune your cover letter and résumé with a JSOM Career Development Specialist
• Schedule a mock interview with a JSOM Career Development Specialist
• Decide if graduate or professional school is necessary to reach your career goals and select graduate and professional schools if appropriate
• Find and take advantage of opportunities to develop the skills employers seek when hiring graduates
• Solidify your career search strategy
• Attend UT Dallas Career Expos and Career Fairs, coffee chats, networking events, employer information sessions, employer panels and roundtables and more
• Fine tune your interview skills by attending workshops and schedule a one-on-one Mock Interview with a Career Development Specialist
• Develop professional network via LinkedIn, student, or professional organizations
• Obtain a leadership role within an organization to build new skills
• Obtain at least one internship or co-op to gain experience and build your résumé
• Report your internship for credit if not already completed

Execute (Fourth Year)

• Update your résumé and Handshake account with experiences from summer jobs, academic projects, new jobs/volunteer experiences, activities, and awards
• Attend UT Dallas Career Expos and Career Fairs
• Fine tune your cover letter and résumé with a JSOM Career Development Specialist
• Identify professionals willing to serve as references and write letters of recommendation
• Begin search for full-time post-graduation job in summer and fall of senior year with goal of offer by end of fall semester
• Make necessary changes to Handshake profile 2 months prior to graduation
• Report your internship for credit if not already completed

JSOM Graduate Career Development Plan

• Update résumé and Handshake account with recent employment information and education using the JSOM format
• Fine tune your cover letter
• Develop your LinkedIn page to further define your career experiences, current educational goals and establish your professional brand
• Join a student organization that is related to your major or intended career – consider a leadership position in JSOM organizations
• Develop and grow your professional network. This is essential when looking to move up in your current field or change career fields completely, attend Career Development Workshops to meet with employers/recruiters and stay up-to-date on your career plan
• Conduct Informational Interviews with professionals in your chosen field
• Attend UT Dallas Career Expos and Career Fairs
• Schedule a mock interview with a JSOM Career Development Specialist to polish your behavioral and consulting interview skills
• Identify mentor(s) to help you be successful in your professional development
• Challenge yourself to learn new skills through competitions, campus activities, organizations and programs. Take advantage of no-cost employer-provided professional trainings and LinkedIn Learning
• Report your internship for credit when obtained
• Begin search for full-time role with the goal of an offer the semester prior to graduation

The PhD Job Search: 7 Steps for a Productive Job Search Campaign

1. Research
   This represents an area that you excel and perfected throughout your doctorate studies! The first step is to identify your top 10 employers.
2. Convert CV to Résumé
   Your CV is a comprehensive document that outlines in extensive detail your coursework, research, publications, presentations, experiences and more. Your résumé is a targeted document that highlights the information that is most relevant to the position and employer. An effective résumé is 1-2 pages and uses bullet points with accomplishment statements. Review JSOM résumé resources.
3. Develop Your Online Brand
   LinkedIn is an essential resource for a job search within and outside academia. Use similar strategies from converting your CV to résumé to articulate the connection and correlation between your research and academic pursuits to the workplace.
4. Network
   Professional associations, conferences, professional meet-ups, community programs, alumni events are excellent resources for learning about emerging industry needs, job opportunities, and more.
5. Prepare Interview Stories
   STAR stories are essential for behavioral interviews. Learn more about the STAR method.
6. Practice Case Interviews
   Case interviews are utilized with many consulting firms, investment banks, technology companies, data science/research and more. Learn more about case interview strategies and resources.
7. Apply
   A multitude of online resources are available to identify and to apply for positions: Handshake, employer websites, Glassdoor, LinkedIn Jobs, Simply Hired, Publications, Professional Associations, Google keyword searches and more. Remember to target your résumé, cover letter and other application materials to the employer and position of interest. Contact the JSOM Career Management Center if you require assistance and Good Luck!

Which industries outside academia are a good fit?

You have many options! Your skills transfer to several areas of industry including management consulting, data science, corporate strategy, corporate training, entrepreneurship, finance/investment banking, information technology, business development, product development, research, publishing, grant writing, program coordination/development/evaluation and more. This article may provide additional insight as you evaluate your career path.

What are unique PhD skills that employers are seeking?

Communication (written and verbal), quantitative and qualitative analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, resourcefulness, integrity, perseverance, project management, planning, coordination, collaboration and work under pressure with tight deadlines. You also have the ability to explain complex and difficult problems into simplistic language and possess persuasive skills from your classroom discussions and dissertation defense.

How important is my doctorate research to corporate employers?

Very important. Employers are curious about your focus area and motivation to dedicate significant time, effort and resources to accomplish your doctoral goal. Note that an abstract or condensed description of your work may be preferred and requested. Focus on the relevancy of your research to the organization and offer recommendations where you can help them improve. The key is to connect your research and skills to the organization needs. Networking and active listening skills can help you identify the areas of most importance to the employer.