Career planning courses increase career readiness of graduate and postdoctoral trainees

Abstract

Background: Given national calls for intentional career development during graduate and post-graduate scientific training, this study assessed career readiness development within the context of academic career courses. The current study evaluated the effects of academic career courses offered at two institutions that were specifically designed to increase career awareness, interest, and career-related confidence among doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. Methods: Participants enrolled in a career course at trainees’ respective academic institutions and responded to pre- and post-course surveys (n=32, n=148). The paper offers a thematic analysis of each of the two courses using an individualized learning plan career development framework and describes the results of their respective pretest-posttest evaluations which indicated increases in career readiness. Results: Though the format and content provided in each course varied, participation was associated with increases in career readiness. Participants reported increased career-awareness including a greater familiarity with different types of careers overall. Furthermore, interest in tenure track faculty careers increased in both samples, which may assuage fears that exposure to diverse career pathways could reduce interest in academic careers. Transferrable skills, including career planning and awareness also significantly increased. Course participants reported an increase in the number and type of mentors they interacted with beyond their principal faculty mentor (other faculty, professional PhDs, peers, and administrative staff). Conclusions: Findings provide supporting evidence for the benefits of implementing structured career development efforts during PhD training; even with varying content, delivery methods, and instructor type, both academic career courses led to significant gains in career awareness and readiness. Successful development and delivery of academic career courses, with a focus on career planning skills, suggest that institutions can utilize these and are an effective way to prepare PhDs for their transition from training positions into careers.

Major Factors Causing Uncertainties in Career Selection Among Medical Students of Gujranwala Medical College

“…However, no significant association was found between the absence of career planning courses and a high percentage of uncertainty. It is to be noted that multiple international studies have reported that career planning courses do increase career readiness (10)(11)(12).…”

“…Such decisions are entirely up to the college body to decide, hence through this study, we could find other possible ways a college environment affects career choice. One other way a college affects a student's career is through career counseling programs and such programs have been proved to be useful for career success and planning by multiple studies (10)(11)(12). With increasing stress about professional examinations and the introduction of the national Licensing Exam (NLE), we hope to use this study to understand and help medical students of Pakistan who are uncertain about their future.…”

A national professional development program fills mentoring gaps for postdoctoral researchers

“…Many programs focus on academic careers (e.g., The Preparing Future Faculty Program) and development for non-academic career paths can be limited [8]. This, despite the fact that only 15% of postdocs secure tenure-track faculty positions [2,9].…”

“…Numerous challenges exist with current professional development opportunities for postdocs offered at academic institutions and/or through professional societies. Many programs focus on academic careers (e.g., The Preparing Future Faculty Program) and development for non-academic career paths can be limited [8]. This, despite the fact that only 15% of postdocs secure tenure-track faculty positions [2, 9].…”

A national professional development program fills mentoring gaps for postdoctoral researchers

“…Numerous challenges exist with current professional development opportunities for postdocs offered at academic institutions and/or through professional societies. Many programs focus on academic careers (e.g., The Preparing Future Faculty Program) and development for non-academic career paths can be limited [ 8 , 9 ]. This, despite the fact that only 15% of postdocs secure tenure-track faculty positions [ 2 , 10 ].…”