Career & Professional Skills

An 8-hour leadership course designed by the Leadership Institute in collaboration with the Division of Education & Training specifically for students and trainees at MD Anderson. Designed to be covered in two-half day sessions, the program covers the following:

• Understanding “Self” and How One “Shows Up”
• Resiliency and Adaptability
• Having Difficult Conversations
• Conflict Resolution
• Building Emotional Intelligence
   

Many postdocs choose to pursue non-traditional careers, including positions as industry scientists, business consultants, policy advisors, health care providers, and patent agents. Explore your options and jumpstart your career planning by taking advantage of the following resources offered by the Office for Postdoctoral Fellows:

• Career Exploration Series
• Versatile PhD
• Labor Insight Occupation Reports
• Cover Letter and Resume Workshops
• Interviewing Workshops
• 1:1 Career Advising Sessions
   

Success as a tenure-track faculty member depends on much more than just producing cutting edge research. It requires a number of competencies that many junior faculty learn on the job. Navigating Academic Careers is a 26-hour course delivered to cohorts over 13 weeks and covers the following important topics:

• Academic Positions
• Developing Your Niche
• Networking
• Application Materials and the Interview Process
• Time Management and Work-Life Balance
• Laboratory Management
• Leading Teams and Projects
• Mentorship and Sponsorship
• Perspectives from Senior Faculty

The Fellowship Development Institute (FDI) is a course open to graduate students, GME trainees, and junior faculty to support the development of fellowship (NIH F) and career development award (NIH K) applications. The course consists of live webinars that cover each section of these NIH grants as well as writing accountability groups that facilitate obtaining feedback from peers. FDI is offered during the fall and during the spring and timed for upcoming NIH due dates.

Organized by the Postdoctoral Association and the Office for Postdoctoral Fellows, the Summer Teaching Academy was created to equip trainees with knowledge and skills required for teaching at the post-secondary level. The program, launched in 2022, was taught be faculty from primarily undergraduate institutions, R1 universities, and academic medical centers.

The Forge Your Career Path IDP Workshops are designed to guide students and postdocs as they consider career possibilities beyond academia. Workshops focus on (1) Skills assessment and IDP planning, (2) Career exploration, and (3) Developing a personalized career plan. At the conclusion of the workshops, participants participate in meet up groups organized around career interests.