PhD Career Exploration Fellow Spotlight: Philip Mogen (Hosted by Penn Libraries – Kislak Center)

In the spring of 2021, 44 PhD students from a range of academic disciplines at Penn participated virtually in Career Services’ PhD Career Exploration Fellowship (CEF) program, where they were matched with a host organization to learn about different careers beyond academia. Philip Mogen, a PhD candidate in History, was placed as a Fellow with the Penn Libraries – Kislak Center. Read about Philip’s experience in the CEF below!

Describe your experience working with your host:

Through my hosts, I had the opportunity to connect with a number of library professionals and learn more about positions in Special Collections and elsewhere.

What did you learn from this opportunity (about yourself, about career fields, the job search, etc.)?

I learned more about the expectations of library positions and how I can use my PhD in a Special Collections setting.

How does your CEF experience benefit your future career plans?

It’s allowed me to get a better sense of the ways I can use my PhD in a library setting.

What was the most valuable part of your CEF experience?

The opportunity to meet and network with a number of library professionals.

Top reason PhD students should apply to the CEF:

-Great opportunity to learn more about positions off the tenure-track
-Excellent way to learn more about Career Services
-Great networking opportunities

By Helen Pho
Helen Pho Associate Director, Graduate Students & Postdocs