In the spring of 2022, 34 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 the professoriate. Jessica Phan, a PhD candidate in Cellular & Molecular Biology, was placed as a Fellow with Merck’s Neuroscience department. Read about Jessica’s experience in the CEF below!
Describe your experience working with your host
The fellowship offered me a direct and unique opportunity to communicate with a host scientist that works at Merck. I met with my host every few weeks throughout the semester to touch base about questions I had about a scientific career in industry as well as other career development questions. Additionally, my host connected me with 7 other individuals, in different roles and experiences in the company whom I met with for informational interviews throughout the semester.
What did you learn from this opportunity (about yourself, about career fields, the job search, etc.)?
This experience has reassured me that I do want to pursue a career in industry after I finish my program. I have been able to learn what life as a bench scientist may look like, as well as gain insight to other career paths in scientific industry. I have learned that there are many roles in industry, and that my experience from graduate school has provided me a versatile skill set that is applicable beyond being a bench scientist. Additionally, I have learned that the job I start out in may not be where I end up. This has reminded me to keep myself open-minded about my career options in the short term as well as the long term.
How does your CEF experience benefit your future career plans?
In addition to the connections and conversations that I have had the opportunity to make over the course of this experience, the career workshops have really help me think more deeply about the job application process. I have learned effective ways to tailor my CV and LinkedIn profiles that would make me a strong candidate for any role I apply to.
What was the most valuable part of your CEF experience?
One of the most rewarding things about this experience was the connections that I made with my mentor, as well as the individuals my mentor helped me create within his team and company. I had 7 informational interviews throughout the semester, each which offered different perspectives of career trajectories as well as insightful advice for my career development.
Top reason PhD students should apply to the CEF:
The CEF program offers a unique experience to directly engage with individuals in professional careers outside of academia, an opportunity I wish was readily available to all graduate students. The experience has given me a broad overview of the different things I should think about as I begin the job application process. Most importantly, this program as forced me to set aside time to have informational interviews, think about what my CV and LinkedIn profile should look, and effective ways I should present myself to be a strong job applicant.
