Hosted by the City of Philadelphia – Innovation and Technology
This fall, we will be featuring blog posts written by PhD students who participated in Career Services’ Career Exploration Fellowship (CEF), a program that helps doctoral candidates explore their career interests through networking opportunities with advanced degree professionals. Click here to learn more about CEF.
Describe your experience working with your host.
Working with Paul was a great opportunity to learn more about what data science looks like in the public sector. Paul was incredibly helpful, providing valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of working in local government. He also connected me to other city employees at the Department of Public Health, allowing me to gain a broader perspective on the various data-intensive projects the city handles.
What did you learn from this opportunity (about yourself, potential career fields, the job search, etc.)?
Before this opportunity, I had little knowledge about what it might be like to work in local government as a data scientist. As someone who does public health research, it was also great to see what public health looks like from a non-research perspective.
How did your CEF experience benefit your future career plans?
The experience opened my eyes to what it might be like to work in local government. Prior to this, the only non-private industry roles I had considered were with NGOs, the federal government, and academia. This experience has also equipped me with a better understanding of how to navigate the job market and tailor my applications to roles in the public sector.
What was the most valuable part of your CEF experience?
The mentorship I received from Paul and the connections I made with other professionals at the city.
Top reason PhD students should apply to CEF?
CEF provides an easy, accessible opportunity to explore non-academic career paths and meet with people who are already doing the work you’d like to do one day.
