Hosted by Amazon – Fee Science
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.
I was hosted by Amazon’s Fee Science team, under the guidance of Dr. Min Gong. We met one-on-one every two weeks, during which we had in-depth discussions about my progress and areas of interest. Dr. Gong was an exceptional host, always willing to answer my questions and provide insightful tips for future interviews. Her willingness to expand on what I learned and her readiness to share her own experiences made her an invaluable mentor.
What did you learn from this opportunity (about yourself, potential career fields, the job search, etc.)?
From this opportunity, I learned the importance of aligning my skills with industry standards early in my doctoral program. Dr. Gong’s encouragement to explore machine learning courses and deepen my knowledge of causal inference was both motivating and timely. Her strategic guidance helped me refine my personal brand, steering it towards specializing in causal inference rather than being overly broad in quantitative methods. Additionally, she highlighted the significance of engaging in field experiments and seeking publication opportunities to enhance my competitiveness in the job market. Through these discussions, I gained a clearer understanding of job market expectations and identified specific skills I needed to develop.
How did your CEF experience benefit your future career plans?
The CEF experience has profoundly influenced my future career plans. Dr. Gong’s guidance has given me a clearer direction and a more strategic approach to my career development. By reviewing job descriptions and identifying key skills to develop, I now have a concrete action plan to secure a data scientist position. Her emphasis on practical experience and publications has also underscored the importance of building a strong professional profile, which will be beneficial regardless of whether I pursue a career in academia or industry.
What was the most valuable part of your CEF experience?
The most valuable part of my CEF experience was the personalized mentorship and strategic guidance I received from Dr. Gong. Her tailored advice not only helped me align my skills with industry standards but also provided me with a clear and actionable plan to enhance my career prospects. Dr. Gong’s willingness to share her own career journey, transitioning from academia to a tech leadership role, was particularly inspiring and relatable. This mentorship gave me the confidence to pursue my career goals with a more focused and informed approach, making a significant impact on my professional development.
Top reason PhD students should apply to the CEF program?
The top reason PhD students should apply to the CEF is the opportunity to receive personalized mentorship from industry professionals. This experience not only provides valuable insights into the current job market but also helps in refining one’s career path and developing a strategic approach to skill development. The mentorship and guidance received through the CEF can significantly enhance a PhD student’s competitiveness and readiness for their future career.