Eric Alani with GGD alumni at a San Francisco conference

Career Development

Training in scientific research opens up many career paths.  Some students would like to be tenure-track professors, and others want something different; career choices are as individual as our careers are.  The Field of GGD recognizes the diversity of student goals and opportunities, and encourages exploration of the myriad of careers open to our students. Also, many of our alumni return to campus and network with current students about their career paths.

To promote student awareness of alternate career paths, GGD students participate in the Careers Beyond Academia program.  GGD students are also active participants in Cornell University career development programs such as the CIRTL Program (Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning which focuses on an academic career path. During their graduate years our students also gain teaching experience and can sharpen their teaching skills by working with the Cornell Center for Teaching Excellence.

A “Careers Course” is included in the mini-courses that are offered to our students.  Participants in this course are typically Cornell graduates who share how their training and degree helped them pursue their chosen career path.

Cornell Career Services provides resources for exploring career options, job opportunities and advise.  The University library also provides information on careers beyond academia.

The Office of Postdoctoral Studies provides information and services for those students who would like to pursue a postdoc position.

See program metrics and career outcomes of Cornell graduates at the Graduate School site.