This guide is designed to help UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students assess their professional strengths, explore diverse career paths, and develop the competencies needed to thrive in academic or non-academic careers.
SELF-ASSESSMENT & CAREER EXPLORATION
- ImaginePhD – For humanities and social sciences
- MyIDP – For STEM graduate students
- Versatile PhD – Explore non-academic careers and connect with PhD alumni
UNDERSTAND CAREER FIELDS & TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
| Skill Sets | Applicable Field Examples |
| Research & Analysis | Biotech R&D, Think Tanks, Consulting, Government Agencies |
| Communication | Publishing, Public Relations, Science Journalism, Higher Education |
| Management & Leadership | Nonprofit Admin, Academic Administration, Project/Program Management |
| Teaching & Mentoring | Curriculum Development, Museum Education, Faculty Roles |
| Technical & Scientific | Patent Law, Technology Transfer, Environmental Research, Data Science |
| People & Interpersonal | Student Affairs, Advocacy, Fundraising, HR |
| International Experience | Global Health, Study Abroad Coordination, Policy Research, International NGOs |
BUILD CAREER READINESS FROM NACE COMPETENCIES
| Competency | Development Action for Graduate Students |
| Self-Awareness | Use career assessments, create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) |
| Communication | Present at conferences, draft outreach emails, develop LinkedIn and elevator pitches |
| Leadership & Professionalism | Lead a team project, mentor undergrads, manage research budgets |
| Critical Thinking | Troubleshoot research problems, propose creative solutions in meetings |
| Career Development | Create a CV/resume, explore job options, set short- and long-term goals |
| Teamwork & Collaboration | Work on interdisciplinary research or committee service |
| Teamwork & Collaboration | Use data tools, research platforms, or manage digital presence professionally |
PROFESSIONAL MATERIALS AND JOB SEARCH STEPS
Make sure to build out your materials. Here is a list of materials to build or develop:
- CV and Resume – Target based on audience (academic vs industry)
- LinkedIn Profile – Update headline, “About” section, and experiences
- Cover Letter – Tailor each one based on role and organization
- Research & Teaching Statements – For academic job applications
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
| Resource | How It Helps |
| The Career Center | 1:1 advising, resume reviews, workshops, job search tools |
| The Graduate School | Professional development programming, IDP templates |
| Versatile PhD | Career exploration, job postings, and alumni connections |
| Handshake | Internship/job listings, event registration |
| Big Interview | Virtual interview prep with practice tools |
| Going Global | Resources for international job seekers |
Need Help? Visit careers.unc.edu and make an appointment or stop by the UNC Career Center in Hanes Hall for more guidance.
Happy networking!
