Careers in Science and Engineering: A Student Planning Guide to Grad School and Beyond

As science and technology advance, the needs of employers change, and these changes continually reshape the job market for scientists and engineers. Such shifts present challenges for students as they struggle to make well-informed education and career choices. Careers in Science and Engineering offers guidance to students on planning careers―particularly careers in nonacademic settings―and acquiring the education necessary to attain career goals. This booklet is designed for graduate science and engineering students currently in or soon to graduate from a university, as well as undergraduates in their third or fourth year of study who are deciding whether or not to pursue graduate education. The content has been reviewed by a number of student focus groups and an advisory committee that included students and representatives of several disciplinary societies.

Careers in Science and Engineering offers advice on not only surviving but also enjoying a science- or engineering-related education and career―how to find out about possible careers to pursue, choose a graduate school, select a research project, work with advisers, balance breadth against specialization, obtain funding, evaluate postdoctoral appointments, build skills, and more. Throughout, Careers in Science and Engineering lists resources and suggests people to interview in order to gather the information and insights needed to make good education and career choices. The booklet also offers profiles of science and engineering professionals in a variety of careers. Careers in Science and Engineering will be important to undergraduate and graduate students who have decided to pursue a career in science and engineering or related areas. It will also be of interest to faculty, counselors, and education administrators.

• FRONT MATTER
• 1 WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS?
• 2 HOW CAN YOU MEET YOUR CAREER GOALS?
• 3 WHAT SURVIVAL SKILLS AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES DO YOU NEED TO SUCCEED?
• 4 WHAT EDUCATION DO YOU NEED TO REACH YOUR CAREER GOALS?
• 5 HOW DO YOU GET THE JOB THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
• 6 THE RESPONSIBILITY IS YOURS
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
• A DISCUSSION OF SCENARIOS
• B SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO SUCCESS IN SCIENCE OR ENGINEERING