Your STEM Career
Learning how to present yourself and your research is an important skill to master.
Technical information may be complex, so practicing how to communicate clearly without oversimplifying the scientific issues is key to moving your career forward. Your goal is not simply to collect data. You must communicate your research well as part of the peer review process of science.
Check out these resources for professional development strategies to help your STEM career progress.
- 30 second elevator pitch: telling your research storyArchived version of American Geophysical Union) Advice for crafting a response to, "So what do you do?"
- The message box: section by section(Compass Science Communication) A tool to help you sift through your research and identify the highlights to convey quickly to an audience.
- SAGE Skills Business This link opens in a new windowThis resource has modules designed to aid students in making the transition to the workplace.
- Giles Writer-In-Residence BlogGiles Writer-In-Residence Blog provides friendly tips to make you a better writer, including help on résumés, cover letters, interviews, thank you notes, emails, asking professors for a research position or a reference and more!
EMS Career Services is available to help you navigate your career goals in-person and virtually. Kevin Fleck, our Career Counselor, is here for you and is ready to help you explore any career questions or dreams that you may have.
Engaged Scholarship for EMS undergraduates helps connect you to out-of-class academic experiences, both on campus and off campus--domestic and international--that complement your in-course learning. Need help writing proposals? Want to know more? Contact the EMS Director of Student Engagement Karen Marosi (ket2@psu.edu).
University Fellowships Office at Penn State advocates for the academic, intellectual, and personal interests of students by promoting relevant fellowships. Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment to meet with the office.
Further information
- Career Resources Center (Penn State)The Penn State Career Services site has advice and support for resume writing, interviewing and more.
- Career Resources Library GuideA guide to useful databases related to jobs and job searching, resume preparation, and more.
- Occupational Outlook HandbookPublished yearly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this gives national-level statistics on pay, job growth, and other basic information about occupations.
- AGU Sharing ScienceHelping scientists effectively share their work with broader audiences to promote widespread awareness of Earth and space science and its value.
Marketing for Scientists: how to shine in tough times by ISBN: 9781597269940Publication Date: 2012provides clear, detailed advice about how to land a good job, win funding, and shape the public debate.
Put Your Science to Work by ISBN: 9780875907383Publication Date: 2013Whether you are a science undergraduate or graduate student, post-doc or senior scientist, you need practical career development advice.
Success Strategies for Women in Science by ISBN: 9780123977755Publication Date: 2015Success Strategies from Women in Stem: A Portable Mentor, Second Edition, is a comprehensive and accessible manual containing career advice, mentoring support, and professional development strategies for female scientists in the STEM fields.
Building a Research Career by ISBN: 9781597562270Publication Date: 2011This book outlines guides to success in critical areas of a scientific career, including designing research, developing research programs, obtaining research grants, publishing in top journals, making sense of impact scores, grant writing do's and don'ts, applying for patents, and how to become a leader in a scientific field.
The African American Student's Guide to STEM Careers by ISBN: 9781610697361Publication Date: 2017Addresses how African American students can plan and prepare for a career in STEM.
The Latino Student's Guide to STEM Careers by ISBN: 9781610697927Publication Date: 2017Provides a comprehensive array of information on how to succeed in STEM.
