Career Design

Introduction

PhD Plus Career Design two-day bootcamp and multi-part workshop series help students and trainees identify their core values and interests, explore diverse career pathways, and practice professional development strategies. This series is best suited for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Please note: The two-day bootcamp or workshop series is required to participate in the PhD Plus Internship Program. 

 

Career Design Series

PhD Plus is excited to host the Career Design Series, as a four-part series hosted on Monday's, starting on October 26th through November 16th (session times is TBD) for UVA graduate students and postdocs. Over the course of four weeks, we will meet in person to develop your self-assessment activities, career exploration strategies, and goal-setting exercises. Each interactive session lasts 2 hours, and you will meet and collaborate with graduate students and postdocs across Grounds while networking and exploring different career paths for PhDs. 

Series Dates

  • Week 1: Oct. 26, 2026
  • Week 2: Nov 2, 2026
  • Week 3: Nov 9, 2026
  • Week 4: Nov 16, 2026
        

Participation 

If you complete 3+ sessions, you will be eligible for a digital badge. Additionally, completing Career Design is required to participate in the PhD Plus Internship Program.

Register here for the Career Design Series 

 

Career Design Bootcamp 

PhD Plus is excited to host the Career Design Bootcamp. This two-part program is open to all graduate students and postdocs. This Bootcamp helps students and postdocs identify their core values and interests, explore diverse career pathways, and practice professional development strategies. 
 
Over the course of two half-days, we will meet in person to develop your self-assessment activities, career exploration strategies, and goal-setting exercises. Each interactive session is 4 hours long, and you will get to meet and collaborate with graduate students and postdocs across Grounds while networking and exploring different career paths for PhDs.
 
Participation & Digital Badge
Upon successful completion of both sessions, graduate students and postdocs will be eligible to earn a digital badge, issued by the PhD Plus Program through Credly, that demonstrates proof of completion of the program. Additionally, completing Career Design is required to participate in the PhD Plus Internship Program.
 

Bootcamp Dates & Times

  • Jan. 13, 2027 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM) & Jan. 14, 2027 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Please Note - All interested students should register at least 5 days in advance of the start of the Bootcamp, to ensure you receive all of the corresponding information and logistics prior to the event.

Register for Career Design Bootcamp Here!

 

PAST EVENTS

 

Career Design Bootcamp for Postdocs

PhD Plus is excited to host the Career Design Bootcamp for Postdocs. This two-part program is open to all postdocs and graduate students. This bootcamp helps postdocs and students identify their core values and interests, explore diverse career pathways, and practice professional development strategies. 
 
Over the course of two half-days, we will meet in person to develop your self-assessment activities, career exploration strategies, and goal-setting exercises. Each interactive session is 4 hours long, and you will get to meet and collaborate with postdocs and graduate students across Grounds while networking and exploring different career paths for PhDs.
 
This workshop is open to all postdocs and graduate students from any discipline, but it will pay particular attention to career landscape for postdoctoral scholars.
 
Participation & Digital Badge
Upon successful completion of both sessions, postdocs and graduate will be eligible to earn a digital badge, issued by the PhD Plus Program through Credly, that demonstrates proof of completion of the program. Additionally, completing Career Design is required to participate in the PhD Plus Internship Program.
 

Bootcamp Dates & Times

  • Oct. 5, 2026 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM) & Oct. 6, 2026 (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM)
Please Note - All interested participants should register at least 5 days in advance of the start of the Bootcamp, to ensure you receive all of the corresponding information and logistics prior to the event.

Registration for this event is now closed. 

Career Design for the Humanities

Like the general career design bootcamp, this five-part weekly series guides participants through a process of self and career exploration. Identify your core values and interests, explore diverse career pathways, and learn to leverage professional development strategies to find a career path that fits you.

This workshop is open to all graduate students and postdocs from any discipline, but it will pay particular attention to careers (and career design activities) for humanists.

Participation 

If you complete 4+ sessions, you will be eligible for a digital badge. Additionally, completing Career Design is required to participate in the PhD Plus Internship Program.

Registration for this event is now closed. 

 

 

Contact

Do you have questions about the PhD Plus Career Design programs? Contact Elizabeth Swallow, PhD, Assistant Director for Career Exploration (asw5tw@virginia.edu) or Eniola Afolayan, PhD, PhD Plus Program Coordinator ([email protected]).