This intentionally-designed series blends OACD programming with top-rated virtual content to give advanced doctoral students and postdoctoral trainees at Pitt access to an expanded set of sessions covering a variety of career development skills, career options, and key transitional steps that will help you identify, prepare for, and succeed in landing the next step of your career (see the career-specific stage and the career transition stage of the ADAPT model for more information).
List of acronyms: BtP: Beyond the Professoriate; HSLS: Health Sciences Library System; NPA: National Postdoctoral Association; OACD: Office of Academic Career Development.
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January 14, 2026BtP: Why a Successful Job Search Is a Focused Job Search
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: When launching a nonacademic job search, it can be tempting to “cast a wide net” and apply to jobs across multiple career fields. Unfortunately, this isn’t an effective strategy—and it often leaves PhDs feeling frustrated and confused by the lack of responses from employers. If you’re ready to actively apply for nonacademic jobs, you’ll need to ensure you’ve done enough research to focus on ONE specific career path. Academic and professional employers use very different criteria when evaluating job candidates. To succeed in a nonacademic job search, grad students and PhDs will need to adopt a different job search strategy.
In this webinar, we’ll discuss why PhDs need to choose a specific career path to focus their job search efforts. This session is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:- How is nonacademic hiring different from academic hiring?
- Why do I need to focus on one career path? Can’t I apply broadly to a range of positions and fields?
- How do I focus my job search, and how will this lead to success?
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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February 4, 2026BtP: How to Identify and Research Non-Academic Employers
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: Researching potential employers is an important part of applying to nonacademic jobs. It helps PhDs connect with local professionals, identify what organizations they can apply to, and ensure their career goals align with the mission and values of future employers. Career satisfaction comes from working with people you like and respect, engaging in work that uses your skills and talents, being fairly compensated, and finding alignment between your values and an organization’s mission. Learning how to research nonacademic employers is key to finding that fit.
Note: in a job market where hiring has slowed, career changers like PhDs may encounter additional challenges in their job search. In this webinar, we’ll also discuss how to assess your immediate priorities and build toward long-term career satisfaction.
This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:- Why do I need to research employers? Can’t I just submit my resume and wait?
- Where do I begin when researching nonacademic employers?
- How do I know if nonacademic employers will hire someone with my background?
- How can I find nonacademic employers who have hired international students/PhDs?
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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February 18, 2026BtP: Why Generic Resumes Won’t Get You a Job Offer
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: Sending out resume after resume, but not hearing back? You’re not alone. Nearly half of graduate students (48%) believe that submitting resumes to online job postings is the most effective way to land a job. But it’s not an effective strategy, and this approach often leaves graduate students and PhDs feeling frustrated in their job search. Add to this the challenges of job searching in an AI-driven job market, where generative AI-tools have made it easy for job seekers to churn out nearly identical resumes. In this competitive environment, PhDs must tailor their application materials and adopt a more strategic approach to job searching. Join Beyond the Professoriate for this webinar on why generic resumes won’t get you a job offer — and what you should spend your time and focus on instead.
This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:- Why do I need to tailor my resume for each job posting?
- If resumes won’t get me a job offer, what should I focus on instead?
- How can I unlock new opportunities and access the hidden job market?
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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March 4, 2026BtP: Will AI Help or Hurt My Job Search?
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: Job seekers are increasingly turning to generative-AI tools to help them in their job search. Resume builders, job search matching, and interview preparation tools all promise to help job seekers find and land the best jobs. But when millions of job seekers are using these tools and churning out nearly identical documents, standing out becomes nearly impossible. Overreliance on generic AI templates can hurt job seekers in an already saturated and highly competitive job market. But can AI help your job search in any way? And how?
Join Beyond the Professoriate for this upcoming webinar on how AI can help — and also hinder — PhDs in their job search process. This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:- What are the promises and perils of using AI in your job search?
- Are there ways to use AI in your job search without losing your authentic voice or competitive edge?
- What makes you stand out in a hyper-competitive job market?
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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March 24, 2026NPA: Designing Your Life: Frameworks for Navigating Career Pathways
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Provided via the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA)
Time: 1-2pm ET
Location: Virtual
Presenter: Caleb McKinney, PhD, MPSRegister here after logging into the NPA site.
If you are not yet a member of the NPA, join here as an "Affiliate Individual Member" Graduate Student, Postdoc, or Other, and select the University of Pittsburgh as your institution.
Description: Detials to come.
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April 2, 2026OACD: From CV to Resume: Translating Academic Experience for Health Sciences Careers *RECORDING AVAILABLE*
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Time: 3-4 pm ET
Location: Virtual
Presenter: Ingrid BeuteDescription: This session will guide graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in the health sciences through the process of transforming an academic CV into a targeted, effective resume. Participants will learn how to translate research, clinical, teaching, and service experiences into concise, impact-driven resume content aligned with industry, nonprofit, government, and clinical research roles.
Speaker Bios:
Ingrid Beute is a Career Development and Employability Consultant at the University of Pittsburgh with over 15 years of experience in higher education, career education, and professional training. She specializes in supporting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with career exploration, workforce readiness, and translating academic experience into employer-focused application materials.
Originally arriving in the United States as an international student, Ingrid brings a globally informed perspective to her work. She joined Pitt in 2022 and serves as a Career Consultant and departmental point of contact across multiple schools and disciplines, as well as coordinator of Pitt’s Career Champion Program. Ingrid holds master’s degrees in Counseling & Development and Piano Performance, is a nationally certified Career Services Professional (NCDA), and is an IMMA-accredited Positive Psychology Practitioner.
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April 7, 2026OACD: Your Strategic Guide to Breaking into Biotech *RECORDING AVAILABLE*
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Time: 3-4:30 pm ET
Location: Virtual
Presenter: Kerry BoehnerDescription: Tired of sending applications into the void? This isn't another "how to write a resume" talk. You'll learn how biotech hiring actually works—and how to position yourself so companies come looking for you. Kerry reveals how to build relationships that open doors, position yourself as a problem-solver companies want, and shift your mindset from applicant to opportunity creator.
Speaker Bio: Kerry Boehner is a biotech recruiter and career coach who's placed scientists and leaders across R&D, clinical development, regulatory affairs, medical affairs, and commercial roles spanning drug discovery through launch. She understands both the science and the business of hiring, which means she knows exactly what companies look for and what candidates miss. She's passionate about helping early-career scientists stop spinning their wheels and start positioning themselves for the careers they want.
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April 15, 2026BtP: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Job Market
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: A quick glance at LinkedIn job postings shows hundreds of applicants competing for the same roles every day. Today’s job market is highly competitive, often saturated, and hiring has slowed across nearly all sectors. It’s one of the most challenging environments job seekers have faced in years. So how can you stand out as a PhD in this crowded market? Join the Beyond Prof team for this webinar on how PhDs can stand out in a competitive job market — and key factors to consider as you explore your options. International candidates may have additional personal and legal considerations, for instance, and all PhDs should take into account their personal and financial needs when planning their next steps.
This webinar is designed for doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines who are wondering:- How can I stand out in competitive job market if I have limited industry experience?
- What catches an employers attention in a crowded job market?
- How do I navigate additional factors in my job search—such as visas, geographic constraints, or funding considerations?
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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May 4-8, 2026BtP: PhD Career Conference
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Provided by Beyond the Professoriate
Time: 12-12:45pm ET
Location: VirtualDescription: From May 4–8, Beyond the Professoriate will host its annual PhD Career Conference, designed to help PhDs build a strong foundation for a successful nonacademic job search. If you’re in the final year of your program, a postdoc planning your next steps, or a graduate student exploring your career options, this conference series is for you. Over the course of the week, you’ll learn what it takes to build a meaningful career beyond the professoriate. This special event is open to doctoral students, PhDs, and postdocs from all academic disciplines. Each day, we’ll explore a key aspect of the nonacademic job search to help you strategically plan your next steps:
May 4: What employers actually value about your degree
May 5: How to write a resume
May 6: How to network when you don’t have a network
May 7: Using LinkedIn in your job search
May 8: Advice for international students on the job marketThe webinar will be held via Zoom webinar and will be recorded. Advanced registration is required.
To register, log into Beyond the Professoriate, selecting "through your institution" (Pitt), and then REGISTER HERE. Advanced registration is required.
Please also be sure to mark “member@beyondprof.com” as a safe sender to receive our email reminders.
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May 5, 2026OACD: Medical Writing as a Career for PhDs in the Health Sciences *RECORDING AVAILABLE*
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Time: 3:30-4:30 pm ET
Location: Virtual
Moderator: Michele Baum
Panelists: Becca Chappell, PhD, Aaron Johnson, PhD, Nikki Naim, PhDDescription: Do you enjoy translating complex research into clear, compelling narratives that influence decisions, policy, and patient care? Medical writing offers PhDs in the health sciences the opportunity to blend scientific expertise with strategic communication across industry and medical communications settings. Join us for a dynamic alumni panel featuring medical writers who will share what a “day in the life” really looks like, how they leverage their PhD training as a competitive advantage, and their candid advice for breaking into the field.
Moderator Bio: Michele D. Baum is Senior Science Communications Manager at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. She is an accomplished communications professional with more than 30 years of experience in presenting the essence of complicated clinical, biomedical and scientific research material in thoughtful, engaging—and, most importantly, accurate—ways. She is principal editor and writer for the school’s biannual magazine, Pitt Public Health. Ms. Baum is a former Senior Writer/Project Manager in Pitt’s Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor, Health Sciences, with expertise in strategic communications, internal communications, grant writing, social media and print production. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Ms. Baum was a long-time health/science journalist for several leading news outlets, including CNN.com in Atlanta. In addition, she served as a media relations manager for UPMC. She is a graduate of Penn State University and holds a certificate in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama studies from The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-on-Avon, England. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers.
Panelist Bios:
Becca Chappell, PhD, is a Lead Medical Writer with professional medical writing experience spanning oncology, neurology, and rare disease. In her current role at BOLDSCIENCE, she supports a generalized myasthenia gravis account, developing peer-to-peer speaker bureau decks, disease state education materials, case-based discussions, and branded video content. Previously, at Nucleus Global, she worked on commercial accounts in multiple sclerosis and postpartum depression, contributing to disease state education websites for HCPs and patients, 2D and 3D animations, peer-to-peer education decks, real-world case study presentations, infographics, and scientific platform development. Earlier in her career at Vaniam Group, she supported a commercial oncology account, focusing mainly on advisory boards and congress insight gathering. Across these roles, she has built strong expertise in translating complex clinical data into clear, compelling, and strategically aligned educational narratives. She is particularly passionate about creatively driven work and patient specific materials. Her work has centered on turning scientific complexity into content that resonates with healthcare professionals and supports better patient care outcomes. Becca received her PhD from the University of Pittsburgh in Molecular Pathology and held an internship with Clinical Research Strategies (CRS), LLC during her last semester of graduate school.
Aaron Johnson, PhD, is a medical writer at Vaniam Group, a medical communications agency specializing in hematological malignancies. Aaron’s role involves preparing manuscripts for publication and educational materials for several therapeutic areas. Other tasks center on insight-gathering from healthcare professionals and summary development to inform client marketing and educational strategies. Before joining Vaniam Group, Aaron completed his PhD in Molecular Pharmacology from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During his graduate career, he was involved with the Biomedical Graduate Student Association (BGSA) and completed the UPMC Media Relations Science Writing internship. Aaron continued in research as a postdoctoral fellow in the Vascular Medicine Institute, a laboratory manager in the Pediatric Neurosurgery Division, and a freelance writer before transitioning to his current medical writing role.
Nikki Naim, PhD, is a Medical Writer at Evolution Health Group, a healthcare communications agency, where she develops advisory board and other physician engagement materials across brands in multiple myeloma and chronic kidney disease. She partners closely with clients to shape the strategic direction of content and guide materials through the medical-legal review process. With a background in pharmaceutical consulting and a doctorate in molecular biology, Nikki brings a strong strategic mindset and deep scientific expertise to her work, translating complex clinical and scientific data into compelling communications for a range of healthcare audiences.
VIEW PAST SERIES:
Fall 2025 Career Development Series
Spring 2025 Career Development Series
Fall 2024 Career Development Series
Spring 2024 Career Development Series
Fall 2023 Career Development Series
Spring 2023 Career Development Series
Fall 2022 Career Development Series
2021-2022 Professionalism Series