To learn more about your area of research, you read articles and communicate with colleagues and collaborators. To learn more about your career options, the same methods apply - read and speak to others.

Read about careers

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs curates a lending library of electronic and print career-related books, many focused on specific career paths. Additionally, the online myIDP tool from Science Careers contains a comprehensive library of articles dedicated to specific careers.

• Visit the Career Resource Library page
• Create an myIDP account

Conduct informational interviews

Only so much information can be garnered from a book or job description. To learn more, conduct an informational interview - an informal conversation with a person who is already successful in a career that interests you and who can provide firsthand information.

• When, How, and Why to Conduct Informational Interviews by the Chronicle of Higher Education
• How Do I Create a Professional Network by the Chronicle of Higher Education
• Watch this LinkedIn Learning training about informational interviews
• Informational Interview Guidelines from UC Berkeley
• Expanding Career Networks webinar by the Higher Education Recruitment Consortia

Other resources

Here are some additional career exploration resources

• InterSECT Job Simulations is an online platform that allows PhD-level professionals to explore career options
• Career exploration videos from the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education
• GoinGlobal is an international career resource that includes country-specific career information
• Career Options for PhDs from the National Postdoctoral Association
• Career Basics Booklet from Science Careers
• Career Advice for Life Scientists, Volumes I and II from the American Society for Cell Biology