Tell Your Story; Write Your Future

Career and Professional Development for A&S Graduate Students

Tell Your Story 

Graduate education teaches students to think critically and analytically, evaluate sources, conduct new research, and communicate ideas to diverse audiences. We need these skills in all sectors of the economy.  

Learning how to craft a narrative that identifies your skills and values, integrates your experiences and accomplishments in graduate school, and connects them to where you want to go next opens you to a number of professional pathways.  

This page spotlights professional development opportunities and resources that can help you in telling your story as you write your future. 

Four Steps to Write Your Future

Click on the dots to learn why you might engage with each step, then explore below to get the support you need at each stage of your journey.

Where you are now

Take stock of your current skills, experiences, and qualifications.

What you value 

Assess your values and sense of purpose.

Where you want to go

Explore how your values and purpose align with career opportunities.

How to get there 

Develop new skills and seek new experiences in alignment with your goals.

Step 1: Where you are now 

  • Talk through this with a WashU Career Coach and take the Imagine PhD or myIDP Skills Assessment.  
  • Imagine PhD is designed for the humanities and social sciences, and myIDP is designed for the sciences; however, both contain valuable tools for all students. 

Step 3: Where you want to go  

  • Explore further resources on Imagine PhD or myIDP Interests Assessment and job families/career paths. 
  • Check back in with a WashU Career Coach for continued guidance and support, and connect with WashU alumni via WashU CNX to discuss their career paths. 

Step 2: What you value  

  • Connecting with your values and purpose will give you clarity on your future goals.  
  • Take five minutes to develop a purpose statement that integrates your values, skills, and stakeholders. 
  • Take the Imagine PhD or myIDP Values Assessment. 
  • Apply to work with a leadership coach through WashU Leads, which includes values-based and purpose-driven leadership development. 

Step 4: How to get there  

  • Your action steps for this step will largely depend on what your goals are. Explore our career & professional development resource page to find opportunities that resonate with you.  
  • A WashU Career Coach can help you determine next steps, as can trusted mentors. We recommend considering a Mentored Professional Experience (MPE) if supported by your department’s Mentored Experience Implementation Plan. 

Need more information or have questions?

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