Graduate students and recent graduates who are considering nonfaculty careers are in a unique position to take advantage of career jumpstart programs. Career jumpstart programs, as I call them, are fellowships, internships, externships and other experiential learning opportunities that provide participants with hands on work experience in a target career field. These short-term paid and unpaid opportunities can range from 10-week summer programs to two-year work experiences. They provide the critical work related experience that PhD job seekers need to develop relevant job skills, grow their professional networks and gain exposure to the world of work. These practical experiences can be significant launching points for career paths that PhD job seekers and their advisors may not have considered.

Here is a brief list of career jumpstart programs for graduate students and recent graduates in the social sciences, humanities, and STEM.  Many of these are national programs. Your university may have internal opportunities available only to current students and alumni. Ask your department chair, graduate coordinator, graduate school, or campus career office. I cannot stress enough how important it is to take advantage of your time and status as a student to explore your career options, grow your skills, and thoughtfully consider the next steps in your life and career.

Partnership for Public Service Public Service Fellows Program http://ourpublicservice.org/about-us/internship-program.php
Federal Bureau of Investigation Cyber Internship Program https://www.fbijobs.gov/for-students/cyber-internships.asp
Smithsonian Office of Fellowships and Internships Several opportunities For internships see, http://www.smithsonianofi.com/internship-opportunities/For fellowships see,http://www.smithsonianofi.com/fellowship-opportunities/
The Data Incubator Data Science Fellowship Program  www.thedataincubator.com
US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Fulbright-Clinton Fellowship http://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/types-of-grants/fulbright-clinton-fellowships
US Department of Energy Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) Program http://orise.orau.gov/mlef/
ACLS Public Fellows http://www.acls.org/programs/publicfellowscomp/
US Office of Personnel Management Presidential Management Fellows http://www.pmf.gov/
Facebook Privacy Externship, Public Policy Externship DC-Externships@fb.com
Congressional Budget Office Summer Internship Program www.cbo.gov/about/our-careers/our-internships
California Council on Science and Technology Post-PhD Opportunities in Science Policy http://fellows.ccst.us
FDA Commissioner’s Fellowship Program Commissioner’s Fellowship Program
AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellowships http://www.aaas.org/program/science-technology-policy-fellowships
Deutsche Bank Research Research PhD Internship Program https://secure.db.konetic.org/CAC/TsandCs.aspx?VacancyID=4283usacampus.teamus@db.com
World Bank Summer and Winter Internships World Bank Internships
World Bank World Bank Group Analyst Program (called Junior Professional Associates program until July 1, 2015) Junior Professional Associates Program

This list is just the beginning, and hopefully will serve as a starting point for your research for programs that best suit your career goals. If you know of additional fellowships, internships, or externships for graduate students and recent PhDs, we’d love to hear about them. Share them in the comments below or over on Facebook or Twitter.

 

 

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