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Career Support & Development

As you earn the PhD at Yale, you will develop a deep and broad set of skills that will serve you well, whether you pursue a career in the academy or outside.  The Graduate School is here to help you hone research, teaching, and mentoring skills within your discipline, reflect on what more you would like to learn, and provide opporunities for professional development outside the department. 

Academic Jobs 

If you choose to pursue an academic career, you will want to rely on the resources within your own program, including your primary adviser, dissertation committee members, Director of Graduate Studies, and in some departments, Placement Officer. Each discipline takes a different approach to the job search, and those in your field will be familiar with the most productive options for you. The Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Professional Development, Suzanne Young (suzanne.young@yale.edu) can also advise you on preparing for the academic job market.

Careers Beyond the Academy

If you are considering a career outside academia, the Assistant Dean for Graduate Student Professional Development, Suzanne Young (suzanne.young@yale.edu) can help you think through different career trajectories, locate skills you want to develop, connect with alumni, prepare for interviews, identify employment opportunities, and more. Sign up for a one-on-one coaching session with Suzanne Young.

GSAS Professional Experience Fellowship (GPE)

The GSAS Professional Experience (GPE) Fellowship is designed to expand opportunities for PhD students to strengthen their professional skills and broaden career exposure by working with experienced administrators outside of their academic programs. Host offices across Yale take advantage of the diverse array of skills that Ph.D. students offer to advance their programming and projects.

Why Do a GPE Fellowship?

The fellowship experience advances your professional development and career awareness, whether you are pursuing a career inside or outside of the academy. You gain exposure to academic administration, as well as many professional roles typical of organizations outside of academia. You work closely with a host mentor as you develop skills in strategic planning, research, project management, program design, communications, and data analysis. 

Fellowship Terms

Eligibility:  Fellows must be currently matriculated Yale doctoral students in years 1-6* of their studies during the fellowship.
Term:  Fellows work at a Yale host organization under the guidance of the host mentor for 5-7 hours per week over the course of 13-15 weeks during the semester.
Stipend:  Fellows receive $1500 for fellowships.
International students should consult with your OISS advisor to confirm eligibility.
Please note:  The GPE Fellowship does not count towards the fulfillment of your teaching requirement.  For more information on teaching requirements, please see the GSAS website.
* 7th-year students with COVID-related funding extensions from GSAS are eligible to apply.

To apply for a GPE Fellow position: Submit an updated resume and cover letter to gsasprofessionaldevelopment@yale.edu with the subject header “[Name of Fellow position]” by July 7, 2023.  

Below are the openings for Fall 2023. Students may apply for up to 3 positions per semester.

  • Asian American Cultural Center Fellow [PDF]
  • Center for Collaborative Arts and Media (CCAM) Communications Fellow [PDF]
  • Cushing Whitney Medical Library Exhibition Curation Fellow [PDF]
  • Life Worth Living Program Design Fellow [PDF]
  • MacMillan Center Program on Refugees Program Development Fellow [PDF]
  • Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Strategic Data Fellow [PDF]
  • Office of International Students and Scholars DEIB Initiatives Fellow [PDF]
  • Office of New Haven Affairs Community Outreach and Education Fellow [PDF]
  • Office of Public Affairs and Communications Fellow in Storytellling and Media Relations [PDF]
  • Office of the Provost Digital & Strategic Communications Fellow [PDF]
  • Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life Fellow for Democratic Participation [PDF]
  • Schwarzman Center Community Engagement Fellow [PDF]
  • Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale Strategic Initiatives Fellow [PDF]
  • Whitney Humanities Center Graduate Outreach Advisor Fellow [PDF]
  • Women Faculty Forum Research & Advocacy Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale Alumni Association Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale Center for British Art Archives Photo Research Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale Prison Education Initiative at Dwight Hall Reentry or Strategic Communications Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale Program to Advance Training in Health and Sciences DEI Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science Communications Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science Design Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale School of Medicine Office for Women in Medicine & Science Gender Equity Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale Summer Session Online Education Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale University Library Community Engagement & Research Fellow [PDF]
  • Yale University Library DEIA Fellow for Accessibility Initiatives [PDF]
  • Yale University Library DEIA Fellow for Communications [PDF]