Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success

Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success provides career and professional development programming, personalized guidance, and resources supporting departments/programs and empowering scholars to design careers aligning with their professional goals.

 

Critical Conversation Series

Mission Statement

The Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success (GPCS) program provides essential support to departments/programs, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows to allow  scholars to  build skills, cultivate confidence, and design successful careers. 

 

Who We Serve

  • Graduate Students

    We support the academic and non-academic career and professional development of Graduate School master’s and doctoral students in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. 

    Doctoral students who are affiliated with VUMC or the School of Medicine are supported by The Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET). 

  • Postdoctoral Fellows

    We support the academic and non-academic career and professional development of postdoctoral fellows in non-biomedical STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. 

    Postdoctoral fellows who are affiliated with VUMC or the School of Medicine are supported by The Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training (BRET). 

GPCS Staff

Reach out for information on GPCS services or to schedule a meeting with a GPCS staff member. 

Stacey Satchell

Christina Keeton, Ph.D.

Associate Director

Christina Keeton is the Associate Director for Graduate and Postdoctoral Career Success in the Graduate School. As Associate Director, she provides one-on-one career guidance, develops and executes programming and professional development activities that identify values, elucidate interests, and build skills for scholars earning advanced degrees at Vanderbilt.

She began the journey of empowering scholars while obtaining a bachelor’s in biochemistry at Syracuse University and continued this interest while earning her doctorate in biochemistry at Vanderbilt University. Most recently, she has worked in both the School of Medicine and Career Center supporting graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

GPCS Services & Consultations

Consider contacting the GPCS if you need:

  • Access to workshops, resources, and programs that build confidence and develop agency along the career journey; 
  • Guidance in exploring diverse career paths and identifying opportunities that align with values, interests, and skills;
  • Support in developing job search strategies, crafting professional documents (résumé, CV, cover letter), preparing for an interview, and navigating negotiation;
  • Personalized consultation to help identify and strengthen transferable skills such as leadership and communication.
  • Schedule an Appointment With GPCS

    If you are a VU graduate student or postdoc and would like to make an appointment with Christina Keeton, Associate Director, log into Handshake to schedule.

    First Time on Handshake? Handshake is an online resource where you can learn about and connect to professional opportunities on and off-campus, and schedule one-on-one appointments for career consultation. 

    Have additional questions? Contact gradpostdoccareer@vanderbilt.edu for more information.

  • Schedule a Presentation by GPCS Staff to Your Department, Program, or Organization
Classroom

Guides to Get Started

Not sure where to start? Check out the helpful guides below:

Top Resources

Beyond Graduate School

Beyond the Professoriate

ImaginePhD

myIDP