Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find a list of questions commonly asked by graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who are interested in the PCLP program.

If there are any other questions or clarification required, please contact us!

• What are the seven steps of PCLP?

  PCLP’s Seven-Step Curriculum

  Self-Assessment: Identify interests, skills, and values and use these to focus on careers that would promote the greatest satisfaction. Research Career Match: Investigate diverse careers that fit with self-assessment findings. Informational Interviews: Gain first-hand knowledge about a career of interest by interviewing real people with that job. Skills Identification: Identify core skills required in the target career and learn to recognize transferable skills from graduate training. Skill Building: Identify strategies for building relevant skills. Resume/CV Writing: Craft a customized CV or resume for the target career, aided by peer review and feedback from industry experts. Networking & Plan for the Future: Learn strategies to engage new networks, and develop concrete next steps for continuing career development.

• How much time will PCLP take?
  Typically, PCLP only takes a few hours a week. PCLP groups are scheduled to meet once every two weeks. Standard meetings last for approximately an hour and a half. The additional work required for each meeting varies, but can generally be performed within relatively short time within the biweekly-long span between meetings. 

• What is the typical size of a PCLP group?

  We keep our groups small, typically five to eight. The small size ensures that everyone in the group can participate and discuss their career preparation progress.

• Can I join as a Master’s student?
  Yes! We allow Master’s students from every program to join. The program lasts one full semester, so Master’s students will need to decide how this fits into their program timeline.

• Is PCLP going to get me a job?
  The short answer is no. PCLP does not provide jobs. Instead, over seven meetings, PCLP will help prepare you for your job search when the time comes. If you need a job on a shorter timescale, we encourage you to seek out the other career development resources available at Stony Brook University, such as the Career Center.

• Why should I join the program before I need a job?
  Preparing yourself for a competitive job market gives you the best chance of success. PCLP can help you focus your career search and build a path that’s right for you. The job search skills you will gain through PCLP will prepare you for when you do need a job.

• When is the best time for me to join?

  For PhD students, we suggest they join the program sometime between the 3rd and 5th year in their program. We are open to all students at different stages in their PhD tenure; however, some of the parts of the program may not be as relevant for less senior students. Participants earlier in their academic graduate careers may have additional priorities (i.e. classes or teaching), and we would like to be mindful of student’s time at all stages of their career.

  As Master’s students have a more limited time in their program, we welcome their participation at any point during their programs.

  For postdoctoral scholars, we suggest they join the program as soon as they begin their appointment.

• I know I want career X; how would this program benefit me?

  We welcome participants at all stages of their career exploration journeys.

  Identifying a potential career is only one of the early steps of PCLP. Most of the program involves engaging in career preparation activities in a consistent manner as part of a student cohort. Once a participant has a career goal in mind, PCLP will help them carve out dedicated time in their schedule to engage in activities like  informational interviews, job research, and some active steps to expand their networks.