The Immunology Graduate Training Program is committed to providing trainees with exposure to career options ranging from academia and industry, to science education, communication, and advocacy. We host periodic Career Development Lunches and Symposia in which alumni and other experts from different career sectors share their professional experiences and career paths. These forums provide students with opportunities for networking and identifying contacts for future employment opportunities.
Graduate students who have been admitted to doctoral candidacy by passing their preliminary exams may participate in an internship through BIOTRAIN 899 and Duke certificate programs, if all of the following criteria are met: the student is in good academic standing, has completed all requirements for the Immunology program, and has approval from their mentor. Formal approval from the DGS is required. The approval is subject to review at annual Thesis Committee Meetings.
School of Medicine Training
Duke offers many certificate programs designed to provide graduate students with advanced training. These include the Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Certificate Program, the Duke Scholars in Molecular Medicine Program, and the Global Health Certificate Program.
The School of Medicine Office of Biomedical Graduate Education (OBGE) offers a career development training session for 3rd year PhD students. The training session consists of a career panel with representatives from local industry, education fields, and government positions. As part of this career development session, students create Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to help students plan their career goals, to self-assess their skills and competencies, and to develop short- and long-term training objectives.
Students interested in volunteering and enhancing their science outreach skills should explore Building Opportunities and Overtures in Science and Technology (BOOST). BOOST is a STEM program looking for mentors to work with middle to high school students in the Durham Public Schools.
Graduate School Programs
Students are encouraged to take advantage of additional professional development opportunities available through The Duke Graduate School. Programs include the Certificate in College Teaching, Preparing Future Faculty, the Emerging Leaders Institute, a Professional Development Series, and the Teaching IDEAS series. Events like Career Exploration Lab, LinkedIn Lab, and mentoring workshops expand the concepts of networking and building skill sets.
Graduate Student Services Career Center
Duke University has expanded the services offered to graduate students through the Career Center. Resources include alumni networking groups, academic search utilities, LinkedIn groups for nonacademic careers, and STEM doctorate job boards for nonacademic careers. The center partners with the Graduate School to provide two exploration programs, the Careers in Academia Series and the Careers Beyond Academia Series.