Graduate Career Series success

Woman with shoulder-length dark hair presenting in a classroom while a slideshow is displayed on a pull-down screen; four students sit at a long table with chairs listening. The presentation slide reads “How to Search for Jobs Today.”

The Medical University of South Carolina College of Graduate Studies is expanding how it prepares graduate students for today’s evolving workforce through its Career Series, a seminar program designed to help graduate students develop professional skills not typically learned at the bench.

College of Graduate Studies alumni are invited to take part and play a vital role by sharing their experiences and professional expertise.

This is not passive learning. It is career building in action.

Led by Cathy Butler, director of Industry Partnerships and Career Development in the College of Graduate Studies, the series reflects the college’s commitment to advancing graduate student career development. By introducing students to professionals across academia, industry and beyond, the program highlights how their degree can translate into meaningful, high-impact careers.

“Preparing graduate students for life after the degree goes beyond scientific training,” Butler said. “Today’s scholars must also understand how their skills, values and interests translate into a wide range of careers. The College of Graduate Studies’ Career Series was designed with this belief at its core – creating intentional opportunities for students to learn directly from professionals, ask honest questions and gain early insight into career pathways they may one day pursue.”

The series challenges traditional assumptions about career trajectories in science and health research. Academic careers are not limited to principal investigator roles. Industry careers can extend far beyond “the bench.”

Speakers encourage participating students to explore how their area of study applies across sectors, including biomedical research, policy, communication and business.

Building Skills for Every Stage

The Career Series focuses on practical, career-ready skill development. Whether students are exploring options or preparing for the job market, sessions are designed to meet them where they are and help move them forward.

Topics include:

Resume and CV development workshops
Elevator pitch and professional communication training
Networking strategies and career story-telling
Career pathway discussions across industry and academia

These interactive sessions provide hands-on learning opportunities that help students build professional momentum early in their graduate training with skills they may not learn in the lab or the classroom.

“I like research, but I am also passionate about science communication and policy,” said Eliana Abel, a second-year Ph.D. student. “I had no idea where to start looking or even what kind of jobs were available for Ph.D.’s. These sessions provided crucial resources and panel events that I could start to think about what I was interested in. Starting these series early on allowed me to develop my network of connections early.”

Preparing Students for What Comes Next

The Career Series is part of the College of Graduate Studies’ broader mission to embed professional development into the graduate experience. By integrating career readiness into training, MUSC ensures students are prepared to navigate a competitive and rapidly changing job market.

“By embedding professional development as an essential component of graduate education, we empower students to take ownership of their career readiness and to move forward with confidence, clarity and purpose,” Butler said.

The College of Graduate Studies welcomes alumni interested in serving as speakers or participating in networking opportunities. To get involved, contact Cathy Butler at Butlecat@musc.edu.