Job Market Toolkit & Resources: What to Trust, What to Skip, and How to Use Them Wisely
We had an incredible turnout at our latest AMA DocSIG webinar, with 70+ participants and 62% of attendees preparing to hit the job market this year! ๐
A huge thank you to our โfresh off the boatโ panelists – Brandon Christensen, Sushma Kambagowni, and Philip Kim for sharing their candid stories, smart strategies, and survival tips from their own job market journeys.
You can always check the recording on our YouTube channel from https://youtu.be/GTySKWV9vY4.
๐งญ Navigating Job Postings & Resources
- Google Spreadsheet is useful, but should be used with caution and verified.
- Contribute back to the spreadsheet; donโt just consume.
- Trusted job boards: AMA ELMAR, AMS Job Board, HigherEdJobs, and Chronicle.
๐ Staying Organized
- Use personal spreadsheets to track interest, deadlines, interview invites, and offers.
- Color-code and prioritize based on school type, fit, and personal constraints (e.g., location, family).
- Apply earlyโdonโt wait until deadlines.
๐ง Tailoring Applications
- Study departmental websites for faculty background and research interests.
- Use UT Dallas rankings as a proxy to assess institutional expectations and fit.
โณ Time & Stress Management
- Schedule blocks of time for applications to avoid burnout.
- Maintain research momentum and prep job talks early.
- Apply with no emotional attachmentโdonโt overinvest in a school until there’s an offer.
๐ง Advisor & Network Involvement
- Advisors played a supportive role in reviewing lists, recommending targets, and providing feedback.
- Targeted follow-ups, especially after updates like R&Rs, were encouraged.
This webinar is part of DocSIGโs continued commitment to preparing PhD students for the job market. If youโre planning to go on the market, consider contributing to the Who Went Where report and join us for next monthโs session on flyoutsโfrom small talk to meal management to thriving through back-to-back meetings.
๐ Hosted by Julia van de Sandt and Xiaoying Feng , supporting PhD students in their research journeys. DocSIG is led by Julia van de Sandt (Chair) and Ishita Nagpal (Chair-Elect).
