What Can You Be With a PhD? is the longest-running and largest biomedical career symposium in the US, and this year’s event will take place exclusively online on October 21st and 22nd. Historically, every major academic research institution in the New York City metro area has been a co-sponsor, with considerable support from local and regional corporate sponsors.  It is a fantastic way to network early with individuals in the industries you wish to explore, learn more about the day-to-day work, gain skills relevant to your job search, and see the breadth of options where your PhD skills are desperately needed in and beyond academia. It is open to all fields, all graduate students and postdocs.

“What Can You Be” is a uniquely large and wide-reaching PhD career exploration event. Graduate students and postdocs across the New York region have the opportunity to attend a range of panel discussions over two days covering careers inside and outside of academia. In addition, you can attend specific hands-on workshops on CV/resume writing, networking, conflict resolution and other leadership skills. Career sessions are spread out over the two-day conference to allow you to attend the events relevant to your career goals or avenues you would just like to explore.

Please visit the 2023 agenda to see the amazing line-up of industries, professions, and workshops lined up!

Career Panels

Consulting Careers
Careers in Science Policy
Careers in Non-Profits and Foundations
Government Careers
Public Health Careers
Careers in Disciplinary Societies
Non-Research Industry Careers
Research Careers In Industry
Careers in Bioinformatics and Genomics
Careers in Patent Law and Tech Transfer
Careers in Technology and Business Development
Careers in Finance & Equity Research
Medical Science Liaison Careers
Careers in Sales and Field Application Specialties Careers in Marketing
Careers in Data Science, Analytics & Visualization
Careers in Science Outreach and Informal Education
Careers in Publications
Careers in Medical Communications
Academia; Non-Profit & Government
Academic Careers Beyond the Tenure Track
Careers in K-12 Education
Careers in STEM Undergraduate Education
Choosing a Traditional or Non-Traditional Postdoc
Faculty Positions in Academia

Cornell is a sponsoring institution; this means you will only pay a nominal fee of $10 (which has dramatically increased attendance rates). Please use this link to register: https://whova.com/portal/registration/wcybw_202306/ and enter “cornell_2023” for the discount code that gives you the reduced admission fee of $10 using your cornell.edu email.

Workshop Topics

A Strong CV Is Not Enough: What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You
Can I Stay, Or Should I Go?: A Visa Workshop
Career Satisfaction
Confidence Coaching for PhDs
Getting Your First Job: How To Become “Business-Ready”
Grant Writing Workshop
Humble PhD and Postdoc: Overcoming Career Challenges
Interview on Zoom: Perfecting the Small Screen
Negotiations Workshop
NRSA Fellowships
Professional Development on a PhD’s Schedule
Resume Workshop