Careers Beyond Academia

Q&A with Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury MS'07
2025-04-21 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom, NY, United States
Are you interested in working in policy at the Federal or State level? Learn how one alumna, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury MS’07 charted her policymaking career trajectory. She will share resources to leverage, and tips if you are interested in exploring this sector and adjacent roles. Having recently met with a group of Cornell doctoral students on the Capitol steps on Advocacy Day, Congresswoman Stansbury initiated a followup meeting to be able to speak to a larger group.
Join us online from 11:30am-12:30pm for a Q&A! Please register if you plan to attend, and share any questions in advance you would like to ask the speaker. A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants.
About the speaker
Born and raised in New Mexico, Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury leads with determination and compassion. She has dedicated her career to finding solutions to water issues, poverty, and climate change — representing New Mexico in the Legislature and now in Congress. She is a champion of efforts to address hunger, food, and water insecurity, conservation and climate change, and economic development and recovery. Rep. Stansbury worked in communities across the state as a STEM educator, researcher on land and water issues, and served as a staffer in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the White House Office of Management and Budget. As the Congresswoman from New Mexico’s First Congressional District, she is working hard to lift up the voices of our communities and tackle our biggest challenges— from economic development, to food and water security, to climate change.
Congresswoman Stansbury serves New Mexicans on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
Read more on Wikipedia, the House website, and CALS.

Create an Employer-Ready LinkedIn Profile
2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:30, 2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:30 | 341 Caldwell Hall, 121 Reservoir Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
We’ll start with a short overview presentation with pro tips on how to use LinkedIn, some exercises to identify a good tagline, and a very interactive session where participants work on their own profiles and critique others’ –so you will need to bring your own computer. Handy tips will be shared among participants at the hands-on session.
Due to the interactive nature of this in-person workshop, we will limit the number of participants to 15. So if something comes up after you register, be sure to let us know so we can invite someone else to take your place.
Register via this Google form for the date that works for you with your Cornell netID.

Panel of NYS Science Policy Fellows
2025-04-25 09:00 - 10:15 | Clark Hall, Room 700, 142 Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Join the discussion with the Deputy Director of the Rockefeller Institute’s NYS Science Policy Fellows organized by the Graduate Student run organization Advancing Science and Policy (ASAP) in collaboration with Careers Beyond Academia and CoRGI (Chemists for Outreach and Graduate Inclusion).
The 2024-26 Science Policy Fellows are the inaugural cohort of the New York State Science Policy Fellowship. The fellows are placed in important roles in the state’s executive agencies and with the legislature. Through their work, they will lend their technical and scientific expertise to policymakers while developing hands-on experience in state government.
Speakers
Laura Rabinow, Deputy Director of Research, Rockefeller Institute of Government
Current NYS Science Policy Fellows:
Emily Laurilliard PhD’24
Megan Cassingham
Anqesha Murray
This event is for graduate students and postdocs to meet and learn from Science Policy Fellows and the deputy director of the Rockefeller Institute’s NYS Science Policy Fellowship. It will be held April 25 @9am-10:15am in 700 Clark Hall. Coffee and breakfast provided! In addition, small discussion groups with the fellows will be held throughout the day by sign-up.
Scan the QR codes in the flyer below to RSVP and sign up for a small group meeting..

Go to Campus Groups for more.

Andrés Blanco PhD'10 talk @12:20 and discussion with PhDs @4:30
2025-04-25 12:20 - 14:15 | NY
Economics Principal Specialist in Water and Sanitation Division at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Andrés Blanco PhD’10
Urban Infrastructure in the Amazon Basin, Challenges and Opportunities: Talk at 12:20pm in Milstein Hall Auditorium
Abstract: The Amazon Basin is a vast ecosystem covering nearly 40% of South America and 6.7 million square km in 9 countries. This territory is home to more than 30 million people and, contrary to common belief, a robust system of cities. In effect, nearly 70% of the Amazon Basin population is concentrated in urban areas, with large cities like Manaus, Belem, Macapa, Sao Luis, Porto Velho, Cuiaba in Brazil and Santa Cruz in Bolivia encompassing more than 20% of the urban Amazonian population. This presentation describes an ongoing effort to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with accelerated processes of urbanization and its impacts on the critical ecosystems and sustainability of the Amazonia by exploring topics such as (i) the main urban infrastructure deficits in the region, (ii) the environmental, social and economic impacts of these gaps; (iii) the main infrastructure policies and projects needed to generate sustainable cities in the region; and (iv) the connection between infrastructure, environmental and territorial policies and its implications for urban areas.
More information and registration link. Held in Milstein Hall Auditorium.
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Andrés Blanco discussion with PhD Students: at 4:30-6pm held in Sibley Hall 106

For PhD students in City and Regional Planning, Regional Science, Development Studies, Economics and related fields to have an in depth discussion and Q&A with the speaker on topics related to his career, transition to this sector, experiences, motivations and advice for current doctoral students interested in exploring additional career options.
Held in Sibley Hall 106.
About the speaker
Andrés Blanco is an international development expert specializing in urban and regional planning. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1999 and his master’s degree in Development Planning in 2005 from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá. In 2010, he received his Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning from Cornell University. Currently, Blanco works in the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as an Economics Principal Specialist in the Water and Sanitation Division. Blanco joined the IDB in 2012 as a Specialist in Housing and Urban Development, where he coordinated several institutional initiatives, such as the implementation of the Emerging and Sustainable Cities Initiative (ESCI) and the Cities LAB, the Urban Innovation laboratory at IDB. Prior to joining the IDB, Blanco worked as an office manager for BBVA Bank, advisor to the Secretaries of Government and Finance in Bogotá, professor of Urban Economics at the University of Florida, and consultant for several organizations like the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, the United Nations Development Program, and national and local governments in Latin America and the United States.
Support for the event
This event is funded by a Careers Beyond Academia faculty grant designed to bring in speakers from beyond academia.
Mini-grants are awarded on a rolling basis to faculty in the humanities and social sciences who collaborate across disciplines to create an experiential activity that includes alumni speakers. Careers Beyond Academia staff guide and encourage graduate students and postdocs to collaborate with faculty to help create the events.
Bring greater recognition of the career opportunities and skills needed to be successful in a career outside a professorial position. Intended for pre- and postdoctoral scholars to engage with alumni and others who have transitioned to many diverse career paths.
The grants are for interactive sessions involving Cornell PhD alumni and other professionals to inform Cornell PhD students and postdocs about careers outside the professoriate and the skills they will need to be successful in these careers. We are happy to brainstorm ideas with you to help create the most impactful activities.

UIDP: U.S. Federal Legislative Update: Preparing for What Comes Next
2025-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
UIDP member representatives are keenly interested in U.S. federal legislation and policies that impact R&D and university-industry partnerships. During this members-only webinar, Leslee Gilbert of Van Scoyoc Associates will provide timely insights into the current state of affairs in Washington, D.C., with a special focus on the reemergence of rescission bills—a legislative mechanism we haven’t seen used in over 30 years. Leslee will explain the rescission process, why it’s resurfacing now, and what implications it may have for federal funding and policy priorities. She’ll also answer your questions on other pending and recently passed legislation and how your organization can navigate and leverage these developments.
Leslee, who brings over 20 years of experience working in and with Congress, will provide a critical update on the evolving legislative landscape, offering expert analysis on budget reconciliation and its implications for the U.S. research and development enterprise. She will clarify key developments, explain how Congress plans to enact consequential changes through budget reconciliation, and explore the challenges ahead.
Current Events and topics of interest discussed in this update may include:

Understanding Rescission Bills: What they are, how the process works, and why their reintroduction after three decades is significant for federal funding and policy direction.
Implications for R&D and Higher Education Funding: How proposed rescissions could affect research budgets, agency priorities, and university-industry collaboration opportunities.
Navigating the Political Landscape: Strategies for institutions to monitor, respond to, and engage with policymakers during the rescission process to protect and advocate for critical funding streams.

Form more information and to register, visit the event website. (Cornell University is a member of UIDP.)

Marisa Turesky consulting firm founder, community-engaged researcher
2025-05-02 12:20 - 13:30 | Milstein Hall Auditorium
Rethinking Academic Futures
Meet and Greet for PhD students with Marisa Turesky MA’18 at 4pm in West Sibley room 106
Join us for a conversation with Marisa Turesky, founder of her own urban consulting firm and a passionate advocate for community-engaged research. Marisa will share her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, and how she transformed her research into real-world impact. Whether you’re curious about life beyond the PhD, dreaming of starting something of your own, or just want to hear how research can make a difference outside the university – this is for you.
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Locating Lesbian Lives — Holistic Housing in a Compassionate City
Talk with Alumna Marisa Turesky at 12:20pm in Milstein Hall Auditorium
More informtion: Marisa Turesky: Locating Lesbian Lives — Holistic Housing in a Compassionate City
Abstract
Aging-in-place is a widely shared goal among older adults in the United States, but the literature remains largely heteronormative and androcentric (Turesky, 2022). This research examines how older lesbians navigate their social and built environments across their lifespan. By applying a queer-feminist lens (Gorman-Murray, 2008, Isoke, 2011) to frameworks for aging in place (Bigonnesse & Chaudhury, 2020), Marisa Turesky demonstrates the gendered and queer pathways toward health justice and community development over time.
With spatial oral histories of lesbians aged 65 to 85 in Los Angeles County, Turesky examines the different ways in which older lesbians use their home communities to find care and connection amid heteronormative built and social environments. In particular, Turesky asks: does lesbian identity impact aging-in-place? If so, how? What can planners and policymakers learn from lesbians to create more equitable cities and neighborhoods for a diverse demographic of aging residents to stay in their home communities across the lifespan?
This lecture contributes to urban planning research that (a) addresses aging-in-place dynamics, (b) deepens our understanding of care practices and spatial justice, and (c) advances the liberation of a heterogeneous LGBTQ+ community. By highlighting lesbians’ relationships with home environments as they age, planners and policymakers can better understand infrastructures of care and connection in the face of ageism and hetero-patriarchy. These spatial oral histories demonstrate how neighborhoods, institutions, and cities can enhance access to spaces and services to improve safety and health among heterogeneous aging communities.
About the speaker
Marisa Turesky MA’18 is the Director of Research at Mockingbird Analytics, an equity-based consulting firm, and a Visiting Professor in Real Estate Law and Urban Planning at UC Berkeley. She is a community-based researcher and educator focused on advancing urban policies through racial and gender equity. She examines how identity and emotions shape people’s access to places and services across the lifespan. Marisa uses trauma-informed evaluation, community-based participatory action research, and qualitative methodologies to integrate social movement practices into urban planning. Her research has been published in top urban planning journals. In past projects, Marisa has worked with the Equity Research Institute, the ONE Gay & Lesbian National Archive Foundation, the American Planning Association, the LA Alliance for a New Economy, and the Restorative Justice Institute of Maine. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning & Development from the University of Southern California and a Master of City and Regional Planning from Cornell University. She enjoys biking with her wife and puppy, especially when the ride ends with french fries.
Support for the event
This event is funded by a Careers Beyond Academia faculty grant designed to bring in speakers from beyond academia.
Mini-grants are awarded on a rolling basis to faculty in the humanities and social sciences who collaborate across disciplines to create an experiential activity that includes alumni speakers. Careers Beyond Academia staff guide and encourage graduate students and postdocs to collaborate with faculty to help create the events.
Bring greater recognition of the career opportunities and skills needed to be successful in a career outside a professorial position. Intended for pre- and postdoctoral scholars to engage with alumni and others who have transitioned to many diverse career paths.
The grants are for interactive sessions involving Cornell PhD alumni and other professionals to inform Cornell PhD students and postdocs about careers outside the professoriate and the skills they will need to be successful in these careers. We are happy to brainstorm ideas with you to help create the most impactful activities.

Marisa Turesky consulting firm founder, community-engaged researcher
2025-05-02 16:00 - 17:00 | Sibley Hall 106

NYAS Spring Speed Networking (NYC)
2025-05-14 18:00 - 20:00 | The New York Academy of Sciences, 115 Broadway, 8th Floor, New York, NY, 10006, United States
Expand your network and forge meaningful connections with other STEM professionals through a structured networking activity, followed by open mingling with complimentary refreshments. Whether you are a seasoned professional, student, a startup founder, or just looking to meet new people, this event offers a perfect opportunity to connect with a variety of like-minded STEM professionals in a structured, time-efficient format.
Hosted by the New York Academy of Sciences. This is an in-person event held in New York City. Register to attend.

NYAS Chat with Astronomer Munazza Alam
2025-05-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Are you interested in building a career in STEM? Join The New York Academy of Sciences for an exciting monthly online event series designed to explore the vast opportunities within STEM fields. This series offers unique access to experts across industries.
Each session features guest speakers from distinguished organizations, including Noven Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and more. Gain invaluable insights into their career journeys, the roles they hold today, and the innovative work they do.
Engage in live Q&A sessions to ask questions that will help shape your own career path. Whether actively pursuing a STEM career or simply exploring possibilities, this event series provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
This series is open to all, regardless of age or background, and is the perfect opportunity to network and learn. Don’t miss your chance to connect with leading STEM professionals and take the next step in your career journey!
This is the eighth session in the Chat with Experts series, and it will feature Munazza Alam, PhD, Assistant Astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STSCI)
Dr. Munazza Alam is an astronomer, National Geographic Young Explorer, and staff scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, MD. Munazza uses data from the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescopes for her research, as well as world-class ground-based facilities at the Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawai’i and the Las Campanas Observatory in Chile.

L.E.K. Life Sciences Consulting
2025-06-03 16:00 - 17:00 | Webinar
L.E.K. Consulting is hosting a virtual info session and case workshop Tuesday, June 3rd at 4:00pmET for PhD/MD/PharmD students interested in Life Sciences Consulting. There will be a short presentation about what a career at L.E.K. looks like, followed by a case interview workshop led by members of L.E.K.’s Life Sciences team. Register to attend.
The 2026 full-time Life Sciences Specialist opening closes on June 15th, so this is a great opportunity to learn more before submitting an application!
Summary
What: L.E.K. Consulting: Life Sciences Specialist Info Session and Case Workshop
When: Tues. June 3 @4pm
Where: online
How to register: Register to attend
Deadline to apply for full-time life science specialist consulting roles: June 15

Graduate School Reunion Trivia
2025-06-06 13:00 - 15:00 | Big Red Barn, Sciences Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Calling all doctoral and master’s degree alumni and current Graduate School students! Join us for an exciting afternoon filled with trivia and local beer, wine, and cider at the Big Red Barn. Test your knowledge with a fun round of trivia about famous Grad School alums, then relax and mingle with fellow professionals while enjoying a delightful sampling of local beverages. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect, compete, and celebrate!
Advanced registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. See you at the Big Red Barn!
Register, and see who’s coming
Featuring trivia hosted by: Jacob Belding PhD’26, Engineering
Jacob Belding is a doctoral candidate in chemical engineering by day, but by night he’s the host of regular Big Red Barn Trivia Night events that bring graduate and professional students together from across Cornell to test their knowledge on a wide variety of subjects.
Featuring Keith Hannon
Keith is a fundraiser for the College of Engineering, but his “other duties as assigned” include 2-time host of the Cornell Asian Alumni Association’s Reunion Iron Chef Challenge, host of the Cornell Annual Fund’s Family Feud, 2-time host of Cornell Giving Day Live!, a 24-hour livestream featuring interviews with the Cornell faculty, staff, and students who make Cornell the unique and inspiring place that it is. Before Cornell, Keith lived in Los Angeles where he worked at Nickelodeon Television during by day and performed at comedy clubs at night. When he’s not parenting or coaching his three children, or working the family ice cream stand, he continues to perform around upstate NY. Keith always enjoys the opportunity to use his passion for humor and fun in support of Cornell alumni and friends!
Questions? Contact Merry Buckley (mbuckley@cornell.edu). Hosted by the Graduate School and Cornell Alumni Career Programs.

Networking@Rev
2025-06-11 18:00 - 20:30 | Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, 314 E State St, Ithaca, 314 E State St, Ithaca, NY
Networking@Rev: Women in Entrepreneurship
Wednesday, June 11 | 6 – 8:30 PM ET | 314 E State Street
Mingle with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights and advice, and make meaningful connections that could propel your business forward. Our guest speakers will share their personal journeys, challenges, and successes as women entrepreneurs, providing inspirational and motivational insights for all attendees.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, Networking@Rev: Women in Entrepreneurship is the perfect opportunity to expand your network and build relationships within the Ithaca entrepreneurial ecosystem.
All are welcome! RSVP today!
Getting to Rev:
For information on getting to Rev at 314 E. State St. Ithaca, such as where to park, transportation options, and more, visit revithaca.com/getting-to-rev/.Questions? Contact rev@revithaca.com.
Accessibility:
Please contact rev@revithaca.com at least one week prior to the event with any accessibility needs.

NYAS Chat with Yaihara Fortis Santiago
2025-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Webinar
Are you interested in building a career in STEM? Join the last session of The New York Academy of Sciences series designed for you to Chat with Experts in a variety of professions.
This session features Yaihara Fortis Santiago, Ph.D., Associate Director of Postdoctoral Affairs and Trainee Diversity Initiatives at Sloan Kettering Institute. A former AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow, Yaihara holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience and is an active and engaged leader in scientific training and workforce development.
About the speaker

Yaihara Fortis Santiago, PhD

Dr. Fortis Santiago holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras and a PhD in Neuroscience from Brandeis University. Upon graduating with her PhD, she joined the National Science Foundation (NSF) as an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow. In 2014, she joined the New York Academy of Sciences, where she created the first leadership program for STEM graduate students: the Science Alliance Leadership Training. And in 2017, she joined Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) to lead the postdoctoral office. More recently, in 2025 she expanded her portfolio to oversee MSK’s scientific Pipeline Training Programs. She is also a doctoral scholar of the Leadership Alliance, and a former fellow of the 92Y Women inPower fellowship.

About the NYAS Chat with Experts Series
Each session features guest speakers from distinguished organizations, including Noven Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, and more. Gain invaluable insights into their career journeys, the roles they hold today, and the innovative work they do.
Engage in live Q&A sessions to ask questions that will help shape your own career path. Whether actively pursuing a STEM career or simply exploring possibilities, this event series provides the tools and knowledge you need to succeed.
This series is open to all, regardless of age or background, and is the perfect opportunity to network and learn. Don’t miss your chance to connect with leading STEM professionals and take the next step in your career journey!
Free Cornell Membership to NYAS
Available to all Cornell students, postdocs and faculty, free membership to the New York Academy of Sciences grants access to various resources such as networking, resource building, and career readiness training.

Alumni Conversation about the Academic Writing Process
2025-07-15 15:30 - 16:30 | 172 Goldwin Smith Hall, 232 Feeney Way, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
The College of Arts and Sciences is hosting alumna Dr. Alison Miller on Tuesday, July 15. Dr. Miller authored the book Finish Your Dissertation: Once and for All! and co-founded a virtual co-working community for graduate students and other academic professionals called The Academic Writers’ Space. She is focused on helping people shift from hustle and overwhelm to Relaxed Productivity, a way of working that honors productivity, purpose, and well-being. Her approach is rooted in both science and lived experience. She holds a BA from Cornell and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Illinois Chicago, and has 25 years of entrepreneurial leadership, including founding and leading The Dissertation Coach, which helped over 15,000 people earn their doctoral degrees before she sold the company after 24 years of impact.
In addition to presenting to undergraduate Nexus Scholars in their professional development class, the Graduate School and Arts and Sciences Career Development are delighted to offer 1:1 meetings and an Academic Writing Process small group conversation hosted by Dr. Miller in the afternoon. Individual meetings are available for both undergraduates and graduate students, while the Academic Writing Process event is open to students, postdocs, and interested faculty/staff. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please sign up via this SignUpGenius link as soon as possible.
Please send any questions about Dr. Miller’s events for graduate students on July 15 to Dr. Colleen McLinn (cmm252) or Jess Shapiro (js3845).
See also:
More resources for Graduate Student Writing Support

Mirzayan Science Policy Fellowship info session
2025-07-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Register for the informational webinar on July 16, 2:00 PM ET to learn more about the Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program and gain insights about the application process. Ask any questions you might have.about the selection process, program structure, alumni network, and more.
Whether you’re considering a career in science policy or just beginning to explore the field, this session will provide key information to help you determine if the Mirzayan Fellowship is the right next step in your journey.
The Mirzayan Fellowship provides the opportunity to:

Spend 12 weeks in Washington, D.C.
Work with a National Academies program team
Be paired with a mentor from their assigned host unit
Learn about science and technology policy
Network with experts from around the country
Join a cohort and alumni network of driven, like-minded individuals

T‍he application for the 2026 Christine Mirzayan Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellowship Program is now open! Seeking current graduate students or recent graduates who are interested in exploring career options in science policy. A typical candidate is in the final years of their PhD program or has defended their thesis within the past five years, and is excited to spend time in D.C., learn about science policy, and network with science and technology policy experts. The Fellowship will run from March 2 – May 22, 2026.
International students already based in the United States are welcome, and those with strong interest but limited experience in policy are encouraged to apply.
Application Deadline:
August 20, 2025, 11:59 PM ET (DC Time)
Learn More & Apply

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-07-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series featuring guests who hold doctoral degrees and have pursued diverse careers beyond academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from Dr. Yvonne Masters, Ph.D. (Food Science, Cornell), a food safety & quality leader with nearly two decades of global CPG experience and technical expertise in compliance, auditing, and supplier risk mitigation. Dr. Jenny Valentine, Ph.D. (Chemistry, Yale) is a Senior Principal Scientist at Regeneron, where she leads bioanalytical strategy for oncology programs using both traditional and emerging drug modalities.
What to expect:

Candid, informal conversation—no slides, just real stories
Insights on working in industry, biotech, and food safety
Q&A and advice from experienced Ph.D. professionals

Whether you’re actively exploring careers beyond academia or simply curious about what’s possible, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who’ve charted new paths—with all the complexity, creativity, and learning that comes with it.
Register to attend.

Dr. Yvonne Masters, Director of Food Safety and Quality Policy at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., brings nearly two decades of leadership in food safety across the nut, dairy, and snack food sectors. A Cornell alumna, she has also served as a Senior Microbiologist and Quality Leader, earning recognition through the 2022 IAFP Harold Barnum Industry Award and her company’s 2024 Vision Award. Her academic foundation from the University of Illinois and Cornell continues to inform her impactful work in advancing industry standards.

Dr. Jenny Valentine currently works in the Bioanalytical Sciences Department at Regeneron. In her role, she leads bioanalytical strategy for multiple programs in oncology that utilize both traditional and emerging drug modalities. She has eight years of experience in large molecule bioanalysis, with previous roles focusing on immunogenicity assay development, validation, and sample testing. Jenny earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University in the Matthew DeLisa Laboratory from 2012–2015. She is an active participant in several AAPS working groups.

NSF I-Corps Information Session
2025-07-22 12:00 - 12:45 | Webinar
Are you a STEM researcher interested in making an impact with your technology innovation? The National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program can provide you with professional training, mentoring, and up to $50,000 in funding for customer discovery.

Hosted by the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub (IN I-Corps), the virtual NSF I-Corps Information Session on Tuesday, July 22 (12:00 – 12:45 p.m. ET) is designed for busy graduate students, postdocs, and faculty interested in learning more about I-Corps regional and national programming. NSF I-Corps instructors and alumni will be in attendance to share their experience and answer questions.

The NSF created I-Corps (Innovation Corps) to bridge the gap between fundamental research discoveries in science and engineering and the commercialization of technologies, products, and processes with the potential to benefit society.

Register: https://bit.ly/I-Corps-Info-Session

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-07-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Session, NY, United States
Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series featuring Cornell alumni who hold doctoral degrees and have built dynamic careers beyond academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from Susan Korbel, Ph.D. (Owner, Core Research Inc.) and Michael Vernick, Ph.D. (Customer Solutions Architect, Vonage), two seasoned professionals whose paths span social science research, strategic consulting, product development, and tech innovation.
With decades of experience across sectors, Susan and Michael will reflect on how their graduate training shaped their work, how they’ve navigated career shifts, and what they’ve learned along the way.
What to expect:

Informal, real talk—no slides, just stories
Candid insights from two Ph.D.-trained professionals
Q&A and advice for students exploring diverse pathways

Whether you’re actively exploring careers beyond academia or simply curious about what’s possible, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who’ve charted new paths—with all the complexity, creativity, and learning that comes with it.
Register to attend.
Since receiving her Ph.D. in Public Administration from University of Michigan and her bachelor’s from Cornell, Dr. Korbel has been conducting market research and consulting with hundreds of public and private organizations. After many years working in broadcast and public media, Susan Korbel founded Core Research in 1989 when she had her first child. Core Research conducts consumer, voter, and business-to-business research. Dr. Korbel has been behind the scenes helping some of the premiere South Texas businesses and charitable organizations chart successful courses with strategic and tactical planning.

Michael Vernick is a seasoned product strategist, inventor, and solutions architect with over 30 years of experience spanning startups, enterprise tech, and research labs. He specializes in building scalable systems for real-time communication, live video, and streaming technologies, and currently works as a Customer Solutions Architect at Vonage. Michael earned his doctorate in Computer Science from Stony Brook and his bachelor’s and M.Eng. from Cornell and holds 9 U.S. patents.

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-07-30 16:30 - 17:30 | Online
Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series featuring Cornell alumni who hold doctoral degrees and have built dynamic careers beyond academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from Yingyu Liu, Ph.D. (Scientific Editor, Cell Press) and Wing (Yingyi) Zhong, Ph.D. (Clinical Dietitian, Mass General Hospital), two Ph.D.-trained professionals who have translated their academic training into impactful careers in science publishing and clinical nutrition.
They’ll reflect on how they navigated their transitions, applied their research skills in new contexts, and built meaningful work at the intersection of science, communication, and patient care.
What to expect:

Candid, informal conversation—no slides, just real stories
Insight into non-academic career paths in STEM and health
Q&A and reflections on navigating career transitions as international students

Whether you’re actively exploring careers beyond academia or simply curious about what’s possible, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who’ve charted new paths—with all the complexity, creativity, and learning that comes with it.
Register to attend.

As a clinical pediatric dietitian at Mass General Hospital, Wing (Yingyi) Zhong specializes in medical nutrition therapy for children with epilepsy, with a focus on the ketogenic diet and the low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). She works closely with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that supports seizure management and overall well-being. Wing earned her Ph.D. in Nutrition Sciences from Cornell in 2022.

Yingyu Liu joined Cell Press in 2021, now working as an editor for the journal Cell Host & Microbe and supporting researchers across various journals. She received her doctoral degree from Cornell University in 2020, studying the relationship between plants and pathogens. Yingyu is passionate about scientific communication, collaborative problem-solving, and supporting diverse voices in STEM.

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-08-05 16:30 - 17:30 | Online
Curious about how a social science Ph.D. can open doors to meaningful careers beyond the tenure track? Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series spotlighting Cornell alumni who have translated their doctoral training into impactful roles inside and outside academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from three professionals working across urban policy, service design, AI ethics, visual anthropology, and community-based research. Whether they’re leading research at nonprofits, producing documentary films, teaching at universities, or advising on emerging technologies, each guest brings a unique perspective on building a career that blends human-centered values with impact-driven work.
What to expect:

Honest, informal conversation—no slides or scripts
Balancing university teaching with consulting or freelance work
Practical insight into navigating uncertainty, finding direction, and translating academic training into impact

If you’re actively exploring life beyond the academy or curious about hybrid paths that combine teaching, research, and creative work, this event will offer clarity, connection, and inspiration.
Register to attend.

Sena Aydin Bergfalk, Ph.D. is a cultural anthropologist who works at the intersection of design research, strategy, and facilitation. She shapes service design projects across B2B and B2C ecosystems using a critical ethnographic lens to uncover assumptions and design services that connect business goals with human experiences. Sena earned a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Cornell in 2023 and is currently the Lead Service Designer at Sngular.

Marisa Turesky, Ph.D is a community-based researcher and educator focused on equity in urban policy. She is Director of Research at Mockingbird Analytics, a Visiting Professor at UC Berkeley, and serves on the Board of Drag Performers United. Her work integrates trauma-informed and participatory action research to explore how identity shapes access to space and services. She holds a Ph.D. in Urban Planning & Development from the University of Southern California and a M.R.P. from Cornell University.

Mariangela Mihai, Ph.D. is a political and visual anthropologist whose work bridges generative AI, collaborative documentary, and social justice. She is an Assistant Professor at Western Washington University, a Red Teamer on Meta’s Generative AI Trust Team, and co-founder of the Ethnocine Film Collective, where she produces feminist films and impact campaigns. Her research and teaching focus on refugee rights, queer activism, Indigenous resistance, and ethical media practices across global contexts.

Learn about 3M and R&D career opportunities
2025-08-26 17:30 - 18:30 | Online
Meet Abhishek Srivastava PhD’16 /MAE, currently part of 3M R&D in St. Paul as an Advanced Research Specialist in the Corporate Research Laboratory. He is leading the R&D University Recruiting for Cornell at 3M this year. He will be joined by Cornell PhD alumnus Bo Yang, Product Development Specialist at 3M.
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About the event
Join us to learn about 3M and our R&D career opportunities.
Where you begin your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life. It is important to choose a company with leaders who support and guide your growth. With diverse products, global locations, and technologies, 3M is a place where new employees collaborate with 61,000 other curious, creative 3Mers. Here, you’ll elevate your career.
E-Information Session: Join via Teams
5:30PM EST, Aug 26, 2025 scheduled in Cornell’s Handshake system, where you can register to attend.
We will be collecting resumes via this URL for screening interviews on a rolling basis. Please note that this URL is not attached to a particular job posting. Candidates selected after the screening interviews will be requested to apply to the particular job posting for continuing the recruitment process.
Learn more and begin your application package today!

Explore Job Opportunities in the UK Beyond Academia: For Advanced Degree Candidates
2025-08-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
Considering an international move for your next step? This session, led by Dr. Chris Jeffs from the University of Oxford’s Careers Service, will introduce you to the UK job market across various employment sectors for master’s and PhD students and postdocs. You’ll gain knowledge and key tools for deepening your independent research into your future career path options in the UK.
By the end of the session you should be able to:

Locate resources for researching UK employment sectors matching your interests
Recognise key jobs boards and methods for finding UK employment opportunities
Recognise conventions for UK application materials

DATE: August 28, 2025
TIME: 10:00–11:00 AM EST
Discover non-academic career options in the UK and strategies for leveraging your advanced degree: Register here

Debunking academia vs. industry myths: Be the entrepreneur of your own career
2025-08-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Online
Less than a third of PhDs get tenure-track jobs. The vast majority of PhDs are left to figure out the labyrinth of a non-academic job market on their own. Yet, the industry job market is far from the panacea it was touted to be: intense competition, mass layoffs, dwindling job security, lack of intellectual rigor, lack of time freedom, discriminatory treatment of international job candidates. This talk will take an honest look at the challenges faced by PhDs in both academia and industry. We will explore ways to design a fulfilling career that provides financial stability for doing what you enjoy.
Date & Time
Aug 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Speaker:
Kaidi Wu, Founder, Academic Trailblazer
I help PhDs create the careers they want beyond academia. At 16, I booked a one-way flight to the U.S. to study to become a concert pianist. I obtained my piano performance degree from the University of Michigan, went on to receive my PhD in social psychology, and completed my postdoc at UC San Diego. Faced with an abysmal job market in the middle of a pandemic, I did what every other academic did: breaking into industry and getting myself a good ol’ 9-to-5. I worked at Amazon, Meta, and Match. I was rewarded with a great salary. I was also deeply unfulfilled. I discovered a world of people living life outside the box, academics outside of traditional academia, who create and attract opportunities that come to them, not the other way around. I realized: Wealth is abundant. Paths are infinite. You are in the driver’s seat of designing the life you want to live. I am here to help you see your PhD has tremendous value beyond the traditional career paths we have been sold.
Registration
Register here

From Ph.D. to Future Success: Master LinkedIn & AI to Unlock Your Next Chapter
2025-08-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
You’ve spent years mastering complex research, contributing groundbreaking insights to your field, and developing expertise that few possess. But now you’re facing a different kind of challenge: translating your academic achievements into career opportunities in an increasingly competitive job market. Whether you’re considering industry transitions, academic positions, or exploring entirely new paths, the landscape of career discovery has been revolutionized by AI and strategic networking—and LinkedIn sits at the center of it all.
What You’ll Learn in This Hands-On Webinar:

AI-Powered Career Discovery. Transform uncertainty into clarity using cutting-edge AI tools that map your research skills to unexpected career opportunities across industry, academia, government, and entrepreneurship. Stop wondering “what’s out there” and start strategically targeting roles that match your unique expertise.
LinkedIn Profile Optimization. Learn insider tips on crafting a profile that makes recruiters take notice. We’ll cover everything from headline optimization to showcasing your research impact in language that resonates with hiring managers—not just other academics.
Strategic Network Expansion. Master the art of meaningful professional connections without awkward small talk or cold calls. Discover proven frameworks for engaging with alumni, industry professionals, and thought leaders who can provide career insights, mentorship, and even job referrals.
Authentic Personal Branding. Build an online presence that authentically reflects your unique strengths while highlighting the transferable “PhD superpowers” that make you invaluable in any workplace—critical thinking, project management, research methodology, and complex problem-solving.

Why This Webinar Is Different:
This isn’t another generic LinkedIn profile workshop. You’ll receive actionable strategies specifically designed for graduate students and PhDs, based on real success stories and current market insights. Plus, this is an interactive experience—come prepared to work on your own profile and leave with concrete next steps.
Perfect for: Current PhD students, recent graduates, postdocs, and anyone with advanced research experience ready to take control of their career trajectory. You don’t have to plan your future alone. Join us and discover how the right tools, advocates, and strategies can transform your professional development from overwhelming to empowering.
This event is open to graduate students from the Ivy+ institutions.
Registration for Non-Princeton Students:

CV to Resume Workshop
2025-09-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
This online workshop will help you target common terms used in industry, non-profit and government jobs; basic resume structure and tips on highlighting your Ph.D. skillsets to position YOU as the preferred job candidate.
This webinar is open to all doctoral students and postdocs in any discipline.
Presenters: Christine Holmes, Director, Office of Postdoctoral Studies; and Susi Varvayanis, Executive Director of Careers Beyond Academia
To Register
For more events, please visit gradcareers.cornell.edu.
Accessibility Requests
We strive to make our events accessible to all community members. Individuals who would like to request accessibility accommodations should contact gradcareers@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.

CIFS Food Systems Career Fair
2025-09-08 10:00 - 17:30 | Weill Hall Atrium, 237 Tower Road, Ithaca
Interested in exploring a career in the food industry? Meet with the Cornell Institute for Food Systems’s industry partner representatives at this annual in-person event. Meet in person with representatives from: Beech-Nut Nutrition, Gallo, Ingredion, Nestlé Health Science, Siena Development, PepsiCo and more!
Students from all degree programs/majors interested in food industry careers are invited to attend!
Register now
Event registration will open on August 25, 2025. Registration is not required to attend this event, but is strongly recommended – registered attendees will receive follow-up information from the attending companies.
More info/register in CampusGroups
Date: Monday Seotember 8, 2025
Times: 10am-12:30pm & 1:30pm-5:30pm
Location: the atrium in Weill Hall [the white building across the road from Plant Sciences/adjacent to Corson-Mudd Hall].
Questions? Contact cifs-ipp@cornell.edu
About CIFS
The Cornell Institute for Food Systems (CIFS): Synergistic Thinking. Innovative Food Solutions.
Today’s society, and specifically global food systems, is faced with the challenge of feeding seven billion people – nine billion by 2050. The Cornell Institute for Food Systems (CIFS) comprises a multidisciplinary group of Faculty Fellows who tackle diverse issues in the food industry to meet this challenge. CIFS Faculty Fellows engage with the Institute and its industry partners in a variety of mechanisms including collaborative research, scientific advisory roles, and the development of student talent pipelines.

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research
2025-09-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Have you wondered how to explore career options in national labs? Perhaps you are a Ph.D. student looking to energize your dissertation with world-class scientific power at a Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory or facility. Attend the upcoming workshops to learn more about the DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program, receive application guidance, and field questions to program area scientists.
The DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is now accepting applications for 2025 Solicitation 2, due November 5, 2025, 5:00 PM ET Get a leg up directly from program area scientists to increase your chances of success by attending these workshops on abstract preparation, selecting a priority area that aligns with their mission, on application and proposal guidance.
Workshop 1: DOE SCGSR Program Overview, Abstract Preparation, and Selecting a Priority Area
September 11, 2025, 2:00-3:00PM ET
Register here for workshop 1
Workshop 2: Application and Proposal Guidance
October 9, 2025, 2:00PM-4:00PM ET
Register here for workshop 2

info session: BD Technology Leadership Development Program
2025-09-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Online
Considering transitioning to the medtech industry? Get insider tips to boost your chances. BD’s Technology Leadership Development Program (TLDP) provides PhD grads with three 1.5-2 year rotations tailored to their interests in medical device development. As a TLDP associate, you shape a personalized career path targeting your skills and interests, while gaining broad exposure to the business. The program is open to PhD graduates in STEM with between 0-3 years of post-grad experience. You are welcome to apply leading up to your defense, or as a postdoc within three years of graduation.
Apply by Tuesday, September 30th at BD Technology Leadership Development Program (TLDP)
To learn more about the program and help guide your application, register to attend one of our information sessions below:
September 11, 2025 2:00pm – 3:00pm EST
September 17, 2025 5:00pm – 6:00pm EST
September 23, 2025 7:00pm – 8:00pm EST
Unfortunately no visa sponsorship is available for this program, but you are encouraged to apply for scientist/sr. scientist and engineer positions within BD.
Connect with previous TDLP Cornellians:
Tibra Wheeler PhD’21 Biomedical Engineering
Karla García-Martínez, PhD’23 Immunology & Infectious Diseases
Rob Swanda PhD’21 Biochemistry
Courtney Jackson PhD Microbiology
Watch a short video summarizing the value of the TDLP from the perspective of past participants.

2025 Cornell Career Fair Days - Human Capital & HR Career Fair
2025-09-15 10:00 - 15:00 | Statler Hotel Ballroom, 130 Statler Dr, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
2025 Cornell Career Fair Days is a multi-day event designed to connect students with employers across a wide range of careers and industries. This series of career-focused fairs provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to explore career pathways, network with recruiters, and learn about internships, co-ops, and full-time positions.
Each fair highlights different career fields, allowing employers to engage with students who have specific interests and expertise:

Human Capital & HR Career Fair: Monday, September 15th 10AM – 3PM | This fair focuses on career opportunities in Human Resources, HR Corporate Labor Relations, and HR Consulting.

This fair is taking place in the Statler Hotel Ballroom.
Career Paths:

Human Capital
Human Resources

Visit Handshake to register and find more details.
