Self-Guided Career Coaching for PhD Students and Postdocs

No Extra Staff Required

Empower your students with clarity, confidence, and career direction through research-backed, self-guided coaching. Designed to scale support across your institution—while saving valuable time for your faculty & staff.

Meet Them Where They Are

Support your grad students and postdocs—before they’re overwhelmed.

PhD students and postdocs are facing career uncertainty, mental health strain, and pressure to make critical decisions without a clear roadmap. Many wait until the final year—sometimes the final semester—before seeking guidance.

This card deck changes that. It gives your grad students and postdocs a way to begin career exploration early, independently, and with clarity—so they arrive at your office empowered and prepared. This self-guided coaching experience empowers students to see the purpose behind their work—and advocate for it.

A Coaching Experience While Using Limited Faculty & Staff Time Efficiently

A scalable system to deliver career clarity and research confidence.

Inside the deck:

  • A card sequence for career path exploration, strengths discovery, and goal setting

  • Prompts for self-reflection, action steps, and mindset shifts

  • Additional modules on mentorship, expectation setting, and well-being

  • Integrated with InterSECT job simulations for immersive, real-world career insights

  • A card sequence for research storytelling to clearly explain what they do and why it matters, and approach conferences and interviews with confidence

Outcomes:

  • 4–6 hours saved per student in foundational advising work

  • Increased student readiness for high-impact coaching conversations

  • More purposeful engagement with your office and professional development resources

This coaching deck isn’t an accessory—it’s a framework. A strategic investment in your grad students’ and postdocs’ future.

"I don’t know what I want to do." → "I’ve identified three paths I’m excited to explore."

"I can’t explain what I do." → "I can clearly articulate the value of my research."

"I don’t know who to talk to." → "I’ve begun reaching out to professionals and mentors."

Promote More Robust, Supported Trainees

When students grain clarity and confidence early, institutions thrive:

Improved graduation rates

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Higher student satisfaction

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Reduced anxiety tied to career uncertainty

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More meaningful interactions with mentors and advisors

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All with no additional staffing required.

Time-Saving and Scalable

Save 4-6 hours of 1:1 advising per student.

Traditionally, it takes several hours of one-on-one coaching to help a student:

Identify professional interests and values

Articulate their research for broader audiences

Explore viable career paths

Build a network or mentoring framework

This deck delivers those same outcomes—independently.

Trainees arrive at appointments prepared with language, clarity, and direction.
Your team saves time while still delivering a high-impact, supportive experience.

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Designed for Impact

Created by scientists and career mentors Thi Nguyen, PhD and Taylor Harris, PhD. Dr. Nguyen is an expert in graduate professional development working with PhDs at over 20 institutions

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Informed by partnerships with career offices, PhD students, and postdocs across the country

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Grounded in effective career development, mentoring, and science communication frameworks and used alongside InterSECT, a proven national tool

The Data That Drives This

70-80% of PhD Graduates

seek employment outside traditional academic paths—but most don’t begin career exploration until their final year.

1 in 4 Graduate Students

struggles with anxiety or depression, often related to uncertainty about the future.

Early Engagement with Career Exploration

increases student satisfaction, confidence, and overall program completion.

BONUS!

Integrates seamlessly with InterSECT, a trusted job simulation platform developed over nine years and backed by real graduate and postdoc experience.

✺ Real-World Career Exploration Without Real-World Risk ✺

InterSECT is a nationally recognized online platform that allows graduate students and postdocs to "try on" careers through interactive job simulations based on real-life tasks across a wide range of professional sectors.

    • Self-guided simulations across sectors, including industry, government, and nonprofit roles

    • Project-based exercises with step-by-step prompts and background context

    • Career discovery rooted in meaningful action—not passive reading

    • Follow-up reflection tools and SMART goal checklists

    • Draft policy briefs

    • Evaluate grant proposals

    • Conduct user interviews in product design

    • Design public health initiatives—and more

    • Test-drive roles before applying

    • Connect interests and strengths to career paths

    • Feel empowered to make informed decisions about what comes next

Why Supporting PhD/ Postdocs Coaching Matters

Supporting career development early and often creates better outcomes—for both students and your institution.

With this deck, you’ll:

  • Increase grad student and postdoc engagement and early participation in career development

  • Enhance graduate school experience and reduce attrition caused by uncertainty or burnout

  • Cultivate a student body that is more confident, more connected, and more prepared

Elevate your office’s impact without burning out your team.

Who It’s For

✔ Graduate schools & postdoctoral offices
✔ Career centers and professional development centers
✔ NIH training program leads
✔ Faculty, deans, and grant-funded support initiatives
✔ Any institution committed to purpose and preparation in graduate education

Custom Implementation Options

  • PATHWAY 1: Self-Guided Integration (Light-Touch Model)

    Ideal for: Institutions with limited advising capacity or decentralized programs

    Goal: Get the deck directly into students’ hands as a proactive, independent tool.

    Steps:

    1. Distribute Decks During Key Milestones

    Orientation, after qualifying exams, or pre-dissertation milestone

    Include the deck in welcome kits or transition packets

    2. Assign as Part of Program Expectations

    Encourage students to complete the 20-card core sequence on career planning and mentoring within 2–3 months

    Create a simple accountability structure (e.g., reflection check-in form)

    3. Offer Optional Drop-In Support

    One monthly “Career Clinic” or peer discussion group

    Grad students bring insights and questions from their deck journey

    4. Measure Outcomes

    Use pre/post-reflection surveys or collect testimonials on student clarity, preparedness, and confidence

  • PATHWAY 2: Guided Cohort Experience (Moderate-Touch Model)

    Ideal for: NIH training programs, T32s, or departments with professional development series

    Goal: Combine the deck with light facilitation to cultivate peer support, reflection, and shared learning.

    Steps:

    1. Kickoff Session

    Introduce the deck in a 1-hour workshop.

    Set expectations for pacing and use (e.g., 1-2 cards per week)

    2. Biweekly Check-Ins or Journal Prompts

    Provide reflection prompts via email or online portal.

    Encourage students to share insights, “aha” moments, or career paths of interest.

    3. Career Coach Engagement

    Option to embed discussions into career exploration and mentoring sessions

    Offer office hours to discuss discoveries or next steps.

    Students integrate with their program’s IDP requirements and clarify next steps.

  • PATHWAY 3: Hybrid Professional Development Series (High-Touch Model)

    Ideal for: Institutions with robust career offices or external funding to support career development

    Goal: Fully integrate the deck into structured workshops, storytelling practice, and mentoring programs.

    Steps:

    1. Formal Workshop Series

    Host 3–4 workshops (e.g., Career Exploration, Networking, Research Storytelling, Self-Advocacy)

    Use the deck as pre-work or anchor discussion activities.

    2. Faculty & PI Engagement

    Provide a companion “Mentor Card” guide for faculty to support conversations.

    Host Faculty-centered discussions on strategic planning and supporting graduate students and postdocs with their strategic planning

    3. Integrated Career Coaching

    Build in small groups or 1:1 meetings to reflect on progress and next steps.

    Use card insights to personalize IDPs or grant application strategies.

    4. Capstone

    Practice research talks or share interview presentations to improve research communication confidence.

FAQs

What makes this different from SkillScan or other decks?

This isn’t just an assessment. It’s a full coaching experience. Students walk away with real clarity, and you don’t need to guide every step.

Do I need a career counselor to use the deck?

No. It’s designed to be self-guided—but it works beautifully as a supplement to career advising.

How long does it take to complete?

Most students take 1–3 months to work through the career planning section. Other sections (networking, research storytelling) can be used throughout the year.

What’s InterSECT, and how does it fit in?

The deck integrates with InterSECT, a nationally recognized platform of job simulations built from real postdoc and grad student experiences. It helps students try on careers without the 12-week commitment.

A Smarter Way to Support PhD & Postdoc Success

We’ll help you deliver scalable, research-informed support that works.
This isn’t an add-on. It’s a framework that helps your office do more with fewer faculty/staff hours—while delivering a richer, more supported student experience.