Next gen PhD A guide to career paths in science

Sinche, director of education at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, aims her book towards STEM field graduate students and post docs, as well as their academic mentors. Typically, future scientists have been mentored to strive for tenure-track academic positions similar to those of their mentors. However, only 7 percent of life science PhD holders attain tenure-track positions five years after earning degrees. Mentors have felt uncomfortable and inexperienced with helping their students prepare for non-academic, "alternative careers." This book helps students plan for any career within the STEM field. Details and advice are offered to assist with matching careers with particular interests. The author provides guidance with CV writing, making post doc decisions, career options in various sectors, exploration of possibilities and experience, effective networking, development plans and job searching, "how-to's" for applications, interviewing and negotiation, and making successful career transitions. The book concludes with resources, chapter notes, references, and an index. While the work centers on next steps for graduate students and post docs, it is also intended for undecided undergraduates. Several career mentors believe that mentoring is needed at all educational levels (including high school), and better resources to assist with the mentoring process should be available. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; researchers and faculty. --Robert Edward Buntrock, independent scholar

The career landscape for PhD level scientists is undergoing a sea change. Data collected by the National Science Foundation on life science PhD recipients shows that the percentage of candidates in tenure-track positions five years after completion of a PhD is seven percent. With the dwindling availability of faculty positions, paired with a national push toward STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) careers, it is critical that aspiring scientists familiarize themselves with nonfaculty options in the industry. Sinche, the director of education at the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, wrote this book for three audiences: the 600,000-plus students currently enrolled in U.S. doctoral programs, the nation's 60,000-plus postdoctoral scholars, and the counselors and faculty members who advise them. She addresses three necessary components to career preparation in the sciences-"Getting to Know Yourself," "Getting to Know the World of Work," and "Getting Started on Your Job Search." VERDICT With its focus on PhD level scientists, this book fills a gap in job search and career information literature. It's a must-read for those contemplating or actively pursuing studies in the subject area, as well as those who provide guidance to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars.-Alan Farber, Univ, of North Carolina, Chapel Hill © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.