The Academic Career Prep Series is a collaboration between the Duke Career Center, Duke Graduate School and the Office of Postdoctoral Studies to help prepare and expose Ph.D. students and Postdocs to the preparation procedures, writing requirements, interviewing skills and overall professional development needed for those interested in a career in academia.

Academic Job Search Series Videos

Employers who are looking to hire for internships and full-time opportunities attend these fairs to meet Duke students face to face. These fairs can be a great way to find the experience or career opportunity you're looking for. We recommend you take a look at the On-Campus Recruiting Guide for some helpful career fair preparation information

• Career & Summer Opportunities Fair
• Fall Career Fair and TechConnect
• Nonprofit & Government Fair
• North Carolina Master's & Ph.D. Career Fair
• Just-In-Time Career Fair
• Virtual Career Fair
• US Special Interest Fairs
• Ph.D. & Master's Virtual Career Fair
• Diversity Networking Dinner Employer Registration

The Diversity Forum is designed to connect you with company representatives seeking to increase the diversity of their organizations.  Students and employers will engage in a two part event.  First, you will hear from a panel of diverse student leaders followed by employer questions. Then you will have the opportunity to mingle with company representatives in a casual setting with light refreshments. Dress for the event is business casual.

The Diversity Networking Dinner is designed to connect Duke undergraduate students to employers seeking to further diversify their organizations. It is run by members of the Career Ambassador Team, a group of students who work closely with the Career Center throughout the year.

Organizations attending are actively recruiting for internships, full-time opportunities and fellowships.  This is a sit-down dinner followed by a dessert reception with employers sponsoring this event. The event dress is business attire.  Students sign up to sit at the table with any of the employers sponsoring the event. Open to undergraduate students only.

Join the Career Center and the Duke Alumni Association for DEMAN (Duke Entertainment Media and the Arts Network) Weekend each fall. It's your opportunity to meet, network and connect with Duke Alumni who have established careers in the arts.

Employer information sessions are held at campus locations in the late afternoon or early evening. They offer you the opportunity to get beyond website and talk to employer representatives and alumni/ae employees. Presenters are eager to provide details about the hiring needs of their corporations, organizations or agencies.

The Fannie Mitchell Expert-in-Residence series features accomplished professionals who come to Duke to share specialized knowledge and provide individual career advice to students. The program’s purpose is to stimulate new ideas and provide advising for students who are searching for career directions. Expert-in-Residence encourages collaboration by providing opportunities for Duke faculty and students to recommend an expert whom they would like to bring to campus.

This program is inspired by the work of Fannie Mitchell, Duke’s first placement director. Money contributed by a grateful alumnus in her name partially funds the program. During her time at Duke, Fannie thrived on helping students explore and navigate the path to fulfilling careers. In this spirit, the Expert-in-Residence program seeks to bring new knowledge and career perspectives to Duke.

Typically, the Expert-in-Residence program consists of a two-day visit to campus where the visiting expert will give a presentation about his or her career and meet individually with students who are interested in learning more about the field. Through this program, many students make contacts and gain advice to help launch their careers.  The structure of the visit may be customized to meet the individual needs of the visitor. 

If someone you know, would be an excellent addition to the Fannie Mitchell Expert-in-Resident Program, please contact:

Nadine Verna
Assistant Director, Counseling and Programs
Duke University Career Center
919-660-1050

View Past Participant Biographies

The Fannie Mitchell Conference on Career Choices
Learn from alumni. Discover the possibilities.

To get more information about alumni discussion leaders visit the Duke Career Conference website, www.dukecareerconference.com.

The Duke Career Conference, formerly the Fannie Mitchell Exchange, is an event that brings over 50 Duke alumni back to campus to share their wisdom and experience with current students – Undergraduate and Graduate Students!  It’s an opportunity for you to explore and learn more about a wide variety of careers, especially those you are a little curious about.  You will have the opportunity to connect and network with one of Duke’s greatest resources, its alumni. The people you begin relationships with at the Conference can serve as mentors and guides as you step into the real world. It’s not a career fair, it’s a fun, casual time to hear firsthand from Duke alumni and check out what’s out there.

The Duke Career Conference is an annual event brought to you by the Career Center and Duke Alumni Association.

Co-Sponsored by the Duke University Career Center, Office of Undergraduate Scholars and Fellows (OUSF), and Writing Studio

Academic Scholarships Beyond Duke: Post-graduation options for scholarship and study-related fellowships
This workshop will introduce students to domestic and international scholarships and academic fellowships available for further study.  There will also be information available on the basis of applying and advice for building a competitive application. This program is best suited to sophomores and juniors.

Introduction to Working Fellowships
Interested in finding a paid, short-term (average 1-2 year) professional opportunity after graduation, or expanding your gap year options? Learn more about post-baccalaureate "working fellowships" that exist in most every field: social justice, science/research, leadership, education, the arts, and beyond.  Attend this session to become more knowledgeable about where to find working fellowships, how to plan for and approach application timelines, and what to expect from a fellowship experience. Open to all interested undergraduate and graduate students at Duke.

Writing a Winning Personal Statement for Fellowship Applications
Learn strategies and techniques for presenting yourself, your talents, and your experiences more effectively to fellowship committees through your personal statement.  Presented by the Writing Studio. Open to all interested undergraduate and graduate students at Duke.

Truman Scholarship Information Session
This workshop will introduce students to the Truman Scholarship for students who are interested in working in the public sector after graduate school. Learn more about the opportunity, and the Duke process for applying; students apply for this scholarship in their junior year.

Faculty Panel: Developing Faculty Relationships to Support Faculty Recommendations
Hear from faculty as they discuss effective ways to build relationships with faculty members that can support you in the process of requesting recommendations for fellowship applications. Open to all interested undergraduate and graduate students at Duke. 

Through this series students will be exposed to a series of administrative careers available within higher education.

Past Guests include

• President Richard Brodhead
• Provost Peter Lange
• Dean of the Graduate School, JoRae Wright
• Sr. Assoc. Dean of the Graduate School, Dr. Jacqueline Looney
• VP for Student Affairs, Dr. Larry Moneta
• VP and University Secretary, Dr. Richard Riddell
• Academic Dean, Dr. Donna Kostyu

Information and Inspiration for your Internship Search
Take a break from the grind of the semester to dream about—and plan for—your future summer experiences!  In these informal, conversational sessions, Duke students share an insider's perspective on their experiences in a variety of internship settings.  Hear from fellow Dukies about  successful approaches to finding and applying for great internships, the kinds of projects and responsibilities they had at their organizations, and what they found most meaningful in their experiences.  This is a great way to expand your knowledge of the kinds of internships available and the many successful strategies for obtaining them.

Events are open to all students, and there is no need to sign-up beforehand. Refreshments provided!

Become a Panelist!

Spring 2013 sessions
All Spring sessions are Thursdays, except Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship, from 6:30-7:30 pm, Old Chen 101

January 24, Nonprofit & Social Enterprise
January 31, Marketing, PR, & Advertising
February 7, Healthcare & Research
February 13, Start-Ups & Entrepreneurship
February 21, Media & Entertainment

Fall 2012 sessions
All Fall sessions were held Thursdays, 6:00-7:00 PM at Soc Sci 124

• October 11, Government & Politics
• October 18, Diversity Internship Programs
• October 25, Engineering & Technology
• November 1, Visual & Performing Arts
• November 8, International Experiences

Get motivated and prepared for a successful internship search and consider the many types of experiences that are possible!

November 12-15, 2012

Tips for Success in On-Campus Recruiting
Considering participation in on-campus recruiting (OCR) to find a summer internship? Increase your "OCR savvy" in this straightforward workshop. Career Center staff will delve into best strategies for a successful on-campus recruiting experience. You will learn which employers recruit on campus, which do not and why; ways to put your best foot forward if you choose to participate; communication strategies to enhance your applications; essential elements of on-campus recruiting etiquette and ethics; and how to prevent and negotiate sticky situations in on-campus recruiting.

Offered exclusively to Sophomores in the fall and First-Years in the Spring, LAUNCH focuses on exploration of personal and professional strengths, values, plans, and opportunities. You will come out of this experience with a better understanding of who you are, what skills you bring to the table, how to make the most of your time at Duke, and how to take advantage of resources and tools to help you succeed.

Each hour will involve activities, reflections, discussions, and real-world applications for the things you learn. Students who participate in all 6 sessions will receive a Career Development Certificate, acknowledging the dedication, curiosity, and purpose with which you are approaching your future. This is not a resume-writing course but a chance to really discover who you are and how to confidently approach your professional journey.

MetroLink is an off-campus recruiting program that provides juniors and seniors from Duke University the opportunity to interview with employers in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Industries focus on public policy, think-tanks, nonprofit and media organizations. Students apply in advance, and selected students travel to D.C. to interview. There is no charge to students for the event, however students must provide their own transportation and lodging.

More Information

If your interview skills could use some brushing up as you head towards applying for internships, part-time positions, full-time jobs, and/or campus leadership roles, get some practice and honest feedback. The Duke Career Center offers Mock Interview Days in the Fall and Spring, either hosted by trained members of the Career Ambassador Team (CATs) or local employers.

Seniors, jumpstart your year if you are searching for a job, fellowship or planning for graduate school, this event is for you.

Topics covered will include:

• Finding YOUR Career Fit presented by Career Center Director William Wright-Swadel
• An Employer Panel: Tips for Success in the Recruiting Process
• Fellowships, Gap Years & Short Term Opportunities
• Resumes that Work for You

The Career Center provides a range of workshops throughout the year that help you to learn the skills strategies necessary to be effective in your search process. Check our events calendar to find out when these workshops are offered.

• Skills Workshops for Undergraduate Students
• Skills Workshops for Graduate Students