Explore options and develop the skills you'll need to excel in diverse careers in industry, government, NGOs and more.
Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars: connect with applied experiences beyond academia through immersives while growing your business skills.
Please check back to apply for our 2023/24 cohort.
Welcome
The business world is very different from the realm of academics in terms of timelines, teamwork, communication and culture. This program helps Ph.D. students and postdoctoral scholars in all disciplines—humanities, social sciences and STEM—differentiate themselves on the job market by supplementing academic accomplishments with innovation, communication, and leadership and business skills gained and applied outside the university setting.
In this nine-month program you will:
- Learn how to communicate with impact, with a focus on what academics say vs. what business hears.
- Nexus work—a/k/a build your professional networks.
- Become skilled at business writing and presentations.
- Explore making the leap into a business or startup career.
- Create a powerful resume.
- Learn to ace job interviews.
- Gain the confidence and strategies to successfully negotiate job offers.
I did an internship at Siemens, working as a data scientist building a prediction model to understand how fossil fuel plants would generate electricity in the future. Working on a project end-to-end, I got to learn new tools and data science-related libraries, and applied the same to a rich dataset.
Snapshot: Your Year as a Fellow
To successfully complete the program, you must:
- Attend the opening reception and one-day introductory bootcamp.
- Attend and participate in the full workshop series.
- Attend a career fair.
- Attend and participate in the UC Entrepreneurship Academy.
- Complete an internship, job shadow, project management assignment or other immersive experience.
- Present at the Final Presentations and Closing Reception gathering.
Learn more
Meet our 2022/23 Leaders for the Future fellows
Watch an info session with program staff and alumni
Eligibility and Requirements
Successful applicants are:
- A current UC Davis Ph.D. student or postdoctoral scholar (title codes 3252, 3253, 3254, 3255 or 3256) in any discipline.
- In an academic program or appointment for the duration of the Leaders for the Future program.
- Ph.D. candidates must be on active student status (not on filing fee status or PELP) during the program. Priority given to those who have completed qualifying exams by program start. (Next cohort: September 2024)
Note: We give priority to applicants who articulate their intent to participate in an immersive experience.
Between my immersive experience in state government and talking to all sorts of different people through this program, I got a lot of communication experience and learned about other areas of research that I can take with me into a future in science communication and policy.
Required Activities
- Events
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Event Date/Time Location Opening Gear Up
(StrengthsFinder sent in advance)Monday, 09.11.23
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room 2310UC Entrepreneurship Academy Tuesday– Friday, 09.19.23 – 09.22.23 UC Davis Conference Center Workshop #1
Career Prep: Personal BrandingWednesday, 10.11.23
Noon–1 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room 2310Workshop #2
Nexus Work: Intentional Network BuildingThursday, 10.26.23
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room 2310Workshop #3
Career Studio: Transferrable SkillsThursday, 11.16.23
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room 2310Workshop #4
Making the Leap Panel + DinnerWednesday, 11.29.23
5:30–8 p.m.Gallagher Hall, Room Room 1213 Workshop #5
Career Studio: Interviewing/Mock InterviewsThursday, 01.11.24
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDWorkshop #6
Business WritingThursday, 01.25.24
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDWorkshop #7
Communicating ImpactThursday, 02.22.24
6–8 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDWorkshop #8
Pitching Like a ProWednesday, 03.13.24
6–8 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDWorkshop #9
Career Studio: Imposter SyndromeThursday, 03.21.24
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDWorkshop #10
Final Presentation Preparation + Peer FeedbackThursday, 04.04.24
Noon–2 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room TBDFinal Presentations + Closing Reception
Thursday, 04.18.24
9 a.m.–5 p.m.Gallagher Hall
Room 1213 - Career Fairs
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Event Date / Time Location Internship and Career Fair (attend one during the academic year) TBD Internship and Career Center or online
- How to Apply
- 1. Complete the application, which includes two short-answer essay questions and an uploaded cover letter, resume or CV.
2. Email a letter of recommendation from a major professor or principal investigator to Senior Program Manager Niki Peterson.
3. Group interview for select applicants.
Questions?

Please contact Senior Program Manager Niki Peterson.