Professional and Career Development

OIST is committed to the development of each student’s knowledge and skills not only in research, but also in career development and leadership within scientific research and education environments.

To equip students with the professional skills necessary to succeed in their careers after graduation, the Professional and Career Development (PCD) program at OIST supports students' career growth from the beginning of their doctoral studies.

While the first two years emphasize practical and technical skills in the realm of science, years 3-5 shift to exploring career options both within and beyond academia, including industry and entrepreneurship.

The Professional and Career Development program supports students' professional and career development by providing opportunities to attend workshops, seminars, networking events, and individualized career planning consultations.

Your Professional Career Development Path at OIST

Year 1 - 2: Level Up Your Academic Skills

Science Writing: During science writing courses, you will complete individual writing projects and participate in peer review discussions.
Scientific Computing: Courses in scientific computing will equip you with a fundamental understanding of Python.
Responsible Conduct in Research: Engage with research integrity topics through online training sessions, a workshop, and an open forum discussion.
Group projects: Build science communication and teamwork skills through activities that engage with and contribute to the community in Okinawa.

Year 3 - 5: Explore Diverse Career Paths Through Our Leadership Program

Leadership Skills Training: Develop leadership skills applicable to any career path through sessions on leadership fundamentals, communication, and public presentation.
Leadership General Track: This track is ideal if you have not yet decided on your career path and would like to explore a variety of opportunities while developing transferable skills applicable across professional environments.
Leadership Academia Track: This track helps you develop essential academic leadership competencies through providing teaching training followed by a teaching practicum, plus opportunities for grant writing.
Leadership Industry Track:This track helps you develop business leadership competencies through training in business fundamentals and problem-solving skills.

Boost your career development through the following opportunities:

Individualized Career Consultation: A dedicated professional and career development team provides continuous guidance and training opportunities tailored to your career goals and professional skill set.

Career Fair (ideally in years 3-5): Attend our annual career fair to connect with potential employers. Designed to go beyond a conventional career fair, this event deepens connections between students and industry professionals.

Company Site Visits (years 3-5): Explore research activities in corporate settings by visiting companies and interacting with industry researchers.

Internship (years 3-4): Discover what it’s like to be a corporate researcher by working on real-world projects in professional teams.

Workshops & Events: Benefit from internally hosted career workshops and events on topics including grant writing, communication, and public presentation, as well as career talks and company information sessions.