Experienced Postdoc Administrators: Resource List

PDO administrators have skills and experience that are transferable to other careers or can be leveraged to expand their existing roles. Here are examples of institutional, local and national tools that PDO administrators can use to prepare for their next steps.

Institutional Resources

1. At most institutions, HR offers classes and workshops in technical development, project management, and people management.
   • Duke Learning and Organizational Development offers classes including Assessing Your Leadership, Fundamentals of Coaching, Leading Organization Transitions, and Creating & Sustaining Team Success.
   • UNC-Chapel Hill Training and Talent Development offers training modules in Communication, Leadership, Project Management, and Supervision/Management.
2. Many institutions offer educational training and benefits to employees.
   • Research universities offer training in grants management, research administration, and business practices, including Duke, TJU, NYU, and NCSU.
   • Your institution may fully or partially subsidize specialized certification such as the MBTI, DISC, Strong Interest Inventory, or Essentials of Human Resource Management.
   • Many institutions offer leadership training, including UCSF, OSU, NCSU, and UNC.
   • Many universities offer educational assistance/tuition remission to employees, including Yale, OSU, Duke, and UNC.
3. Explore volunteer opportunities that expand your skill set. For example, you may be able to serve the institution as an Academic Advisor, Dispute Resolution Mediator, or International Advisory Council Member.

Local Resources

1. Regional centers such as the North Carolina Biotech Center host networking groups and skills development seminars.
2. If you live near a biotech hub, check to see what social and professional events are offered.
3. Join a local chapter of Women in Bio, Association for Women in Science, Graduate Women in Science, the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association, or some of the national organizations listed below.
4. Community colleges offer courses in business management, project management, marketing, entrepreneurship, etc. Expand your skills by taking classes, or build your resume by teaching in your area of expertise.

National Resources

1. NPA provides opportunities to develop leadership skills by serving on committees or Board of Directors.
2. The Graduate Career Consortium is a national organization comprised of professionals at research universities and medical schools in the US and Canada serving PhD students and postdoctoral scholars. The GCC holds an annual meeting, regional meetings, and offers a mentoring program for members.
3. The International Ombudsman Association offers training and certification in conflict resolution.
4. The Project Management Institute offers certifications, classes, and e-learning opportunities. Project Management certifications can transfer well from academic settings to business/for-profit settings.
5. The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) offers programs, e-learning, and low-cost webinars.
6. Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is increasingly required for researchers at all levels, in all areas (academia, government, and industry).
   • The US HHS Office of Research Integrity is the main resource for RCR, and hosts several conferences.
   • The Health Care Compliance Association provides certification in becoming a Compliance Officer, and hosts conferences and academies.
   • The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics hosts an annual conference.
7. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) connects career services professionals and offers professional development opportunities and conferences.
8. The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) is an association for student affairs administrators in higher education, including vice presidents and deans for student life, as well as professionals working within housing and residence life, student unions, student activities, counseling, career development, orientation, enrollment management, racial and ethnic minority support services, and retention and assessment.
9. The American Association of University Administrators (AAUA) is open to any individual interested in higher education leadership and administration, including presidents, deans, directors, department chairpersons, and individuals working in a variety of other administrative positions.
10. The Society for Human Resource Management provides training in HR theory and practice.