Shaping a career in science has never been a solitary experience. Extending one's hand to help others experience the thrill of discovery and to forge a successful scientific career is one way AAAS advances science and serves society.

AAAS career development initiatives provide information, training, and opportunities for collaboration among educators, scientists, policy makers, professional organizations, non-profits, government, and industries regardless of geographic origin.

The Center for Careers in Science and Technology is a collaboration of AAAS departments and its affiliated organizations. Collectively, these groups offer a wide range of programs and services for AAAS members and the larger science community.

Partners include:

• Association for Women in Science
• Commission on Professionals in Science and Technology
• Education and Human Resources
• National Postdoctoral Association
• Office of International Initiatives
• Office of Public Programs
• Publishing and Member Services
• Science
• Science and Policy Programs

Featured AAAS Career Programs

• Science and Human Rights Coalition
  The AAAS Science and Human Rights Coalition is a network of scientific membership organizations that recognizes a role for science and scientists in efforts to realize human rights. The aim of the Coalition is to facilitate communication and partnerships on human rights within and across the scientific community, and between the scientific and human rights communities.


• Guide to Graduate Education in Science, Engineering and Public Policy
  This guide provides up-to-date information on academic science and engineering public policy programs. Prospective students, researchers, administrators, and funding agencies can obtaining a picture of the field and identify programs whose offerings meet their individual needs and interests.


• Call for 2010 AAAS Annual Meeting Poster Abstracts
  The AAAS Poster Sessions provide the opportunity for individuals to present their research and offer an excellent venue for extended informal discussion with meeting attendees. General Poster Session: Now Open This session offers an opportunity to present research to the broad community of scientists attending the AAAS Meeting. Open to doctoral candidates, postdocs, and professionals. Student Poster Competition: Now Open Recognizes the individual efforts of students actively working toward an undergraduate or master's degree.

Featured Career Programs and Resources

• Career Trends: Careers Away from the Bench
  Increasingly, Ph.D.-level scientists are searching for career opportunities beyond bench research. Not only are scientists interested in pursuing nonresearch-based careers, but the contrast between the number of graduate students and postdocs, and the limited availability of tenure-track faculty positions means that these are no longer "alternative" career options. From technology specialists to patent attorneys to policy advisers, you can learn more about the sorts of careers that scientists can pursue and the skills you will need to develop in order to succeed in nonresearch careers.

For more information about AAAS Center for Careers, contact us