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 Careers Reaching Out
  In addition to providing online resources through ScienceCareers.org, Science Careers runs a comprehensive outreach program designed to bring career and professional development workshops to graduate, postdoctoral, and early-career scientists. Our Career Development workshops include Interviewing Skills, Nonacademic Careers for Scientists, Resumes and CVs, Creative Job Search Strategies, How to Publish in Science, Lab Management, Work/Life Balance, Grant Writing, and Getting the Most Out of a Job Fair, among others.


• Nontraditional Careers: Opportunities Away From the Bench
  Increasingly, Ph.D.-level scientists are becoming aware of other career opportunities beyond bench research. Not only are scientists interested in pursuing nonresearch-based careers, but the discord 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. This webinar will look at the various career options open to scientists, strategies you can use to find positions, and the future of the scientific work force in nontraditional careers.


• HBCU-UP National Research Conference
  Student Abstracts Now Being Accepted: Students are invited to submit abstracts of their research in seven science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Abstracts are due August 28, 2009 by 11:59pm PDT.

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