Build your path from first steps to launch
Graduate school is preparing you for work that goes well beyond your dissertation or capstone. The Career Center, in partnership with GradSuccess and the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC), built this page so you can find the right next step in under a minute, wherever you are in your degree.
Download a copy of the UCR Graduate Career Action Plan & IDP workbook for a step-by-step approach you can fill in and bring to your advisor.
Start here
Not sure where to begin? Pick the thought in your head — we'll route you.
“I'm not sure what career paths fit me.”
Start with one assessment: Beyond the Professoriate / Beyond Graduate School, myIDP, ImaginePhD, or ChemIDP. Then book a 1:1 with the Graduate Student Career Specialist.
“I need a résumé or CV.”
Go to the Resume / CV Toolkit. Open the sample for your college (CHASS · CNAS · BCOE · Business), download the template, then book a review.
“I need jobs or internships.”
Activate UCR Handshake, then add the Indeed Job Search Academy + LinkedIn to your weekly routine.
“I need to talk to someone.”
Book the Graduate Student Career Specialist via Handshake appointments, or email GradSuccess / GSRC for IDP support.
“I'm an international student.”
Start with International Students & Scholars (ISS) for any work-authorization question, then come back for strategy and tools.
Your roadmap
Four stages, one path. Wherever you are in your degree, start with the stage that fits you — the same four stages apply to both PhD and master's students; the actions inside differ. View the PhD Roadmap · View the Master's Roadmap
Shared resources
The toolkits you'll come back to: for career exploration, job search, skills, and coaching.
Resume / CV toolkit
UCR maintains discipline-specific samples and templates. Start with the sample for your college, then start updating yours.
International student resources
Route work-authorization (CPT/OPT) and visa questions to ISS. They are the only office authorized to advise. The Career Center supports strategy, materials, and networking. Add MyVisaJobs for visa-sponsor research.
Career fields & action planning
Wondering what kinds of roles your degree can lead to? Open the Career Fields Explorer → for a catalog of where UCR graduates go. Want a fillable plan you can bring to your advisor? Download the UCR Graduate Career Action Plan & IDP workbook (5 reflection questions + a one-page IDP worksheet).
Connect to us
You can drop in with our student advisors, schedule a meeting with a Graduate Student Career Specialist or GSA career center liaison any time. Many questions are answered in 15 minutes.
Drop-in advising hours
Mon–Thu 10 a.m.–3 p.m. · Fri 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Check here for updated schedule.
Make an appointment
Book a one-on-one via Handshake appointments, call (951) 827-3631, or stop by the front desk.
GSA Career Center Liaison — office hours & drop-ins
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Niloofar Sharei is a PhD candidate in Physics and Astronomy at UC Riverside, where she studies galaxy evolution. She is interested in how graduate students translate their work and skills into clear, specific language that employers and non-academic audiences can understand. Before stepping into this role, Niloofar helped organize graduate-centered community and professional events. She also enjoys science communication and writing that makes research more approachable for broader audiences. As the GSA Career Center Liaison, Niloofar hopes to strengthen the connection between graduate students and the Career Center, make resources easier to find and use, and support students as they explore career options and take practical next steps with confidence.
Niloofar's office hour is available by appointments in Summer 26 (June 22 – September 18). You can reach her at gsacareercenter@ucr.edu and she will schedule with you via email.