Session Details: Global STEM Career Pathways

September 24, 2026
October 13, 2026

This workshop provides an introduction to STEM career opportunities outside the United States. Drawing on data, resources, and experiences from globally mobile scientists, participants will explore career and funding opportunities in regions such as Canada, Japan, and the European Union, as well as the factors that influence successful international transitions. The session will address differences in hiring practices, workplace culture, and professional norms across countries while highlighting strategies for evaluating relocation decisions and building international professional networks. Whether attendees are actively considering a move abroad or simply seeking to expand their understanding of the global STEM landscape, they will leave with practical tools and resources for making informed career decisions in an increasingly interconnected world.

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

Identify STEM career opportunities and research funding pathways available in selected countries and regions outside the United States
Compare job search practices, hiring processes, and professional norms across different international STEM markets
Evaluate professional, financial, and personal factors that may influence decisions about pursuing opportunities abroad
Create an initial plan for exploring international career, funding, or relocation opportunities aligned with their goals and circumstances
Analyze aligning and competing priorities across research, career, funding, and immigration goals to develop realistic action plans

International graduate students and postdoctoral researchers preparing for long-term career advancement (including research and funding goals) and future immigration pathways in the United States
Early career scientists interested in learning how to use structured planning tools to support professional development and career decision-making
Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research professionals interested in applying project-planning and time management approaches to career and immigration success

Sonali Majumdar
Sonali Majumdar, PhD is Assistant Dean for professional development in the Graduate School
of Princeton University. She builds innovative professional development programs and multi-
sector partnerships to empower PhDs to solve complex problems through dynamic careers. Her
book, 'Thriving as an International Scientist', is the first career guide specifically tailored to the
unique needs of international STEM PhDs, and was recently recognized by 'Nature' in their ‘Nine
books to read in 2026 to shape your science career’ feature. Born and raised in India, she earned
her PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia and did postdoctoral
training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, where she developed a passion
for enhancing training of early career scientists.

Category	Series Rate	Individual Event Rate
Member: Student*	$20	$10
Nonmember: Student*	$70	$35
Member	$40	$20
Nonmember	$100	$50

For many STEM researchers, career planning extends beyond research goals to include professional development, funding opportunities, and immigration considerations. This is particularly true for international graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists pursuing long-term careers in the United States. As research funding landscapes, workforce needs, and immigration policies continue to evolve, a strategic and intentional approach can help researchers navigate uncertainty and position themselves for future success.

This workshop introduces practical frameworks for aligning career, funding, and immigration goals within the U.S. STEM ecosystem. Drawing on principles familiar to researchers, participants will learn how to approach career and immigration planning with the same rigor used to design research projects, by defining goals, identifying milestones, and developing actionable strategies. The session will explore tools such as SMART goals and Individual Development Plans (IDPs), strategies for building an immigration portfolio, and approaches for balancing research productivity with career advancement and immigration preparation. Through guided reflection, practical examples, and structured planning exercises, attendees will gain tools to evaluate their current trajectory, identify opportunities for growth, and develop a roadmap for long-term professional success in the United States.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe how strategic planning principles can be applied to career development, research advancement, funding opportunities, and immigration planning
Apply SMART goal frameworks and Individual Development Plans (IDPs) to establish measurable professional and immigration-related objectives
Explain the role of an immigration portfolio in supporting long-term immigration pathways and career mobility
Analyze competing priorities across research, career, funding, and immigration goals to develop realistic action plans

International graduate students seeking to align research, career, funding, and immigration goals within the United States
International postdoctoral researchers preparing for long-term career advancement and future immigration pathways in the U.S.
STEM trainees interested in using structured planning tools to support professional development and career decision-making
Graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and research professionals interested in applying project-planning approaches to career and immigration success

Category	Series Rate	Individual Event Rate
Member: Student*	$30	$10
Nonmember: Student*	$70	$35
Member	$40	$20
Nonmember	$100	$50

September 24, 2026 · October 13, 2026

Virtual Webinar Series | Individual Event Registration Available