Module 24: Career Pathways and Graduate School Preparation

Teaching Deck

Learning Objectives

• Map connectomics-relevant career pathways and required competencies
• Evaluate graduate programs or roles using evidence-based fit criteria
• Draft targeted outreach messages to mentors and programs
• Identify hidden-curriculum factors in admissions and hiring

Session Outcomes

• Learners can complete the module capability target.
• Learners can produce one evidence-backed artifact.
• Learners can state one limitation or uncertainty.

Agenda (60 min)

• 0-10 min: Frame and model
• 10-35 min: Guided practice
• 35-50 min: Debrief and misconception correction
• 50-60 min: Competency check + exit ticket

Capability Target

Produce a 12-month pathway plan (skills, applications, mentoring actions) with explicit fit criteria and decision checkpoints.

Concept Focus

1) Pathway fit is capability-based

• Technical: match role/program requirements to demonstrated competencies, not only interests.
• Plain language: choose paths where your current skills and growth plan make sense.
• Misconception guardrail: prestige alone is not fit.

Core Workflow

• See module page for details.

60-Minute Run-of-Show

• **00:00-08:00

  Pathway framing and myths**

• **08:00-20:00

  Capability gap mapping**

• **20:00-32:00

  Program/role fit scoring**

• **32:00-44:00

  Outreach message drafting**

• **44:00-54:00

  Peer feedback on fit and clarity**

• **54:00-60:00

  Action-plan commitments**

Misconceptions to Watch

• Misconception guardrail: prestige alone is not fit.
• Misconception guardrail: publication volume alone predicts mentorship quality.
• Misconception guardrail: lack of insider knowledge is not lack of ability.

Studio Activity

Activity Output Checklist

• Evidence-linked artifact submitted.
• At least one limitation or uncertainty stated.
• Revision point captured from feedback.

Assessment Rubric

• Minimum pass
• Pathway choices are justified by capability evidence.
• Outreach messages are specific and professional.
• Plan includes concrete timeline and milestones.
• Strong performance
• Incorporates mentorship and belonging considerations explicitly.
• Anticipates barriers and mitigation strategies.
• Uses iterative feedback to strengthen plan quality.
• Common failure modes
• Overgeneralized plans with no evidence of fit.
• Outreach drafts lacking project-specific alignment.
• Hidden-curriculum barriers unaddressed.

Exit Ticket

Draft one 5-sentence mentor outreach email including:

1. alignment statement,
2. one relevant artifact,
3. one specific question.

References (Instructor)

• NASEM mentorship reports and graduate-training guidance.
• Program-specific admissions and lab websites.

Teaching Materials

• Module page: /modules/module24/
• Slide page: /modules/slides/module24/
• Worksheet: /assets/worksheets/module24/module24-activity.md