Introduction to the School of Medicine Career Center

Stanford’s School of Medicine Career Center (SoMCC) serves graduate and medical students, post-docs, residents, and alumni. As the content of this blog is largely career-focused, I will dedicate many posts to the abundant services and resources the SoMCC has to offer. I’ll start with an overview.

The SoMCC hosts a myriad of information sessions, seminars, and courses spanning a wide range of career-related topics, throughout the year. Upcoming events are listed under the Events & Activities section on the main page of the SoMCC website.

In addition, one may arrange individual advising sessions to discuss anything from cover letters and resumés to job searches and career transitions. To schedule a consultation appointment, e-mail or call (650) 725-7687 with your name, contact information, and availability during the week. Alternatively, take advantage of walk-in hours, held on Tuesdays from 2 – 3:30pm or on Thursdays from 10 – 11:30am.

The SoMCC houses an impressive career resource library. Books are available for checkout with a Stanford ID card.

It would be remiss not to mention the forces behind the establishment and operation of the SoMCC. Michael Alvarez, Stephanie Eberle, and Suzanne Frasca Hom work tirelessly to make the SoMCC the incredible resource it is. Click here to learn more about them.

The SoMCC is located in the basement of the Grant Building (300 Pasteur Drive), in room S005. Click here for directions.

Graduate Student Handbook: Answers to All of Your Questions

Whether you’re an incoming student or a student who’s been here a while, the Graduate Student Handbook is an invaluable resource. It contains information pertaining to essentially everything there is to know about graduate life at Stanford. The information is organized into the following categories:

·      Graduate School Contacts

·      University Calendar

·      Useful Stanford Websites

·      Getting Started

·      Computing

·      Academic Resources

·      Graduate Education Resources

·      Graduate Student Advice

·      Life on Campus

·      Life in the Bay Area

·      Day Trips/Weekend Getaways

·      Restaurant Guide

·      Getting Around

·      Maps

As you can see, BioMASS is responsible for the production of the Handbook. Up until two years ago, the Handbook was printed and distributed to every incoming Bioscience class. Due to budget constraints (and concern for the environment), the Handbook is no longer printed. Instead, it’s posted here on the BioMASS website. There are two versions: PDF and HTML. Unfortunately, the latter requires major reformatting (contact me if you’re an html whiz!), so I’d recommend the PDF version.

The MD students have a similar resource, called Medipedia. Information under the “Getting Started” and “Life Outside” headings are relevant to PhD students.

Most Bioscience departments publish or post a handbook relevant to specific PhD program requirements. Check the departmental websites and/or ask your program administrator if you're curious.

BioMASS: Your Student Government

BioMASS is the nickname for the Stanford Biosciences Student Association, a student-run governing body that advocates for Stanford Biosciences graduate students. This includes Masters and PhD students in the School of Medicine, as well as Biology and Bioengineering graduate students.

BioMASS is responsible for orchestrating the First-Year Camping trip and the New Student Orientation for incoming students just before classes start in the fall. Throughout the year, BioMASS hosts monthly social hours, and coordinates events with the School of Medicine Career Center (more on that, later) and the Alumni Association.

Why should you care about BioMASS? The primary goal of BioMASS is to improve the quality of the graduate school experience. We have BioMASS to thank for dental coverage, for example. Here are the other benefits BioMASS has to offer:

-       Free food and beer

-       A sense of community outside of lab

-       Connections with the Career Center and Alumni Association

-       A medium through which your voice will be heard

-       An opportunity to contribute to the graduate community

Where you fit into the BioMASS picture is entirely up to you. BioMASS holds monthly meetings, to plan events and discuss current grad student issues. Students are welcome and encouraged to attend. FREE LUNCH is provided at every meeting. At the very least, stop by the social hours for snacks and grad student merriment.

Check out the BioMASS website for more information. If you are interested in receiving weekly newsletters, subscribe to the BioMASS listserv here.

Mission Statement

I’m a Structural Biology PhD student in the School of Medicine at Stanford University. In creating this blog, I have one purpose in mind: to expose fellow graduate students to the abundant career- and life-enhancing opportunities available to us as Stanford students.

I believe the graduate experience extends far beyond required courses and lab work. I have made it a personal goal to become aware and take advantage of as many of these extracurricular opportunities as possible. In the end, I hope to leave Stanford with a well-rounded education, and with a bright career ahead of me.

This blog is as much for you as it is for me. I hope you find it helpful!