Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

iCERch is a semester-long program that meets in-person twice a month. During the program, you will reflect on your professional strengths, values, and interests to identify potential career options. Then, you will explore these possible careers through informational interviews with people in the field, shadowing, and networking.

There are 8 total meetings in the iCERch program:

• Meeting 1: Welcome to iCERch and Initial Career Exploration
• Meeting 2: Identify Your Professional Strengths Using the CliftonStrengths Assessment
• Meeting 3: LinkedIn for Scientists
• Meeting 4: Drafting Your Science Story and Career Story
• Meeting 5: Industry Shadowing or Site Visit
• Meeting 6: Informational Interviews
• Meeting 7: Sharing What You Learned About Different Career Fields
• Meeting 8: Identifying Next Steps to Land A Job In Your Desired Career

iCERch involves two workshops per month over four months (the fall cohort is September - December and the spring cohort is February - May). The workshops are 1.5-2 hours long and held in-person on CU Anschutz campus. In addition, participants will have independent "homework" before each workshop (for example, the first assignment is completing the myIDP assessment on Science Careers), and will be asked to share feedback and insights with their peers through Canvas.

All together, participants should plan to spend around 4 - 5 hours each month on iCERch workshops and activities.

iCERch is ideal for Postdocs and 3+ year PhD students who want to explore different career options.

Ideally, you should participate in iCERch about a year before you plan to start a new position. This timeframe allows ample time for career exploration in iCERch, and time to build your professional network, gain necessary skills, and prepare your CV/resume for the job search.

iCERch is run in semester-long cohorts. The fall semester enrolls in August, and the spring semester enrolls in January. Check your email for enrollment announcements!

Early PhD students should focus on classes and preparing for comprehensive exams. iCERch requires a commitment to twice-monthly meetings, which can be challenging to balance with the demanding schedules of 1st and 2nd year students.

Currently, iCERch is tailored specifically for PhD students and postdocs, as the positions they apply for can differ significantly from those targeted by Master's students. As of now, the curriculum is designed to meet the unique needs of PhD and postdoctoral researchers. However, we may develop a Master's student-specific iCERch program in the future. Until that time, Master's students are encouraged to take advantage of CDO workshops and 1-on-1 career coaching.