3-Minute Read | Preparing the Next Generation of Ph.D. Professionals
Sept. 16, 2025—Preparing the next generation of scholars, scientists, and leaders is a mutual priority for higher education institutions and industry partners. Princeton University’s Graduate School introduced GradFUTURES® in 2019 as a professional development model integrating discipline-specific training with industry exploration, interdisciplinary skill-building, mentorship, coaching, and tailored experiential opportunities. The program aims to develop T-shaped professionals who can combine deep technical expertise with broad interdisciplinary skills to address complex global challenges and drive innovation across myriad fields. Additional UIDP T-Shaped reference materials are available here and here.
Connecting Ph.D.s with an Expansive Ecosystem & Transformative Experiences
Collaboration is vital to preparing graduate students for the future of work. To broaden access to professional experiences and mentors, Princeton has developed a network of campus and external partners representing industry, nonprofits, scholarly and professional associations, universities, and foundations. These partners contribute to professional development programs, expand access to available resources, and connect students to transformative experiences.
Program Models Linking Academia and Industry
Two programs that engage graduate students with industry partners include the GradFUTURES interdisciplinary learning cohorts and customized experiential programs. These initiatives enable graduate students to explore potential career fields and develop professional skills that complement and augment their doctoral training, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
Interdisciplinary cohorts are co-curricular learning programs that introduce students to a range of professional fields, such as business, consulting, entrepreneurship, venture capital, responsible AI, sustainability, inclusive leadership, and science policy. Each cohort consists of seminars, interactive discussions, and immersive experiences led by faculty, alumni, and professionals from relevant sectors. Students collaborate on a group capstone project, working alongside alums and industry mentors, to present solutions to a real-world problem and earn a microcredential upon completion.
The GradFUTURES customized experiential programs provide part-time, paid internships and fellowships at industry partners, nonprofits, startups, and government agencies. Offered during the academic year and summer, these flexible 10-hour-per-week opportunities allow students to continue their academic work while gaining valuable experience. Host organizations collaborate with the Graduate School to define learning goals and align projects that complement research training, facilitating professional development and career exploration. Students participate in interdisciplinary teams, receive mentoring, learn about organizational and leadership dynamics, and contribute to strategic presentations and publications. Additional opportunities include site visits, industry exploration days, and shadowing opportunities.
Evolving Approaches to Reimagining Ph.D. Experiential Programs
Industry-engaged models that complement traditional graduate education require creative approaches, mutual investments, and sustained collaboration. Princeton’s experience suggests that connecting doctoral students with flexible professional opportunities can enhance their training and expand networks. At the same time, many internship programs combine undergraduate and graduate candidates, which may limit access for Ph.D. students. Developing programs that align with doctoral research while allowing students to remain enrolled may help organizations strengthen their workforce and provide more targeted career pathways.
These themes also resonate with UIDP’s Strengthen and Modernize U-I Partnerships (SAMI) initiative, supported by the National Science Foundation. SAMI is exploring new models for funding and structuring STEM doctoral training, bringing together universities, industry, nonprofit, and government partners to identify flexible approaches that prepare Ph.D. students for diverse career pathways. Early SAMI workshops and listening sessions have reinforced that experiential opportunities, like those piloted in GradFUTURES, are essential to building adaptable, industry-ready researchers.
We want to hear from you. How is your organization approaching experiential opportunities for doctoral students? Let us know on LinkedIn.
Insights for this week’s 3-Minute Read were contributed by Eva Kubu, senior associate dean for professional development & director of GradFUTURES at Princeton University.
The 3-Minute Read is a UIDP member information piece and does not represent the opinions of our members or representatives. We welcome your comments on our LinkedIn profile.