Stony Brook University’s Graduate School recently co-sponsored the 2025 What Can You Be With a PhD? (WCUB) symposium, held at NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City. The event is recognized as one of the largest career development conferences for PhD students and postdoctoral scholars in the United States.
The university supported attendance for 47 graduate students and 11 postdoctoral scholars at the two-day event on October 25 and 26. Participants attended more than 20 panels and workshops led by over 90 experts, covering professional paths in academia, industry, government, policy, and consulting. Attendees also had access to professional headshot sessions and individual career coaching.
Following the symposium, Stony Brook’s Graduate School hosted a lunch where attendees shared their experiences. One participant said the panels “offered valuable advice and opened my eyes to careers I didn’t know existed,” while others noted their appreciation for the range of speakers.
Students and postdocs highlighted the practical nature of the workshops and valued networking opportunities with professionals from various sectors. Jonathan Plessis-Belair, a Stony Brook postdoc, commented: “The WCUB event provides a space for students, postdocs and professionals from diverse perspectives to communicate and build their network, sharing both past and present experiences which have helped them shape their career prospects. Ultimately, WCUB is a great opportunity to explore careers and receive feedback from people that have found their calling as a PhD.”
Stony Brook University continues its commitment to supporting graduate student career development through events like WCUB. The Graduate School offers additional professional development opportunities throughout the year.
Looking ahead to spring 2026, Stony Brook will host its annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and Postdoc Spotlight on March 13. Speaker registration is now open for graduate students and postdocs interested in presenting their research across all disciplines; applications are due January 29. Winners will receive cash prizes sponsored by the SBU Alumni Association.
