Build Your Career. Expand Your Network. Explore What's Next.

May 24–28, 2027 | Milwaukee, WI 

The Career Development Bootcamp is a weeklong immersive experience designed to help graduate students explore career possibilities and develop the skills and connections needed to pursue their professional goals.  

Balancing an advanced degree with career planning can feel overwhelming. This experience provides dedicated time and support to identify your career goals and values, build professional connections, and develop practical skills—whether you're preparing for life beyond graduate school or looking to strengthen your professional toolkit.

What to Expect

Throughout the week, participants will engage in interactive career discernment workshops, professional development activities, employer visits, and networking opportunities.

You will visit organizations across the Milwaukee area representing three different sectors:

• For-profit business
• Local nonprofit organization
• Government agency

The week will conclude with a networking lunch with regional employers, giving you an opportunity to connect with professionals and expand your network.

Who Is Eligible?

All graduate students are eligible to apply, including students participating in May 2027 commencement.

Space is limited to 30 participants, so applicants should be prepared to make the full participation commitment.

What You'll Learn & Gain

By participating in the Career Development Bootcamp, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover Your Career Direction

• Discern your personal career values and consider how they can guide your professional decisions.
• Explore career paths and learn strategies for researching opportunities beyond your current academic environment.
• Gain firsthand exposure to careers in the nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors.

Build Your Professional Toolkit

• Translate your academic CV into a professional resume. 
• Develop a professional or scholarly presence on social media.
• Practice formal interview skills through structured role play.
• Learn how informational interviews can help you explore career paths and build relationships.

Expand Your Network

• Build meaningful professional relationships with employers and other graduate students.
• Practice networking in a supportive environment.
• Connect with regional employers representing multiple sectors and career paths.

Receive Professional Development Support

• The bootcamp fulfills two PhD Career Skills requirements: GRAD 8097 and GRAD 8098.
• Participants will also receive $250 in professional development funding.*

*Disclaimer: Funding is only available to currently enrolled students and contingent on verification of aid eligibility. 

Schedule: Monday, May 24 – Friday, May 28, 2027

The bootcamp is designed as a connected weeklong experience, with each session building on the previous one.

MON, May 24	Career discernment and identifying personal career values
TUES, May 25	Career exploration, informational interviews, and researching career paths
WED, May 26	Professional materials, including translating an academic CV into a professional resume
THURS, May 27	Professional presence, interview preparation, and employer/sector exploration
FRI, May 28	Milwaukee employer engagement and networking lunch with regional employers

Additional commitment: Participants must attend one LinkedIn training session in addition to the full week of bootcamp. 

Detailed times, locations, employer visits, and the LinkedIn training date will be provided to selected participants. 

Participation Commitment

This is a full-week immersive experience. Participants must commit to:

• Attending one LinkedIn training session.
• Attending the full week of bootcamp, May 24–28, 2027.
• Participating actively in workshops, employer visits, networking activities, and other scheduled sessions.

Because each session builds on the previous one, full participation is an important part of the experience.

Apply for the Bootcamp

Applications Open: March 1, 2027
Applications Close: April 15, 2027
Capacity: 30 participants 

Apply now (link opening soon!)

All graduate students are encouraged to consider how this experience could support their professional goals and career exploration. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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