OPTIONS Curriculum
Guiding PhDs Toward Diverse Career Success
The
OPTIONS Program
at
Johns Hopkins University
The OPTIONS program, initially funded by a National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) T32 supplemental grant, is a comprehensive three-phase career curriculum designed to support PhD students throughout their training. The program reflects Johns Hopkins University’s (JHU) commitment to fostering career exploration and skill development, preparing students for diverse career paths both inside and outside academia.
Expanding
Career
Development
Access
Across
Hopkins
Since its launch in 2017, the OPTIONS program has been integrated into seven T32-funded PhD training programs across the School of Medicine, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Krieger School of Arts & Sciences.
While participation in the program is required for these programs, OPTIONS events are open to all Hopkins PhD students and postdoctoral fellows in the Biomedical Sciences.
Phases of
the Program
Since 2017, the OPTIONS program has guided Hopkins PhD students in exploring diverse career opportunities. This three-phase curriculum provides structured support, resources, and hands-on experience to help students navigate various career paths in academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.
1
Phase 1 (Year 1-2)
Career Awareness
Engage in six hours of career awareness activities, including attending career panels, employer sessions, and events that explore career opportunities in academia, industry, government, and the non-profit sector.
2
Phase 2 (Year 3)
Exploration & Networking
Focus on specific career paths through workshops and events organized into tracks such as Academic Research, Biotech & Pharma, Business Side of Science, and Science Policy & Communications
3
Phase 3 (Year 4)
Experiences & Skills
In the final phase, students focus on gaining hands-on experience through internships, mentoring, or additional coursework, aligning their activities with specific career aspirations
This was my first OPTIONS event and I thought the strategic exercise was AMAZING because it got you to actually step into the shoes of a consultant and try to solve a problem that they might face. That kind of learning, the actual DOING of something, I think is the best for most things.”
-OPTIONS Workshop, Problem Solving like a Consultant
OPTIONS Video Library: Insights & Resources at Your Fingertips
Unlock a wealth of career exploration and skill development resources with our curated video library. Access recordings of workshops, expert panels, and speaker sessions offering real-world insights into diverse paths across academia, industry, government, and more.
Library Highlights:
- Career Panels: Insights from PhD alumni and professionals across fields
- Skill Workshops: Build essential skills like networking and communication
- Industry Insights: Field-specific sessions on biotech, policy, business, and more
Log in with your Johns Hopkins University SSO credentials to explore the library and find the tools, insights, and guidance to elevate your career trajectory.
Is OPTIONS Required for You?
The OPTIONS curriculum is a requirement for Ph.D. candidates in the following programs
- Cell and Molecular Medicine (CMM)
- Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology (BCMB)
- Cell, Molecular, Developmental Biology, and Biophysics (CMDB)
- Human Genetics and Genomics (HGG)
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences (Pharm)
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI)
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB)
Our Impact in Numbers
Participation
400+
Students engaged in the OPTIONS program
Partnerships
7
T32-funded Partner Programs
Enrollment
461%
Increase in Enrollment since 2017