InterSECT Job Simulations
InterSECT Job Simulations is a free, interactive platform designed to help graduate students and advanced researchers explore career paths across industry, government, higher education administration, and non-profit sectors through hands-on, true-to-life work exercises.
Who Should Use it:
This resource is tailored for master’s students, PhD candidates, postdocs, and advanced undergraduate researchers who want to test out real-world job tasks before committing to formal internships or job changes. It is especially valuable for scholars looking to translate academic research skills into versatile non-academic, industry, or policy roles.
How to Use it:
- Browse the Simulation Library: Select self-guided simulation modules categorized by discipline, including STEM fields, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
- Complete Self-Paced Job Tasks: Work through realistic task scenarios, such as drafting policy briefs, analyzing market trends, or creating data visualizations, in short 1- to 3-hour sessions.
- Complete the Self-Reflection Guide: Use InterSECT’s built-in reflection prompts after each exercise to evaluate whether you enjoyed the work duties and want to explore that field further.
- Utilize the Informational Interview & Goal Guides: Access provided outreach frameworks to connect with professionals in fields that spark your interest following a simulation.
Why it’s Helpful:
Reading job descriptions can only tell you so much about what a role actually feels like day-to-day. InterSECT gives you a risk-free, hands-on way to test-drive authentic workplace projects on your own time, helping you clarify your career interests, build confidence in your transferable skills, and decide where to invest your energy next.
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