Document Type

Annual Report

Publication Date

7-2026

DOI

10.25776/g2wb-z889

Pages

1-37 pp.

Abstract

Career Pathways launched in August 2017 as the university-wide initiative to provide career and professional development to graduate students. It encompasses both the Preparing Future Faculty (PFF) and the Preparing Future Professionals (PFP) Certificates. The Preparing Future Faculty Certificate was established in 2007, while the Preparing Future Professionals Certificate was launched in 2017, concurrently with the introduction of Career Pathways. The Career Pathways program prepares graduate students for a successful transition into thriving careers. With the PFP Certificate, the emphasis has been on addressing the existing gap in career and professional development for master’s and doctoral students with career plans outside academia. Career Pathways serve as a gateway to resources, programs, events, and planning tools for ODU graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. With the increased emphasis on recruiting and supporting postdoctoral scholars at ODU, Career Pathways has also focused on connecting postdoctoral scholars with the program and supplementing their training with career development programming.

Programmatic efforts in AY 2025/26 continued to emphasize broad awareness of Career Pathways and the importance of career and professional development for graduate students. Monthly communications and outreach efforts remained in place, with information shared through graduate program directors and regular newsletters. Programming continued to support graduate students pursuing both academic and non-academic career paths, with a strong focus on career exploration, professional skill development, and career planning.

Original Publication Citation

Yusuf, W. (2026). Career Pathways Program Annual Report for AY 2025/26. Old Dominion University. https://doi.org/10.25776/g2wb-z889

ORCID

0000-0003-3599-1417 (Yusuf)

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