Professional and Career Development (PCD) Program: Cohort 2024

Click HERE for Class 2023.

Click HERE for Cohort 2025.

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Professional and Career Development (PCD) Program    

Last updated: June 12, 2025

gscareer@oist.jp

[OUR MISSION]

OIST’s PCD: Professional and Career Development program supports students as they seek to develop and advance the research and professional skills that they will need to successfully navigate their future career paths and become world class scientists who contribute to their communities. Through engagement with a variety of PCD activities, students can gain important transferrable skill sets in areas that employers – both academic and corporate – seek in new hires.  Students have opportunities to develop these skills through seminars, workshops, online and mini-course offerings, and a group project. 

[Structure]

The PCD program consists of two phases, PCD1 (Year 1 and 2) and PCD2 (Years 3, 4, and 5).

Both PCD1 and PCD2 are part of the graduation requirements and have value of 2 credits each. Completion of PCD1 and PCD2 requires attendance at various events, workshops, and seminars. Completion of PCD1 is required in order to proceed to PCD2.  

PCD events are scheduled throughout the academic year (days and time vary) and are announced periodically. A PCD time slot (Friday 15:00-17:00) in the Term Schedule is reserved for occasional mandatory sessions, group project meetings & activities, cohort events, etc. There is no regular PCD meeting.

Please see below for more detailed information about the requirements.

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PCD1: Years 1 & 2

PCD 1 is a two-year course with a value of 2 credits. It is a mandatory course which means that students must pass it in order to graduate or proceed. All of the PCD1 requirements must be completed by the end of your second year. 

[PCD1 requirements for Cohort 2024]

  1. Scientific Writing
  2. Scientific Computing
  3. Responsible Conduct in Research
    • Part I: Online self-study (OIST eFront "FAO: Responsible Conduct of Research", "The Lab")
    • Part II: Responsible Conduct in Research Workshop: (scheduled twice per academic year)
    • Part III: Responsible Conduct in Research Open Forum: (scheduled twice per academic year)
       
  4. Group Project
    Group Projects are a mandatory component of PCD1. Through group projects, students will develop skills in presenting scientific information to a wide range of audiences. Students will collaboratively plan and execute their group project and develop effective team communication skills by working in teams. Students will also have the opportunity to engage with the local Okinawan community to think about the impact of research on society.

    The Group Project is comprised of the following 3 components:
  • ​Pre-Session ①: Science Communication 101​
  • Pre-Session ②: Effective Team Dynamics/Teamwork
  • Group Project

5. Individual Development Planning (IDP)

  • Attend the "Introduction to PCD/IDP session" and create your own IDP plan during the session. 
  • Individual career session: Meet with the PCD Coordinator to discuss your plan for career trajectories and the individual development plan (IDP) you have created. For an appointment:  Click HERE!

[Assessment]

Students must submit their Certificates of Completion for their Nature Online Masterclasses and DataCamp computing courses by the end of the second term of their first year.

Students must also submit their PCD1 completion webform (← click to access) by the end of their second year.

[Deadlines at a Glance]

 
Required Item What to submit /Required Action Deadline
Scientific Writing Certificate of Completion the end of the 2nd term of your 1st year
Scientific Computing Certificate of Completion the end of the 2nd term of your 1st year
Individual Development Planning Attend Intro. to PCD/IDP + Attend Individual Counseling Session with PCD Coordinator the end of your 2nd year
PCD1 Course PCD1 Completion Form the end of your 2nd year

PCD2: Years 3, 4, and 5

PCD2 offers students opportunities to explore science career paths both within and beyond academia, including industry and entrepreneurism. Students have opportunities to develop professional and scientific skill sets through a variety of seminars, workshops, and events.

Please refer to this page (click link) for more information about PCD2: PCD2 Leadership Program