Thriving as an International Scientist: Professional Development for Global STEM Citizens

Sonali Majumdar

Univ of California Press, Oct 28, 2025 - Business & Economics - 272 pages

"Reminds international scientists how resilient, flexible and creative they are."?Nature 

The first career guide specifically tailored to the unique needs of international STEM PhDs
 
For foreign-born scientists holding temporary visas in the US, building a career while navigating the antiquated and restrictive American immigration system takes resilience and creativity. In this book, Sonali Majumdar, a fellow immigrant scientist and a professional development advisor for international doctoral students in engineering and the natural sciences, shares her expertise of how international scientists can be empowered to flourish in any career.
 
Unlike other professional development guides, Thriving as an International Scientist foregrounds the unique needs and skills of immigrant STEM PhDs at all career stages and across diverse sectors. Through recommendations for best practices of professional development and career design as well as stories of international scientists, this book also provides concrete, culturally appropriate tools for managers, faculty advisors, and other mentors. With a combination of hard-nosed advice and nurturing encouragement, Majumdar delivers a much-needed guide to help these often overlooked scientists forge a successful career path.
 

Contents

• My Story: 3
• The Critical Need for Specialized Career and Professional: 9
• Cultivating a Mindset for Lifelong Development: 23
• Engineering Creative Strategies for Success: 36
• Building Communities of Mentors and Champions: 68
• Intentional and Nimble Professional Development: 82
• EmploymentBased Immigration Pathways: 99
• in the United States: 117
• Global Careers for Scientists: 140
• The Mental WellBeing of International Scientists: 157
• International Scientists Are Not a Monolith: 168
• Suggestions for Managers: 187
• Systemic Reforms to Retain Global Scientific Talent: 208
• Celebrating: 221
• Index: 233

About the author

Sonali Majumdar is Assistant Dean for Professional Development at the Graduate School of Princeton University and founder of the Graduate Career Consortium’s International Community of Practice. An international scientist trained in the US, she holds a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Thriving as an International Scientist: Professional Development for Global STEM Citizens
• Author: Sonali Majumdar
• Publisher: Univ of California Press, 2025
• ISBN: 0520401050, 9780520401051
• Length: 272 pages
• Subjects: Business & Economics / Careers / Career Advancement & Professional Development; Business & Economics / Industries / Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology; Education / Counseling / Career Development; Science / General; Technology & Engineering / Engineering (General)