On the final leg of a PhD, your career options can seem claustrophobically narrow, with only the research track ahead. So how do you explore your options?

My solution was to enrol in a mentoring programme, organized by my labour union. Students are assigned a senior colleague, who acts as a mentor as you map the employment terrain, analyse skills and interests, and build networks. Along with the gratification of helping a younger colleague, mentors may gain from catching up on what's happening in science, or reflecting on their own career choices in a new way.

Through my mentor, I've met biologists working in fields from publishing and industry to legislation and government. At first, it felt a little embarrassing to admit to these successful professionals that I have no clue about my future, but the response has been sympathetic. Indeed, many seemed surprised by where they themselves had ended up. One woman was offered her job because the employer remembered her from a previous application — for a different post. Similarly, a high-ranking administrative career began as summer field work.

Paradoxically, the stories have taught me to plan less, rather than more. For a graduate student with little work experience outside university, the best idea is not to restrict yourself to one path, but be open enough to grasp unexpected opportunities. With a little exploration, the possibilities are endless.