Winter GPSA Career Night Panel: Navigating Career Paths in the AI Era
Daly, Meagan
Career Nights consists of two related but distinct events on February 6th, 2026. All UCSD graduate student, professional students, and postdoctoral scholars are welcome to register for either or both events.
(1) 4-5:30pm - The Horizon Room - Career Center
A moderated panel discussion on career decision-making in the AI era, an audience Q&A session, with space for candid and practical questions, and an informal meet-and-greet, allowing attendees to connect directly with panelists for more personalized conversations on location, this event is open to UCSD graduate students and postdocs who are thinking about their next steps and want thoughtful, experience-based perspectives on navigating career paths in the AI era.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become more prominent across research, industry, and everyday work. How, if at all, has AI shaped people’s career trajectories? This Career Night brings together speakers from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds to reflect on how career decisions are made in the AI era. Panelists represent diverse paths across academia, industry, nonprofit, and other professional settings and will share how the growing presence of AI has influenced, or has not influenced, their skill and career development.
(2) 5-7:30pm - Dirty Birds - Price Center
Networking Social with Industry Professionals at Dirty Birds, Sponsored by the GPSA and hosted by the PDA, this event aims to connect UCSD graduate students and postdoctoral scholars with professionals working outside of academia. Participants have an opportunity to learn about industry career paths, professional experiences, and the transition from academia to industry. Postdocs, graduate student, and industry representatives will gather in a welcoming, informal environment designed to foster open discussion, networking, and knowledge exchange. Food and drinks will be provided while supplies last.
- Dr. Eshin Jolly (Asst. Professor in psychology)
- Dr. Zohre Hashemi (Assoc. Director in industry)
- Dr. Varun K. Viswanath (Researcher in industry)
- Tristin Esfandiari (CEO and Founder)
- Philip Belzeski (Founder)
- Jiawei Duan (PhD candidate, ABD)
