Need discipline-specific communication coaching or resources? Click one of the departments below to make a coaching appointment or access our CommKit articles – quick guides to technical communication needs including posters, journal articles, and fellowship applications.  Our CommKits are free for all to use, whether you’re at MIT or elsewhere.

Explore the CommKit across disciplines

Browse the tables below to explore our full array of guides to career and scientific communication, customized for each discipline that we serve.  Just click the checkmark to access the article.

Career: Applications for Academic Positions

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Statement of Purpose for Graduate School Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Cover Letter for a Faculty Position Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Faculty Application Yes

Career: Academic Fellowships & Funding

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
AAAS STPF Applicant Statement Yes Yes Yes
Fellowship Application: General Strategies Yes Yes
NSF Personal Statement Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NSF Research Proposal Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Postdoc Fellowships: Index of Life Sciences Fellowships Yes Yes

Career: General Skills

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Cover Letter: General Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
CV/Resume Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Design Portfolio Yes Yes
Elevator Pitch Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Emails Yes
Interviewing Yes
Professional Bios Yes Yes Yes Yes

Scientific: Written Communication

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Abstract Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Journal Article: General Tips Yes Yes Yes
Journal Article: Introduction Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Journal Article: Methods Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Journal Article: Results Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Journal Article: Discussion Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Peer Review: Best Practices Yes
Peer Review: A Historical Perspective Yes
Graduate Thesis Prospectus / Proposal Yes Yes Yes Yes

Scientific: Visual Communication

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Figure Design Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Poster Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Slideshow Design (see below for presentation skills) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Technical Photography Yes

Scientific: Oral Communication

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
First Ph.D. Committee Meeting Yes
Public Speaking: Verbal Yes
Public Speaking: Nonverbal Yes
Public Speaking: Practicing Yes
Public Speaking: Prep on presentation day Yes
Slideshow Presentation Skills Yes Yes
Graduate Student Departmental Talks/Seminars BATS Third-Year Talk CEE General Exam
Virtual Presentations Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Scientific: Coding

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Coding Mindset Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Coding and Comment Style Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
File Structure Organization Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Sci. Policy

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
Introduction to Policy Communication Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Policy Elevator Pitch Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Policy Memo Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Policy Presentation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Congressional Hill Meeting Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Letter of Support Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Op-Ed Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Public Comment on Pending Regulation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Templates, Tutorials, & Tools

AeroAstro Biological Eng. Broad Institute (Biomed. & Genomics) Chemical Eng. Civil & Environmental
Eng.
Electrical Eng. & Computer Sci. Mechanical Eng. Nuclear Sci. & Eng.
GitHub Resources Yes
Accessible Communication Yes
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