Professional Documents
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Outline
Why think about life beyond academia? What is out there? What others have done career stories What you can do to prepare?
You still want to stay in academia, but the labour market doesnt look good
Any other reasons?
Why not?
You feel like (and have perhaps been told that) it would be a personal failure to leave academia You are convinced you know nothing
Anything else?
The result
PhDs apply to academic positions they dont really want Non-academic jobs go to people less talented, less creative and less competitive than PhDs i.e. you! Educated, intelligent, motivated, socially concerned people (you again) end up in jobs that dont excite them or fully utilise their talents
But
It is a career change
This can be energising and exciting, but also daunting This is normal!
And there are things you can do to reduce your anxiety and increase your chances of success on the outside!
Reality check
The academic job market is competitive
Around 20,000 Doctorates are now awarded in the UK each year and this doesnt equal the number of academic jobs available
Perhaps not surprisingly, 50% of PhDs leave academia and this percentage is rising So where can you go?...
Education (teaching) schools, further education, adult learning Education (administrative and professional roles) utilising your understanding of the HE research environment, as well as administrative skills Public sector - Civil Service, government agencies and local government all require analytical, research and communication skills Industry research and development Healthcare sector and medical research both research and non-research roles
Business and finance - investment and retail banking, insurance and pensions particularly if you have specialist quantitative and statistical training
3) I would like to see more people with a university (research) background applying for some of the jobs I advertise.
(Employers perceptions of recruiting research staff and students, University of Leeds, 2006)
1. data analysis 5. interpersonal skills 2. problem solving 6. leadership 3. drive and 7. commercial motivation awareness 4. project managing
- Illustrating how unplanned or chance events can influence career development opportunities.
- But you have to put yourself in a position to create and take advantage of these opportunities - Networking is key!
My career journey
BSc Geology and Geography MSc Environmental Science, Policy and Planning
PhD
Postdoc Researcher - ???
My career journey
Period of networking, work experience, gathering information
Researcher
Further support
Identifying what really motivates you: Try looking at My Future Personality questionnaires are also available through the UWE Careers webpages
Both are designed to help you start to understand yourself and what is important to you
Information
UWE Careers webpages
What do doctoral graduates do? Job profiles Sector profiles Effective CVs and applications
Graduate Jobs Link 2D11: get help finding specific job or work experience opportunities
Need to register to be able to book careers appointments, as well as events, fairs, presentations and workshops Use the questions link to ask for careers information and advice i.e. feedback on your CV Look at lists of resources example CVs
Im specifically available for this two routes to book an appointment or request some e-guidance (online)
1) Have an initial 20 min careers appointment with one of the Employability and Enterprise Officers if necessary, they can then refer you to me, another careers advisor, or a different member of the employability team (depending on your needs) Make an appointment via InfoHub, Phone 0117 3285678, or visit Ezone or an Information Point and someone will book it for you. 2) Contact me directly at Tilly.Line@uwe.ac.uk
Going forward
One thing you have found useful One thing you will do as a result of today