Careers for PGRs

What you can do throughout the duration of your research:

1. Take advantage of opportunities to develop skills and gain experiences which complement your research degree (e.g. by completing your PhD training programme).
2. Talk to as many people as possible who are employed in fields that might interest you. These conversations will help deepen your insight, challenge your ideas and enable you to articulate and define your thinking. You may also gain helpful advice and contacts for the future.
3. Raise the profile of your research and practice, communicating your passion to different audiences (e.g. through the 3 Minute Thesis; Huddersfield's Graduate Conference).
4. If your aim is to continue your research by becoming a lecturer, gain skills in supporting students (e.g. by acting as a Graduate Teaching Assistant; gaining HEA Associate status; mentoring students).
5. If your aim is to undertake research outside of the university sector, develop links with specialised research institutes and companies (e.g. by joining professional bodies as a student member; attending trade conference; joining LinkedIn groups).
6. If your aim is to work in a non-research role, consider how your research skills and domain knowledge, plus other interestsand work experience might transfer into new contexts (e.g. by using soem of our creative career decision making tools; adding new skills and experiences to your existing package; discussing your options with a Careers Consultant).
7. If your aim is to become an entrepreneur, whether by freelancing, setting up your own business or commercialising your IP. Use the support available from the University's Enterprise Unit.

Careers and Employability Service

The University of Huddersfield’s Careers and Employability Centre is located on level four of the Student Central Building and provides comprehensive in-person and remote support for PGRs including:

1. Careers Guidance appointments with qualified Careers Professionals to discuss career options and / or career planning
2. Advice and checking of CVs, applications and personal statements
3. Advice on preparing for interviews, assessment centres and mock interviews
4. Workshops on career planning and job seeking, as well as employer events
5. Online digital resources to explore opportunities and support you through the recruitment process.

To see what's on, book an appointment or ask a question.

Vitae

Vitae provide a host of useful information about researcher careers, both within academia and beyond academia. The Vitae website features:

1. Over 150 career narratives by individual researchers working in a variety of fields.
2. Information about career development.
3. Advice on a variety of subjects such as how to create an effective researcher CV and what to expect in academic job interviews.
4. The chance to explore careers inside and beyond academia including what employers are looking for.
5. Further information on research funding.
6. An Employability Lens that links to Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework (RDF).
7. The University of Huddersfield Researcher Development Programme, whose workshops are bookable through SkillsForge, are mapped to the four RDF domains to make it easier to search for relevant training.

Networking for PGRs

It is important to build your profile and networks both face to face and online.

1. PLOS Blogs: Twitter for academic purposes
2. The National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement
3. Springer Nature: Promoting your research using LinkedIn
4. PostPhDCareer.com blog: How to network effectively
5. Use SkillsForge to book the RDP workshop entitled Managing Your Digial Academic Profile