The Post-Academic Job Search: Moving forward with purpose and clarity

Target group

Doctoral candidates.

Content

This course is for doctoral candidates interested in transitioning into a non-scientific career. It reviews the current employment situation and provides participants with the practical tools to develop a rewarding career, whether in the private or public sector.

During the workshop, participants will gain an understanding of how to approach the job market (where doctorate holders work, the paths they take in their careers, their interaction with employers), and how to prepare for and succeed in a post-academic career.

Participants will learn the mindset and skills necessary to identify, apply and get hired for jobs outside of the university. They will be invited to explore their motivations and interests, find corresponding job opportunities through networking (including with LinkedIn), catalogue their unique set of hard and soft skills, and receive vital input on how the non-academic job market and job search works.

Objectives

Over the course of the day, participants will:

• Have time to reflect on the challenges of leaving academia
• Understand difference between the academic and non-academic job search and work environment
• Identify their transferrable skills, interests, values and strengths so that they can engage in a purpose-driven job search
• Understand how they can find opportunities best suited to their unique profile. 
• How to effectively network (including using LinkedIn).

Methods

The course is comprised of a mix of hands-on exercises, group discussions, and short lectures. Sufficient time is built into each learning unit to answer participant questions and to examine issues particularly important to participants. The course slide deck (sent to participants as pdf-file) forms a comprehensive reference tool for the non-academic job application process.

Prerequisites

You will have 1-2 hours of "fieldwork" assignments before and between sessions.