Employability Advice for PhD Students
The Faculty of Humanities Skills Development programme
In April 2002, a report was published titled 'SET for Success'. The report looked at the recruitment of doctoral students and how employers view them. One of the key recommendations of the report was that PhD students should undertake at least two weeks of transferable skills training per year.
The Faculty of Humanities offers training in transferable and generic skills to all postgraduate research students. Training runs throughout the year and you can attend courses to develop your skills in project management, presentations, writing research proposals and much more! For a full list of courses offered and further information about training in the Faculty of Humanities please see:
'In general, employers' opinion of PhD students' scientific and research skills ... is very high, while interpersonal skills and students' awareness of these abilities, are felt to be less good'. Roberts, G. (2002) Set for Success. para 4.47
You must develop skills in:
- Team work and leadership
- Project management and problem solving
- Oral, written and electronic and presentation skills
- Networking and negotiation
Career management skills required include:
- Action planning
- Self confidence
- Self awareness
- Business and political awareness
Consider why you are choosing an academic career:
- Academic fascination
- Enjoy writing research papers
- Enjoy teaching
- Familiar environment
Requirements of Academic Employers:
A survey of academic positions advertised in The Times Higher Educational Supplement found commonality between disciplines:
- Related expertise and knowledge
- Evidence of research achievements (publications)
- Administrative experience
- Evidence of motivation
- IT Literacy
Steps to achieving an academic career:
- Publish in recognised journals
- Get involved in bidding for research funding
- Gain teaching experience
- Develop your project management skills
- Get involved in teaching quality assessment/institutional audits
- Be aware of current issues in Higher Education
- Network through colleagues, conferences, etc.
- Make use of staff training courses