Graduate Development[the why, what & how of developing as a professional researcher]

EPS Postgraduate Welcome Event, September 2011Dee-Ann Johnson, The University of Manchester

What’s this all about?

Graduate Development is all about gaining and enhancing skills to

successfully complete your research degree and maximise employability in

your chosen career path

What skills do you bring?

If you’re already skilled why do you need to think about this?

Because a PhD is about so much more than the thesis…

If you’re already skilled why do you need to think about this?

And because you are an early career researcher – development is part of the game plan…

Oh that’s why…

• Raise your self awareness (hone your research skills & acquire professional skills that you can take to any job, anywhere

• Interdisciplinary networking (don’t underestimate the importance and power of this!)

• Share knowledge & experience with other researchers (and with people outside of academia)

• Increase your confidence (there will be tricky times ahead)

• Open doors (new opportunities & increase career scope)

• Continuing professional development (learning doesn’t stop after you passed your viva!)

So how can we help?

Graduate Development

Competitions

Workshops

News, blogs, advice

Sign posting

Opportunities

Coaching & Mentoring

It’s our job to make sure we know what’s going on in the wider context for early career researchers and help you to develop professionally and personally.

Funding

Skills audits

GRADschools

Online resources

Accredited courses

Briefing sessions

Researcher Development FrameworkKnowledge, skills, behaviors and personal qualities of researchers

Assess your skills

Identify areas for improvement

Create and action plan

Record evidence of progress

Assess your skills …

But what sorts of areas do we cover?

Workshops, Advice & Resources on…• Research ethics & integrity• Academic writing• Project management• Information management• Thesis & viva preparation • Getting research funding• Preparing for fellowships• Teaching & learning

But what sorts of areas do we cover?

Workshops, Advice & Resources on…• Public & community engagement

including competitions• Peer review & getting published• Conferences - presenting & posters• Social media • Networking• Enterprise

Who do we work with?

You!

Supervisor, Research Group,School

Graduate Development

Research Councils

Careers Service

Vitae

UMIP

Public EngagementSTEM/NCCPE Ambassadors, Widening Participation, Manchester Beacon, Science Festivals

Manchester Enterprise Centre

Library

University Language Centre

PGR Representation

WiSET

Research Computing

Ok - what next?

• See you at the Introduction to Research workshop (& other workshops as you progress through your degree)

• Check out our website & blog:www.manchester.ac.uk/eps/researchsupport

• Read our weekly e-bulletins (packed full of great opportunities & news that you don’t want to miss)

• Follow us on twitter @epsgrads (the quick & simple way to keep up to date)

• Come visit us (Faculty Graduate Education Office, C4 SackvilleStreet Building)

A final thought