This career day is about mapping possible career pathways and offers impulses to systematically approach career decision-making. It addresses PhD candidates and researchers at all scientific career levels. Participants are invited to reflect on their preferences and potentials, and match their competencies with external requirements. Experts will assist in discovering and utilizing effective tools for career navigation.

1. Find your inner compass!

Describing yourself clearly with your work-related motives, competencies, values and aspirations is an important prerequisite in actively managing your future career choices. Such a process  helps to avoid making career decisions that are subsequently not satisfactory because you feel “this is not really me”. We will have a closer look at tools for systematic self-assessment to create a basis for fulfilling career choices that satisfy your interests rather than the external requirements.

2. Benefit from supervision!

Recognizing supervision as a fundamental and bi-directional task, which will emerge at all stages throughout your career, it is essential to work out the best conditions for both sides. We shed light on how to handle typical challenges, such as opposing expectations or possible conflicts. By discussing ways of communication and approaches to problem-solving we hope there will be initial shifts of value towards a positive cooperation within supervision relations.

3. Explore your options!

Identifying opportunities in science and beyond (as potential work locations) is a crucial and truly challenging task after finishing your PhD research. We exchange different perspectives on academic research and explore the gap between expectations and reality. By discussing possible connecting factors from working environments to academia, you will gain insight into how to match those options regarding your quality and interests. You will also meet role models from various backgrounds and ask them about their experience and factors leading to successful career decision making.

4. Master self–marketing!

Self-marketing is the conscious emphasis on your strengths, abilities and knowledge. The type and degree of self-marketing strategies varies and needs to be adjusted to certain situations, such as re-entry after a period abroad, parenthood or non-academic positions. Authentic self-marketing helps to highlight your competencies in order to open doors and find your personal career path. Self-marketing also encompasses professional networking and ends in successful negotiating on framework conditions. In addition we can have a look at fruitful mentorship as well as discuss the value of additional qualification training.

Please note: no individual counseling or coaching session will be offered that day. We will have  an open table talk format since we believe that knowledge shall be collected in the crowd and we look forward to all participants benefiting from each other.