Karrieresprung 2019Life beyond academia: a career day for doctoral students and doctoral graduates
30 October 2019
Photo: HRA/Peter Oldorf
Your doctorate is done and dusted. What now? Many early-career researchers in Hamburg find themselves wrestling with that question. The career day of the Hamburg Research Academy on 24 October 2019 offered those interested in a career outside of academia a great opportunity to explore their options. Around 120 doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers from the 9 member institutions of the HRA attended the event.
The doctoral candidates and graduates who attended the Karrieresprung career day networked and discussed their thoughts with professionals from the business world and the public sector. Interactive group discussions, lunch talks, and 15 workshops encouraged them to identify their own capabilities and potential career goals and provided advice on starting a successful career outside academia.
Katharina Fegebank, Hamburg’s second mayor and senator for science, research and equalities, and Dr. Nicole Elleuche, the CEO and executive director of the European XFEL research facility, started off the career day with an intimate conversation about their own career trajectories. They discussed their own strengths—enthusiasm, passion, conviviality, optimism, and empathy—in the context of a general shift in attitudes towards leadership in Germany. Two empty chairs on stage were reserved for doctoral students and graduates who joined in and received the advice in the box below.
Tips:
- Think about what sets you apart from others and emphasize those features in your résumé (e.g., voluntary work or knowledge of another discipline).
- Intensively research the company to which you are applying and demonstrate your knowledge in your cover letter and the interview.
- Start networking early and always keep in touch with your contacts. Approaching people cordially and talking about things you have in common will help you build your network.
Throwback: Karrieresprung 2019
Expert panelon employers’ views of doctoral graduates
Afterwards, the expert panel with Dr. Regina Back (Claussen Simon Foundation), Dr. Thomas Kleine-Besten (Bosch), Dr. Reemda Tieben (Google), and Dr. Anja Stadeler (undconsorten Management Consultancy) encouraged the audience to step into the shoes of a recruiter: What skills do potential employers value in applicants with a doctorate? What do they look for in the application process? We have summarized their main tips for you below.
Tips:
- Take stock of the strengths and experiences that you have cultivated as a doctoral student. Enthusiasm, passion, and tenacity are sought-after skills in many fields.
- Soft skills are increasingly important, but be sure to provide evidence of the activities that helped you acquire them (e.g., internships, additional gainful work, volunteer activities. To be perfectly German, provide certificates!). Don’t forget: conducting a choir also counts as leadership!
- Internships during your doctoral studies can open doors for you. They also make it easier for potential employers to believe that you truly want to work outside of academia rather than applying for their job as a back-up plan.
- Gaps in your résumé can be interesting talking points. They can demonstrate your ability to handle changes, for instance. Be confident about them.
- Do not include long lists of your publications and elaborate explanations of your doctoral research in your application if they are not directly relevant to the vacancy. Emphasize your professional experience over your academic background.
- Find a trusted friend or mentor outside your professional environment with whom you can discuss important decisions. An objective second opinion can be very helpful.
- If you spot an opportunity, do not hesitate to seize it!
Lunch talks, workshops, Opportunities Fair
The Opportunities Fair gave the doctoral candidates and graduates a chance to meet representatives from a range of organizations and find out about career and support opportunities. The events that took place during the lunch break were particular highlights. Attendees got to choose between lunch talks with various companies, a professional résumé photo shoot, and a brief résumé check. In the afternoon, 15 workshops about entering non-university careers took place in 2 blocks.
Career talk: research and higher education management and professorships at universities of applied sciences
An insightful panel discussion with Dr. Muriel Helbig, the president of the Lübeck University of Applied Sciences, concluded the career day. Dr. Helbig, who holds a doctorate in psychology, has first-hand experience of 2 career paths in higher education: research and higher education management and a professorship at a university of applied sciences. She had encouraging words for an audience member asking about the qualifications required for the latter: “If you can imagine becoming a professor, be certain: there are plenty of universities of applied sciences desperate to hire you. Personally, I don’t care how old an applicant is or whether their résumé is particularly straightforward. I need people with doctorates and 3–5 years of practical experience. Having a professional network with good, external contacts is the main thing.” She also pointed out that research and higher education management as an attractive career option between academia and administrative work but issued a word of warning. Those aiming for a professorship, she said, should avoid going into research and higher education management. “It’s a dangling carrot: you can be witness to academic pursuit but it remains beyond reach. You might be writing funding applications, but that’s it.”
Tips:
- Ask people in interesting positions how they got where they are.
- Be brave and actively involve yourself in discussions. Make yourself visible!
Research and higher education management:
- Take an interest in relevant structures and topics during your doctoral studies. Subscribe to newsletters, for instance, to stay abreast of important issues in higher education.
- Stand for election to university committees.
- Browse job advertisements in the field before you even start looking for work.
Professorships at universities of applied sciences:
- Get in touch with your local university of applied sciences as soon as you enter the industry. Offer internships or supervision for final projects, for instance, or represent your company at career days.
Regardless of her own tips on pursuing alternative career paths, Dr. Helbig encouraged women in particular to stay in academia: “If you have a passion for academia, if you want to be a professor at a university, stick to your guns. Don’t let insecurities discourage you: too many women quit their academic careers after they obtain their doctorate.”
The HRA team extends its heartfelt gratitude to all attendees, the experts who took part, and our cooperation partner, HR Development at Universität Hamburg, for the successful day!
Career development services available from the Hamburg Research Academy:
Tuesday, 3 December 2019, noon to 2 pm
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Thursday, 5 December 2019, 10 am to 4.30 pm
Wissenschaftlerinnen auf dem Weg zur Professur
(organized jointly with the Equal Opportunity Unit of Universität Hamburg and Deutscher Hochschulverband)
Tuesday, 31 December 2019, 9 am to 5 pm
Fertig mit nett! Von Fallen, Tricks und Taktiken im institutionellen Alltag
Tuesday, 11 February 2020, 2 to 4 pm
HRA spotlight – Befristungen in der Wissenschaft: Warum das WissZeitVG (fast) alle betrifft
Wednesday, 12 February 2020, 2 to 4 pm
HRA spotlight – Promovieren und Familie. Herausforderungen und Lösungen
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