Developing a Comprehensive Skills Profile as a Doctoral Student

7 March 2014

Dr Pamela Alean-Kirkpatrick; alean-academics

Description and Objectives

For the increasingly competitive national and international job markets — both within and beyond academia — it is becoming more and more important to provide evidence of transferable skills to complement subject expertise in a specific research field. These include being able to apply project management, communicate to different audiences, carry responsibility, and work effectively in a team. The university research environment offers many opportunities for developing such transferable skills.

The objective of this course is to increase awareness of the range of skills that can be, are being or should be developed while doing research as a PhD student. We will look at how these skills can be communicated to potential employers in the form of a PhD portfolio

Preparing a PhD portfolio offers a way for doctoral students to monitor, build and reflect upon their personal development, not only in their subject area but also in the area of transferable skills. By the end of the doctorate, the portfolio presents a collection of the achievements and abilities of an individual student, which highlights both what has been done together with the kinds of skills and competencies that have been developed. It helps to prepare students for seeking employment, both within and beyond academia, by enabling them to relate and respond to the requirements of employers.

All participants will finish the course with a personal skills’ profile, with knowledge of the gaps in the profile, and with strategies for filling them and developing their skills further in the future. They will be aware of the advantages of preparing a PhD portfolio and also have drawn up a structure for their personal portfolio.

Content

• Self-awareness about skills: What skills do I have? Where do I have gaps?
• Opportunity awareness: Knowledge of opportunities and ability to find these
• Writing clear skill statements and backing them with examples and evidence
• Decision making: Making a plan for personal development
• The PhD portfolio: what, why and how?

Methods

Short inputs from the trainer, individual exercises, group discussions.

Université de Neuchâtel COMPLET

Date : Friday, 7th March 2014

Schedule: 9.00 - 18.00

Location: University of Neuchâtel

Trainer: Dr. Pamela Alean-Kirkpatrick holds a doctorate in Chemistry and a postgraduate certificate in education. Since 1993 she has been working in tertiary education as an academic developer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and in Human Resources. She also works part time as a team member at the Academic Support Office, Biology Department, University of Zurich.

Participants are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train between the town of their university and the location of the workshop (half-fare card, 2nd class).

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