Proactively Managing Relationships and Networks (428)

8 April 2025

Dr Tanja Wranik

The doctoral dissertation process is a personal and professional adventure. Candidates spend many hours learning skills such as planning and conducting experiments, analyzing data, presenting results, and writing articles. Although such scientific competencies are of course essential, they are not enough. A successful career also depends on creating the "right" relationships with thesis directors, colleagues, and extended networks. For those who want to establish a career outside of academia, it also includes developing and maintaining professional networks beyond the university. And for any career in today's competitive and complex environment, a sophisticated social tool kit (e.g. self-presentation, influencing, negotiating, leadership, and communication) is essential.

In this interactive workshop, we will systematically examine the factors underlying constructive work relationships. We will then discuss how to proactively manage relationships, build skills, and develop and maintain networks that support the chosen or anticipated career path(s). The workshop will be tailored to the needs of participants, and build upon team dynamics and resources. The aim is to build awareness, develop skills, and to empower participants for an enjoyable doctoral experience and a rewarding career.

Content

The workshop covers:

• An overview of the major factors underlying constructive work relationships
• Understanding own strengths and goals concerning social and networking skills
• How to develop specific social skills (e.g., negotiating, influencing, managing conflict, leadership)
• Analyzing and developing networks that support a chosen career path.

Target Group

This course is open to doctoral candidates from all fields. Participants should have completed at least one year of their dissertation process. Sufficient experience (minimum one year) working in the lab or research context with different groups of people will make the workshop most relevant.

Preparation for the Workshop

Please be aware that this is an interactive workshop, in which you will be asked to reflect upon your own needs and goals and to share networking ideas and experiences with the other participants.
 
We therefore strongly suggest that you think about and come prepared to discuss the following questions:
 
What is your academic career goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What will you be doing? Where will you be living?
In case you do not wish to pursue an academic career, or if the academic career goal does not work out, what is (are) your non-academic career goal(s)? Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What will you be doing? Where will you be living?
What are you already doing to build and maintain a network and what are your specific questions and needs.

ONLINE!

Date : Tuesday 8th April 2025

Schedule : From 9:30 am to 5:30 pm

Place: Online

Instructor:

Tanja Wranik advises academic and non-academic organizations and institutions on strategic organizational development and workplace health promotion topics and teaches at several universities and business schools. She has implemented prevention, development, and transformation projects in a wide range of industries and organizations and worked with leaders and teams from over 70 nations.

Her academic qualifications include a PhD (Bucknell University, USA; University of Geneva, Switzerland), a postdoctoral specialization in behavioral economics and finance (Yale University, USA), and a certificate in Mastering Board Governance (IMD, Switzerland). In addition, she is a Certified Systemic Leadership and Team Coach and Supervisor, PCC, ICF; EMCC, SP. She works in English, German, and French.

www.linkedin.com/in/tanja-wranik-24772b8

Tanja.Wranik(at)pimetrics(dot)org

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