Careers Service, 2 nd Floor, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, +44 (0) , Make your ePortfolio (PDP) work for you! Rachael Roberts Careers Adviser Simon Cotterill Senior Research Associate

In this session we will…  Discuss the ePortfolio, PDPs, the skills audit, and reflective learning  Provide the opportunity to practice your self- assessment and recording skills  Highlight some of the opportunities for skills development  Give lots of opportunity to ask questions

Is a research qualification enough? The Review believes that measures should be put in place to help nurture a diverse range of PhD programmes to train students in research methods and technical skills, and help them acquire the advanced knowledge and transferable skills they will need in their future careers. Roberts SET for Success Review, 2002

Recording progress ‘‘Institutions will provide opportunities for research students to maintain a record of personal progress, which may include reference to the development of research and other skills” QAA Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes

Research Training Portfolio –  Research programme  Research proposal  Research plan  Annual assessments  Personal Development Plan (PDP)  Personal Development Record (PDR)

What is the portfolio?  Record of skills development  Tool to help you get the most from your research  Method for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)  Your responsibility

Why use the portfolio?  Benefits now  enable you to have some control over your development  ensure that you get the most out of your research experience and complete your PhD  provide documented evidence of commitment and competence  develop a professional reputation for the future  give you a competitive edge

Why use the portfolio?  Benefits in the future  anticipating change and not being driven by it  maintain a reputation as a professional  demonstrate your commitment to maintaining and developing competence  improves long term career prospects  provide support for appraisals and pay negotiations

Employer Perspective  “PhD researchers can be perceived as lacking in skills. There is an assumption on the part of employers that PhDs do not have generic employment skills and that their three years of academic experience has not helped them to develop key competences.” Survey of employer attitudes to postgraduate researchers, University of Sheffield 2006

Employer Perspective  “Both PhD and CRS have found it difficult to analyse, identify and provide evidence of not only research skills but also project management, team working, etc”

Careers Service, 2 nd Floor, Armstrong Building, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU, +44 (0) , Research Training Portfolio - Online -

Recording Achievements Awareness of transferable and specialist skills Actively developing your skills Express your skills and relate them to potential employers Portfolios About the ePortfolio Portfolio:  Designed around Roberts Review & Joint Skills statement  Supports Annual Progression

 Secure access from a range of locations  Sharable / facilitate interaction  Transportable (take the data with you when you leave)  Multi-purpose eg. formative & summative = reduced duplication  Highly customisable  Multiple structures / views  Easier cross-referencing  Reduced admin  Not left on the bus ! Portfolios: why do it online ?

Linked with Training Programme

 If you didn’t already do so register for this workshop on the training programme pages:  Log on to the portfolio: pf-postgrad.ncl.ac.uk  Spend some time exploring each section  Questions / Issues ? Workshop Tasks

Skills Training Requirements A) Research skills and techniques B)Research environment C)Research management D)Personal effectiveness E)Communication skills F)Networking and teamworking G) Career management

Levels of Competence  Unaware You know nothing about this skill  Aware You are learning formally and informally about the skill.  Informed You are ready to look for suitable opportunities to practise this skill  CapableYou are now using the new skill routinely, and aiming to improve by other methods.  RecognisedExternal recognition of your competence

Evidence can be drawn from…  Research & Development Programme  Publications – research articles  Conferences – posters, presentations  Committees and societies  Academic awards & funding success  Work/commercial experience  Interests  Professional courses (UK Grad, sponsors)

Self-assessment skills audit - Self Assessment/PDP Have a look at section F - Networking and Team-working  Working with others  Understanding teams  Giving and receiving feedback Assess your current skill level and record what you might do to develop further. If you have scored ‘recognised’ for each skill, you should list evidence of what you do/have done to achieve this level of competence.

Who can help?  Supervisor(s) and tutors (Graduate School)  Careers Advisers and information staff  Professional bodies and networks  Graduate Connections  Employers/Sponsor  Your own network - other students

PDP Cycle During your research, it is important to..  Identify gaps in skills and knowledge  Identify opportunities to develop experience  Set goals and targets and get involved  Record what you did, how you did it, skills and knowledge used and the final result  Review progress regularly and use progress meetings to cover professional development

Resources  Researchers’ Handbook  Professional bodies  Research Councils  Careers Service  Prospects  UK Grad

Careers Service 2 nd Floor, Armstrong Building No appointment required – just call in! Advice & Guidance available Monday to Friday 11am – 4.30pm Open from 10am term-time and vacation