1. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Combined Employers and Institutions Workshop EURAXIND
The Hague. 25 January 2018
Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Chiat Cheong PhD
Faculty of Science - Career Service

2. Introduction Policy advisor HR department of Faculty of Science
Set-up and coordination of Career Service
Self-employed
Consultancy on career development programmes
Training & coaching of PhD, postdoc researchers
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

3. My background Scientist by training (PhD in Biomed Sciences)
International academic research career for 11yrs
Professional mission since 2009: Support PhD/postdoc career development - target group - their employers
Served >2.000 PhD/postdoc researchers
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

4. ‘Who guides PhD candidates in their career development?’
ScienceGuide 14/11/
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

5. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Researchers’ career development:
What’s the big deal?
researchers: intelligent, highly educated grown-ups
universities aim for science output and personal development
universities offer career development programmes
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

6. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Only a minority of all PhD graduates/postdocs will become faculty staff
Research career: a stepping stone to non-academic careers
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

7. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
But: (I am aware I am biased…)
Transition of many PhD graduates/postdocs to careers outside academia does not go smoothly
Prejudices money-minded, freedom, intellectual challenge
Confidence in professional value transferable skills, seniority
Few or total lack of role models limited knowledge about possibilities, identity
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

8. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
PhD postdoc
- publications - grants - expert in your field
Research profile
- transferable skills - proven personal qualities
Development into professional with broad employability
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

9. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
PhD postdoc
- publications - grants - expert in your field
Research profile
Daily job
+ passion + demanding: competition!
- transferable skills aware? - proven personal qualities
Professional value outside academia/expertise
= ?
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

10. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
If unaware of professional value, this is how leaving academia might feel like:
PhD postdoc
Leave behind investment & start from scratch
- publications - grants - expert in your field
Research profile
+ passion
- transferable skills - proven personal qualities
Professional value outside academia/expertise
= ?
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

11. ‘I liked the topic / I liked research’

12. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
If unaware of professional value, this is how leaving academia might feel like:
PhD postdoc
Leave behind investment & start from scratch
- publications - grants - expert in your field
Research profile
+ passion
- transferable skills - proven personal qualities
Professional value outside academia/expertise
= ?
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

13. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
If unaware of professional value, this is how leaving academia might feel like:
‘Did you know we have courses/support to strengthen your profile for your
professional future outside academia?’
Leave behind investment & start from scratch
Cling on probability to succeed in academia ‘up or out’
Career development ‘never a priority’ until very late
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

14. There is an important task for universities to ‘seduce’ researchers to look beyond and see positive opportunities
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

15. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Who to turn to for advice?
Supervisor, PI Knowledge about job market? Interests <publish or perish> ? Safe to disclose doubts? Attributing them another responsibility?
HR Sensibilities of research life, at a distance (at UvA)
Graduate School Programmes, someone to talk to?
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

16. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Approach of UvA-faculty of Science Dedicated Career Service (pilot Sep16-Oct17)
Targeting temporary scientific staff PhD/postdocs/temp teaching staff
Assignment:
- mobilize for career development - provide support
Led by a PhD credibility/understanding/trust
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

17. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Look beyond
Bringing in PhD role models now outside academia
what considerations, what tasks, what environment, what values,..
SAFE to attend faculty’s event without admitting to maybe leave
See positive opportunities
‘more possibilities than aware of! Likely also something for me’
intervision, reflection on career anchors
structure career development (where to start?)
Provide tools
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

18. Role of universities Insights from the work floor
Post-pilot phase: Career Service is to stay
10/11 institutes engaged in career development events
21 new career orientation/development events in 14 months
Reached 500 participants including those with >1yr contract left
Still on my wish-list
More structured approach
More network contacts of PhDs at all kinds of places
Availability of programme/more tools
Involvement of supervisors/PIs/HR advisors
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

19. There is an important task for universities to ‘seduce’ researchers to look beyond and see positive opportunities How do you reach out?
EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

20. Combined Employers and Institutions Workshop EURAXIND
The Hague. 25 January 2018
Contact: Chiat Cheong, PhD UvA FNWI Career Service Science Park 904 Amsterdam