1. Faculty HR Services Mari Svahn and Helena Knuuttila 1.6.2016
HR’s support for Doctoral Candidates Preparing doctoral candidates for working life
Faculty HR Services
Mari Svahn and Helena Knuuttila

2. Changes in academic careers
The Aalto University academic career system differs in many ways from the practices in the former universities.
International competitive recruiting for all academic positions
After PhD degree, researchers cannot automatically continue in postdoctoral positions at Aalto University
The actual career systems apply only for professors and lecturers
Other researcher positions are mainly for supporting development of academic competence (fixed term) such as Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Fellow
Staff Scientist and Senior Scientist are positions for academics focusing on specialized tasks in research and/or artistic work. Typically these positions are connected to the use and development of research infrastructures and complex research equipment or support the main academic faculty through their specialist expertise in methodology or other areas.

3. Aalto University academic titles

4. Need for career support
How to be prepared for the future
Support needed for
recognition of own strengths and development areas, awareness of transferable skills
career planning – academic vs. industry and other possibilities
Practical rehearsals
How to compile a good customized CV and cover letter
How to prepare for interviews

5. Actors that offer support for doctoral candidates
Research and Innovation Services, RIS
Doctoral education development and quality: strategic measures
Project Services (e.g. support for funding process and commercialization, trainings)
Mentoring program
Career Services
Networking through alumni network and corporate relations
Doctoral Candidate
RIS
LES
HRS
Other services
Other services:
Communications
Media communications
Campus Services
Facility services
Finance
Support for funding process
Aallon-huiput
Supervising Professor
Academic Management
Thesis Advisor
Learning Services, LES
Support for development and implementation of doctoral programmes
Services for individual doctoral students
Student services for international doctoral students
Learning Center
Electronical dissertations
Data bases
HR Services, HRS
Employee services
Career planning support (e.g. CV clinic, job searching support, career coaching, mentoring)
Support for supervising professors (e.g. template for development discussions)
Frame for orientation and competence development support

6. Manage performance and reward Develop, engage and motivate
HR services for doctoral candidates based on their employment life cycle
Early support and caring
Wellbeing tools
Sports facilities
Occupational health care
Insurance coverage
End of employment
Letter of recommendation
Attract and recruit
Ensure smooth start
Manage performance and reward
Develop, engage and motivate
Take care of wellbeing
Support transition
Development discussions
Salary discussions
Other benefits
On-boarding
Employment issues
Recruitment process
Employment contract
Help with working facilities
Frame for professional development
Building career awareness to ensure employability
Support for mobility: For outgoing and incoming staff
International assignments
Career planning support

7. Strategic Competences for Doctoral Candidates
Research and/or artistic merits
Teaching
competence
Successful doctoral degree and employment after graduation
Theoretical studies according to degree requirements
Development discussion
Career planning
Competence development
International experience

8. Career planning support by HR for doctoral candidates
CAREER COACHING
Personal or group meetings with coach (4-6 meetings)
Goal
Purpose of career counseling in personal level is to help the participant to consider deeply and realistically what he/she wants from his/her career. The goal is also to clarify the short and long term career goals of the participants.
Coaching process includes e.g. clarification of personal strengths and career targets, building a career vision and making an action plan.
CAREER PLANNING SUPPORT
The purpose of support is to open new vistas into the various career options and give concrete help for career planning.
Goal
Support for defining skills, abilities, strenghts
Communicating and marketing of competences
Reflection on different career possibilities
Workshops on customized CV and application, and enhancement of interview skills in practice
Entrepreneurship opportunities
MENTORING PROGRAMME
Mentoring for the personnel is aimed e.g. to support the actor in his/her career planning. 
International experience
PhD
Entrepreneur
Research
institutes
Companies
Academic
career
Doctoral candidate
WELLBEING SUPPORT
Early prevention of problems by offering services which help well-being and coping.
Services include e.g. support from supervisors, wellbeing tools, competence development possibilities, occupational health care services (only for employees).

9. Thank you!