Career Management and Progression
Planning your career development is a critical component of a researcher's professional growth and success in this ever-changing global research environment.
You can take an active role in your personal and career development to complement and align with your professional growth. You can integrate your career development with your research activities by acquiring new skills, being flexible and open to opportunities, taking charge of specific aspects of a project, or promoting yourself at conferences and other events.
Career development focuses on the value of your aspirations and shaping an authentic research career and is essential whether you pursue an academic or non-academic career. Career development is essential whether you pursue an academic or non-academic career.
Transitions to New Careers
Researchers are important human capital for our economy and society. While the number of researchers has continued to increase, there has been little or no growth in the availability of academic positions. Despite this, many early career researchers aspire to have academic careers, and typically, many researchers experience a series of fixed-term contracts or fellowships while searching for an academic position. However, few know the breadth of career opportunities open to them, particularly beyond higher education.
Very little is known about the career paths of researchers who were initially employed in higher education as research staff. 'What do Research Staff do Next' examines the motivations and transitions of ECRs from academia to other fields, delves into their experiences, perspectives, and career development needs, offers valuable insights for both researchers navigating employment opportunities beyond higher education research.
Below are a collection of personal stories that delves into the experiences of ECRs as they navigate the transition from academia to diverse professional pathways. By exploring their knowledge, perspectives, and choices, this narrative illuminates the factors influencing career decisions and provides invaluable insights for researchers and mentors alike, fostering empowerment and guidance in the ever-evolving landscape of research careers.
'The Career Pathways of Doctoral Graduates' provides 12 case studies from 'The Right Skills: Celebrating Skills in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences'
Vitae's Career Stories Collection provides 40 case studies.