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

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

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

‘Who guides PhD candidates in their career development?’ ScienceGuide 14/11/2017 http://bit.ly/2E5c9xa EURAXIND workshop | 25 January 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘I liked the topic / I liked research’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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