Career Management in Academia

Customer

A large university with approximately 700 post-doctoral research staff many of whom, due to new employment legislation, will be coming to the end of their contractual period of employment with the University and will have to seek alternative careers.

The Task

To deliver a programme of Career Management Seminars to help academic staff better understand the job market (particularly outside academia) and what will be required of them in their own job search and self-marketing.

Our Approach

To ensure the specifically-tailored seminars met the requirements of the research staff, a series of pilot sessions were held. Candidate feedback from the pilot sessions was gathered and the effectiveness of the seminars proven. A continuing seminar programme - with associated one-to-one candidate follow-up has now been put in place with the university.

One-day workshops specifically tailored to address the needs of those potentially transferring from academic to commercial environments was supported by a comprehensive workbook issued to each candidate and a direct line of contact to the Facilitators consultant. Individual one-to-one coaching and mentoring offered in support of the workshops has been taken-up by approximately 50% of the attendees who have initiated individual career management activity.

Due to positive feedback from attendees, the service is now available to the full range of research staff and is also being considered for PhD students preparing to take their first career steps.

The Result

• That the University recognises the difficulties facing its research staff and to offer constructive support to help address new challenges
• That the perceived "threat" factor of a significant work and lifestyle change can be handled openly and constructively
• That staff can understand the process of a structured career transition and how it can be managed.
• As early candidates achieve success in finding alternative careers, morale of remaining research staff is maintained.
• The reputation of the University has been maintained despite challenging circumstances