WGS Course: Career Perspectives

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Dates: 23, 30 March and  6,13 & 27 April

• Introduction 
• General Information
• Programme
• Course fee
• Registration
• Information

The key to a successful career planning is a solid understanding of: one’s natural talents, acquired and preferred skills, working and communication style and areas of interest. The aim of this course is to support PhD students and Postdoc researchers, who have to a certain extent reflected upon the direction in which they want to continue their professional career, in obtaining the above-mentioned understanding. More specifically: the course provides the tools necessary to prepare and conduct an effective job search. Moreover, the course deals with the skills enabling the course participants to keep their future development and employability permanently on the agenda. With the obtained insights, they will be able to grow a professional network and successfully apply for jobs that match their goals. Note: although this course primarily focuses on the Western European/North American job market, many aspects of the course are applicable in an international setting.

Thus, the goals of the course are as follows:

• Awareness of one’s talents, skills, ambitions
• Exploring career options
• Preparing for job search and application process
• Maintaining employability on the long run

The course will give insight in career alternatives, the career perspectives offered within the different sectors, and the competences required. In general terms, one may consider the following alternatives:

Accordingly, focus will be on the competences and ambitions of the participants after which attention is given to the means and ways that the desired career can be obtained. Knowledge and insights are collected by means of homework exercises and group assignments. At the end of the course the participants present their personal action plan in a plenary setting.

Career Perspectives versus related WGS course Career Orientation: Career Orientation aims for personal discovery and acquisition of the most inspiring job. Career Orientation is meant for young scientists (PhD candidates and postdocs) who are not thrilled about their currents job and thinking about moving their career in a different direction. Career Perspectives is meant for young scientists who want to take the next step in their career and want support in defining and taking that step.

DAY 1

Session 1 (morning)
- Getting acquainted with the other course participants.
- Course: goals and expectations
- Labour market: experiences, perceptions and expectations
- Reflecting on the personality test results
- Theory on competencies and qualities
- Reflecting on the 360 degrees competency tests

Session 2 (afternoon)
- Core qualities, adding value to your qualities
- Motivated skills
- Theory on Curriculum Vitae
- Assignment for next week

DAY 2

Session 3 (morning)
- Discussion on the assignment
- Selling yourself
- Systematic inventive thinking
- Career Values
- Theory on networking

Session 4 (afternoon)
- Networking exercise
- Theory on applying and application letters
- Assignment for next week

DAY 3

Session 5 (morning)
- Presentations from organisations (e.g. NIZO, DSM, TNO)
- Networking with the speakers

Session 6 (afternoon)
- Discussion on the assignment
- Theory on Belbin Team Roles
- Inventory of Team Roles
- Theory on job interviews
- Assignment for next week

DAY 4

Session 7 (morning)
- Job interview simulations

Session 8 (afternoon)
- Assessments
- Organisational cultures
- Evaluation of networking assignment

DAY 5

Session 9 (morning)
- Job interview simulations

Session 10 (afternoon)
- Introduction to assessment game
- Negotiation Skills exercise
- Goals & theory on Personal Action Plan
- Assignment for next time

DAY 6

Session 11 (morning)
- Personal presentations and group feedback
- Career development
- Evaluation

Career Event
As a (compulsory) part of this course, participants will visit a career event. This may be the Intermediair PhD Career (23 April). Before visiting the event the course participants will receive several personal assignments.

This course is offered by Wageningen Graduate Schools (WGS)

PhDs of WU* with an approved Education Plan (TSP) of one of the WGS** and postdocs of WU registered at one of the WGS** will pay 450 euro. All others pay 1100 euro.

* or PhDs graduating at WU / participation is possible until one year after the PhD contract has ended
** EPS, CERES, MGS, PE&RC, VLAG, WIAS, WIMEK

The fee includes study and training material, coffee / tea and lunches

Registration

Closing date for registration is 4 weeks before the start of the course. Register by sending a mail to Yvonne.Smolders@wur.nl specifying:

1. Your name:
2. Name and address of research group (if applicable internal bode number):
3. Name of department:
4. Name of your graduate school:
5. Working at: Wageningen University // other university or research institute:
6. Whether you have an approved education plan (TSP) or not:
7. Status: PhD student // Post-doc // else:
8. Which course you want to participate in:
9. If you would like to do the tests beforehand in Dutch or English

Only after you received a registration confirmation (by email), registration is complete.

For further information contact: Yvonne.Smolders@wur.nl