Career Planning for Biology and Geography PhD Researchers

The course provides knowledge for PhD researchers about different career paths and the current and future skill requirements for non-university working life. It also offers an opportunity for PhD researchers to identify and reflect on their own professional and personal strengths in relation to these opportunities and skill expectations. The course is integrated into biology and geography doctoral programs’ ongoing NOSTE project, which aims to incorporate career guidance and the changing competence needs of working life more closely into doctoral education programs. As a part of the project, a career event is organized in co-operation with key non-university employers. The event forms the main content for the course. The career event consists of employer presentations, a doctoral alumni panel, presentation from career services (University of Oulu), and discussion sessions. Learning assignments related to career planning and job seeking will be done independently in Moodle before and after the career event. In addition, course includes peer-feedback discussions which will be organized via Zoom. Also, students will receive feedback from course teachers.

Upon completion of the course, the student will

• have a better knowledge about the key field-specific and transferable skills required in non-university working life for biology and geography doctoral graduates.
• have a broader understanding of possible career paths and the critical phases of career planning for biology and geography doctoral graduates.
• be able to write a compelling motivation letter as well to identify and articulate their own competences relevant to future career paths.