Only ~10% of early career academics have a formal career development plan. Be part of that 10%.
A PhD is more than a research project - it’s the foundation of your future career. But building a sustainable academic pathway can be difficult and it’s also not what every PhD student neccessarily wants. This face-to-face workshops is about giving PhD students the tools, structure, and confidence to design a personalised career development plan that supports doctoral progress and long‑term career aspirations both inside and outside of academia. Crafting a successful career requires clarity, strategy, and a deep understanding of who you are becoming as a researcher.
What You Will Learn
How self‑awareness, opportunity awareness, networks & relationships, decision‑making skills, and transversal skills shape career success during and after your PhD.
About modern academic working identity and how our personal working identities are influenced by our motivations, choices and impact our career direction.
How to identify gaps in your current skillset and map them to future career goals.
The importance of building strong networks and social capital to support your career progression.
How to set meaningful goals that align with your values, strengths, and research vision.
The diverse career paths open to PhD graduates and current research about PhD graduate employability.
What You Will Do
Map your strengths, values, motivations, and working preferences using guided reflective exercises.
Craft a personal mission statement that captures who you are and the impact you want to make.
Complete a skills self‑assessment focused on both academic and transferrable skills.
Conduct a rapid critical review of your current network - identify mentors, sponsors, collaborators, and community connections.
Plan to sense‑check your goals with mentors and peers.
You’ll leave with a draft of your personalised career development plan, including research goals, skill‑building goals, networking goals, and a plan to keep yourself accountable to achieve your goals.
Who This Workshop Is For
PhD students seeking clarity, direction, or momentum who want to become more intentional with their career development. Students who feel unsure about their next steps and want a structured, supportive space to plan.
Why It Matters
Completing a PhD is a big commitment and sometimes it can be a time when expectations, opportunities, and career pathways can feel unclear. Without a structured approach to career development, some candidates reach the end of their doctorate without the skills, networks, or confidence they need to progress.
A personalised career development plan helps you:
Make intentional decisions about your research, training, and opportunities.
Build the capabilities that matter for post‑PhD success.
Strengthen your academic identity and sense of direction.
Begin to navigate uncertainty with more confidence and agency.
Plan a sustainable, fulfilling academic career - starting now, not later.
Please note:
The venue is TBC but will be located centrally in the Melbourne CBD near to public transport.
To keep ticket costs down, this event is not catered.