One of the key drivers for forming Shinton Consulting was to focus on developing careers resources for post-docs. As with the postgrad section, we have based this page on discussions we have had with post-docs at various events. If there is something significant missing, or you know of a site that you think others will find useful, please do contact us.
CV advice for leaving academia (complete with example CVs)
Resources for post-docs
Career change – alternatives to academia
Self analysis and awareness
Recommended books
Resources for post-docs
Many universities and organisations have responded to the need for relevant career management materials for post-docs. An increasing number of universities offer one-to-one guidance and support, so find out if yours is one! The ones listed below also devote sections of their websites to links or information:
- Bristol was one of the first institutions to offer meaningful support to its research staff and now has a dedicated careers adviser for post-doc appointments.
- Sheffield hosts the Supporting
Research Staff site, which includes:
- Research Career Builder containing a skills matrix whereby Contract Researchers, with assistance if necessary, can measure the levels of their existing skills;
- two Employment Skills Guidebooks with examples of how transferable skills are being acquired, can be built into projects and can transfer to other work contexts;
- a Staff Review Scheme, to facilitate development and monitor progress. A number of training materials, case studies and checklists to enable career tracking have also been developed.
Career change – alternatives to academia
Career Guidance and Staff Development Resources for post-docs
Full set of case studies of former academic researchers and other useful
resources – all devised for academic researchers specifically. Please note
that this link comes via the Internet Archive as the original page has been
removed – therefore the links inside these pages may not be reliable.
Graduate School (no connection to the UK GRAD
programme)
A US site which has links to articles and features on all aspects of postgraduate
life and beyond. The design is “busy” as it is well supported
by sponsors, but brings together resources from a huge range of sites, such
as these on alternative
careers.
Self awareness and self analysis
'What Color is Your Parachute'
is one of the best known job hunting books
and its sister site has excellent advice, contacts, interactive tests and articles.
Tends to be US focused, but still highly rated.
Life Work Transitions is an on-line book with exercises on defining core competencies, passions, preferences and purpose, and goal setting.
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