Unlock career opportunities and expand your professional network with our resources.  Discover strategies for career growth, job search, networking, and enhancing your professional development.

Career and Networking
Michael Nkrumah-Appau

Finding the Right Supervisors: An Underrated Springboard to Enjoying the PhD Journey 

Mentors and supervisors are invaluable helpers on our PhD journey, yet this aspect of a PhD is often not considered enough to ensure they are the right fit for us. This article, from a Ghanian perspective, provides advice on finding and maintaining the right supervisors, who have the potential to completely transform one’s PhD journey into an enjoyable one. It reminds us that supervisors should be seen not as someone to try to replicate, but to springboard us into attaining our own personal goals.

Read More »
Academic Careers
Chris Thompson

Death by a Thousand Semesters: Are Academic Careers as All-Consuming as People Say?

The stress and all-consuming nature of pursuing an academic career is often detailed in social media posts and anecdotal tales. Whilst it is useful for PhD students to understand the perils of careers in academia, this article provides further context for some of the issues surrounding progression in the academic profession. It runs through five factors that impact on how all-consuming academic careers can be, ultimately advising you to progress in academia at your own pace.

Read More »
Alternative Careers
Stuart Blaney

PhD in Later Life: It’s Never Too Late To Be a Student

This article explores the experience of doing a part-time distance PhD in later life. The author’s age was an advantage, allowing them to focus on their thesis without distractions or major hiccups. The article reflects on how to make for a smooth doctorate – emphasising the importance of strong interest in your topic, supervisors who are easy to work with, and a bit of luck!

Read More »
Academic Careers
Brian Martin

Tonight, I’m an Academic Star: Top Tips for Applying, Preparing and Presenting at Conferences 

The idea of attending and presenting at academic conferences can seem incredibly intimidating for PhD students. Drawing on his wide range of experiences at conferences around the world, this PhD candidate provides advice and tips on applying, preparing, attending, and presenting at an academic conference. Remember to enjoy your brief time in the spotlight, and remember your presentation is really only a small element of the event!

Read More »
Career and Networking
Chris Thompson

‘Hey, I Just Met You, and This Is Crazy, but Here’s My LinkedIn, so Connect with Me Maybe’: How to Network at Conferences

Want to learn the dos and don’ts of effective networking at academic conferences? This article outlines five steps to maximise your networking potential, complete with template messages to send to your desired connections before and after the event. The article emphasises the importance of manners, personal space, and picking your moments accordingly.

Read More »
Career and Networking
Michael Nkrumah-Appau

Finding the Right Supervisors: An Underrated Springboard to Enjoying the PhD Journey 

Mentors and supervisors are invaluable helpers on our PhD journey, yet this aspect of a PhD is often not considered enough to ensure they are the right fit for us. This article, from a Ghanian perspective, provides advice on finding and maintaining the right supervisors, who have the potential to completely transform one’s PhD journey into an enjoyable one. It reminds us that supervisors should be seen not as someone to try to replicate, but to springboard us into attaining our own personal goals.

Read More »
Career and Networking
Kerry McPherson

The Secret Power Of Blogging

Discover the secret power of blogging for PhD students looking to combat boredom and isolation. Kerry McPherson shares her experience starting a collaborative science communication blog and how it led to networking, expanding her communication skills, learning, and even career opportunities.

Read More »
Academic Careers
Chris Thompson

Should I Complete Side Projects as a PhD Student?

‘Side projects’ are valuable additional endeavours alongside your PhD that can build your skillset, relevant connections and future employability – both in and outside of academia. This article discusses some common side project ideas for PhD students, and highlights some of the short-term sacrifices required to complete them.

Read More »
Update cookies preferences