As we reach the end of the 2024 University of Limerick “Navigate – Researchers Beyond Academia” career development programme, I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know a motivated, talented, and extremely hard-working group of postdoctoral researchers at UL.
This programme, offered by UL HR Talent Development, is designed for researchers seeking to explore career opportunities beyond academia. In collaboration with Maeve Lankford, I had the pleasure of delivering a series of workshops and 1-1 sessions with researchers across STEM and non-STEM disciplines to support them in achieving their individual career goals.
The Navigate programme allows researchers to reflect on their careers, chart their desired direction, and acquire practical tools through workshops and 1-1 sessions focused on CV building, interview skills, job search and career planning. We gained valuable insights from panel discussions featuring industry experts, some of whom had successfully transitioned from academic research to industry. They shared insights into what organisations look for when hiring individuals with research backgrounds and how to best navigate the transition process.
Over the course of the programme, we witnessed the participants’ growing confidence as they realised the value of their unique and transferable skills in industry settings.
Here’s what some of the participants had to say:
“The Navigate programme was very useful and informative and I feel that I now have all of the tools and knowledge to enable a move to industry. The content of the programme was tailored to the specific needs of researchers and it was up-to-date, practical and relevant.”
“Thank you so much for all your assistance throughout the Navigate programme – it was so insightful and helpful, and very much appreciated. It was a fantastic programme.”
“Thank you for the 1-to-1 Career Clinic session and for all your support throughout the Navigate programme. I have learned a lot and appreciate the resources you have shared.”
Working with such a talented, collaborative, and engaged group was truly inspiring. Maeve Lankford and I extend our gratitude to UL HR Talent Development and to the incredible researchers for their invaluable contributions and the hard work that they have invested in their career development. We were delighted to be a part of this innovative programme.
researchers careerdevelopment universityoflimerick navigate bernalinstitute LeroCentre careertransition professionaldevelopment researchcareers academiatobusiness industrycareers postdoctoralresearch careerpathways
