From May to September 2023, Maeve Lankford and I had the privilege of collaborating with a talented group of Postdoctoral Researchers from the University of Limerick as part of the ‘Navigate – Researchers Beyond Academia’ program. This initiative, offered by UL HR Talent Development, is designed for researchers seeking to explore career opportunities beyond academia.
The program allowed 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 program, we witnessed the participants’ growing confidence as they realised the value of their unique and transferable skills in industry settings. Some have already secured new roles, and we look forward to hearing about future successes.
Here’s what some of the participants had to say:
“Career development coaching, CV writing and interview preparation is essential for all to prepare for any job interview whether in the public or private sector. This program covers the skills necessary to go for any job beyond academia.”
“The course was wonderfully practical and with a good level of depth. The speakers were fantastic, and there was a lot of opportunity for engagement and interaction, both with the facilitators and with the other attendees.”
“It was really great participating in the Navigate program. All the sessions were invaluable, and they will be useful for me throughout my career.”
Working with such a talented, collaborative, and engaged group was truly inspiring. Maeve Lankford and I extend our gratitude to University of Limerick HR Talent Development and contributing colleagues in the Careers Office and to the incredible researchers for their invaluable contributions. We were delighted to be a part of this innovative programme.
#researchers #postdoc #careerdevelopment #navigate
