Careers support for postgraduate research students

Impartial and confidential, a single coaching session or series of sessions; career coaching is an opportunity to discuss with a professionally qualified and experienced careers consultant a range of topics from personal and professional career development, training needs, and planning, decision-making strategies, through to job applications, CVs, and interview preparation.

Appointments can be booked online: https://pathfinder.surrey.ac.uk/student/login.html

A careers discussion is an opportunity to explore ideas, reflect on strengths and professional development, wherever you are in your career thinking, and whatever your background or experience. You do not need to have a clear sense of direction. If you are unsure, that is a good indicator that a meeting may be helpful!

Sessions cover a variety of topics including:            

• Making the most of your doctorate: career planning for PGRs
• Building your professional network
• CV writing
• Effective job search
• Interview skills
• Career options beyond academia
• Preparing for a post doc.

Tailored workshops can be delivered on request

View a full list of workshops.

Surrey Black Scholars: To Become Visible Programme

This programme provides Black and Mixed Black postgraduate researchers who are UK residents with the resources, support, and environment necessary to achieve excellence and pursue rich and rewarding careers after graduation.  The programme is jointly funded by the Office for Students, Research England, and the University of Surrey.

Funding through the Surrey Black Scholars programme extends to include support to undertake a work placement to all Black and Mixed Black postgraduate researchers who have the right to work in the UK.

SurreyConnects is our new online platform, which brings alumni and students together for networking and mentoring.

Register, create your profile and get networking online, find talent for your business, develop mentoring skills by supporting current students and share your knowledge with others.

Visit the SurreyConnects webpage

Surrey Pathfinder is a digital hub offering a range of career development tools and information related to finding work, including labour market information and the tools to help you further reflect on your personality and aptitudes, and details of events run by the careers and employability department.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a competition established by the University of Queensland in 2008 that has since spread to more than 600 universities across the world. Doctoral students are challenged to condense their research into a talk of three minutes or less that is engaging, inspiring and entertaining for a non-specialist audience. This is a great opportunity to build communication skills, to find out more email rdp@surrey.ac.uk.

The Doctoral College Conference is the flagship event for the University’s postgraduate and early career researcher community. This annual event is your chance to discover the research taking place at Surrey, meet your fellow researchers, and broaden your horizons, gaining valuable skills to enhance your career. It is an opportunity to gain experience of an academic conference, within a familiar and supportive environment. For more information email RDP@surrey.ac.uk.

Would you like to collaborate internationally, build your networks and gain skills and practical experience? The Turing scheme enables PGRs to access a grant to support the cost of living whilst undertaking an international research or work placement outside of the UK. Grants are available for placements lasting from 28 days to 12 months. 

View PGR international placements