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.

Through the Doctoral College PGR Work Placement Framework, the Doctoral College can support postgraduate researchers (PGRs) to find an industry placement or internship during your doctorate or between submitting your thesis and subsequent viva.

The framework supports the ambitions of the Doctoral College, and the wider university, to enrich the experience of our PGRs in preparation for future careers in higher-level roles and as future leaders.

The benefits of undertaking a placement during a doctorate is now generally recognised and evidenced by initiatives such as the UKRI Policy Internship Scheme, the BBSRC Professional Internships for PhD students (PIPS) and CASE studentships where the placement is developed in collaboration between academic and non-academic partners.

One of the first steps for any PGR considering a placement is the requirement for them to discuss with and seek the permission of their supervisor.

Visit the Doctoral College PGR Work Placement Framework page on SurreyLearn (our VLE) where you will be able to access:

• A process map for the framework
• PGR work placement guidance – all you need to know about the process, how to access support, plus links to a range of graduate and internship websites to source placements and tips for making speculative approaches to companies.
• Details of over 80 placement opportunities either specifically for, or open to postgraduate researchers.
• PGR Work Placement Expression of Interest form to let the Doctoral College know you are looking for a placement, so we can support you.

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.

Through the Doctoral College postgraduate researchers have the opportunity to work with a mentor who is working in a different setting, beyond academia. Many of our employer mentors are Surrey alumni with Doctoral Experience.

Having an employer as a mentor is particularly beneficial if you would like to:

• Gain an external perspective, discussing the potential differences between academia and commerce/industry
• Find out about specific work areas and the day-to-day reality of different job roles
• Develop your network of contacts for the future, whether for collaboration or a future job search
• Discover how your research is viewed outside of academia
• Support in the transition from academia to business/industry/government organisations/the not-for-profit sector.

Find out more about employer mentoring and see the current list of available mentors or email Emma Francis, Careers Consultant, e.francis@surrey.ac.uk.

Through the Doctoral College it is possible for postgraduate researchers to become student members of the IoD. Key benefits are the opportunity to develop your networking skills, build your professional network and gain commercial and leadership insights.

Benefits include:

• Opportunities to meet Surrey business leaders and potential employers
• Access to regional and national IoD events at reduced rates
• Bespoke workshops and events delivered at the Surrey University
• Access to an exclusive LinkedIn area where you can interact with the IoD community.

To find out more about the benefits of joining the IoD email rdp@surrey.ac.uk.

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