Career Guidance for PhDs and Postdocs

career development
live training

Career Guidance for PhDs and Postdocs

Target Audience:
VIB PhD Student
VIB Postdoc
VIB Staff Scientist
Location:

Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II

Duration:

Intake interview on 9 or 10 January 2024

General context

PhDs and postdocs often rethink their career when they start exploring their opportunities outside academia. Having identified themselves with the topic of their research for a couple of years, they have come to a point where there is a need to translate their research into a broader range of acquired competences, professional networks and specific technical skills. On top, there is a desire to gain insight into the working context (industries, departments, type of jobs) in which they possibly could value their skills, competences and networks. Being on a turn of events in their professional careers, there is a desire to picture this change into a larger context of aspirations (drivers, values) regarding their career.

Objectives

The aim of this course is to support last year PhDs and Postdoctoral researchers in:

  • Defining new career opportunities.
  • Gaining insight in their competences and qualities.
  • Learning how to present themselves to future employers in a professional way.
Approach

The Career Guidance Course approach:

  • It consists of 3 modules.
  • Each module deals with a specific topic of career guidance. 
  • Each module consists of an individual session and a group session.  
  • You can choose your own menu. 
  • The course starts with an intake where we will discuss the content of the program and your needs.
  • During the intake, you book the sessions you wish to follow during the corresponding semester.
  • Final registrations will be based on motivation, availability for participation and urgency.
  • The course is offered every semester. 
  • Places are limited: 12 participants for the individual sessions, 15 participants for the group sessions.
Event intended for

This training is explicitly meant for PhDs and postdocs within VIB who will finish their project in the coming two years (2024/2025). 

Extra information
  • Note that you register for the intake interview only. Seats will be assigned to the participants after the intake interview based on motivation, availability and urgency.
  • This training is only open for VIB participants and is free.
  • Note that upon no show without valid justification a fee of € 100 will be charged and you will be blacklisted for the VIB training program for 1 year. Click here for more information.
  • This course is also organized in Leuven: click here for more info.

Interested to know where the VIB alumni end up after their time at VIB? You can find several alumni testimonials on our VIB alumni webpages.

Trainers

Lucia Smit

Dr. Lucia Smit is founder of Braingain, organizational sociologist and certified professional co-active coach (CPCC). Lucia started her career as a management consultant of companies and governments. She then studied the careers of scientists as a member of an OECD working group. Since 2007 Lucia guides professionals in translating their ambitions to the needs of their work environment and the labor market. Increasing self-knowledge is the starting point.

Contact Lucia Smit :
info@braingain.be

Program

Intake interview:

9 or 10 January 2024 - an individual slot of 30 minutes (L0)

 

Module 1: Career Exploration

Discover your career options 

16 or 23 January 2024 - an  individual slot of 60 minutes  (L0)

Personal branding

6 February 2024 - group session from 11h00 - 14h00 (L4)

 

Module 2: Discover your competences and qualities

Detect your qualities and downsides

20 February or 5 March 2024 - an individual slot of 60 minutes (L0)

Discover your competences

12 March 2024 - group session from 11h00 - 14h00 (L4)

 

Module 3: Effective job application

Review your CV and cover letter

19 March or 23 April 2024 - an individual slot of 60 minutes (L0 or online)

Convincing a jury

7 May 2024 - group session from 11h00 - 14h00 (L4)

Practical info

Download all practical info
Location & Venue
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II

Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium

Public transport
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Public transport

From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take bus 49, 50 or 70 to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.

Route description
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Parking

Route description

There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket and have it validated at the reception desk of the FSVM building. Parking will only be allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the new parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited and after initial warnings, fines will be issued (€ 50).

Venue contact
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Extra information