The People Lab’s Post

So you are looking for an academic promotion next year or the year after? Remember that your publication record and grant income are only part of the story. Many universities rue the day they appointed a ‘rock star’ researcher without any proven ability to manage people, understand academic governance, read a financial spreadsheet or show they can appreciate the value of working across disciplines. Enhance your chance of promotion or a new appointment by showing you appreciate the bigger picture of research impact, of how the university operates within the higher education regulatory environment and the value of true engagement within and beyond the university. You do this by taking responsibility for your own professional development and being prepared to take on short-term governance and leadership roles. Be open-minded as to how the new connections you make in these roles can empower the research goals of your team, can build your profile within the university, and build your influence because you understand how and why decisions are made better than most. So while others around you are complaining, you see possibilities. Don’t wait to be ‘tapped on the shoulder’ for a professional development opportunity, find them yourself! Look to opportunities that play to a core strength of yours (eg media presentations) or seek to address a weakness (eg reading spreadsheets and financial management).  www.ethos.com.au #researchleaders #highereducationleadership #leadership #universities #research

Whether supervisors should assist their PhD students in career advancement is particularly compelling. While it might seem naive to some to expect career guidance or assistance from a supervisor, the reality of transitioning from academia to professional life is complex and challenging, even for the most accomplished young researchers. Indeed, securing a first career post-PhD can be daunting. Despite having a strong publication record, relevant experience, and solid research outcomes, young researchers often need help with the harsh reality of an oversaturated job market where there always seems to be a demand for more publications or more complete research. Supervisors have a unique position of influence and network that could significantly benefit fresh Ph.D. graduates. It's not just about "advertising" a candidate; it's about recognizing potential and opening doors for opportunities that might otherwise remain inaccessible. This isn't to say supervisors should handhold indefinitely but rather offer initial guidance and support, perhaps by pointing out suitable positions or making introductions. I strongly advocate giving graduates a chance in academia and any field relevant to their expertise and interests. A single opportunity could pivot a fresh graduate towards a fulfilling and impactful career. Isn't it rewarding to see someone you've mentored succeed and contribute meaningfully to their field? Fostering such success stories is part of the unwritten responsibility of a supervisor. What are your thoughts? Should supervisors play an active role in their students' post-PhD career trajectory, or is it beyond their remit? #phdresearch #supervisor #academic #geotechnicalengineering #mentorship

Been thinking about the evolution of academic career. Especially how your time allocation changes. It goes something like this: (a) doctoral candidate - 100% own research / 0% team's research (this is typical, though not always --- sometimes you're already in a team, but even in that case, your supervisor should guide you to do your own research in order to advance your dissertation) (b) post-doctoral researcher - 70% own research / 30% team's research (now you're starting to contribute to other projects than those where you're the lead author; these are collaborators, colleagues, and students) (c) tenure-track professor - 50% own research / 50% team's research (now enter PhD students, which you need to guide and teach. You're getting less time with your own research and doing more knowledge and skills transfer.) (d) full professor - 30% own research / 70% team's research (at this stage, your focus shifts to doing even more knowledge transfer. You're expected to run reasonable sized research projects, acquire funding for others, and act as PI/supervisor. You also deal with more admin work and move obstacles away from team members' paths.) (e) dean - 10% own research / 90% team's research (if you even have a team - you might just be doing 100% admin stuff, running the department and going to meetings all day. Now you have higher up stakeholders like rector and ministry of education to consider. Macro-level goals like the number of degrees, number of research points, study program development enter your sights. Very little hands-on research remains.) So, this is pretty much the same as in industry, where you'd go from a practitioner (=someone who practices a skill) to a manager (=someone who supervises others). As your role evolves, you need to shift your mindset from enjoying your own successes and progress to enjoying seeing the success of others. Personally, I'm at the tenure-track stage and am finding it very easy to take pride and enjoyment in seeing others progress. #research #work #academia #career

How do you feel when your supervisor, despite having a strong network and influence, doesn't assist you in advancing your career after completing your PhD? Should supervisors help their PhD students in securing their first career or is it not their responsibility to help students find a good position? Alternatively, should students be expected to find their job after completing their PhD? Many supervisors never help their students in securing a good career. I believe that as supervisors, it is our responsibility to assist them at the beginning of their careers (if possible). I think all supervisors feel proud when they see their students in good positions.

Not everyone starts a PhD as a bright eyes recent graduate. For some, it may be years of work before embarking on a research career. For some, it may take an excellent manager who sees something in you that you are not even aware of. Dr Dawn Scholey shares her story of entering doctoral research following a career as a technician. https://lnkd.in/e3GvxqwU The cheerleading of her manager was key in enabling her to take her first step towards doctoral research. Listening to our conversation will prompt your thinking: 🌺 How you may not see your own potential, but having a cheerleader to make you believe in yourself may take you to places you had never imagined 🌺 How it is never too late to take a professional challenge  🌺. Why choosing a research environment that works for you is a key decision in choosing who to work with and where to work #womeninresearch #techniciantoresearcher #supportivemanager #Nottinghamtrentuniversity

"Incredibly interesting and fulfilling," says my friend about a PhD 👩🏫 but "will it be worth it?" He is currently at a Big Company and not considering academia - so, what do you think? Perhaps you are a Dr. 👨🏫 - but not in academia - how was it for you? Any regrets? What's your advice? 🤔 And if you're a hiring manager, does a PhD make a difference? Join in the debate on the column at hashtag #phd #career #academia

What ultimately made you decide to choose a career in consulting? This was one of many questions I answered this afternoon on the Doctoral and Postdoc Consulting Job Panel at my alma mater NYU. I shared more about my career path and what led me to consulting and starting The Pivotal Group. I appreciated the opportunity to share the stage with you, Laura Murray and Anthony Bainor. Special thanks to the facilitator, Kelly Graham, for guiding the discussion. #NYU #Doctorate #Career #Consulting

Title: Navigating Post-Master's Choices: PhD or Job Market? Hey LinkedIn fam! 🎓 Are you standing at the crossroads after completing your master's degree? 🤔 I've been there, and I know it's a pivotal moment filled with choices and possibilities. In my latest blog, I delve into the considerations between pursuing a Ph.D. or entering the job market after your master's degree. Here's a sneak peek: 🔍 Pursuing a Ph.D.: Passion for research 🌟 Career in academia 📚 Intellectual growth 💡 Networking opportunities 🤝 💼 Entering the Job Market: Immediate financial benefits 💰 Gaining practical experience 🛠️ Career advancement opportunities 🚀 Flexibility to explore different paths 🌐 I share my thoughts on both paths and the factors to consider. But I'm curious about your experiences and insights! What influenced your decision after your master's degree? Are you leaning towards academia or the job market, and why? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's start a conversation! 🚀 #CareerDecisions #PhDvsJobMarket #CareerJourneyUSA #Unitedstates #America #Survey

🎙 Excited to share a discussion session with a Dean (Research), Assoc. Prof. Min Teah from Curtin University on various critical aspects of academic career development in an upcoming session. Here's a sneak peek of the topics that will be covered: 00:15 Addressing the expectations for a Lecturer or SL from a Dean (Research) 02:33 Evaluating the Quality of Research 04:40 Emphasizing the Importance of a Multi-disciplinary Approach 06:40 Identifying Factors that could impact Job Promotion 09:50 Outlining the Expectations for an Associate Professor or a Professor level 12:30 Navigating the Landscape of Research Grants 14:50 Analyzing Emerging Trends in the Past 10 Years 16:05 If you could go back in time, what would be the one suggestion you would like to tell your younger self? Link to the Main Page: https://lnkd.in/gRqn8ekC Link to the Session: https://lnkd.in/g5uwW_ba Production Team: Sara Quach, Griffith University Park Thaichon (Host), University of Southern Queensland Support Team: Annie Y. Lars-Erik Casper Ferm Muhammad Haroon Shoukat Nirma Jayawardena Samby Fready Sanchita Bansal Previous sessions (Career Paths): Career Paths: Tips for Junior Academics from a Vice Dean | Prof. Jochen Wirtz | Journey 00 Special https://lnkd.in/gP7MnRAH Career Paths: Tips for Young Academics | Prof. Liliana Bove | Journey 01 https://lnkd.in/gXteqNk4 Career Paths: From a Lecturer to a Professor | Prof. Weng Marc Lim | Journey 04 https://lnkd.in/gd7E8AUE Job Promotions: Tips from a Distinguished Professor | Prof. Ian Phau | Journey 05 https://lnkd.in/gYrVBTzE Career Paths: Become A Professor in the USA | Prof. Jackie Eastman | Journey 12 https://lnkd.in/g43s9JdS Career Paths: Luxury Brand Marketing | Dr. Sheetal Jain | Journey 13 https://lnkd.in/gXSC9p9p Career Paths: Finding a Job after a PhD | Dr. Nirma Jayawardena | Journey 16 https://lnkd.in/giMPeyRd #AcademicDevelopment #Research #HigherEducation #CareerGrowth