Are you taking care of your career?
There’s a famous saying: “If you look after the pennies, the pounds will take care of themselves”. Applied to your career this translates to: “If you look after the present, the future will take care of itself”. So, don’t wait until you’ve graduated or your research contract is about to finish before you start thinking about your career.
Many students and postdocs will be on a 3- or 4-year degree course, PhD or research contract, so the next career transition is not too far away. Here are 5 things you can you do to improve your prospects:
- Do your research: You are gaining specialist research skills during the course of your study or research project. Apply this valuable skill to your career planning. Know where to look for valid and reliable information sources about particular career sectors. As a starting point try:
Prospects – primarily for undergraduates and masters students
Bioscience Careers (Career links) – primarily for postdocs and PhD students
Environmentjobs – jobs in the environment sector
- Be knowledgeable about the job market: Do you know what career options you have and where to find jobs in these career sectors? Different careers require different approaches: Some employers look for relevant qualifications e.g. postdoctoral positions require a PhD; some specialist environmental or business companies look for applicants with a master’s degree; some employers want applicants to demonstrate relevant skills and experience through previous paid or voluntary work; others have annual graduate training programmes with set deadlines for applications.
- Build a network: Many jobs are won through networking. They are not advertised or an employer has someone in mind for the post, having met them in person or even on-line. In these days of social media, more and more jobs are being posted on company Facebook sites, on Twitter or are found through LinkedIn, so don’t miss out on this crucial platform when job seeking.
- Assess your own interests and skills: Don’t identify yourself with your subject discipline alone. Many graduates and even researchers choose careers based on their interests and skills – what do you enjoy doing in your studies, or in your professional research or personal life? Are you introverted, extraverted, analytical, conceptual, an administrator, communicator, teacher, a team player? Your personality and values can also determine your preferred career.
- Join in: Lancaster University is a melting pot of interesting, thought-provoking and fun activities. You can attend seminars, join societies, play sports, learn languages, there is even scope to set up your own groups and organise events. Consider extending your experience beyond your immediate environment. For example, joining learned societies such as the British Ecological Society, Royal Society of Biology and Society for Experimental Biology can offer many opportunities to network, compete for awards and secure funding; communication opportunities exist such as outreach to the public and students, blogging, broadcast media, PR and science writing; travel and other personal pursuits will demonstrate achievement and leadership. Any of these activities (and more) will add weight to your CV.
So make sure to take care of your career: Be proactive and take the lead in deciding which activities will benefit you depending on your career interests. As a student it’s important to show employers that you have either directly relevant skills (gained from paid or unpaid work) or transferable skills (gained from extra-curricular activities such as team working, communication and self-motivation). As a researcher, you can sign up for courses or attend conferences to enhance your skills and extend your network. If you’re aiming for an academic career you need to gain independence from your supervisor so take the initiative to publish your work, apply for funding, get teaching experience and establish useful collaborations. For other careers you will need to develop a good repertoire of transferable skills and demonstrate personal qualities of interest to non-academic employers.
Lancaster Environment Centre, the wider University and other areas of your life will help you to build your skills and develop your profile so you are in the best position possible to take your next career step. And whatever you do, always remember to take care of you!
Sarah Blackford is an academic and science career specialist based at Lancaster University. Her blog is www.biosciencecareers.org and you can also connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter @bioscicareer.
