Wrap-Up of PAW Event „Mapping Your Options, Navigating Your Path – Career Coaching for Postdocs“
When asked in a poll, what postdocs associate with career coaching, the leading answers where: support and clarity!
Career transition beyond academia is a reality for most scientists due to the limited number of available positions at later career stages in academia. Navigating uncertainties and challenges during such a transition are also part of the equation for most, given the strong focus on science and research in all the academic years so far.
The webinar „Mapping Your Options, Navigating Your Path – Career Coaching for Postdocs“ during the PAW week thus aimed to motivate postdocs to reach out for career coaching to obtain exactly this – targeted support and clarity to navigate the career transition with confidence.
A career coach can support postdocs as a professional sparring partner with structured conversations, reflective exercises, targeted interventions and specific information to gain:
- awareness and clarity on values, transferable skills and individual scope
- an understanding and overview of suitable job options
- guidance in informed decision making and action planing
- preparedness for applications and interviews
- change of perspectives to keep a positive mindset in times of uncertainty.
With career coaching, your career transition can turn into an uplifting and reassuring exploration of your further career journey!
Our guest speakers and your fellow postdoc peers underlined the valuable experience of career coaching with the following tips for your career transition:
Develop a routine of regular self-evaluation and seek career guidance early in your postdoc career. Take regular training whenever you have opportunities to ensure your skillsets are up to date with your research discipline.
Career coaching empowered me to take control of my career through building the self-awareness and confidence to make decisions aligned with my core values, instead of waiting for permission or a map from others.
So do not hesitate to reach out for career coaching as early as possible during your postdoc time in order to make your further career orientation a pleasurable experience.
Reach out to career centers, graduate academies, postdoc offices, grants offices and HR departments at your institutes, universities or within your company in order to find out about career coaching opportunities.
Wishing you a great career coaching experience and a successful career transition!
