2-6 SEPTEMBER 2024
HDR Careers Week is returning in 2024 with something for all HDR candidates. Whether you’re interested in pursuing an academic career, transitioning into industry or setting up your own business, this year’s program will allow to you explore a number of options for HDR graduates. You’ll also gain practical career-related skills such as writing your CV, interview skills, setting up your own business, applying for a grant and / or preparing for a postdoctoral research fellowship. View the full program below.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
| MONDAY | TUESDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY | FRIDAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Applying For Your First Grant10 – 11 AM (online) | Preparing For Your First Postdoctoral Fellowship10 – 11 AM (online) | Academic CV or Professional Resume - What's the Difference?10 – 11:30 AM (online) | Knowing Me, Knowing You - How to Prepare For Your Next Interview10 – 11:30 AM (online) | Working in Academia10 – 11:30 AM (online) |
Life After Your PhD12 – 1:30 PM (online) Research Internships2 – 3 PM (online) | A Personal Journey From PhD To Starting A Business1:30 – 2:30 PM (online) |
Note: The Human Library events that were originally scheduled to take during HDR Careers Week will be rescheduled.
WEBINAR DESCRIPTIONS
Applying For Your First Grant
Monday 2 September, 10 – 11 AM (online)
Facilitators: Dr Jessica Pelloth, Research Grants Officer and Dr Brit Winnen, Head of Research Development, Office For Research
If you're wanting to work in the University sector post PhD, you will need to secure external competitive grants to fund your research. This session will start with an overview of how and who funds competitive grants for Australian university-based researchers and why external grant money is so important for universities. We will then move into advice to assist you with preparing your first research grant application.
Life After Your PhD
Monday 2 September, 12 – 1:30 PM (online)
Your PhD journey is just the first phase of your working life. Join us online to listen to Griffith HDR alumni discuss "Life After PhD". The emphasis of the discussion will be around finding your niche in life in a discipline quite different from what you did your PhD in. Our panel members will discuss how they made the transition from PhD candidate to where they are now, and what key skills from their PhD were translatable into their current roles.
Moderator: Associate Professor Milton Kiefel, Director, HDR (Sciences) and Pro Vice Chancellor (Sciences)
Panellists:
- Dr Rebecca Domann, Research Grants Officer, Griffith University
- Dr Paul Madge, Business Development Officer, Sunshine Sugar
- Dr Brighid Pappin, Head of Private Equity , NGS Super
Research Internship Opportunities
Monday 2 September, 2 – 3 PM (online)
Facilitator: Brooke Cotton, HDR Partnerships Coordinator, Griffith Graduate Research School; Associate Professor Jesse Cale, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Paige Reibel, Industry Engagement Coordinator, Griffith Sciences
HDR research internships are an excellent opportunity for you to test your capabilities as a researcher, develop transferable and professional skills, and gain valuable insights into work expectations outside of academia. Internships can be undertaken any time between confirmation and conferral of your degree.
Attend this webinar to learn about the HDR Block Research Internships Program and opportunities available to develop translational skills and networks in industry.
Preparing For Your First Postdoctoral Fellowship
Tuesday 3 September, 10 – 11 AM (online)
Facilitators: Associate Professor Will Bennett, Deputy Head of School – Research, School of Environment and Science and Dr Graham Cuskelly, Senior Research Development Coordinator, Griffith Sciences
This webinar will provide HDR candidates with an overview of the postdoctoral research fellowship options available to them immediately after they graduate. Participants will find out how to prepare a competitive application and learn ways to enhance their competitiveness for postdoctoral fellowships throughout their candidature. You will gain:
- Knowledge of postgraduate research fellowship opportunities, e.g. ARC and NHMRC funding.
- An understanding of strategies for improving competitiveness for postdoctoral fellowships.
Academic CV or Professional Resume – What’s The Difference?
Wednesday 4 September, 10 – 11:30 AM (online)
Facilitator: Deanne Camplejohn, HDR Career Development Consultant, Griffith Careers and Employment Service
This webinar will outline the fundamental aspects of an academic CV and how the document can be transformed into a compelling resume for employers outside of academia. Join us at this session to learn:
- The difference between an academic CV and an industry resume.
- Key information to include for each document.
- How to express and tailor information effectively for both academic and industry positions.
- Strategies to stand out from the crowd and maximise interview success.
A Personal Journey From PhD To Starting A Business
Wednesday 4 September, 1:30 – 2:30 PM (online)
Facilitator: Dr Deniese Cox, Griffith HDR Alumni and Founder, TeachingOnline.com.au
Dr Deniese Cox completed her 3-year PhD at Griffith University in February 2020. She went on to set up her own successful research-driven professional development company servicing the post-school education sector. During this highly interactive session, Dr Cox will discuss her journey from completing her PhD to setting up and managing her own business. She will provide tips for setting up your own business, common pitfalls to avoid, and transferable skills that you can apply in your business, including how to present your work to different audiences. There will also be plenty of opportunities to ask questions on topics that matter to you.
Knowing Me, Knowing You – How to Prepare for Your Next Interview
Thursday 5 September, 10 – 11:30 AM (online)
Facilitator: Deanne Camplejohn, HDR Career Development Consultant, Griffith Careers and Employment Service and Employment Service and Justin Ellis, Career Development Consultant, Griffith Careers and Employment Service
This practical webinar will cover the fundamental aspects of effective interview preparation and techniques to help you maximise the chance of success. Attend this session to learn:
- How to approach the interview and stay focused.
- What employers are looking for and how to match your skills against their needs.
- What you need to find out prior to the interview, to highlight the value you can bring to the organisation.
- Techniques to approach different types of interview questions.
Working in Academia
Friday 6 September, 10 – 11:30 AM (online)
This panel session will unpack what it is really like to work in an academic job in 2024. Academics from across disciplines and campuses at Griffith University will address topics including:
- A day in the life of an academic.
- How academics balance their profiles and competing commitments.
- How academics balance work and life outside academia.
- What are the challenges of working in academia?
- What are the benefits / most enjoyable aspects of academic life?
This is a not-to-be missed session for any HDR candidate considering a career in academia.
Moderators:
- Professor Neil Harris, Director, Higher Degree Research (Health)
- Dr Elise Sargeant, HDR Program Director, Arts, Education and Law (AEL); Senior Lecturer, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Panellists:
- Dr Emma Marie Heard, Research Fellow, Creative Arts Research Institute
- Dr Andrew Pearson, Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences - Anatomy Physiology Biology
- Associate Professor Shannon Rutherford, School of Medicine and Dentistry - Public Health
- Associate Professor Katrina Radford, Department of Employment Relations and Human Resources
- Professor Kristina Murphy, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Dr Ernesta Sofija, Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine and Dentistry - Public Health
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Advancing Your Research Career
Learn strategies and techniques to develop your research career through the Advancing your Research Career: Strategies for Research Leadership program.
This online self-paced program helps early- to mid-career researchers and HDR candidates navigate the complexities of becoming a research leader through practical guidance and career-planning tools.
HDR Career Resources
Careers and Employment Service has developed tailored HDR career development advice, information and activities to help you prepare for your future career while you complete your research studies. Visit the HDR Career Resources webpage to access the resources.
Find the right job after your PhD
Format: Journal article
Ten Simple Rules for landing on the right job after your PhD or postdoc' * is a useful guide for exploring your career options and finding the right fit for you. View the journal article here.
*Source: Huang K-l (2020) Ten Simple Rules for landing on the right job after your PhD or postdoc. PLoS Comput Biol 16(4): e1007723. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007723
Consultations with a careers advisor
Did you know: You can book a one-on-one consultation with one of Griffith’s careers advisors, including Deanne Camplejohn (Griffith's dedicated HDR careers advisor).
HDR Employability Guides
HDR Guide to Employability
Explores issues relating to employability such as the impact of global trends on the world of work and the key employability skills to consider now and for the future.
Guide to the HDR Job Market
Focuses on the HDR job market and how you can best position yourself for your future career.
HDR Skills Guide: Assessing and Developing Your Skills
Guides you through the process of recognising the qualities and skills you have obtained, and identifying skills that may require further development.
HDR Guide to Professional Branding
Explores the concept of professional branding including strategies, common mistakes, and the pros and cons of a range of digital platforms.
HDR Guide to Networking
Provides practical networking guidance and strategies for developing and maintaining professional relationships.
HDR Guide to Demonstrating Employability
Explores how you can strategically articulate and highlight your skills, capabilities and experiences to demonstrate your employability to potential employers.