Danielle Fatzinger (@bonniecelt) is the current PGR Office Intern and in the third year of her PhD in Celtic & Gaelic, studying late-seventeenth century Gaelic manuscripts written in Kintyre, Argyll, their scribe, and his patrons. In this post, she discusses advise given by recent PhD graduates in the Transitions Survey conducted last fall.

In the autumn of 2019, the UofG Career Service invited recent PGR graduates (graduated within three years) to answer the Transitions Survey. The goal of the survey was to get an understanding of what careers and jobs UofG PGR graduates had gone into and what helped them get there. Results of the survey are limited by the number of individuals who answered, but they come from schools and institutes across the university, and there’s quite a lot of agreement about what helped them succeed in both their research and their job seeking.  

The following advice consists of things you have probably heard before, but this time it comes straight from former UofG PGRs who have been where you are now. Each tip includes a synthesis of the answers followed by a list of quotes taken directly from responses to the survey.

Prioritise  

Multiple respondents implied the need to prioritise health rather than overworking, and to make decisions about which work tasks need to be prioritised (and remembering that research isn’t everything). 

• The opportunities are limitless but remember what your priorities are (it should be things like your health as well as professional development!) and be selective about what additional responsibilities you take on. 

• Take time off 

• Pride in yourself is more important than your supervisor feeling proud of you. 

Be Proactive 

Respondents discussed the need to be proactive when it comes to writing up, building skills, and considering post-PhD plans. One recommendation that came up repeatedly: visiting the careers advisor (who is currently taking virtual appointments: head to Careers Service and sign into their site). The importance of proactivity also came up at an event about Professional Networking. 

• Don't wait too long to start writing up, it's never too early to start. 

• Although it is hard to do so, attempt to consider what it is that you want to do after your PhD whilst still in that position. Academia can feel like a comfortable bubble, but there are many other opportunities out there that you may not be aware of. Breaking out of that bubble can be scary and hard but it is ultimately worth it, and will make you appreciate the time you spent in research even more. 

• Go and see the careers advisor early on to help figure out if this path is right for you. Get transferable skills; the PhD is not enough. 

• Try everything and take initiative. Try to give as many talks to different audiences to improve speaking skills. Ask for honest feedback. 

Take Opportunities 

This goes hand-in-hand with being proactive. What it looks like to take opportunities varies based on your interests and experiences, and it will look much different while we’re all staying at home than it has in the past. However, it is still worth keeping an eye out: many conferences are moving to digital, or you may have opportunities to contribute to blogs or webinars. There are still internships available. Some of you may have caring responsibilities that limit the hours you can devote to opportunities, and that’s okay too!  

• also have a job along with it. I was full time but had a two day a week job in a library. The combination of work experience and PhD as proved useful. 

• Utilize extracurricular activities available to you as a graduate student as these make you stand out in both industry and academic roles 

• Don't just focus on the PhD project. Try to get as many transferable skills as you can by demonstrating or organising things in your department. 

• Get involved with as much as you can within the university as the external is just as important as your PhD. Try not to get too enveloped in your own research as this cuts you off from the rest of the university and the opportunities which arise from that relationship. 

• Take up as many other opportunities as you can - teaching, internships, conferences.   

• Get involved in things (e.g. organising a conference) early - you'll be too busy and stressed by year 3/4 of the PhD 

Face Challenges 

This is something we can all say we have some experience in: adjusting to a pandemic is certainly a challenge. Facing challenges is important because it will help build your skills and provide examples that can be used in interviews, but don’t forget that prioritising your health is also important. Challenges will be different for everybody, but trying new things is one common way to challenge yourself. 

• Try to expose yourself to new techniques and training as much as you can. Develop a collaborative attitude [&] be pro-active at all times. 

• Do not be afraid of challenges. 

Treat Your Research Like a Job 

This is important whether working from home or an office: treating your research like a job will allow you to put it away, relax, and not feel guilty for not working all the time. While working from home, it helps to set up cues that you are working: a workspace, work hours, unpacking your materials, turning on a specific lamp that you usually don’t have on... 

• As far as possible treat it like a full time job and work set hours. Take weekends and holidays. Make sure you have a life separate from it - see your friends and family, allow yourself some fun. Protect your mental health. All of that will put you in the best position to do a good job of your PhD and take advantage of opportunities that arise.