Course Advancing your career trajectory

Course description

This module addresses both within- and post-PhD aspects of the PhD career trajectory.

• Session 1 in the morning focuses on challenges and strategies for completing the PhD. The goal is for participants to assess their progress and create some action items for their own situation.
• Session 2 in the afternoon addresses the challenges of finding post-PhD positions and the need to develop career literacy. The goal is for each participant to generate action items to advance their career literacy.

This module is built on the findings from more than 20 years of research on PhD and post-PhD careers in Europe and beyond - highlighting how PhD researcher agency is critical to achieving life-career goals. It is premised on the notion that, in today’s world, traditional organizational-based career paths are no longer the norm. Rather, the merging model is a self-authoring career path.

Aim/Learning outcomes

This module addresses both within- and post-PhD aspects of your career trajectory. Session 1 in the morning focuses on completing your PhD and Session 2 in the afternoon on exploring career possibilities.

Session 1: Owning your PhD

In this session, we will consider the kinds of activities that enhance PhD progress and how this knowledge can be used by you to take greater ownership of your PhD progress. The goal is for you to assess your progress and create some action items for your own situation.

Session 2: Enhancing your career literacy

In this session, you will develop a greater understanding of the post-PhD career structures that influence the kind of jobs that are available. The goal is to explore career strategies and encourage you to extend your self-authoring career strategies. Again, the goal is for you to generate action items to advance your career literacy.

Workload

• Course/ teaching hours: 5
• Preparation hours: 15
• Written assignments etc.: 5 (pre-course questionnaire)

Language 

• English

Lecturers

• Professor Emerita Lynn McAlpine, University of Oxford (course teacher)
• Associate Professor Søren S.E. Bengtsen (course facilitator and organiser)

Literature

In order to attend, participants will be expected to complete and submit some preparatory work. As well, there are these readings:

• McAlpine, L. (2024). Post-PhD careers: Mobility and ‘research’ in the non-academic arena. In Oancea, A., Derrick, G., & Nuseibeh, N. Handbook on Meta-Research. Cheltenham: Elgar Publishing, Ch. 25, 322-332. https://www.e-elgar.com/shop/gbp/handbook-of-meta-research-9781839105715.html.
• McAlpine, L., & Castelló. M. (2024). What do PhD graduates in non-academic careers actually do? Interaction between organization type, job specifications and graduate experience. Learning and Teaching: The International Journal of Higher Education in the Social Sciences, 17, 1, 77-106.
• McAlpine, L. (2023). The PhD: A time to develop career literacy to enhance career mobility potential? In Baik, C., & Kahu, E. Research Handbook on the Student Experience. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Ch.23, 325-343.

Venue

11 March 2026. 10.00 - 15.00. Jens Chr. Skous Vej 2 , 8000 Aarhus C. Building 1485, room 226

Course dates:

• 11 March 2026 10:00 - 15:00