Course Prepare yourself on the transition from a PhD in Health to a career in the public/private sector

The course  C253: Prepare yourself on the transition from a PhD in Health to a career in the public/private sector is being offered by the Graduate School of Health, Aarhus University, 2027.

Criteria for participation: University degree in medicine, dentistry, nursing, or Master’s degree in other fields and/or postgraduate research fellows (PhD students and research-year medical students).

Requirements for participation: mainly suitable for PhD students who have 2 years or less left of their PhD.

Aim: The aim of the course is to prepare PhD students for career transitions beyond academia by developing their career competences and enhancing their ability to make informed and confident career decisions.

Learning outcomes: After completing the course, the participant will be able to:

• Develop career competences that support informed and reflective career decision-making.
• Identify and map transferable skills acquired through doctoral training.
• Explain and communicate the value of their skills in academic and non-academic contexts.
• Reflect on and evaluate potential career pathways and directions.
• Apply career-related tools and insights to the presentation and marketing of their skills in different professional contexts.
• Describe key characteristics of common career pathways for researchers, including typical employer expectations for PhD graduates

Workload: The full workload of the course is expected to be 40hours

Content: This course prepares participants for career transition beyond academia, with a focus on career awareness, skills identification, labour market insight, and career decision-making.

The course combines theoretical input and practical exercises to support participants in articulating their competences and understanding their employability. Topics include transferable skills, career planning, job market expectations, and strategies for navigating career transitions.

A key component of the course is contributions from alumni working in industry and the public sector, who will present and reflect on their career trajectories outside academia. In addition, employers will provide perspectives on the skills and qualifications they seek when recruiting PhD graduates.

Participants will work with identifying and articulating their own skill sets, strengthening their understanding of employability, and developing strategies for networking, self-presentation, and preparation of application materials.

Teaching is organised as a combination of presentations, group work, and individual exercises.

Instructors: Vibeke Broe & Miriam V. Kobbersmed, AU Career PhD & JR + alumni presenters and company representatives 

Venue: Aarhus University, Aarhus.

Participation in the course is without cost for:

• PhD students, Health Research Year students from Aarhus University
• PhD students enrolled at partner universities of the Nordoc collaboration
• PhD students from other institutions in the open market agreement for PhD courses

Course dates:

• 09 November 2027 08:30 - 16:00
• 10 November 2027 09:00 - 15:30
• 23 November 2027 09:00 - 15:30
• 24 November 2027 09:00 - 15:30