Planning your career and your development
Managing your career
Effective career management and continuing professional development (CPD) are essential for building careers within research.
By taking a structured and proactive approach to learning, you can enhance your professional growth, stay adaptable in a competitive job market, and support the development of others.
What is career management?
Career management involves understanding yourself—your skills, values, and aspirations—and aligning them with the opportunities available in your field and beyond. This includes exploring career structures, recruitment methods, and external factors like economic or technological changes.
Continuing professional development (CPD) complements career management by fostering skills, knowledge, and experiences that support your career goals. It’s about lifelong learning—for yourself and for others you manage or supervise.
Why is it important?
Career development is most effective when it is started early and embraced as an ongoing process. It can help you to:
- Stay prepared and seize opportunities
By actively managing your career, you’ll be ready to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, particularly when contracts or roles come to an end. A clear perspective on your objectives ensures that you make the most of current training and development opportunities. - Build transferable skills
Awareness of your competencies and the ability to articulate them across different contexts—whether academic or non-academic—are vital. Transferable skills can unlock collaborative opportunities and expand career prospects. - Support others’ development
As your career progresses, you’ll likely guide others in their career journeys. Supporting colleagues’ growth not only benefits them but also strengthens your team and contributes to the advancement of your discipline.
Tips for managing your career
- Enhance self-awareness: Reflect on your skills, values, and experiences. Use tools like career assessments to identify strengths and areas for growth. Write a list of what motivates you at work and how to achieve greater fulfilment in your current role.
- Identify constraints: Recognise barriers that might hinder progress, such as workload or skill gaps, and create realistic plans to overcome them.
- Engage with networks: Build and sustain professional relationships within your field. Networks can offer guidance, advice, and opportunities. Consider sharing your experiences as a mentor to junior researchers.
- Get inspired: Learn from the career stories of others. Their journeys can offer insights and strategies for overcoming challenges and achieving success.
Tips for focusing on your development
Maintain an active development plan
Use your personal development plan (PDP) actively during supervisions and reviews. It’s a tool to document skills, set objectives, and provide evidence of your progress.
Adapt to market demands
Research labour market trends and employer requirements and align your skills accordingly. Stay realistic about career opportunities in both academic and non-academic sectors.
Prioritise skills development
Identify skills that will enhance your career prospects and focus on developing them. Whether through training, mentoring, or taking on new responsibilities, ensure your growth aligns with your career goals.
Foster a CPD culture
Champion CPD within your institution by encouraging others to engage with professional development resources and fostering a supportive environment for growth.
Practical tips for career development
- Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in your field.
- Regularly update your CV to reflect new skills and experiences.
- Take advantage of training events and workshops to expand your expertise.
- Seek mentorship or coaching to refine your career strategy.
- Encourage others to embrace CPD by sharing its benefits and leading by example.
Examples of evidence
- Statement
I am familiar with employers’ requirements and develop my skills accordingly. - Situation
In the final year of my first post-doctoral research position, I began to consider my next career move which I wanted to involve a change in career direction. I had participated in a number of training and development courses during my research career, enjoyed my role in supervising PhD researchers and was interested in exploring opportunities in working in the field of training and developing researchers. - Task
I needed to research the career opportunities open to me and the types of skills and experience I would need to demonstrate to a future employer. - Action
I spoke to the postgraduate training team in our own institution who helped me to identify the skills and experience I needed. I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to get involved in presenting at some of their postgraduate training events. I also sought out opportunities within my institution, and nationally, to attend a number of national training events and seminars to develop relevant skills. I also got involved in a mentoring programme within my department. - Result
I have been able to tailor my cv to highlight the relevant skills and experiences I have had in training and developing, and mentoring others. I am currently seeking career opportunities in the training and development field, and whilst I have not yet had success, I have had some positive feedback on my experience.
- Statement
I contribute to the culture of continuing development within my institution and discipline/research area. - Situation
At any time of the year, we have new researchers including postgraduates and those undertaking anything from their first to fourth research post joining our department. We also have new staff who will have management responsibility for researchers. Their experience of engaging with CPD is very variable. - Task
I have the responsibility of introducing new researchers and staff to our CPD programme and resources and instilling the importance we place on this in our institution. - Action
Following an initial induction session on our CPD programme which is held quarterly for new starters, I also fulfil the role of a CPD champion. In this capacity, I am available to provide additional coaching to those supporting others in their CPD. - Result
The responses to our annual surveys for postgraduates, research staff and PI’s have demonstrated a year-on-year improvement in the profile and engagement with CPD within our institution.
Final takeaway
By integrating career management and CPD into your routine, you can enhance your professional resilience, achieve your goals, and contribute to the broader research community. Start planning today!