Case
Study
YouRforum -
So you're graduating
in a pandemic, what next?
Building ECRs' career skills to approach a post-pandemic job market with more confidence
Around 35 PhDs and other early-career researchers (ECRs) from FLEET and partner organisation the MacDiarmid Institute (NZ) took the opportunity to learn how to take control of their future in these uncertain ‘post pandemic’ times, and to gain a better understanding of the job market (both in academia and industry), in a targeted, one-hour workshop from ‘the thesis whisperer’.
A/Prof Inger Mewburn applies her ANU team’s research on the post-PhD job market to:
- Enhance understanding of the changed academic job market, analysing effects of hiring freezes and travel restrictions
- Increase awareness of career opportunities in industry — which sectors are looking for research talent?
- Help ECRs and PhDs approach the non-academic job market with more confidence.
This was the first FLEET–MacDiarmid Institute trans-Tasman workshop.
The Young Researchers Forum, aka YouRforum, was created by FLEET Chief Operating Officer Dr Tich-Lam Nguyen (then at the Monash Centre for Atomically Thin Materials) to provide opportunities for young STEM researchers to network, discuss research ideas and practice their professional skills.
Covid-19 presents a massive disruption to the academic workforce. PhD students and early career researchers are worried about their future career prospects inside academia and confused about their options outside the university walls.
Prof Inger Mewburn, ANU
Did you know...
Among respondents to FLEET's 'pandemic and you' survey, concerns about getting their next job was the highest concern listed (almost 50% of respondents)