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Tampere University Student's Handbook

Career planning and guidance of doctoral student

If undertaken full-time, completing the doctoral degree is a goal-oriented four-year process. During doctoral studies, the knowledge and skills needed for research as well as the wide-ranging skills that will help your later career develop through purposeful activities. Assessing your activities and thinking about career plans right from the start of the studies is an important skill you can practice. Developing one’s skills and recognising one’s learning are also starting points for lifelong learning. You decide how to go about your career - do it consciously by noticing opportunities and reflecting on your strengths.

When planning your career, you may use at least the following forms of activity

  • Discuss your career plans with your supervisor and possible follow-up group.
  • Develop wide-ranging expertise as part of your doctoral studies.
  • Build and expand national and international networks around you. Also, take advantage of social media to stay in touch.
  • Check out the career monitoring reports regularly provided by the Aarresaari network on the career paths of graduated doctors.
  • Apply for a mentoring programme
  • Training on career planning is offered to students as joint studies. Find out more about the teaching provided by the Doctoral School. HR can also provide training on career planning for employed doctoral researchers. Check out the offerings on the training calendar (intranet).
  • Get to know the intra content, information and useful tools, on Research career.

Mobility periods during the studies provide merits especially in the academic career where jobs are highly competed. Various foundations and the University support international mobility periods eg by awarding grants. Employed doctoral researchers may also benefit from international secondment agreements. Check out further information on your options e.g., on the "Funding of doctoral studies" and "Mobility and internationalisation in doctoral studies" intrapages.

 

 

Published: 15.4.2019
Updated: 4.9.2023