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Career Planning Guide

Career Planning Guide

The career management cycle

No matter where you are in your career, it can be daunting to think about upcoming changes and how to make the best decisions for your future. It doesn’t have to be a mammoth task! If you start early and build incrementally, then you are far more likely to find yourself where you choose to be, in a job suited to your strengths and goals.

The Career Management Cycle takes you through a series of straightforward steps which help you to decide where you want to be, keeps you on track through that journey, and reminds you to regularly review what you’ve achieved and how to develop further. It’s made up of five steps:

  • Who am I? – reflecting on your values, skills and attributes
  • Researching opportunities – looking at the wide range of career opportunities available to PGRs
  • Making relevant choices – how to develop the knowledge, skills and experiences to follow your chosen career path
  • Preparing applications – for roles in and beyond academia, as well as  applying for postdoctoral funding
  • What next  – how to manage and futureproof your career

By developing your self-awareness and practicing how to demonstrate your skills and achievements, as well as by choosing the best-fit path for yourself, you will be able to stand out from your competitors and move forward in the career you have chosen.

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