The Digital Arts and Humanities structured PhD programme hosted its annual Institute in University College Cork, 3-4 September 2014. The theme, "Reflecting on Transformations: careers, disciplines, and methods" reflects the significant transformations that have taken place in the arts and humanities over the last number of decades. This two day event included presentations by students as well as international and national speakers from the digital arts and humanities community as well as practical sessions on digital preservation and project management. Deirdre Parker, Career Advisor, at University College Cork, presented 'Career development of PhDs'

1. CAREER DEVELOPMENT
FOR PHD STUDENTS
DAH INSTITUTE 2014
UCC Careers Service

2. Activity

3. Expectations
Whose expectations should you be taking
into account in your decision making?

4. Feedback
Who is in the best position to give you
neutral, constructive feedback on your
ideas?

5. Support
What kind of support do you need now and
in the future? How could you get that
support?

6. Modelling
Where can you find role models for your
future career direction?
Who has faced similar challenges?

7. Information
Who may have the information you need in
order to better understand your options?

8. Beliefs
•What observations do you use to predict
what will occur in the future? Or in other
environments?
•Do you need to expand or test those
informal theories?

10. A PhD Graduate with career
management skills will be able to:
 Demonstrate an awareness of transferable skills and their applicability to
academic and non-academic roles
 Take ownership of personal career management, forming credible career plans
 Initiate and sustain networks and relationships that may encourage opportunities
for employment
 Present themselves to prospective employers through effective job applications,
CVs and interviews
 Understand the broadest possible range of employment opportunities
 Irish Universities’ PhD Graduate Skills Statement, 2007

11. What can Humanities PhDs offer
the world?
 PhD graduates of AHSS are well placed to:
 Address social, civic and economic issues
 Equip employers and employees with key
communication and analytical skills as well
 Stimulate imagination and criticism
 Facilitate problem-solving
“Playing to Our Strengths” (HEA, 2009)

12. Drivers of Change

13. Career Management Today
“Planned Happenstance”: Creating unexpected opportunities
 Five qualities needed to recognize, create, and use chance as career
* Mitchell, Levin and Krumboltz, 1999
opportunities:
 1. Curiosity: exploring new learning opportunities
 2. Persistence: exerting effort despite setbacks
 3. Flexibility: changing attitudes to circumstances
 4. Optimism: viewing new opportunities as attainable
 5. Risk Taking: taking action in the face of uncertainty

14. Chaos Theory and Careers
 Accept that career planning is a complex process. So look for patterns,
look for connections, look for meaning. What do you enjoy? Where do you
get your energy? What has been the source of your success so far?
 Accept that you don't control ALL the variables. Developments will
impact your career that are beyond your control... Control what you can.
 Accept that life isn't always linear. The "5 steps to the perfect job" plan
won’t always work. Sometimes jobs come along at the most unexpected
places and times. You can work on different steps at the same time.
 Helpful Resource:
 “You Majored in What? Mapping Your Path from Chaos to Career”, by
Katherine Brooks

15. Thinking of broadening your
horizons?
 Some things you’ll probably need – and
demonstrate:
 Genuine career motivation
 Adaptability
 Tenacity
 Empathy and interpersonal skills
 Team skills
 Commercial awareness
 Language skills
 IT skills

16. Today, I hope you will leave
with...
 ONE person whose opinions matter to you.
 ONE person you will contact for neutral, constructive
feedback.
 ONE support that you will need now and in the future
(this can be a person/thing/network).
 ONE role model you can learn from
 ONE potential source of relevant information.
 ONE observation to test/challenge.

17. And one list of helpful
resources!
 http://fromphdtolife.com/resources/
 http://chronicle.com/article/The-PhDs-Guide-to-
a/143715/
 http://cheekyscientist.com/
 www.vitae.ac.uk
 www.beyondthephd.com
 www.prospects.ac.uk
 www.gradireland.com

18. www.ucc.ie/careers