# Postgraduate research: Your career journey

**Source**: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/careers-resources/career-journey/postgraduate-research/
**Parent**: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/careers-resources/career-journey/

Make the most of support and resources available to plan your next steps and make good quality applications.

## By the end of your postgraduate research degree you'll:

- Have identified an [ideal career path for yourself](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/explore/) (and a contingency plan).
- Have [updated your CV](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/apply/) and tailored it to your chosen field.
- Be able to [articulate what skills, experience and knowledge](https://vitae.ac.uk/vitae-researcher-development-framework/) you have gained through your postgraduate research degree.
- Have an understanding of recruitment processes and how to succeed in [applications, interviews and assessment centres](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/apply/).
- Know where to find [1-to-1 support](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/about/appointments/) if you need help to develop or progress your career plans.

## How you'll get there

### Starting your PhD:

#### Identify your training needs

In the first six months of your PhD, identify your training needs using the Training Needs Analysis (TNA) tool. You can do this in [SkillsForge](https://www.skillsforge.york.ac.uk/york/#common/main/welcome,;), under the Skills tab.

Understand your strengths, values and motivators via:

- the [York Researcher Development Programme](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/development/)
- our [online careers resources](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/)
- the [Vitae Researcher Development Framework](https://vitae.ac.uk/vitae-researcher-development-framework/)

#### Create a Professional Development Plan (PDP)

Your PDP should be an evolving document that you use to discuss your training needs with your supervisors regularly (ideally every six months).

Before these meetings, think about what skills and training you need, and whether you could gain additional experience outside your PhD research. Our [YouTube playlist for PhD students](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPnMbsRWjJt6qqN-wnr3wVAMrKiuUUHnk) is a great starting point.

[Make a Professional Development Plan](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/development/professional-development-plan/)

### [Connect with your PGR community](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/new/)

Attend induction events and talk to current PGRs about their career plans and how they make time for professional development.

### [Develop your experience and boost your CV](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/experience/)

Discover the work and volunteering opportunities available through your department and via Careers and Placements.

### [Make use of career planning tools](https://vitae.ac.uk/resource/careers-in-research/)

Use your University email address to register for Vitae and access a range of tools to help you plan your career.

### [Stay supported and connect with others](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/support/)

Explore the Graduate Research School's wellbeing resources including the 24/7 Talk Campus app.

### Following your first progression meeting:

#### Keep exploring career paths

Look out for central[careers events](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/events/), [researcher employability sessions](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/development/) and events organised by your department/faculty or DTP. Sector-based and employer-led events or recruitment fairs are also great opportunities for networking.

Informational interviews are another way to find out more about a specific profession, industry or organisation. Browse [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/) or [York for Life](https://www.yorkforlife.co.uk/) to identify someone you might be able to approach, and prepare some questions about their company or industry, workplace culture and career paths to get there.

### [Book an appointment with Careers](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/about/appointments/)

We have a dedicated PGR Careers Consultant and can discuss any aspect of career management, including generating career ideas, building skills and experience, and decision-making.

### [Get inspiration from other graduates](https://www.yorkforlife.co.uk/)

Use York for Life to browse profiles and discover career choices of alumni from different departments. Ask a question to find out more and connect with alumni from across the globe.

### [Listen to our careers podcast](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/options/career-ideas/podcast/)

What Do You Actually Do?, to find out what different careers are actually like.

### [Apply for a mentor](https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/learning-and-development/mentoring-and-coaching/mentoring/post-grad-research-student/how-it-works/)

Open to second, third and final year researchers, mentoring provides an opportunity for you to discuss your professional development with a more experienced postdoctoral researcher.

### Approaching your final year:

#### Use what you’ve learned

Look for opportunities to use what you’ve learned during your PhD to help less experienced researchers. Academic citizenship roles demonstrate you are a team player with emotional intelligence, empathy and a creative approach to problem solving. All of these skills and qualities are highly prized by employers.

#### Interested in working outside the UK?

Explore [global career options](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/apply-interview/looking-for-work/international-work/), including [academic careers outside the UK](https://career-advice.jobs.ac.uk/career-development/global-careers/).

### [Raise your profile](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/apply-interview/looking-for-work/job-toolkit/networking/)

Put yourself out there using social media such as LinkedIn, ResearchGate and Academia.edu.

### [Attend recruitment fairs and events](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/events/)

Explore opportunities and career paths beyond academia at our on-campus events. As a York student you can also attend the White Rose PhD Careers Fair which takes place each September.

### [Apply for jobs](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/apply/)

Learn how to tailor your CV to different sectors and prepare for recruitment success.

### [Practise your interview skills](https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/careers/apply/)

Do this early so that you are well prepared. Take advantage of online practice interviews tailored for specific employers, or book a mock interview with our team.

### [Prepare for recruitment activities](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/apply-interview/)

Use our resources to get ready for presentations, psychometric tests and assessment centres.

### [For international students](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/careers-resources/international-students/)

Explore options for working in the UK including visa requirements.

## After your PhD

Our support doesn't stop when you graduate. Whether you're seeking a new job, exploring self-employment, or looking to progress in your role - we're here to help.

As part of our York for Life platform, you can connect with alumni around the world, reconnect with those you studied with and find opportunities, courses and support just for our alumni.

- [Explore our alumni support](https://www.york.ac.uk/students/work-volunteering-careers/alumni/)