At the end of their doctorate, PhD candicates have to choose between different career options. For many one thing is sure, the next career step will take them out of academia and into one of the various fields in industry and society. Beyond this decision, however, many questions remain unanswered: Which career path is the right one? How to succeed in leaving academia and entering new fields? What skills are needed? How can you build a professional network?
The programme "Career Mentoring for STEM Doctoral Candidates" supports twelve to fourteen outstanding PhD candidates in the natural sciences in answering those questions and prepares them for a successful career outside academia. During the programme participants have the opportunity to define their career goals, develop their competence profile for the non-academic job market and expand their professional networks.
The programme offers a combination of three components: career mentoring, networking activities and several trainings. The mentoring programme lasts one year. The current cohort wil take place from January to December 2025.
The Mentoring Programme is part of the Jena Alliance "Life in Focus" funded by the Thüringer Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Wissenschaft & Digitale GesellschaftExternal link.
Peer group meeting
Image: AdobeStock / alotofpeopleDuring the group mentoring a tandem of two mentees will receive counselling by experienced managers and executives from various fields of work in industry and society. The mentors have successfully stepped outside academia after their doctoral projects and they are sharing their experience and knowledge about structures, strategies, and processes in their new jobs. They also support the mentees in planning their career, provide orientation in the application process and answer career related questions.
In addition, peer groups of four to five mentees are formed. In peer mentoring, mentees exchange ideas on career-related topics in regular, structured meetings. Peer mentoring offers an intensive exchange of experiences as well as mutual motivation and support. Possible focal points of the exchange can be, for example: developing a career strategy, mutual feedback on application documents and social media profiles.
The groups can determine the frequency of the meetings themselves. However, at least one meeting every two months is recommended for peer mentoring and at least one meeting every three months for group mentoring.
Young people talking
Image: rawpixel.comFor the networing component the programme coordination organises various events for mentees and mentors. A highlight is the annual Networking evening that brings together mentees, mentors and alumni of the programme. In addition, several Career Talks will take place. During these smaller events mentees will get the opportunity to meet with Alumni pursueing varrious different careers.
The networking includes face-to-face formats and digital offers. Digital events enable low-threshold, location-independent participation.
Workshop
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)The programme starts with a one-day preparatoy workshop. This prepares the mentees for the programme and helps them to define their career goals more precisely. In further workshops, the doctoral researchers acquire important skills and knowledge that are necessary for the transition to academia, for example assessment centre training or how to conduct salary negotiations.
Some of the workshops will take place as workshops on site at the Graduate Academy, shorter workshops will take place virtually via online platforms. Participation in these workshops is mandatory for the mentees.
The mentoring programme is accompanied by a framework programme. This includes:
"It was very interesting to exchange experiences with the other mentees. I appreciated the exchange with my mentor a lot, we had really great and helpful conversations and I felt like I was learning a lot and literally growing from our discussions."
