C – Career planning and career entry

Early exploration of career options is important for strategic career planning and successful career entry. It is important to know the formal and professional requirements of different career goals in order to acquire or deepen the necessary skills in time, i.e. during the doctoral studies. Subject Area C aims to make different career options transparent and to support doctoral students in critically examining their professional profile with regard to their career preferences. In addition, key skills for a successful start in the postdoc phase will be taught.

Track C consists of two course units:

C 1 - Career options and career planning

An informed decision for or against an academic career requires not only knowledge of the various career options, but also reflection on the opportunities and risks of these options in relation to personal aptitude and inclination. The course unit C 1 provides information on different career paths for young researchers and enables them to create a professional profile. Doctoral students are given suggestions for strategic career planning.

C 2 - Research structures and research funding

After completing their doctoral studies, graduate students who wish to continue their academic training enter the postdoctoral phase. During this period, they can apply for funding for research projects and living costs. In this course unit, doctoral students are given an overview of central funding organizations and programs of national and EU-wide importance. In addition, the structure of research proposals will be discussed. Central contact points that offer support and advice in submitting applications will be pointed out.