Career Orientation

If you have doubts about pursuing a job in science and find it difficult to think about which direction to go, if you cannot describe your special skills yet, or if you are not sure which is the best way to start looking for a job, this will be a good course for you. In a step-by-step approach you will do many different kinds of practical exercises. At the end of the programme you are offered a personal interview to discuss your situation more in depth.

General Information

Programme and Intended Results

• Day 1: Motivation, Priorities, Objectives Reviews of last year, exploration of energy givers, reflection on values, determination of priorities and goalsetting, putting word to what you wan twhen it comes to your future job.
  Homework: Describe some of your successes, ask feedback of others on your skills. Set the first, very small step to reaching one of your goals
• Day 2: The second day we will focus on your personal skills and do many different exercises to find out about them. At the end of the day you will combine all the elements in a handy scheme about the skills you already have and those you still would like to develop
  Homework: Describe your favourite working environment, Ask two others what they like about their working environment, Make a plan for the development of your skills and take a first action
• Day 3: On the third day we will discuss important aspects of work- and the working place and different strategies for landing a job. We will focus on network interviews as one of the important strategies and practise several interviews
  Homework: Do a network interview and write your CV and an application letter
• Day 4: On this last day we will assess the CV and Job application letters of all the participants and practise job interviews
• Day 5+6: Individual coaching sessions. All the participants can discuss their own remaining, sometimes private, questions with the trainer in an one-hour session
  
  A certificate will be handed out to participants who have met the course requirements.

At the end of this course, the participants will:

• know what kind of jobs they are interested in
• will know their special skills
• will have plan how to proceed looking for a job
• be able to communicate their strengths and plans to others

WGS course Career Orientation versus related WGS course Career Perspectives

Career Orientation aims for personal discovery and acquisition of the most inspiring job.
Career Perspectives is meant for PhD's in their third or fourth year who want to take the next step in their career and want support in defining and taking that step.

You should not participate in both Career Orientation and Career Perspectives at the same time. Please have a look at the description of the courses, and choose the one that is most appropriate for you.

Fee

Fee includes study and training material, coffee/tea and lunches.

Cancellation condition:

You may cancel free of charge up to four weeks before the start of the course. After this date you will be charged the University fee. Unless:

• You can find someone to replace you in the course and supply the course coordinator with the name and contact information of your replacement.
  In this case you will only be charged a € 50,- cancellation fee.
• You (PhDs and postdocs of Wageningen University) have a valid reason to cancel (illness or death in the family 1st or 2nd degree).
  In this case you will be charged the reduced fee and your supervisor/PI must send a mail indicating the reason for cancellation.

Information

For more information please contact juliane.teapal@wur.nl,  tel: +31 (0)317 485563.