When we begin searching for a career (in or outside of academia), we can easily fall into a whirlwind of doubts and expectations with the many job adverts, career possibilities, and inputs from colleagues, friends and family. Internal and external pressures begin to pile up and we may forget to actively search for a career that serves ourselves.

In this workshop we will explore what are the motivations, the values, and the skills you have that may help propel your search for a career that is right for you.

If you can identify what it is that drives you, what you value in terms of your career, then you can create a career development plan that will help you to achieve your goals.

Many of us are asked to go through an upgrade process after our first year. This takes us from MPhil to PhD study process. It allows us and colleagues to reflect on the previous year, research knowledge gained, and plans for the next stages.

The session will inform you of the University’s criteria for a successful upgrade process and help prepare you for it. The facilitators will share their own experiences of passing upgrade process and provide you with particular tips and advices that will be useful for you to understand what your need to do and how to successfully pass your own upgrade.

By the end of the workshop, you should be able to:

- Have a better understanding of what is the upgrade process

- Gain practical tips on how to prepare for your upgrade

- Reflect on progress made during your upgrade