Pathfinder at the University of Glasgow

How do you successfully navigate career transitions? Each year, we ask a group of postdoctoral researchers this question in one of our workshops. Here is the wisdom of this years' group: 📍 When on a temporary mobility period or embarking on a very new experience: Give yourself a "time out" of other plans and committments, and experience it fully ("one thing at a time"). 📍Think outside the box when presented with opportunities - they might not sound like the perfect job, but if you're interested in the work, they might make sense later ("follow the dots...": do what is appealing and what feels good). 📍Take care of your support systems (peers, family, friends) - and know that for some relationships, distance can be a bonus 😀 📍Trust the red flags (in a job, with regards to workplace relationships) - and in your ability to recognize them and act accordingly. 📍Don't focus on what you have yet to achieve - be aware that you're currently achieving a lot! 📍Separate problems (future plans) into smaller parts - don't try to do it all at once. 📍 Know there is an element of luck, things might be out of your control, and embrace the chaos. We use one of the reflective exercises on the Prosper. portal: Researchers outline the major milestones on their professional path, and note what advice they would give their former self for handling these (https://lnkd.in/dyQ_fQGu). Stefania Silvestri, PhD

For the last 10 months, I was fortunate to be on secondment at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) Research & Innovation (R&I) Directorate’s Research Team. I have long been within the university environment, first as a researcher then as a research professional staff. So, to be seconded as a policy officer in a funding council was exciting even though it was a bit out of my comfort zone. Here are some of my reflections from this experience: 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 Working with (& re-reading) the same research funding policies & government strategies but now through the lens of a funder & with a new knowledge base, provided me with in-depth understanding & a new perspective of the Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) R&I landscape, & how it works & synergises with the wider UK R&I ecosystem. eg: SFC being the research authority in Scotland, funding Scottish universities’ research capacity, being equal partners with the other UK funding bodies in the design and management of Research Excellence Framework, supporting the UK’s Dual Support System of research funding, & directly accountable to Scottish government (SG), I observed & appreciated how mindfully & meaningfully SFC R&I team balances priorities/requirements of Scottish HEIs & SG. 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸  The secondment was a supportive conduit that helped me to grow my professional network within the R&I sector across the UK, including SFC colleagues from other directorates who work within the post-16 education in Scotland. Through these networks & conversations, I came across new ways of thinking & doing things, & new perspectives. 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 (𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁)  Similar to a new position or career opportunity, this secondment gave me space to grow – to hone my transferrable skills e.g. communication, negotiation etc. & develop new ones. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀   Staying in Edinburgh for a part of my secondment (totally my choice!) provided me with a taster session to live in & explore the beautiful city of Edinburgh. The most rewarding of all was working with & learning from the excellent & welcoming colleagues of the SFC R&I team. Being a small team (15 only to cover all of R&I), they do so much brilliant work for the Scottish HEI R&I sector, and its place in the UK - I’d like to give a shout-out to them! Thank you, University of Glasgow Research Services Directorate, for supporting this secondment, extremely grateful to you. The below animation provides an overview on how SFC’s Research Excellence Grant supports the Scottish universities' research capacity https://lnkd.in/etqUuQWZ

When considering a new role: Don't just ask yourself "can I do it?" Also ask "do I want it?" In the current job climate, this might seem like a privileged question. But remember, most of us spend at least one third of our lives at work. It's important to enjoy what you do. If you see a job that particularly excites you but your skills and experience don't 100% fit the job requirements, apply for it anyway. It's up to the employer to decide whether you're qualified for the role. Only you can evaluate your curiosity. If you don't have experience with a particular skill, be honest about it. But also give examples of how you can adapt and learn new skills. Go for what lights you up. Visual: Mari Andrew