Cour­se de­s­crip­ti­on

Date

26th and 27th June 2025 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Location

in presence

Target group

International PhDs and Postdocs

Group size

max. 12 participants

Content

For early career scholars with an international background, it can be a real challenge to get into the non-academic German job market following an academic position. The entry routes into jobs are not always transparent, candidates are often not well-informed about what to expect in the application process and not everyone can offer German language skills. Where and how you can look for a job outside classic academia depends on your qualifications and skills set, on your individual life situation as well as on knowing about possible entry paths and strategies, the (unwritten) rules of the game and other parameters. This workshop offers assistance with this – tailored specifically for the needs of international scholars – and will encourage participants not just to prepare for this transition in a focused way but to create an action plan which they can start to implement.

The workshop focuses on the following:

1. Developing a profile: What can I do and where do I want to work with that? What are my skills and competencies? What type of career could I pursue?

2. Information about the landscape of the German job market for international postdoctoral candidates: which areas of work are attractive, what are the formal requirements concerning residence and employment, what are the limits and possibilities in your job search, what ways are there of entering a profession, which cultural factors do I need to take into account?

3. Planning the next steps: Which factors do I need to consider in planning my next steps (German language skills, how long do I envisage staying in Germany, devel– oping my network etc.?)

4. Empowerment: Drawing on numerous case studies of international doctorate holders who have successfully entered the German job market, strategies for success will be highlighted.Participants will gain the confidence to get started and concretize their next steps!

Participants will receive a small preparatory task by Email approximately one week before attending the workshop.

Methods

Short inputs from the trainer, self-reflective activities, small group/partner work, peer- and trainer-feedback, short self-presentations.

Trainer

Dr. Philippa Cook

Trainer?s bachground

Dr. Philippa Cook works as a trainer with a focus on international PhD-candidates and PhDholders. She has an international background herself – born and raised in England – and worked in research and teaching in German academia for many years before she became a trainer. For this workshop she has conducted numerous interviews with international PhD-holders who have successfully entered the German job-market and draws on these real-life experiences to inform and to empower the participants. All workshops are conducted with sensitivity to issues of diversity and inclusion

Registration deadline

2 weeks before the start of the event.

On the day of the registration deadline we decide on the basis of the registrations whether an event can take place or not. Therefore, please register promptly if you are interested! The more registrations we receive, the more certain we can hold the event. Of course, you can still register after the registration deadline if there are still places available.