Career paths of academic researchers

The skills and experience gained by research staff in academia enable them to pursue a very wide variety of careers within and beyond the higher education sector. The following case studies of the career paths of former academic researchers have been compiled by careers advisers in the Universities of Leeds, London, Newcastle and Swansea. Explore them by clicking on the degree disciplines in which you are interested.

You will also find in this section a list of competences displayed by academic researchers who made a successful transition from one career to another.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES
BUSINESS
COMPUTING
EDUCATION
ENGINEERING
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
HEALTH STUDIES
LIFE SCIENCES
MARINE STUDIES
MATHEMATICS
MEDICAL / RELATED SCIENCES
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SCIENCES
VETERINARY SCIENCES

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

American Studies

Simon

Route into HE
Simon started life from school as a journalist and entered HE as a mature student at a northern university, where he achieved a B.A .(Hons) American Studies, followed by a Ph.D. in American Studies. Simon would have loved an academic post and did part-time teaching as a Ph.D. student. However, he was told it would not happen and as he had 3 children to support he had to accept that he would finish his Ph.D. and then have to find permanent employment.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Simon looked at his experience and transferable skills, together with his preferences. These included journalism, academic success and a wish to stay in education. Simon was restricted to his local area and he saw an advertisement for an administrative post at a local college, applied and got it. It did not specifically offer opportunities to use his skills - but Simon looked ahead and saw this as a step to something he valued more. He was in education and he could take it from there, because he had something of a vision for himself - Press Officer type of role.

Simon describes himself as evangelical about opportunities in HE at the time and foresaw the growth of the Polytechnic sector. Simon knew he would have credibility with academics, with his academic success and he had the experience of journalism and skill with words and presenting, from his academic career.

In time he persuaded a 'floundering' Public Relations Officer at his Polytechnic to let him 'have a go' on the basis of what he had to offer. A job was created for him, thanks to his persuasion skills and 5 years later he had a large department with a healthy budget.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be prepared to overcome the disappointment of not being able to pursue a career in academia. Positive thinking is vital if the rest of your career is not going to be embittered by such disappointment. There are limited possibilities and many of us must move into other careers. It is possible to have a very fulfilling career doing something else.
· Use your strengths and preferences in looking for something else.
· Accept less than you actually want in a job, if there is scope for you to persuade the organisation that you can offer much more.
· Are you passionate about anything? Can you find a niche in that sort of field?
· Get a crystal ball - learn to scan the environment - look into the future by looking at trends/talking to people who have ideas about the future - see where the opportunities might lie in fields where you feel you could make a contribution.
· Be very lateral in your thinking about what you have done and been good at and how those skills could be transferred to something else, wholly unrelated.
· Have a vision for achieving your aims. Be thorough and realistic but do not be afraid of being evangelical and taking some risks - if they are well calculated.
· Identify things others are less accomplished at and make yourself indispensable by being good at those things.

Gail

Route into HE
Gail took the traditional route from school to university, where she gained a B.A Hons Archaeology and then a Ph.D. in Archaeology.

Route into Contract Research
Gail was made a verbal offer by a former tutor and spent over two years at her northern redbrick University between her degree and PhD. She also did some work for English Heritage and freelance work.

Nature and range of work
Gail supervised a large scale fieldwork project and got a number of projects to publication.
In addition, she did research for English Heritage National Projects Protection Programme.
She did some part time lecturing as a research student.

Likes about Contract Research
· Gail enjoyed the variety of work and the freedom to organise her own work/day, including from home. There were very few meetings!
· She found, too, that she could often achieve outputs without being overly reliant on other people meeting deadlines etc.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Gail disliked the insecurity and low salary as well as the expectation that you become increasingly specialised.
· She found, too, that it can be a bit isolated if you don't have direct contact with the people you work for.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Gail was aware that jobs in archaeology were very limited and mostly short term - which she did not want - and so she started to look for a new direction about 4 months before her funding for her Ph.D. ran out. Gail identified her transferable skills and the constraints she was placing on herself in looking for a position (she wanted to stay in the north-east of England). Gail then bought newspapers and scanned them and used the Employment Service to find posts which would allow her to use her transferable skills and strengths.

For a little while Gail felt a sense of panic and was applying for and spending/wasting time attending interviews for posts which were wholly unsuitable. Finally, she realised this and stopped, concentrating only on opportunities which were appropriate for her career. She was still attracted to working in the higher education sector, albeit in a different capacity. Concentrating on this sector, she was selected for a job as Management Information and Development Director in a northern university.

Messages for contract researchers
· Start to prepare for a transition early enough not to find yourself panicking about getting a job.
· Be aware of the likely future in your discipline and decide if that is what you are looking for/going to be happy with.
· Look at your transferable skills from all aspects of your work - including, for example, that you have taken a very broad approach to your work - a novel approach.
· Beware of over reacting to time scales, in the stress of writing up - to find yourself going for interviews for 'jobs' rather than career posts. This will lead to wasting precious time, when you should be finishing the project/Ph.D.
· Remember there is always scope to earn money, if it comes to it, whilst you find the right position.

Route into HE
Rebecca took the traditional route via A levels to university. There she attained a B.A. Archaeology and Anthropology and a doctorate in Archaeology. Whilst still a contract researcher and aware that other 'irons in the fire' might come in useful, she took and passed Parts I and II of the Financial Practitioner Certificate.

Route into Contract Research
Rebecca loved her subject and applied for and won a Research Fellowship - in open competition - and started immediately her doctorate ended. This was a three year Research Fellowship at an Oxbridge college which was followed by a two year Research Fellowship at a northern redbrick university and a one year Research Associate at this same university. Rebecca felt she hit a 'glass ceiling' at this point.

Nature and range of work
Her work included research, project co-ordination (international), teaching, Health and Safety in lab, lab manager, first aider, departmental 'haggler' with suppliers and merciless chaser of 'lost' orders.

Likes about Contract Research
· Freedom.
· Flexible working environment.
· Extended periods of foreign travel.
· Nice pension scheme.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Too much admin - being bogged down by bureaucracy - no time to progress research.
· Too little job security.
· Limited opportunities for career progression.
· Apparent need to re-locate regularly to take up post - leading to strife in personal life.
· Status within department and university; perception of being a dogs-body who will forgo personal aspirations and ambitions and does not mind being stuck in a dead-end job.
All of these meant Rebecca had to move on.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Rebecca had been interviewed at 12 of 18 UK Universities in her subject and came second every time. The final straw came in one last interview when she had a particularly hard time when a referee's comment was taken out of context and was made to be very damaging. This was the final straw and Rebecca decided to move on.

She started by looking at
· what she is good at
· where she wanted to work
· where she could go.

She listed a wide range of transferable skills and recognised that being involved in both Teaching Quality Assessment and the Research Assessment Exercise had given her another perspective on life.

She listed lifestyle prerequisites and the salary that would be the minimum to achieve/maintain these.

Rebecca had already been successful in entering financial services and had not taken up the opportunity because the lifestyle she had already achieved could not be maintained. Nor could she be sure to be where she wanted to be.

She then thought about friends and relations and what they do and realised that a field into which she could fit and where they were making good careers was IT.

Rebecca then added all her peripheral 'qualifications' to her list and looked into starting a computer course, whilst still a researcher. She looked at a distance learning course from which to gain practical experience rather than a qualification.

She set down what she wanted over the next 5 years - the vital quality of life issues and what she liked about her current job and hoped not to lose - the flexibility and the overseas travel, for example. Then she looked at specific geographical locations where friends and family would be accessible and then looked to see what was there by contacting friends in those locations.

She also asked friends what they thought she would be best suited to. She realised she would be making a big jump ,but thought back to starting Archaeology and how big a jump that was and how she had been advised against it. She did it then and she knew she could do it again. After taking a long hard look at herself and what she wanted, Rebecca worked on her CV. She sent it to a friend in the industry and got significant feedback. Rebecca followed most of his suggestions.

The friend, who had just started work for a small software consultancy said he would like to give Rebecca's C.V. to his boss. She panicked a bit because she had not expected anything to happen for a while - but realise she could not let any opportunity go by. She realised it would all be a valuable learning experience. This led to an early evening telephone interview, which Rebecca found very hard because the interviewer was incapable of being 'read'. She felt she handled it badly and became angry with herself. She had not prepared - she was talking about how she had handled situations in an academic environment which was wholly unsuitable for a commercial environment. Rebecca had to try to retrieve the situation - to show she could offer the company something of value - if not what she had been interviewed for.

She was given a second chance, purely because she came recommended and at face to face interviews she made the right impression. Following a job offer, Rebecca then had to become a skilled negotiator for salary and conditions to match those she was leaving and that was quite hard. She learned that she had not to move or let them think that she would give in because she wanted the job so badly. She was clear about her minimum and she stuck firmly to it, until she achieved it.

Messages for contract researchers
· Recognise all the signs which are telling you that it is time to move on - don't keep thinking 'something will turn up'.
· Don't dither for too long - decide to stay or to go.
· Then think about -
- what you are good at; what experience has given you which skills and competences?
- where you want to go (aspirations change as you get older); you acquire things which you do not wish to give up
- where you want to be (physically).
· Start to think about things you could do, with your skills, qualifications, experience, peripheral qualifications (driving licence etc).
· Look forward 5 years and make some notes about where you'd like to be and the general nature of your job (travel involved; flexible; variety etc).
· Some leads may be good learning experiences but may lead neither to short-listing nor interview. Accept the learning experience and benefit from it.
· Prepare for telephone interviews in the same way as for others but remember that you have to 'smile' on the telephone.
· Be ready for unexpected and very short notice opportunities, which may come at the 'wrong' time. Remember, there won't be lots of opportunities, so reflect carefully before rejecting one.
· When you are being interviewed and meeting various people and it all looks reasonably positive - be flexible. Return to meet significant people, when they ask, if at all possible - even if you have to change some arrangements.
· Send any additional information to the relevant people in the organisation to give further, broader evidence of your experience and competence - as you realise, through interview, that it will help them clarify their thoughts.

Mark

Background
After obtaining 2 M.As, I decided I wanted to pursue my interest in Liberal Party history, so I undertook a D.Phil. This offered an opportunity to pursue my interest whilst breaking new academic ground.

I enjoyed the research and using evidence to develop an argument. In particular, I enjoyed making use of several different archives and using interview as a research technique. My main dislike was the lack of interaction and isolation from other students and academics.

I did not want to stay in academia and decided instead to obtain a professional qualification. I regularly consulted the careers service weekly mailing and eventually chose accountancy with a tax bias because it gave me the opportunity to obtain a professional qualification whilst being paid and gaining work experience.

The main parallels with academic research are using evidence to construct an argument and looking in different sources to find supporting information. Good drafting skills in tax work are at a premium. The main difference is the amount of interaction with people - both clients and colleagues.

I left public practice to move into industry as a tax manager. My main aim is to develop tax awareness at my current employer before moving to a FTSE 100 company as Head of Tax.

Transferable skills
In my current profession I use various skills that I gained as a researcher:
· writing skills
· the ability to read quickly, extract key information and deploy it succinctly in argument
· presentational skills
· the ability to complete work to a deadline
· the ability to organise one's own workload.

Useful sources of information
Chartered Institution of Taxation
Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales

Messages
Focus on the soft skills acquired in academia as these are not always appreciated by interviewers.

Nature and range of work
5th Century theology - Cyril of Alexandria.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Rachel used the Careers Service in the areas where she thought she might like to work, to find both guidance and advice and also information about vacancies. She had decided to make a change in her career and had formulated a plan to help her to identify opportunities and help Careers Advisers help her. Rachel had looked at her strengths and her preferences to narrow down the sorts of things she'd probably be interested in applying for and sought advice on her C.V. in relation to making her applications - which advice she took.

Rachel spent a year looking for a suitable job and had to bear and overcome disappointments. Each time something did not come to fruition, for whatever reason, Rachel had to acknowledge her emotions and then put the experience behind her and move on to devote her energies and attention to the next opportunity. Each time there was an opportunity, Rachel put a great deal of time and effort into it - including once when she did not really understand what was expected of the post-holder. Rachel had to go to a local Careers Office to help her to interpret it. Even when Rachel came to the organisation where she eventually found a post, she did not get the job she applied for initially. She was invited, however, to apply for an alternative and secured a post as a Research Services Director in a higher education institution

Messages for contract researchers
· When you realise you do not wish to continue (Rachel had lost her motivation) start by looking to see what opportunities there may be.
· When you seek advice from others, try to have some ideas and plans about what you might do rather than just problems to talk about.
· Be prepared to change/amend plans as options disappear.
· Pursue plans simultaneously, if possible.
· Identify what you enjoy/are good at and see how those things could fit into other positions.
· Seek advice on your C.V. from anyone who can give you sound advice, because they know what employers in your field of interest will be looking for.
· Seek feedback on any plans for suitable occupations from people who know you well enough to be able to comment in detail.
· Use your networks to hear about jobs.
· Don't be brought down by having to make many applications and undergo many interviews. The right thing will come along.
· Start in good time to allow for some lack of success before finding the right one.
· Be aware of the environment you will be working in and do not accept a job where you feel it is not the right environment.
· Develop your stamina, if necessary, to get upset by disappointment and then recover and move on to the next attempt.
· If job details do not make much sense, do your research until they do - ask appropriate people, contact the employer, talk to Careers people etc.
· Seek and accept support to help you through the transition.
· Be available to anyone else doing the same - to help them benefit from your experience and vice versa - or just offer mutual comfort.

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Entrepreneurial Studies

Louise

After completing a postgraduate diploma in European Studies followed by an MSc in Entrepreneurial Studies, Louise held one research contract for one year before moving to her current job as a marketing manager for a European industrial supplies company.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
My contract was coming to an end so I needed to consider a range of options - in and out of academia. The idea of more job security really appealed - most of the companies I looked at did not work on just yearly contracts. I wanted to move into a job with prospects.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I had developed various skills - in particular negotiation and communication - through my contract research work - and looked forward to applying these in a different environment. The transfer of my knowledge I saw as a positive challenge. In the event, the main skills I am now using are mathematical pricing and analysing data, as well as communication and linguistic skills.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
It took me a few months to make the transition - a time consuming process involving applications and time off for interviews. I looked for vacancies in newspapers, on the internet and through agencies, plus I used the University Careers Service and the vacancy bulletins they produced. My main concerns were about being unemployed and forced into accepting call centre work (something I could easily do because of my linguistic skills). Overall the whole process was challenging but I was able to integrate into my new work environment very quickly.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
The jobs I applied for required either a CV or an application form and my interviews were mainly skilled based. Actually I found that the business interviews were less pressured with a more laid back approach compared with the intensive academic panel set up. I wasn't asked why I wanted to move out of academia. Generally I was pleased to be moving on and felt positive about things.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
In my academic contract I really enjoyed liaising with people and now meeting customers is still the most enjoyable aspect of my work. The work environment I'm in is faster moving and dynamic and I am working with people mainly with industrial backgrounds. I still use my writing skills extensively (production of brochures and pamphlets), and my understanding of the marketing process is invaluable. Not using reference and textbooks to back up my knowledge is quite a challenge and I do miss the library being on hand! My current work environment is much more free, much less 'ivory tower' and I see my progression over the next few years in terms of gaining status and taking on extra responsibilities within the company. I believe there is more room for promotion within the business sector and have not maintained my academic contacts as I would not seek to re-enter academia.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Be flexible. Look at what the different environments (university and business) have to offer. Weigh up the pros and cons for you.
· Be open minded and prepared to try different things in order to build a range of skills that will make you more marketable.

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COMPUTING

Computing

Stephen

After completing a PhD in Computing, Stephen held two research contracts over a period of two and a half years before moving into his current job as a research scientist with a major electronics firm.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
After my PhD I stayed at university to try out contract research work as a possible long term career choice, however, the best the department could offer me was a 6 - 9 month extension to my 18-month contract. I was looking for more stability and options outside academia seemed to offer more permanence, a better salary and the opportunity for career progression. I wanted to really get stuck into a proper career path with the associated responsibilities and rewards.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
Initially, I had hoped to stay roughly within my research field but this did not happen so I knew I would carry little of my expertise across. I did have a concern about not using my specific subject knowledge but I was confident about the general transferability of my skills - particularly computer programming and research methodology that apply in many situations.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I'd started to think about what might come next quite soon into the first research contract having seen other people having to move from one contract to the next. What happened was, the contract would start, you'd get into it, then you'd have to start looking for the next contract. The lack of security within the University was a strong motivator for me to move.

I used the Careers Service (including attending focused sessions for contract research staff on CV and interview skills), newspapers, trade magazines, the internet and recruitment agencies to help identify vacancies.

I found the transition to be lonely - but it got better. Leaving friends and family was difficult and I had to get used to having less freedom. I'd enjoyed the relaxed, friendly environment and good social life at the university. In terms of integrating into the new work environment, on a personal level there were no problems (good interpersonal skills were pretty important to smooth the way). However it took several months before I felt I was doing anything useful.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed both a CV and an application form for the jobs I targeted. The university CV course was very helpful for this. I would encourage people to identify exactly what the job is and try to match their CV/application form accordingly. For the job I am now in a fairly broad CV was sufficient as they took me on as a research person and then allocated me to a project. The interviews for different jobs were very mixed so I never knew what to expect. Some were heavily technical, others completely non-technical, which seemed strange for I.T. jobs. When asked why I wanted to move out of academia I said that I wanted to do something 'more real' and that would actually be useful to someone rather than research for the sake of it. The whole process was a lot more enjoyable than I expected. I felt filled with confidence and raring to go. The 'real world' isn't so bad!

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My current job involves developing high-end set top boxes for next generation digital TV and embedded software development. I really enjoy bringing all the bits together from the various project partners - very much what I enjoyed in my university project research. There is still the issue of 'will it ever get used?' and I do a lot of demos.

Working for a customer brings an increased commercial emphasis - things have to work! I don't write papers, but I do write documentation. Typical tasks in my working day (I have a nominal 37 hour week) might include software development, systems design, demonstrations (sometimes up to 5 a day), team planning, technical meetings, customer handling, co-ordinating other groups (internationally), networking and internet browsing. I get to play around with a lot of interesting software! I work flexitime and find I have more free time now than I did at university - work outside academia is not 'harder'.

Part of my work at university that I enjoyed was the teaching and I find I can use those pastoral, mentoring skills in my present work. Generally, I have a much clearer sense of direction, though my current job can be frustrating. I do miss the pure research - the freedom to try really new things - and the social side of the university, especially football! I would re-enter the university sector for the challenge of doing something really new and I think I'd be better at it after a period in industry. Taking a salary cut would be painful and the issue of stability / security would still be there. In the meantime I have another job move on the cards - hopefully to a role with more responsibility, still outside academia.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Don't move because of perceived lack of opportunities in academia. You need to try even harder to find them than other jobs but they do exist.
· Be sure of what you want and make sure your new job provides it.
· Consider trying to obtain extra business qualifications (if you don't already have them).
· Search on the www for vacancies and always get as much information about a company as you can before interview.
· Look through trade papers and magazines to help identify sector specific recruitment agencies and web sites.

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Education

Byron

Background
I completed undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Geography and became a Research Assistant studying poverty and rurality. Following a period off teaching in a secondary school, I switched research disciplines to education and worked as a Research Assistant on a study of teaching in a restructured public service and it's interface between the community and local primary schools. I progressed to Research Officer in an independent research institute evaluating various central government and EU programmes and then returned to academic research as a Research Fellow working on a project studying the effect of gender and learning on achievement in junior schools.

Whilst in this final position, I recognised that without a PhD and with a career that veered between different departments, organisations and sectors, I was in a tricky situation. I decided to get out of contract research into a position that offered permanent employment with either the Civil Service or a commercial research organisation.

I scoured the jobs pages in the press and found that the Wednesday Guardian offered a number of job opportunities. The interview procedure for most of them was not that different from the interviews for research jobs though they asked more probing questions relating to business development and winning money in addition to competency in undertaking research work. Then, with job offers in both the Civil Service and commercial research, I opted for the latter as it did not require a move to London and the higher salary also appealed.

Transferable skills development
The main skills I developed from working as a researcher include:
. Research design with particular focus on deskwork to investigate, explore and develop problems.
. Generating methods to test research work.Developing economic models of research and undertaking theoretical and/or practical investigations.
. Oral and written communication Writing and submitting proposals for new research. Presenting data, adapting to different levels of understanding and active listening.
. Interpersonal skillsBuilding and developing relationships, liaising with clients, motivating and co-operating with others.

I use all these skills in commercial research but I find that I have to refine and adapt them towards the commercial sector. The drawbacks of working in commercial research for me is the very strong feeling of a loss of identity as a writer, the undeniable need to make money, the loss of some autonomy when dealing with research sponsors and the poor sick pay and holiday entitlements.

Messages
I believe there is a big gap in the commercial market for quality people, which contract research staff can fill, provided you are prepared to lose a little autonomy and become more commercially aware and focused. However, you will find, perhaps for the first time, that you have some peace of mind as there is more job security and the jobs are usually better paid.

Sarah

Background
I graduated with a B.Sc. in Economics and Statistics and immediately completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. I taught for four years, took four years out to bring up my children then began to look for part-time work. My first post was in the Department of Education at a Welsh University, researching the impact from the teacher's perspective that the GCSE exam, introduced two years previously, had had on pupils. This was followed by a number of smaller projects and some self-employed consultancy work utilising my knowledge of using statistics in education.

I was appointed to a full time research position studying how to deliver a particularly difficult module of health science more interestingly and innovatively. I enjoyed the variety of the work, the people I worked with, and the setting, and always felt that I was treated as an equal and integral to building up the research profile of the department. For me, the only downside to contract research work was the lack of continuity and the uncertainty associated with working on one year fixed term contracts.

I was getting more and more involved in lecturing which I enjoyed, and when a lectureship was advertised I applied, went through the interview process and was appointed. Now I feel that I am in a position where the reward is commensurate with my activities.

Transferable skills development
The main skills I developed in contract research that I now use include:
. Levels of problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and considering alternative solutions and strategies before making independent judgements and conclusions.
. Research and analysis - Undertaking theoretical and/or practical investigations. Generating test methods for quantitative research, planning and organising relevant field work.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development - Planning and preparing sessions and materials to present information clearly and confidently. Encouraging involvement and reviewing learning to improve performance.
. Networking - Exchanging information with others to establish and develop useful working relationships. Setting up and using email discussion groups.
. Communication - Conveying and explaining complex information in either written or oral format in a way that others understand and can act on.

Messages
It is important to keep focused and not lose sight of all the possibilities outside contract research. Set yourself some key objectives, establish a game plan and keep to it as far as possible. Recognise that you already possess many of the skills that you need to work outside contract research, and develop a strategy to build on them. Try to identify those transferable skills that you have not had the opportunity to develop in contract research and where possible create opportunities to develop them before deciding to leave.

Steve

Route into HE
Steve went straight from school to a Geography degree before he embarked on a self funded Ph.D. (done during a two-year contract research post), but had to convert to a part time M.Phil.

Reasons for entering Contract Research
Steve really loved research and liked what he did.

Nature and range of work
Started off in Geography (poverty in rural areas) and then into Education research looking into gender and underachievement in junior schools. He also looked into education restructuring and the impact on teachers' work.

Likes about Contract Research
· Fieldwork.
· Writing.
· A good supervisor.
· Intellectually challenging.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· The restrictions arising from short term contracts and levels of pay.

Reason for moving on
Promotion prospects were nil without meeting unreasonable demands and it was with great regret that Steve thought he had no option but to move on. He felt he had been treated unreasonably and there was no way to make progress. Steve felt that, in part, the difficulties with forging a career in research stemmed from his broad range of expertise (although this served him well for consultancy, even though he hates calling himself a consultant). Steve says he was driven by money and the wish for a permanent post.

Exploration of Options and Sources
The press was a very lucrative source of many appropriate vacancies for Steve, with many posts to select from and leading to a good range of interview offers. From the options available, Steve chose consultancy with an independent, international company which provides clients with specialist services in the fields of economic, environmental, social and innovation policy.

Messages for Contract Research
· Be sure what is going to be the right thing, to be able to distinguish when different vacancies become available.
· Use the Careers Service to help with C.V. and job search, if necessary
· Publish as much as possible.
· Be involved in the University to gain experience of senior committees, unions etc.
· Be organised.
· Do not be put off by early disappointments.
· Network.
· Keep in touch with fellow contract research staff.
· Try to develop key skills which might be called on elsewhere.
. Be aware of key skills which come as part of the job, such as doing research, writing, writing tenders, working effectively with other people.

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ENGINEERING

Aerodynamics

Nicola

After completing a Ph.D. in Computer Aided Aerodynamic Design, Nicola held two research contracts over a period of three and a half years before moving to work for a financial software company as a systems integrator.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
Six months before the end of my research contract, I accepted a temporary six months post of admissions tutor. Although I had more or less decided I didn't want to do another post doc or lectureship, it was the admissions post that really convinced me to consider other options. I was keen to develop new skills, meet new people and was ready for a change of work environment. The potentially higher salary also appealed.

I looked mainly into I.T. and finance jobs, but did apply to the Civil Service too. Although my supervisor encouraged me to apply for lectureships - warning me that competition was strong, but that it was important that I was seen to be applying - I was fairly certain I wanted to make the move.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
Apart from my computing knowledge, the knowledge gained during my post doc and admissions post wasn't really transferable to the options I was considering. In general I was very happy about the transferability of the skills I had developed including written and oral presentation, self-discipline, self-motivation and organisation. I was, however, a little concerned that my computing skills were limited to those required to do my PhD research.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I had been applying for jobs during my post doc and had, in fact, been offered a job by British Aerospace. In the event it took very little time to identify vacancies by talking to colleagues / friends who had already moved out of academia, looking at job adverts in the papers, attending job fairs and joining both a recruitment agency and a job e-mailing list. The transition process for me was painless - even though it meant moving from Leeds to London, leaving good friends behind in Leeds and paying a lot more for a similar standard of accommodation. Frankly, the biggest challenge for me was disappointing my supervisor and I was concerned that I might regret the move out of academia and either not find the work challenging and interesting or be out of my depth! I hoped I would get a lot of training and become operational quickly.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed a CV for my current job - though most of the others I considered required only an application form. For attendance at job fairs I would suggest a one page CV, keeping it simple but clear and attractive, on good quality paper. Just for information, part of the Civil Service selection procedure involved taking a test with literally thousands of other candidates - quite daunting! Both of the first interviews for the two jobs I went for consisted of two parts: an overview of the company and the job, followed by a fairly informal interview to determine if I would 'fit in'. The second interviews of these two jobs were very different; the interviewer for one was a computer guru and for the other a pushy salesman. The computer guru wanted to find out if I had adequate computer skills, the salesman wanted to find out if I was brash enough to sell. In both interviews I was specifically asked why I wanted to move out of academia. I said that I did enjoy research but was being snowed under with administration and teaching, adding that I wanted to be more challenged, to work as part of a team and to broaden my knowledge, experience and skills. I felt calm about the whole process until they told me that the job for which I had been selected no longer existed so I was in competition with the other candidates for the remaining job. I then felt very stressed for a few days whilst waiting for the outcome, it made me realise how much I wanted the job.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
I am very content in my present job, which involves setting up bespoke software for financial institutions. I really enjoy the challenge of doing something at which I am relatively inexperienced. At the moment I am working Monday to Friday in Brussels, spending only occasional days in London. The computer programming and preparation of written reports is similar to my academic work, but I have more frequent, critical and consequential deadlines. I'm also paid for overtime!

Although I miss being experienced in my area of research and the freedom to explore novel ideas, I like the fact that my work is more consequential. I work closely with a number of colleagues from a similar background to mine, although many of the senior people in the company do not have academic backgrounds. Hopefully I will continue to build my understanding of finance and business and perhaps move into the area of mathematical financial modelling.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Fill in photocopies of application forms before filling in the originals.
· Allow plenty of time for travelling to interviews.
· Re-read your CV before the interview and plan your responses to predictable questions.
· Find out whether your university runs courses to help you with career planning.
· Don't go for the first job that comes your way.
· Gain as much computer experience as you can - it's invaluable.

Bioengineering

Graham

Background
I graduated with an Honours degree in Physics and spent four years as a supply teacher primarily teaching mathematics and science to 11 to 16 year olds. During this time I obtained a P.G.C.E. from the University of Warwick, Coventry. I then joined the Department of Dermatology at a Welsh University as a contract researcher where I obtained a Ph.D. in Skin Bioengineering and Occupational Dermatology. In total I spent some 14 years in contract research work where one of my responsibilities, which stood me in good stead later, was to implement and maintain the department's presence on the Internet.

I decided to make the move out of contract research work when the new head of department wound up my particular research group. My experience of doing many of the web based activities required in the contract research position set me up for a re-deployment opportunity as the College Web Officer and Web Development Librarian. I saw my job in an internal bulletin prior to the final appeal on my former job applied and started working straight away. Now I set up and manage the new college website and teach and support web-based information retrieval and assessment.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I developed in contract research and now use include:
. Oral and written communication - Outlining key points and presenting information in a logical way at the listeners or readers level of knowledge.
. Decision making - Making realistic decisions based on taking risks supported by intuition, logic and data. Working objectively in emotional situations.
. Planning and organising - Identifying and setting realistic time scales, costs and activities for self and others and planning work to achieve goals and targets. Working unsupervised.
. Networking - Establishing and developing useful working relationships to exchange information. Creating awareness of research work and contributing to conferences, seminars and societies to gain exposure. Supporting existing networking partnerships and developing new networking partnerships.
. Interpersonal - Managing people through others and building relationships and morale by developing, supporting and encouraging others in a group. Resolving disagreements and misunderstandings to build strong working relationships.

I continue to use all these skills, but I sometimes call on other skills that I developed during my time in teaching and in charity work.

Messages
Take every opportunity to develop complementary or additional skills when doing contract research work. Make sure that your willingness to take on this extra work or responsibility is well documented as often this willingness to co-operate can be taken advantage of.

Consider all other activities and work experience and the skills you developed in them. For me, teaching and being chairman and director of a charity equipped me with some of the skills that I now use in my current job.

Jennifer

Route into HE
Jennifer entered university from school and took first a B.A Hons, followed by a M.Sc. and finally a Ph.D.

Route into Contract Research
She went into contract research after her Ph.D. and had six years of contracts in Mechanical Engineering or Bio-engineering and 10 years of contracts in a Transport Operations Research Group (TORG). During this period she was promoted from Research Assistant to Senior Research Assistant.

Nature and range of work
Jennifer was involved in transport operations development projects working on new systems and testing systems as well as data collection for systems. She attended conferences all over the world and presented her work there. Jennifer supervised other RA's too.

Likes about Contract Research
· The variety of work.
· The time to have one's own good ideas (the work not always being too directed).
· Conferences abroad.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Jennifer says simply - the insecurity.

Reasons for moving on
Jennifer worked in the Engineering Faculty for 14 years. She had been fed up for a long time but was not desperate to take action. She found herself moaning a lot and then funding in TORG was cut and she found herself with a half time job. She gained another half time job in CPE (Centre for Process Engineering), where eventually, a full time post may have become available.

Jennifer did make attempts to find an alternative, more secure position, within the university:
A Lectureship was applied for and led to short-listing. Jennifer prepared long and well. She made and enjoyed a presentation and felt in control. At the interview she was the best dressed person and felt she presented herself well for the position. She was disappointed and angry not to be successful.

Jennifer also applied for an admin post in the Medical School, feeling she had a lot of evidence of suitability for the position and had some medical background, as well. She feels her strengths are organising a project to effective outcome and working well in a team which is working hard and pulling together to achieve in a challenging situation.
She spent time on the application, had a good interview and was led to believe that she had responded well to the questions. Not only did she not get the job, but she waited weeks for the rejection letter. She was surprised and disappointed but decided she must get on with what she'd got.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Jennifer took holiday and took time to unwind and then came the call to send her C.V. to her present employer. A friend who had been a colleague in TORG and now worked for a consultancy contacted Jennifer and suggested she send her CV to the local office Director.
Jennifer was excited by this prospect and did so, following a telephone call to the Director to talk about the possible opportunity for a vacancy and the work which was involved. The discussion also included Jennifer explaining what she had been doing which led to an invitation to put her C.V. in the post.

She spent the evening, in conjunction with her Engineering lecturer husband composing a letter of application which would make the right impression and would be relevant to the conversation over the telephone. Her husband has the right background to give appropriate feedback and some changes were made, before sending it off.

An invitation to interview followed. It was an informal affair - very much at ease and two-way. Jennifer was asked what she could offer and this led to a discussion. Working in another city was mentioned and dismissed by Jennifer for family reasons. The pay offer was less than current as a Senior Research Assistant, but the job offered an exciting promise. An offer followed and was accepted.

Messages for Contract Research Staff
· Jennifer advises fellow Contract Research Staff to
· Try to stay positive about their work whilst they seek an alternative and to keep trying, even when disappointed - or even worse.
· Be aware of transferable skills and what you would like to do, so that opportunities arising are immediately obvious as such.
· Be clear, too if you have any constraints (such as geographical, or financial) so that you are clear at once what to reject as potential opportunities.
· Be prepared to think ahead and see the potential of something which may not be everything you want immediately, yet could be in time. Know what is most important to you and if that is available, what might you compromise to have that.

Civil Engineering

Rhys

Background
I worked for a firm of Consulting Engineers for twelve months before starting as a Research Associate at the University where I obtained my degree and Ph.D. in Civil Engineering. My contract research work, primarily funded by the Science and Engineering Research Council in collaboration with British Gas and the Water Research Centre, considered the influence of seasonal ground movements on buried services. Numerical and experimental studies helped the national utilities prioritise their maintenance schedules. During that time I developed a very keen interest in research and wanted to continue it but within an academic environment. So the natural progression was to a lectureship, which I set as a target for myself.

My personal contacts were a great help to me and I was fortunate that an opportunity arose to apply for a lectureship at the University whilst still being funded as a Research Associate. My interview was not that different to the one for my Research Associate position although the focus was more on my ability to work and conduct research independently. There was no time lapse between the two jobs and now my lecturing duties cover soil mechanics, engineering analysis, environmental geotechnics, information technology and getting involved in field courses.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Communication - Speaking knowledgeably and enthusiastically at the level of others. Writing clearly using simple words and phrases that are easily understood.
. Decision making - Taking risks and making decisions with only limited information. Seeing through unpopular decisions and working objectively in emotional situations. Basing decisions on intuition, logic, information and data.
. Planning and organising - Planning work to achieve objectives. Making use of available resources and planning and co-ordinating the work of others.
. Problem solving - Making independent conclusions from complex data and information. Using observation and perception to develop enterprising solutions to problems that demonstrate a flexible and versatile approach.

In my new role I had to become more aware of the internal politics and my role in them and I had to develop my general management skills in order to perform effectively.

Messages
If you are interested in lecturing as a career move then you will find that recruitment like most other aspects of the job is currently dominated by the Research Assessment Exercise. To make sure that you stand out from others, publish as extensively as your work allows and get involved in planning new research projects as much as your current position allows.

David

After completing a Masters course in the Civil Engineering department, David held one contract for nine months before leaving to work as a learning mentor in a secondary school.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
Although initially working in academia interested me, and the environment was informal and flexible, the research was not working for me. I felt there was very limited support and could not see a future in my job even though I had been offered an extension on my contract. I also had a strong desire to work with people, to be in a team environment.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
My Masters course had helped me identify and develop a wide range of transferable skills. I was not afraid of the challenge and knew I could do it. I was also learning new skills through doing practical courses and was very positive about my ability to continue learning. In the event the job I got marries up very well with where I wanted to be.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I realised half way through my contract that academia was not for me and it then took 4-5 months to do the research, apply and get the job I am currently in. I had a very strong need to change and that spurred me on. It was also helpful that I saw lots of vacancies that appealed. I used my research skills to good effect, looking on the net, in magazines and newspapers, the Careers Service vacancy bulletins, city council vacancy lists, temping agencies, the Volunteer Bureau and of course word of mouth. I have been able to integrate into my new environment very quickly and extremely easily.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I had to complete an application form for the job I got. In the interview a lot of questions were asked and the job outlined was far more specific than my academic post. When asked about my motivation to leave academia, I was honest and said it wasn't for me. I felt the preparation for the interview was vital and would encourage people always to ask for feedback and not to get downhearted. Use it positively. For me the whole process was quick and painless. Afterwards I felt I could achieve anything and was surprised at the ease of it.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My current job involves working with children who are under-achieving at school - trying to enable them to realise their full potential. I really enjoy the fact that there is a huge people focus, that I have freedom in which to work and am part of a strong team. The work is worthwhile and meaningful and I get support from the team - very different from my experience of academia. It's not all roses. People do fight their corner and there are boundaries, but I value the chance to share ideas and the feeling of not being isolated.

The working hours and pattern is not dissimilar to university, but I work with a very wide range of people coming from youth work, community work, teaching and commercial backgrounds. On a typical day I start work between 8 and 9 am, having planned the night before who I will try to see that day. When I get in, I start with paperwork, talking with colleagues and having casual chats with teachers. Then I'll see referrals for the rest of the morning, taking a break before lunch to walk around the school, meeting the kids informally and showing an interest in what they do. The afternoons I try to keep free so that I can see people on spec (and do more paperwork!). then of course there are the meetings with other staff to promote the scheme and keep the momentum going.

As the communication structure is quite hierarchical, it's important not to leave anyone out of the loop. The main skills I am using now are, listening, organising, dealing with meetings, planning, report writing, time management, networking and counselling. In fact counselling is the area I would like to move into eventually so the job, as well as being extremely satisfying, is reinforcing my definite direction. The work is definitely not more stressful than work in academia and I would not consider going back.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Don't worry. If things are properly thought through, and the skills you have are transferable, then everything will work out.
· Consider developing other useful skills through evening classes and voluntary work.
· Make contacts, speak to people, bang on doors.
· Don't be timid.
· Use everything as a positive experience.
· Be prepared to need a lot of energy - it may be a rough ride.
· Most people can achieve exactly what they want to achieve.

On a practical note, David found the University Careers Service and reference to the book, "What Colour is Your Parachute?", extremely helpful. He would also recommend keeping a log as a reference for self-reflection and skills-logging.

Electrical Engineering

Richard

Background
I was a Research associate for over five years following my B.Sc. in Physics and Ph.D. in semiconductor physics. My first position was in a Department of Physics and Astronomy researching Applied Optics and my second position was in the Circuits and Systems Group at a school of Engineering. I enjoyed academic research but I never really saw myself as a lecturer, so I gave myself a target to get out of academia by the time I was 30.

During my contract research work I slowly evolved from a physicist to a practical engineer, so a move into electronic engineering seemed a logical application of my physics and research background. I submitted my C.V. to 3 or 4 specialist engineering recruitment agencies, specifying South Wales as my preferred job location.

From sending out my first CV it took about three months to find my current job as an Analog Integrated Circuit Design Engineer, involved in computer-aided design and simulation of integrated circuits for use in telecommunications applications. At my interview it seemed that the company was only interested in matching my technical skills to the vacancy and less interested in my personal qualities and any additional skills that I have which might be useful to them.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Communication - Using sentences and bullet points to break up large bodies of text to facilitate easy reading. Oral skills include asking questions and listening to the answers to involve people and agree outcomes.
. Planning and organising - Planning resources to achieve goals and targets and developing contingency plans to overcome problems. Reviewing progress against objectives and revising as necessary.
. Problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and information to come to independent conclusions. Considering alternative solutions and strategies to make creative and enterprising solutions.
. Research and analysis - Writing technical reports and planning and organising laboratory and fieldwork.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development - Presenting information clearly and confidently without using jargon or complicated words.

I only use my technical skills now, the other useful skills I developed as a researcher are not being used at all.

Messages
As far as possible work in a field of research that is of direct relevance to industry and make every effort to develop contacts with people of influence in that industry in the form of collaborative projects. Get help with writing your C.V. when you decide to make the move away from contract research. The C.V. course that I went on helped me to think more about what I wanted to do as well as tailoring my C.V. to appeal to an industrial rather than an academic employer.

Electronic Engineering

Shaun

Route into HE
Shaun went straight from school to a first degree in Physics and a Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering at a traditional northern university.

Route into Contract Research
Shaun enjoyed research and felt he was good at it. Post doctoral research just seemed to follow on from the Ph.D. The department was familiar with his work and his recruitment to a post-doctoral position was done informally.

Nature and range of work
· Experimental and computer modelling research.
· Supervision of research students.
· Writing papers.
· Presenting at conferences.

Likes about Contract Research
· His research subject was interesting.
· Pleasant working environment. Shaun particularly enjoyed receiving positive feedback on his progress.
· Discussing research with colleagues.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Seeing friends earn more money in less challenging jobs.
· Never felt fully 'at home' in academic research.

Reason for moving on
Shaun realised he wasn't as motivated as his colleagues and didn't have a long term interest in the research.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Shaun used a variety of sources - newspapers, speculative applications, the internet and university careers service - to look for opportunities. A three day EPSRC course designed to improve the career management of contract researchers gave him the opportunity to explore ideas with like-minded contract researchers, network and set up work shadowing. The group tutor, a former contract researcher, was a particularly useful 'sounding board'.

Being offered a job in the first company where he 'shadowed' and having to turn it down because of an unrealistic expectation on start dates was a big setback for Shaun, but he continued to be positive, set up work shadowing at two further organisations and made plans to build new contacts at upcoming international conferences. He was then invited to interview by the first company where he had shadowed and after an interview with Human Resources and a company director, Shaun was again offered a job with an immediate start. This time, he negotiated a compromise that meant he was able to give reasonable notice.

He is now a consultant with one of the world's leading telecommunications and IT consulting companies. His role involves strategy development, network design, modelling, advising on out-sourcing strategies, project management and on-going implementation support. Shaun enjoys the emphasis on understanding clients' business environments and the fact that he can add significant value to clients' businesses through his expertise and experience.

Messages for Contract Researchers
· It's important to understand what you want from life and question your own values to establish whether academic research is really for you.
· If you decide to move on, investigate your options and use the help available (the EPSRC course and resources such as the internet and the Careers Service).
· Try to enjoy the career planning process and find some fun in it.
· Build a support network of like-minded people who can help keep your momentum going and share ideas and contacts.
· Think outside the box.
· Although technical knowledge is vital, other things are as important, e.g. ability to communicate and deal with people at different levels.
· Use examples from outside your research to present a rounded picture of yourself (Shaun was involved in the running of a community radio station).
. Seize or create opportunities to develop knowledge and skills outside pure research (Shaun taught himself computer programming and web design skills and learnt the basics of business finance).

Sven

Sven held one research contract prior to his Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering, and worked as a consultant for the department during his Ph.D., before moving to a company in the U.S.A. to work as a design engineer.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
I wanted to gain hands on experience and take on bigger challenges - particularly in terms of developing design skills in an industrial environment. I enjoyed very much the academic research in my university, however there did not seem to be much scope for career development and I did not push for my development in the university at that time.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
Although I felt skills never seem enough, I felt good about my knowledge. I hoped I would be able to have an active role from the beginning so my main concerns were about integrating into a new team / work environment and keeping myself up to date. I had developed patience, research and commitment through my academic work and knew that these would still be useful.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
My time-scale to move from academia to industry was one year. It took a few months to identify vacancies, during which time I sought advice from people who I believed were trustworthy and motivated to help. I faced one issue at a time, related the issue to my overall goals and dealt with it, involving others where appropriate. I found the whole process painful - with one of the biggest challenges being the logistics of relocating to the USA. Having a good supervisor at the university, who understood my desire to move and was very supportive, was a great help. Networking generally was vital.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed a CV for the job I now have. I kept it to two pages and focused on my strengths, but was honest. My interviews were fair but demanding. I found them very intense - focusing on my skills and work experience. This was quite different from my academic interviews as they focused on the specific project in hand and my willingness to work on it. When asked why I wanted to move out of academia, I said that I wanted to gain hands on experience in an industrial rather than academic environment. Although the process made me feel like a fish being grilled, it taught me things about myself that I was not aware of. Finally, luck is always welcome!

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My job now goes from design to production of integrated circuits. Basically I get enormous satisfaction from seeing my circuits actually placed in everyday items. Although carrying out an assignment within a project mirrors the process that I experienced in academia, the demands are much greater and the time-scales much tighter. I work with people from a mix of academic / commercial backgrounds and find that the boundaries between academia and the commercial work I am now doing are rather blurred.

The technical and personal skills I use have broadened, incorporating things I used in my research work combined with the commercial requirements of my present company. I am really happy in what I do and enjoy being part of projects that integrate different expertise; it's rewarding to feel like a peer among peers! I want to continue to acquire industrial experience, to increase my understanding of how low level requirements affect the performance of the whole system. That said, the freedom that academia grants you to drift your focus towards unknown areas is something I have not felt for a while! I maintain my academic contacts as much as I can and would definitely consider re-entering the university sector once I have gained enough experience and exposure to different issues.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Don't do it for the money - do it if it will make you happy.
· Focus on what you want to achieve.
· Take time to make every step of the transition successful (do not rush if possible).
· Broaden your interests in order to develop additional skills.
· Seek advice from people you know to be trustworthy and dependable.

Energy Studies

Alistair

Route into HE
Alistair took the traditional route from school to University, where he achieved a B.Sc. in Applied Maths and a MSc. in Atmospheric Physics and a Ph.D.

Method of entry to Contract Research
Alistair replied to a job advertisement and also used a personal contact to get his two year post-doctoral EC project (energy evaluation of a sports centre). This was followed by a two year post-doctoral post to develop software for building modelling.

Nature and range of work
The work involved mainly software development; analysis of energy use in building (from computer monitoring and site visits); report writing and data analysis.

Likes about Contract Research
· Alistair enjoyed the freedom to decide how to work, hours etc. as well as his intellectually stimulating colleagues.
· He was grateful for the satisfaction of doing research rather than a repetitive job.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· On the other hand he enjoyed less sometimes poorly managed projects and working alone a lot.
· Alistair did not always feel it was useful or directly relevant work and it was not always good for his career (experience in 'real world' highly valued).

Exploration of Options and Sources
Alistair made his transition at a time of severe financial recession in the world and there were not many jobs available to apply for. He used Employment Agencies, Careers Services and the press. It was a slow process, which caused even more frustration and concern. He had hoped not to have to move his family from the north-east, but it was not to be.

The job which he found involved re-location, but the attractions of the post - including greater security and a better salary as well as intrinsically interesting work - convinced him that this was the right move for him and his family. Nine years later Alistair is still working in
industrial research on the analysis of energy use in the electricity industry. Supervision of Ph.D. students maintains his links with academia.

Messages for contract researchers
· Use as wide a range of sources for job hunting as possible (Alistair was seeking a job in a recession) including Careers Service; recruitment agencies and press - national and specialist.
· If your background is wide-ranging be aware of the full range of your competences to relate to job advertisements and further details.
· Prepare well for your interview by thinking what they are likely to want you to be able to demonstrate evidence of/know.
· Do not become too despondent if it takes time to let you know the outcome - try to stay positive.
· Do not stop looking until you know you have something.
. Better career counselling is possibly needed. Alistair sometimes feels that he spent too much time in research without much career progression (though he enjoyed most of it). He was lucky to find a semi-academic job at the end; most don't.

Materials Engineering

Colin

Background
Entering contract research work with a B.Eng. and M.Phil. in Materials Engineering was a means to an end as I wanted to stay in employment whilst writing up my Ph.D. I also wanted to avoid explaining gaps in my C.V. at some future date when attending interviews. I was free to plan and organise my work and become involved in extra-curricular activities where, if I am honest most of the transferable skills, particularly my interpersonal skills, were developed. The research work provided brilliant C.V. material, but was unrealistic and sheltered me from the real world.

My prospects for progressing were limited as I had no interest in pursuing a lectureship and my only motivation was the pay rise each year. I started searching the job advertisements, but was just dabbling with no real focus. At the same time I had several (about 4 or 5 in all) appointments with an adviser from the Careers Centre to sort out my C.V. Shortly after this, I met someone from the recruitment section at the University's Careers Centre who also assessed my C.V. and helped me to focus on what I wanted to achieve. I set myself a target date to leave that summer.

One of several interviews I had was with an automotive engineering company (initial contact was made by the Career Centre's recruitment section), which represented a significant change from my previous qualifications and experience. However, my communication skills helped me get the job as they were interested in my potential and me as a person as well as what I could already do.

Transferable skills development
The main skills I developed in contract research and my extra-curricular activity include:
. Planning and organising - Making effective use of available resources, providing relevant information to, and monitoring the progress of others. Developing contingency plans and agreeing changes with others. Able to work unsupervised.
. Interpersonal skills - Leading, motivating and co-operating with others. Listening and giving constructive feedback. Building and developing relationships with others. Support and encourage others to achieve goals and objectives.Resolving difficult situations that require tact and diplomacy.
. Oral and written communication - Illustrating complex points to help understanding and conveying enthusiasm and interest. Being assertive but not aggressive and encouraging involvement of others.

I use all of these skills in my job as well as needing to develop the following:
Technical problem solving - Specifically related to the automotive industry and the specific business specialism.
Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and considering alternative solutions and strategies before making independent judgements and conclusions.
Communication - Presenting complex data and information in a format and way that others can understand and can act on.

Messages
I believe it is vital to focus on what you want and to plan how to get it. I worked hard on my interview technique and also attended a one-day course run by the University's Career Centre on how to build a C.V. and interview skills. For me, the best part of the course was the video role-play of a job interview, which was played back for discussion. I would advise everyone to contact his or her University Careers Centre for help and guidance on how to succeed in finding employment.

Tom

Background
I started as a contract research worker in the electrical engineering department of the University where I gained a first and a Ph.D. in Chemistry. I worked on various projects for the next ten years, had research papers published, supervised undergraduate projects, represented the University at functions, made presentations at national and international conferences, and set the groundwork for new research proposals. I also worked as an external consultant and helped a client patent an idea that I had developed.

My last contract research position was in materials engineering which gave me more responsibility and the opportunity to work with and supervise Ph.D. students. My personal circumstances changed and, aware that I was becoming too institutionalised and my career development was limited to available funding with no job security, I decided to get out and look for a specialised industrial role based in South Wales.

I let it be known generally that I was looking for a move and eventually a company needing specific expertise to strengthen a historically weak department that determined the potential corrosive nature of their products approached me. At my interview the questions were designed to determine my level of knowledge and expertise in that specific area.

Transferable Skills Development
The main skills that I developed in my contract research role include:
. Communication - Particularly outlining aims and objectives, using short words and sentences and presenting data in a way that can be understood by all.
. Decision making - Taking risks and making decisions based on limited amount of information.
. Planning and organising - Meeting deadlines targets goals and objectives.
. Levels of problem solving - Demonstrating flexibility and versatility when solving problems.

The key skills that I have had to develop in my new role are:
. Communication - Encouraging involvement through asking questions, discussion and summarising to test understanding.
. Technical problem solving - Specifically related to the type of industrial and business specialism.
. Teamworking - Working with people in a teaching and advisory role. Encouraging and supporting others when they feel low and reconciling individuals to create mutual respect
. Project management - Managing people directly and the range of skills associated with planning and organising the activities of others.

Messages
Try to gain maximum exposure through contributing to meetings, conferences and seminars. Identify your weaker skills and discuss with your supervisor or mentor how to create suitable situations and opportunities to develop them. Take every opportunity to develop your skills as a professional approach to self-development will always be recognised and rewarded by any prospective future employer.

Mechanical Engineering

Daniel

Route into HE
Daniel had a mixed industrial/academic background in shipbuilding/marine fields. He did an industrial apprenticeship/ONC and HNC (ONC/HNC Mechanical Engineering) and HND Naval Architecture, then gained design experience. Next he read for a full time degree leading to B.Eng. Class 1 in Naval Architecture. This led on to a Ph.D. in Engineering. His qualification of Chartered Engineer (C.Eng) came with further industrial experience and project management/commercial experience.

Route into Contract Research
Daniel responded to an advertised post as well as using personal contacts within University and a formal interview led to an offer. Six years as a contract researcher followed as a Research Associate and later as a Senior Research Associate at a research centre for urban and regional development in a northern redbrick university.

Nature and range of research work
Daniel was part of the research centre's Innovation Group. His interests/work included: Engineering design and product development; Mechanical Engineering/Capital Goods industries. It included interview surveys, case studies, benchmarking company processes and practices.

Likes about Contract Research
· Self managed.
· Working in areas of personal interest.
· Opportunity, at an early stage in career, to interact at a senior level in industry and academia.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Insecurity of employment - consequences of not seeing renewal of contracts can be high.
· Politics and self interest amongst senior academics.
· Academics/academia can be a bit insular/inward looking.
· Insufficient focus on value of results.
· Lots of stress. This probably reflects the fact that in industry there is a greater degree of influence on events. Contract researchers often 'carry the can' when things don't work out and are often in a limited position when it comes to influencing research directions, proposal preparation and the expediency with which they are done.
· Insufficient team work and empowerment.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Daniel sourced possibilities widely, using the press, journals and, especially, building close and specific relationships with employment agencies, notably those equipped to find people with his skills and qualifications the right type of post. He selected agencies afar finding out about them and what they could offer. He worked on his C.V. to ensure that it reflected what he could offer and would be immediately attractive to prospective employers, whom he'd be interested in working with. He found he had to battle against the academic badge because some employers assumed they would not be able to meet his expectations for stimulation and fulfilment, after being in an academic environment. Despite unsuitable leads and frustrations and disappointments, Daniel stayed positive and gave himself proper breaks to relieve the tension and freshen himself and keep fit. Eventually, his luck changed and he found satisfactory employment as a project director in a medium-sized engineering company.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be aware of things about your situation which are causing you concern at a personal level; list them and see whether they are fundamental to your current and future position.
· Take things into your own hands, if contract renewal or length of contract is a burning and distracting issue.
· Think about your career - get everything into perspective.
· Think about you - what have you to offer, outside your technical competence? How can you prove you are adaptable, communicative, responsive, strategic, analytical, competitive, self managed etc.
· Look for sources of help - careers advice; friends/family; mentor; trainers for other things etc.
· Look at your CV and how likely it is to impress people you'd want to impress - what will prospective employers be seeking evidence of in your recent past? What is important to your present employer but may be just the opposite to a prospective employer - so needs to be played down?
· Spend time on applications to match what you are being told and not told - the organisation is likely to be looking for.
· Tailor each application.
· Apply - don't just send off a C.V. Tell them, in a well thought out and well presented letter/application form how you match their requirements.
· Spend time preparing for interviews. Try to anticipate, from information you have, how they are likely to frame questions.
· Prepare, each time, your questions for them.
· Spend a lot of time, on your own and with others who can help, trying to anticipate how prospective employers might (mis)perceive your current situation and so not pursue an application, if you highlight your current position inappropriately (some employers may assume a high powered and glamorous or very varied life as a researcher, if you travel, for example, or if you spend a lot of time with managers from a range of companies).
· Be open and alert to approaches/opportunities which are unexpected, from within your
· Be prepared for interviews at short notice - have an interview 'vision' and a method ready for preparing quickly and efficiently, in case it is necessary. Be ready to respond quickly and smartly.
· Maintain and extend your network, regardless of other pressures - it is critical.
· Be pragmatic - be clear what that means you will be thinking and feeling and develop it - life is not always fair.
· Be focused and do not allow your feelings to distract you (for long).
· Be very broad in your search for possible opportunities.
· Be actively selective in using agencies - make sure they have the competence to help you by asking questions which will tell you if they understand your hoped-for line of work and which employers they are likely to think appropriate.
· Build relationships with named individuals in agencies by talking to them frequently and about specific things - such as your preferences for duties, level of responsibility, relevant experience etc.
· Apply for everything which looks as if you could use your specific technical and/or transferable skills.
· Be very aware of your stress levels and make sure you have stress busters which you use, regularly. Whatever you like doing and which takes your mind off pressures, must be fitted in to your schedule.

Top

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

Ecology

Martin

Route into HE
Martin left school with A levels and went straight to University, where he achieved a B.Sc. and a Ph.D. Later, as a management trainee in the National Health Service, he achieved CIPFA (Chartered Public Finance Accountant) qualifications. Martin applied for and got his Ph.D. studentship via the New Scientist and went on to research the study of fish behavioural ecology.

Likes about Contract Research
· Self managed; setting his own agenda, analysing data and figuring out what is going on.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Lack of security; writing up and tedium of repetitive experiments and fieldwork.

Reasons for moving on
Martin had a young family and needed permanent employment, but he had also lost his passion for his subject. In addition, researching all over the world and being away from home was no longer attractive in relation to other things in life. Martin also took advantage of the CRAC Insight into Management course whilst he was doing his Ph.D. and felt it was a real turning point for him.

Exploration of Options and Sources
One of Martin's research group colleagues became a tax consultant because he was numerate and computer literate. Martin, on the look out for a new career thought he, too, might be able to use his own similar transferable skills. Martin knew that being an auditor would not be appropriate for him but that there would be aspects of accountancy he would enjoy.

Martin was offered a teaching post at his University, but his wife had a new job in another part of the UK and so he went with her and started his search there. Martin used the press and University careers service. He was looking for graduate management training schemes because he was making a complete change in direction and knew he would be in competition with recent graduates with a more relevant degree. Martin did not want to join an accountancy firm and was looking for a Management Accounting Training Scheme.

Martin sent off lots of applications and got five interviews. He persisted in his search and looked at insurance companies and finally saw an advertisement for the NHS. Public sector working appealed to him. He could get his teeth into that - it was something he could care about.

He researched the service and the job to prepare his application and was offered a place on a two day Assessment Centre. At this, Martin felt his maturity amongst undergraduates stood him in good stead. He coped well with the stress and with group exercises and was able to make a good and true impression of himself and his potential in the service. He was offered the job and a place on the training course.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be aware of losing dedication to your subject and that being a sign that it is time to finish things off and move on.
· Take note of friends who have made or are making similar moves to see whether their approach can offer you any guidance in finding a direction.
· Tailor initial conclusions to suit your preferences and strengths, before setting out to find posts to apply for.
· Prepare well for applications and interviews by reading about the organisation - up to date material so that you are aware of changes taking place. Read about interviewing or see someone who can give you guidance.

Environmental Chemistry

Emma

Background
After completing a first degree in Environmental Chemistry I was offered a research job that included periods of fieldwork overseas and the opportunity to register for a Ph.D. I took an initial 5 year contract, which was subsequently renewed. Following on from this, I had two five month contracts doing non-academic field support work.

In my early twenties I did not mind having a short term contract as I didn't like the idea of being tied down and I had no commitments. However, the research which I was doing was in a very specialised area and I felt that the longer I continued with this, the fewer career options I would have in the future. I was also not that keen to stay in research as there are very few secure jobs available. I actually never really intended to do research in the first place, but was tempted by the interesting subject.

I was keen to work in the environmental sector, but found that I had little success with job applications. I suspect that this is because the field is quite over-subscribed and also because I may have been considered as over-qualified with a Ph.D. (normal entry for this field is at degree or taught M.Sc. level.)

When I became pregnant, I decided to stop trying to get a full time job and I did some short term contracts while developing my contacts for potential work from home. I was contacted by a small consultancy who had some work which I was able to do in my own time. I saw this as a more favourable option while I had a small child as it was very flexible. I bought a good computer and software and set up an office at home.

I continue to work from home, doing work for two different environmental consultancies and also another organisation on a freelance basis. I enjoy the flexibility and challenge of working for myself, but I do not like the instability, as I only ever have work for up to a few weeks at a time. I also miss working with other people.

I intend to work from home for the immediate future as this gives me the flexibility I want. I will see how the work goes, but may consider full-time employment from next year.

Transferable skills
In common with my research role, I use the computer a lot and also have to do literature and web searches. I use report writing skills and many analytical and organisational skills which I picked up while doing research. Some of the work I am currently doing is related to my fieldwork therefore my previous experience is of direct relevance.

However, my work now is more goal based and well-defined. There is also more time pressure as I am working for myself and I need to achieve goals in limited time.

Messages
I applied for quite a few jobs last year and was not successful, mainly I think because I appeared overqualified for the jobs and because my research was not directly relevant. I found that using my existing contacts was very useful - they gave me helpful suggestions and also ultimately helped me to find the work I am now doing. Networking is very important.

Susi

Route into HE
Susi went straight from school into University for a first degree in Geology, followed by a Ph.D. at another University.

Reasons for entering Contract Research
Susi went on the British Antarctic Survey after her Ph.D. and wanted to become a contract researcher after that. It was never going to be easy because contracts were few and far between in her field. Eventually she found one in New Scientist to apply for, applied and was successful

Nature and Range of Work
It was lab based in environmental chemistry looking for a new technique to identify trace elements of oil in water. There was no career progression associated with it.

Likes about Contract Research
· A nice group.
· Very exciting project with state of the art equipment.
· Being at the cutting edge of research.
· Developmental chemistry.
· Research cruises.
· Flexibility.
· Freedom.
· Variety.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Travelling a long distance from home.
· A supervisor who did not understand the contract research way of life and was not happy when people sought permanent employment.

Reasons for moving on
Firstly to have a post in her field as a researcher and later to have a permanent post - in both cases as near to her husband, geographically, as possible. Susi had to live away from her husband a lot in order to work and she was striving constantly to change that.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Susi used the many contacts in her network to help her to find appropriate work. In addition she wrote speculative letters, leading to some short term work. Opportunities were scarce and Susi was willing to do any work to earn a living, but she did start to panic when nothing was happening. Susi kept up her network from conferences by visiting people and speaking to them. She also extended her network. In the meantime she scoured Nature and New Scientist for posts to apply for because she felt she did not know how to branch out into other fields.

Eventually there was an advertisement for a post doctoral position. in a northern university. Since it was not in her field, Susi was astonished to be invited for interview and then to be offered the post. When Susi had to move again, she scoured the same sources for new posts.

Messages for Contract Researchers
· Be sure to establish the different foci of jobs being applied for, to ensure there is sufficient emphasis on whatever is important.
· Be aware of key skills to offer to employers, such as working independently, ability to do research, ability to write grant proposals, networking - all of these can be of value to an new employer.
· Do not feel any compunction about leaving a contract if something permanent and appropriate becomes available.
· It is easier to get a job from a job.
· Never underestimate what is being offered to a new employer - apparently mundane capabilities may be of great value.
· Do not discount anything when looking for posts - it is often not the obvious or expected which lead to offers.
· Remember all the opportunities which a post can offer - for example the opportunity to write and publish, network and find out about posts which are not advertised externally.
· Self esteem and self-confidence will grow from being in a post, where at least some outcomes are adding value to the C.V.
· Expect the Principal Investigator's loyalty to be to the project not to research asistants working on it - which can affect the extent of the support or help which may be available.
· Be accurate in assessment of relationship with the Principal Investigator - be aware of signs of fragility which may be relevant at a later date, even although the relationship on a day to day working basis seems generally quite good.
· Not all Principal Investigators will have been post doctoral research assistants in current times and may not appreciate the life of uncertainty.
· Do not give up trying to find the right thing - it will come.
· Spend a lot of time on your C.V. - make it look different - think of those who will be reading it (with many others) - try to be original and think about including a photograph.
· Make sure the most relevant things are first on the C.V. - do the analysis for the organisation - do not leave it to them to work out what is relevant and what is not.
· Look at web pages; see whether you know anyone (who knows anyone) to make informal contact - try to get a feel for the culture and politics of the place.

Environmental Science

Alan

Route into HE
Alan was a farmer for several years between school and entering university as a mature student, where he gained a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Environmental Science and a M.Res. in Engineering and Marine Technology.

Route into Contract Research
Alan enjoyed his work and during his M.Res. he applied for and got his first research contract.
Nature and range of contract research work
Construction of herbicides database to minimise the impact of use in the paddy environment.

Likes about contract research
· Alan enjoyed the flexibility to manage his own timetable and also the University's facilities.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Alan disliked the lack of security, the lack of career structure and the unpaid overtime working.

Reasons for moving on
Alan is in his thirties and needs security of employment, with a little extra income and prospects for advancement.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Alan used the Web extensively both for job search and to discover as much as he could about organisations before application and interview. He searched newspaper web sites, although he wanted to stay in N.E. England. He also applied on line, in one instance. Alan had looked carefully at his transferable skills and looked for positions which were demanding those skills. He took care to make applications appealing in their appearance and ensuring that they were tailored to prove his suitability for the post for which he was applying.

The post Alan finally got was advertised in the local press and included psychometric testing as part of the selection process. Alan was successful and began training as a HM Customs and Excise Inspector.

Messages for contract researchers
· Alan recommends being open to any position which seems to need your transferable skills. There is no need to apply if anything is not acceptable or to accept the post after interview if something unacceptable emerges during the interview.
· He would also recommend searching widely and in all sectors of business and industry and the public sector. Try not to have any preconceived ideas about what would be best, rather work with your list of transferable skills and preferences/constraints.
· Finally, stay positive when you do not succeed and try equally hard the next time, until you succeed.

Top

HEALTH STUDIES

Community Child Health

Angela

Route into HE
Angela, already a State Registered Nurse, applied through an Access course as a mature student to University. She then worked for 4 years then moved into research. She completed a B.A. Hons. Education; M.Sc. Health Sciences; and a Diploma in Management Studies. She made no progress in her career as a contract researcher. All the personal development she achieved was self-motivated.

Route into Contract Research
Angela was told about the post by a friend and then responded to an advertisement. She spent 2.5 years in the Department of Community Child Health at northern red brick university working on randomised controlled trials of injury prevention in primary schools.

Nature and range of work
· Liaison with primary schools to implement effective health improvement programmes.
· Monitoring and process evaluation of interventions.

Likes about Contract Research
· Independence of work .
· Flexible working conditions
· Managing own workload, e.g. working from home.
· Project management.
· IT provision

Dislikes about Contract Research
· No clear career progression - too much emphasis on doing Ph.D. when other skills may be more relevant (depending upon area of research).
· Ad-hoc approach to appraisal, performance review etc.

Reasons for moving on
Angela spent some time with her Principal Investigator 8/9 months before her contract was due to end and it was suggested she seek some new funding somewhere. Angela did not know where to start and felt rejected by this suggestion. Later she did attend a session run by the Research Services Unit about getting own funding and they mentioned further help via Concordat support in the University (which Angela took up). She was offered some maternity cover work and was told she was unsuitable for a new project coming up because she did not have a Ph.D. - so not to apply. Angela felt insulted and hurt and decided it was time to move on - although she would have loved to carry on. She used her new personal development from Concordat support to help her look for something new.

Explorations of options and sources
Angela began with some mentoring to assess her self-awareness and identify all her strengths, both qualitative and quantitative. This helped her focus on:
· what she can do
· what she likes to do
· what she does not enjoy

Next she looked at job advertisements in local papers (as she did not want to leave the region), national papers, journals and on the internet. She looked at a wide variety of jobs, not to apply for them, but to see what employers were looking for and to see if anything looked attractive to her. She did this for about 6 weeks. She kept a schedule of which days' and evenings' newspapers had jobs. One of the posts Angela did apply for she was told about by a friend and knew to look out for it in the press. The same friend was also an applicant.

As a result of her search, Angela gained employment on a child health improvement programme for a local education authority, a post which draws upon all aspects of her previous experience.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be aware in advance that decisions about the future need to be made.
· Decide who to talk to - supervisor, Careers Service, friends/family, other suitable support.
· Follow up on any ideas which are raised when you discuss matters with them (your supervisor etc.).
· Be aware that the action has to be taken by YOU - no one else can/will do anything to help.
· Think through what you have to offer an employer, the options you think you have and your constraints.
· Ask yourself if you have any direction. If not, what can you do to help you get one and who can work with you to try to identify a direction.
· Send for some job descriptions and other information and application forms - just to look at them - to see what organisations are looking for in applications.
· See how you react to this information - does it look interesting? Why?
· Remember - it takes time. It could be many weeks before anything remotely interesting appears.
· Find out what electronic sources of help and information exist and use them as well.
· Identify your deadline for finding something and work back from that your time-scales (how much notice you have to give; how long to expect between application and interview and so on).
· Read job advertisements very carefully - look to see what is required - it may be that you could be very happy in a job using your transferable skills rather than any of your technical ones.
· Remember that interview practice is always a good source of learning and development.
· You may find yourself in a position of applying for something you have been told about by a friend, who is also a candidate - be prepared to be in competition with someone you like. Think about how you will feel and how you will handle your feelings.
· You may find yourself short listed for two jobs and want the job with the second interview more than the first interview job. How will you deal with that?
· Do thorough preparation for both application and interview. Think carefully and in detail about what you are offering which is relevant and what your evidence is of these qualities, skills, competences.
· Use these data, whether in a letter of application or on an application form.
· Refer constantly to what the organisation is saying it is looking for - show your evidence in a rational and coherent form - do not challenge the reader to find what is relevant.
· Be aware and alert in interviews about your feelings towards the people and questions. If you feel any concern - ask yourself why - concentrate to find an answer - it may be telling you something about your suitability for the job/organisation or their suitability for you.
· Be sure to ask every question you need to, to clarify anything which you are not crystal clear about. During the interview, work hard to envisage what they are saying will be expected of you. If it is not clear, or if anything in the job description is not clear then ASK and ASK until you are satisfied. It can make all the difference between being happy in the job and knowing within 3 days that you have to leave.

Health Sciences

Ellenor

Background
With my B.A. in Theology, M.Sc. in Applied Social Studies and Diploma in Social Work, I moved to South Wales from Oxford intending to look for a position in social work or in a probation-related post. I saw an advertisement for a research assistant in Health Science and felt that it might be something I would enjoy and so I applied for the job. At that stage I had not decided whether this change of direction would be temporary or permanent.

I got the job and towards the end of my contract, having been told it would be renewed, I was told it would not be. I felt pressurised to find another job in a short space of time and was directed by a friend to a vacancy with the Welsh Drug and Alcohol Unit. I applied and it took about 6 weeks for me to get the position.

Now as the Strategic Development Officer I offer support to those charged with implementing the Welsh substance misuse strategy. I deliver workshops, monitor substance misuse services, adapting the UK template designed to assess planning, spending and service delivery in relation to substance misuse. I deal with enquiries from professionals, the general public and the media and am currently managing a project to identify the nature and extent of alcohol service provision in Wales.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I have developed in contract research include:
. Research and analysis - Considering all aspects to demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the subject. Generating and test methods and writing technical reports.
. Communication - Using simple words and phrases to converse at the level of others. Engaging others through asking questions and using active listening skills. Involving people to agree outcomes
. Presentation - Planning and preparing material with clear aims and objectives and presenting information clearly and confidently without using jargon or complicated words.
. Decision making - Considering all available options before making realistic and achievable decision.

Before I worked as a contract researcher I was a qualified social worker where I developed many of my skills. I'd say that the main added value of working as a contract researcher was the development of my understanding of research methodologies and the nature and importance of collecting evidence.

Messages
Analyse your skills and your knowledge and identify how to apply them in other settings. Don't stay in a contract research job for too long as it can be bad for morale and de-skilling, particularly if you are seen as a disposable commodity. Stay if you are learning and developing new skills within the job and maximise these opportunities, but when that learning and development stops, make every effort to move on.

Public Health

Yasmin

After completing an MSc in Public Health and Health Promotion, Yasmin held one research contract for three years before moving into her current job as a health promotion adviser for an NHS trust.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
I wanted more varied experience and the thought of working in a less isolated environment appealed. I did consider both academic and non-academic jobs but the security of my next job was important.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I felt very lacking in confidence about my knowledge as I was moving into a completely different area. Conversely, I was confident about my skills - communication, IT and interviewing skills were all things I had developed in my university post. The change in work environment was both a hope and a concern as I knew the change from operating as an individual to being part of a team would place different demands on me. In the event, the main skills I am now using are communication and planning.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I probably spent around four hours per week looking for vacancies, mainly in the Guardian, local papers and on the internet. Having been offered my current job I spent five months doing both my university research and my health promotion job part time. In some ways my transition was easier than others because it was gradual. On the other hand it was difficult juggling two part time roles, both of which required different modes of working so I tried to keep strict boundaries in terms of time given to both posts.

I was able to integrate into my new work environment very quickly and am now working with people from a range of backgrounds - industrial, public sector and academic. The whole transition process for me has been, in a word, exciting.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed to complete CVs and application forms for the jobs for which I applied. The main thing is to be focused. The interviews I attended were very skills based and I was asked to give a short (10 minute) presentation for one of them. I wasn't asked specifically why I wanted to move out of academia. The whole process generated mixed feelings. I was nervous about the interviews but excited by the opportunities. Overall it really increased my self confidence.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My current job mainly focuses on strategic policy development. I anticipated that it would be more hands on and have had to get used to not actually having tangible results - though it will be good to see the results eventually when longer term strategic initiatives come to fruition. I have the freedom to make day to day and longer term decisions and a significant part of my job involves researching national initiatives, plus investigating and applying for funding. I am very much a team member, working with a group of people who are extremely enthusiastic and dedicated to what they do. Although there is still some isolation in that everyone has their own area of expertise, we all share ideas.

Working in an open plan office (I miss having my own room!) brings its challenges. There are five of us in a "talking profession", the phone is always ringing so there is constant noise. On the other hand it was a very good learning environment - I could listen to what people were saying and pick things up quickly. A really positive aspect of my work is the health promotion mentality; the team is really supportive of the physical and mental health of individual members.

Regarding skills, my research skills are invaluable, and so are communication skills for the many meetings I have with often very senior people from voluntary agencies, education and social services. Organisation (time management and planning) is vital.
Although my job is called health promotion I do not have to sell or negotiate - the people I deal with are there because they want to be.

My career development is likely to be further into policy development rather than research. I do still maintain my academic contacts and would happily consider moving back into academia as I enjoy research and think that the longer time-scales are less stressful. - though maybe this is balanced out by the stress of the insecurity of contract research.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Speak to a Careers Adviser as an impartial sounding board.
· Be open to suggestions and new ideas.
· Get the whole process underway earlier than you would anticipate.
· Have a really good look around, read up about a variety of jobs and apply to "test the water".
· Trawl websites widely - www.jobs@ac.uk had health authority as well as academic jobs.
· Specifying a geographical area can help in targeting specific websites which can then be checked regularly.
· Be honest and open. Let people know you are looking for jobs, network and use people's advice and expertise.

Top

LIFE SCIENCES

Agricultural Botany

Oliver

Route into HE
After leaving school, Oliver had a gap year and then went on to university, where he attained a B.Sc. Botany (First Class) and then went on to his Ph.D.

Route into Contract Research
Oliver had completed his PhD and was working on a maternity leave contract at a northern red brick university's department of Anatomy. His passion for his subject left him with no doubt that research was what he wanted to do. He then spent a year in a department of Plant Pathology, followed by three years in Agricultural Biology and two years in Microbiology, all at the same university. These projects were sideways moves as they involved Oliver in new disciplines.

Nature and range of work
The Agricultural Biology research was on the mechanism of resistance in an old-fashioned wheat variety. Oliver worked on the project without any support or collaboration. The Microbiology project involved some fundamental research on insulation of novel micro-organisms and development work with a small biotech company to discover new restriction enzymes leading to a toolkit for genetic engineering. This last project involved external liaison work, which was a new development for Oliver.

Likes about Contract Research
· Oliver entered science purely for the intellectual stimulation. He enjoyed the subject. The most enjoyable part was when he was part of research group and brainstorming ideas with colleagues. He also enjoyed the teaching role and the interpersonal dimension became increasingly important to him.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· The sheer volume of repetitive, mundane work which a junior researcher has to do in order to achieve the necessary results. This had an adverse effect on his family life requiring long evenings and weekends. The uncertainty, when there is a family to support, is difficult. Oliver also discovered that researching in companies was very stimulating as there was an imperative to find a solution - as opposed to the often open ended nature of academic research projects.

Exploration of Options and Sources
It was Oliver's second post doctoral post which led him to realise for the first time that he could do something outside academia and enjoy it. Research with a commercial value felt good. For the first time he thoroughly enjoyed working in a team, with a dynamic leader. He realised academic life offered few opportunities and he started to look at industrial life - applying for advertised jobs with multi-nationals and getting interviews which were sometimes quite strange experiences.

In the meantime, by pure serendipity, Oliver heard in the Department about an administrative job with a newly created body providing an interface between higher education and industry. It sounded interesting because it fitted in with his enjoyment of working with small businesses and with early concepts of Technology Transfer. Oliver was offered this job and one with Shell. Moving to Kent for the Shell job with his family would be expensive. On the other hand the administrative post was another short-term contract - but it looked interesting and he would be able to mould the job around himself. He had a 'nose' for things and grew the job over 11 years! Achieving constant stimulation for himself - which is what he wants out of life. This allowed him to use his analytical and communicating skills and was challenging multifaceted work.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be self aware: what are you enjoying about your research and what are you not enjoying. Think beyond the research itself. This is information which will be invaluable in helping you to decide what you are looking for in a new situation.
· Be aware, from experience, whether you are happier in a team or alone - it could be a major deciding factor in a new post.
· Decide if you are going to work to a clear overall direction or whether you are going to have a set of prerequisites which must be met - but look out for opportunities within those prerequisites as your career progresses.
· Keep in mind that the opportunity which you take may not bear any resemblance either to what you are doing now or what you envisaged you might be doing. Use your analytical ability to establish how a post can meet your prerequisites and have the courage to take opportunities.
· Take opportunities to develop the job as well as yourself to make the job such that it can offer you all the challenges you'd like and push the boundaries of what you deliver for the organisation.

Biochemistry

Harry

After completing a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harry held one research contract for two years before moving to work for a major pharmaceutical company as a postdoctoral scientist.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
The fact I was on a temporary contract with uncertainty about its renewal was a major incentive to look outside academia. Options within academia seemed very limited, the prospects for advancement poor with too many postdocs applying for too few positions. Although I enjoyed aspects of my work - getting new techniques to work and getting results - and the atmosphere which was relaxed and friendly, I wanted more job security, better career prospects and better pay.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I had developed laboratory, organisational and planning skills during my PhD and actually felt that both my knowledge and skills would transfer into another work environment quite easily.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I started looking for jobs around four months prior to the end of my contract. I looked for vacancies in a number of sources - the internet, New Scientist, Nature and the national press (i.e Times Higher Education Supplement and The Guardian). It took a lot of time, lots of reading and thinking about what I could realistically move into. After getting the job offer I then had six weeks to plan, move and start work. This timescale meant that I couldn't finish everything I wanted to in my current position (I didn't have the time). From a personal point of view my partner's work is geographically flexible and we agreed to go with my job move and then look for opportunities for her.

The biggest challenge for me was moving from a comfortable situation to one where I was unfamiliar with procedures, people etc. The whole process was, in a word, stressful! But after about a month I felt quite at home, though the workings of a multinational are still somewhat mysterious at times.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed to prepare both a CV and application forms, depending on the job. I would encourage people to keep CVs precise and to the point - avoiding any waffle and focusing on how you would help improve the employer's business. Application letters and CVs need to be tailored to each and every job. In the end the interview I attended was for the job I got and was very formal and comprehensive. I had two technical interviews and one human resources interview - this had followed a difficult, technically demanding second application form with a very tight return deadline. In addition the interviews included competency tests and psychometric profiling, a group discussion session with other candidates and a presentation of my current work. It was much more formal than the process I had gone through to get my research post (which was basically a discussion with my PhD supervisor who already knew me and wanted me to continue working in the lab) and I was put up in a very nice hotel! I wasn't asked specifically about my motivation to move out of academia and suspect this is because the reasons are pretty obvious i.e. pay and prospects. If asked, I would have been honest.

The whole process was very demanding and comprehensive but worth it. Even if I had not got the job, it was excellent experience for future interviews. People were thorough but friendly and I never thought I was being 'cross examined'. After going through this I felt, more confident and self-assured that I could actually do it.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My current job is primarily focused on laboratory research, involving internal progress meetings and discussions with other research groups about their projects. It's great to be somewhere where there are both funding and resources for the project. If we need something and can justify it, we get it, making the work considerably more fun! I work with people from a variety of backgrounds - some have moved from academia and some have been in the industry since graduation. The physical lab environment is similar to university and there is the same friendly work atmosphere.

Although there is a little more pressure I think the difference is minimal given the pressure of grants and funding in academia. It is not true that work outside academia is more stressful with tighter deadlines and inflexible targets. You have your say in setting targets and the end result is something both you and your manager are happy with. The lab skills I am using are similar to those used in my post doc but I am using communication skills more in terms of discussing my work with other employees who are unfamiliar with it. Certainly my organisational and research skills are vital in what I do now.

I feel a great sense of relief in my present job. I can pay the bills and do a job I enjoy. Although this contract is fixed term, I hope to have a permanent position in two years time and promotion to a more senior position after that. I do maintain academic contacts, particularly with my ex supervisor and lab members, but would not consider re-entering the university sector unless a remarkable increase in salaries occurs and much longer contracts are offered. I am much happier in a job where the future prospects are better and the career structure more defined.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Go for it. Do not expect it to be easy, but it is rewarding.
· Learn to talk about your work. Many people do great work, but bore the pants off you or blind you with reams of data. Learn to be brief and to the point. Practice your talk at home!
· Hone your CV for each individual application and really sell your skills/experience.
· Be honest in interviews. If you have not done something admit it.
· Try to think like the company. What do they want? How can your skills/knowledge help them improve their business? Why would employing you be a good move for them?
· Company internet sites can be illuminating.
· Use the Careers Service for practical advice regarding applications and interviews.
· Talk to potential employers if you have concerns or just want some clarification. They are people too and generally understand your wishes.

Ken

Background
After my Ph.D. and B.Sc. in Biochemistry I spent nine years in contract research where I worked on a number of collaborative projects on the role of nuclear calcium and E.R. calcium and gene expression. I left contract research because I really ran out of post doctorate time and had made the decision to go into teaching. Whilst this was happening, a personal contact I had developed told me about my current job. I was in the right place at the right time and the move from contract research to my new employer was almost a seamless transition.

I had never had an interview for an academic position and the thought of it was more daunting than it should have been, as the actual interview was not a traumatic experience. I am a senior scientist in a commercial Research and Development department and lead and oversee the activities of four fellow scientists. I liaise with the management of other departments at all levels and am charged with identifying new, exciting and potentially profitable opportunities for the company. I am also required to network and forge new links with other organisations outside the company.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I developed during my nine years in contract research and which I continue to use are:
- Written communication
- Using language that is easy to understand and outlines aims objectives, methodology, conclusions and recommendations.
- Planning and organising
- Ensuring all necessary resources are available for people to work and agreeing changes with appropriate people as necessary.
- Interpersonal skills
- Managing people directly and developing relationships between different groups, resolving disagreements and misunderstandings and encouraging and supporting others when they feel low.
- Networking
- Exchanging information with others that establishes and develops useful working relationships. Following up all contacts to create an awareness of research work.
- Teaching, training, coaching and development
- Planning and preparing materials and presenting information clearly and confidently without using jargon or complicated words.

Messages
To make the move out of contract research to another position requires a conscious decision that it is right for you. When the decision is made, determine the type of move that you believe will best suit you and make a concentrated effort to search out opportunities in that area. Maintain all your existing contacts and look to develop as many new ones as you can - wherever they are. You never know when they will come up trumps.

Phillip

Background
My degree is in Psychology/Zoology and I have a Masters in Neurobiology and a Ph.D. in Medical Science specialising in Protein Biochemistry. I spent two years as a Research Fellow doing research in Protein Biochemistry as well as some teaching and developing teaching materials for delivery via the World Wide Web.

My decision to change direction was based on two major factors. The first was that my chosen area of research was highly focused and to pursue it would dictate where I lived. The second reason was that I had worked closely with individuals who were involved in the development of the Internet and I realised that this medium had great potential for learning, teaching, commerce and communications in general.

When I decided to leave contract research, I networked all my contacts and about three months later found my current job through one of them. My interview was more about my ability to get involved in "visionary" activities and was less focused on technical detail. As the Open and Distance Learning Officer I am responsible for developing Web-based learning materials, teaching others how to create web-based learning materials in a pedagogically sound manner and writing bids to develop web-based projects.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Decision making - Considering all available options before making a decision and basing them on intuition, logic, available information and data.
. Planning and organising - Planning work and resources to achieve goals and targets. Having contingency plans to overcome problems and reviewing progress as appropriate.
. Problem solving - Having a flexible and visionary approach to problem solving.
. Research and analysis - Developing economic models to undertake theoretical and/or practical investigations. Generating test methods for quantitative and qualitative research.
. Planning and organising - Planning field and laboratory work to meet targets and goals .Reviewing progress and revising as necessary.
. Report writing - Writing technical reports.
. Communication skills - Conversing at the level of knowledge of others and presenting information in a logical way.

The skills that I have had to develop since leaving contract research include:
. Networking - Networking with other people at a wide range of levels and with a wide range of skill sets in order to develop new working partnerships.

Messages
I think the key to making a successful transition from contract research work to another form of employment is to be completely flexible and develop an enthusiasm to change direction and think in terms of your transferable skills as opposed to your specific discipline skills. When identifying possible employment areas, think about those which are in a state of growth. Develop your networking skill as it is a crucial activity when looking for alternative employment.

Ted

Route into HE
Ted went straight from grammar school to university, where he completed a B.Sc. in Chemistry and attained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. In addition he is a Member of the Royal Society of Chemists and a Chartered Chemist.

Route into Contract Research
It was a logical next step for Ted after his Ph.D. He spent 2.5 years doing postdoctoral research in a university Biochemistry Department and 3 years postgraduate research in the same university's Chemistry Department.

Nature and range of work
Chemical research, biochemical research, laboratory demonstrator, tutorial groups, occasional lecture, conference presentations.

Likes about Contract Research
· Flexibility of work arrangements.
· Options to pursue personal research interests within wider programme.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Lack of direction.
· Need for reassurance of progress and targets being met.
· Uncertainty of future career prospects (succession of postdoctoral posts)

Reason for moving on
Ted needed some certainty of employment and income as he had by now a young family.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Ted sought job advertisements in the New Scientist and the local press, as he hoped not to have to leave the region. He learned, as he sought, that a number of things were important:

· To be open to jobs of all kinds, which can use your transferable skills. You may not be hugely interested or enthusiastic at first but pursue to see whether anything interesting and challenging lies waiting for you.
· To be flexible.
· To decide on the best sources of suitable jobs - use more than one - and look carefully and consistently at the sources - comparing advertisement content with skills and knowledge and background you have to offer.
· To be prepared for conceptual thinking - making links between you and job advertisements which may not seem, at first to fit: 'gel' was the common concept between postdoctoral work in biochemistry and an available post in a project in the nuclear physics industry.

Eventually Ted's search was rewarded when he secured a post as a Health and Safety Officer in a higher education institution.

Messages for Contract Researchers
· To be careful about over specialising - in relation to your career aspirations (or pragmatic needs).
· To be persistent in looking for a new position (a year is not unusual).
· To be prepared for one thing to lead to another: Ted was employed as a chemist on a research project but was given Health and Safety responsibilities for the project (as the 'new boy') and ended up gaining promotion to Plant Health and Safety officer and thence onto a career.

Michelle

Background
Following a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology, entering contract research seemed a natural extension for me. I held several contracts, some on a part time basis, and progressed to the position of postdoctoral fellow.

I found leading and owning the research that I carried out very satisfying and rewarding, and when I was younger, knowing that I wasn't tied to an organisation was attractive. However, by 1993 I was juggling two part-time contracts (one just research, one just teaching) and family commitments and I realised that I had had enough of the research treadmill. I had proved that I could do research, come up with fundable ideas, raise external funds, supervise junior research staff, write papers, give presentations, gain a national/international reputation. I did not want to spend the rest of my career teaching undergraduate biochemistry.

My exploration of other options was limited to national magazines e.g. Nature & Science, and looking out for opportunities to move sideways in Leeds i.e. keeping an ear to the ground.

One of my responsibilities as a teaching fellow was to set up and run the work-placement scheme for undergraduate students. A considerable part of my time was spent advising students and I discovered that I enjoyed working with people in this way. Noises were starting to be made about the training of postgraduate research students. The other teaching fellows in the School were focussing on undergraduate education and so I decided that if I focused on postgraduate education, then I would be positioning myself ready for when something came up. I also ensured that decision-makers were aware of my interest and plans for my future direction.

I heard about my current position through personal contacts and the grapevine. My work includes planning, organising and delivering workshops to research students and contract research staff across the University. I also advise, and respond to, the University committee with responsibility for matters relating to postgraduate research students.

Transferable skills
I am drawing on my previous experience. I have contact with a lot of people, flexibility with stability and structure, and I am still (I think) regarded as being at the forefront of thinking and practice, nationally.

I use lots of the skills which I had started to develop as a research and teaching fellow: mainly teaching skills (now re-named training skills), time management, multi-tasking, writing bids for funding, writing reports, questioning skills, problem solving, planning and financial management. I also have to draw heavily upon my presentation, communication, influencing and negotiating skills.

Useful sources of information
Association of University Administrators
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Messages for contract researchers, institutions and employers
If you want to change, make sure the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Make sure that you have positive reasons for moving in your chosen direction and that you can articulate them convincingly. Get your current employer on board so that you keep them happy while you look and prepare for your next move.

Accept that you may have to play a waiting game. Try to gain some experience of working in the area of your choice. Take the initiative. You can create your own opportunities. Look for areas in which there are likely to be new openings

Victoria

Route into HE
Victoria went into HE after A levels to a first degree, B.Sc. Hons Physiology. She did her higher degree, Ph.D. Clinical Biochemistry, much later whilst working as a researcher.

Route into Contract Research
Victoria relocated to the North East from a period as a technician in an animal science department in Alberta and sought employment as a scientist. Short term funding was the only route open. She had a first year as a Research Assistant in the NHS (drug company funded), followed by two years as a Biochemist in the NHS (drug company and charity funded). Then there was a five year period as a Research Assistant in a university (funded by various bodies, mainly charitable foundations).

Nature and range of work
Lab work, initially Biochemistry - analysis of dry profiles in blood samples. Then Victoria moved into work on fat metabolism - partly developing new methods for measuring compounds but also analysing effects of compounds on the metabolism of human fat cells.

Likes about Contract Research
· Excitement of discovering things! Days very often varied. Lots of freedom about how to plan/devise work - Victoria controlled her own work to a large extent.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Victoria did not like the insecurity or the pressure to produce results for sponsors/reports at particular times. She also did not enjoy having to start looking for funding every year or two.
· The long hours were also often a strain.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Victoria wanted to stay in the area and knew that she did not want to be a lecturer. She looked in the local press, having extracted the things about her work which she most enjoyed to see whether there were any opportunities to use her transferable skills. In addition she talked to people in the University who were in admin jobs to see whether such work would be 'her'. In doing so, Victoria discovered that this may well be the case and she started to look for jobs internally - but in admin and not science.

Victoria found an administrator who had been a scientist and went and asked lots of questions about the work - the ups and downs, what she missed, what she liked and why and, especially, how to present oneself as being a genuine candidate and not appear to be a 'failed' scientist, looking for any old job. All the advice came readily, was of high quality and was followed by Victoria in putting her application together.

Victoria had to persist, as she was not appointed first time round and so she had to stay positive and constructive and determined that they would realise how good a candidate they had in her! It paid off; Victoria now holds a very senior position in University administration.

Messages for contract researchers
· Be aware of losing enthusiasm and be able to make a rational decision about when it is be best (in the long term) to move on. For example - finish your Ph.D.
· Be aware of what you want to do and of what you do not want to do.
· Ask yourself what you like in your present job. List these things and then see what sort of positions offer the opportunity to use these things.
· Be open to applying to a range of organisations for a range of posts.
· Be ready to be told you are 'over qualified' and know how you will deal with the feelings this might engender.
· Ask people whom you meet/seek to meet having searched them out for as much help as you think you need and they might be willing to offer.
· Look at every bit of every job description you get and seek evidence from your C.V. of your suitability - to present to prospective employers. Do the matching work yourself - don't challenge them to do it and present it clearly and coherently in your application letter or form to go with your CV.
· Ask people in similar jobs what is good and what is less good about the new role - apply with your eyes open.
· Think about doing something to show you are serious - could a short course help in a topic which would help you in your chosen type of new work?
· Try to choose personal development of this kind on the basis that you know it will be useful and you have done something similar and enjoyed it/been good at it (e.g. IT or systems related).
· Try to visit an organisation for which you have been shorlisted - but don't let your determination to succeed diminish, if you may not.
· Maintain your self confidence - whatever knock backs you have. Believe that the right thing is still to come and someone will eventually recognise your brilliance!
· Do rigorous, tailored homework for each application and interview. Show you have noticed the idiosyncrasies of the organisation by reading their material in depth and reflecting it in your application and answers and questions at interview.

Immunology

Rhiannon

Background
I graduated with a B.Pharm. (Hons) and then obtained a Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Science from the Welsh School of Pharmacy. I started in research as soon as I received my Ph.D. and progressed to Senior Research Fellow. I researched immunological, histological and chromatographical techniques, tissue culture and Molecular Biology. I also developed experimental models of inflammation and novel delivery systems for potential therapy of joint inflammation which were funded by The Arthritis Research Council and The Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care.

I was promoted to a non-clinical lectureship in the Rheumatology Department where I now secure funding for postgraduate and postdoctoral research through peer reviewed grant applications. I am responsible for the publication of research work and planning, developing and managing the rheumatology research group. I also set up collaborative links with industry, other Universities and departments within the College of Medicine.

Since I am still employed on a contractual basis, I have no career structure or encouragement to progress in the University setting. Eventually I would like to move away from academia and work in industry because of the security and incentives offered.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I have developed in research and lecturing include:
. Communication - Oral communication skills include conversing at the level of knowledge and understanding of others, using active listening skills, involving people in the discussion.Written communication skills include outlining aims and objectives, using short paragraphs and sentences to communicate points.
. Problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and information, defining the root cause of a problem, determining the best available option.
. Decision Making - Using own experience and that of others to move things forward, making realistic and achievable decisions, working objectively in emotional situations.
. Working Environment - Categorising occupational risk banding, managing hazardous substances, delegating day to day health and safety matters to project staff
. Interpersonal skills - Managing people, building relationships, giving constructive feedback, encouraging and supporting others, developing relationships between different groups and delegating responsibility to others.
. Teaching, Training, Coaching and Development - Establishing aims and objectives, presenting information clearly and confidently and stimulating interest.

Messages
My recommendation is to avoid contract research and to go straight into industry as most companies train graduates and doctorates to their requirements. Today I find that I have no job security and am over-qualified for many of the positions that are advertised.

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MARINE STUDIES

Brian

Background
My first job for ten weeks after I graduated with an Honours degree in Marine Biology was gathering data on fishing activity. I wanted to continue in this field and contract research enabled me to do it. I worked for a year as a Research Assistant, where I enjoyed working with undergraduates on their fish biology course. I would have continued with this but when my contract required me to work at a laboratory on the East Coast I saw a post that was advertised internally and applied for it. My interview with a panel of three people was quite daunting, but I was very enthusiastic which I believe got me the job ahead of the other applicants and I started immediately my research contract ended.

I specialise in ecotoxicology and I get involved in long-term monitoring plans and short-term contracts that are often in novel fields of research. I regularly work at sea for up to three weeks and at other marine institutions with many trips around British estuaries. I am responsible for a 3-year in-house contract in a specialised field of ecotoxicology and I have made presentations of this work at conferences and eventually expect this work to be published.

Transferable skills development
. Communication - Conveying information clearly, accurately and enthusiastically to groups and individuals with varying levels of knowledge and understanding. Asking questions of others and using active listening skills to help resolve problems.
. Planning and organising - Setting a realistic timescale, ensuring that all necessary resources are available, reviewing progress against original objectives and developing contingency plans. Working unsupervised for long periods of time.
. Levels of problem solving - Analysing and evaluating relevant data and information and applying own knowledge to interpret and consider all alternatives solutions and strategies.
. Networking - Developing networks to build working relationships with national, international and associated industrial bodies.

In my current role I have had to develop a wide variety of specialist skills that are relevant to the particular jobs that I do at the laboratory and on field trips. The most important skill that I have developed which has stood me in good stead has been initiative.

Messages
Even though you may feel at home in contract research, keep looking for the opportunities that unexpectedly present themselves. Competition is very fierce for posts in commerce and other fields of academia and the background knowledge, experience and academic qualifications are generally very similar between all the applicants. There will always be opportunities for free thinkers and the people who will succeed are those who appear more open and enthusiastic at interviews, those who can get a good job done and those who can demonstrate the ability to surmount problems independently.

Maritime Studies

Stewart

Background
I followed my B.Sc. in Maritime Geography and Doctorate in coastal flooding and erosion management in England and Wales with 18 months in a non-contract research position. Then I spent four continuous years in contract research working on projects that lasted anything from 4 to18 months. The projects included a report to the Department of Transport and Chamber of Shipping on the UK economy's requirements for people with seafaring experience and one for the EU on implementing Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Conventions within Far Eastern maritime training colleges.

The end of my four years research coincided with the de-merger of the Department. I was offered a seven-month teaching contract from the end of my research project to the de-merger of the department to cover teaching requirements. Subsequently I was offered /negotiated employment with the two host departments into which Maritime Studies was split, again on a short-term basis. In some ways I was lucky that I was in the right place at the right time and the people employing me knew what I was capable of.

Now I lecture in the Business School and the Department of Earth Sciences. I teach second year undergraduates, MSc. Students and am fully involved in tutorials, seminars and fieldwork. The knowledge gained from my research work has been useful in contributing material to my lecture programme.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I have developed in contract research include:
. Communication - Presenting information and conversing at the level of knowledge and understanding of others. Writing with simple language and outlining aims and objectives, methodology, conclusions and recommendations.
. Planning and organising - Planning own work to achieve goals and targets by agreed deadlines
. Interpersonal - Taking a specific role in a team. Building relationships and morale by developing, supporting and encouraging others in the group.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development - Planning and preparing materials with clear aims and objectives and a logical sequence of key learning points. Using a variety of visual aids to stimulate interest and a variety of activities to motivate others to learn.

The main skills I still may need to develop further since leaving contract research include:
. Decision making - Breaking down the process into appropriate steps and considering all the available options. Taking risks and making decisions with only limited information.
. Problem solving - Using observation and perception to develop creative, innovative and enterprising solutions.

Messages
My advice is to use the system to provide you with as much professional and transferable skills development as possible. Undertake research work that is not just theoretical and of use only to the department, but work that an alternative employer might be interested in and more importantly can use. Above all do not restrict your horizons and apply for as many jobs as you can.

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MATHEMATICS

Mathematics

Alex

After completing a PhD in Maths, Alex held two research contracts over a period of four years before moving to work as a software engineer for a growing consultancy and product supply firm, based in the south of England.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS?
It is very difficult to get a lectureship in pure maths and the research area I was in was in was not really what I wanted. Although the work environment was relaxed with flexible hours, I would like to have spent more time working with others. Getting experience outside academia seemed a good way to develop commercial programming skills, and to achieve a better salary!

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I was confident that I would be able to apply myself well to technical jobs provided they were interesting enough. Whilst my general maths and computer science knowledge were useful, I realised that I needed to target a company prepared to train me. My main concern was about being bored at the job or being in an unpleasant working environment. However, I knew about the company through a personal recommendation and they came across well in my interviews.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I found this job through an employment agency whose staff were very good in terms of time and passing feedback to the company. Geographically moving wasn't difficult though it has taken a while to settle in. Everybody is easy to get on with and people have been ready to help. Although the transition process is tiring I feel very happy about my job and the company is giving me time to get up to speed.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I had two interviews for my current job. The first interview was mainly technical and I had to work through two technical problems whilst guided by my two interviewers. The second interview was with the company owner and focused more on what I think of as Personnel (skills and motivation) questions. The technical problem solving questions were very different from an academic interview. I felt I coped with them as well, but I was concerned about whether I came across as enthusiastic enough, particularly as I realised that the company would need to invest a lot in training me.

The Personnel type questions which came up in the second interview included; 'why did you do a Ph.D.?', 'why did you stay in one university as long as you did?'.
When asked why I wanted to move out of academia, I avoided being negative and focused on my interest in working on less speculative issues than I had in academia - that is focusing on problems important to industry.

I have since been told that for my organisation very few people fail the 2nd interview and that it is the first one that counts!

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
Programming, understanding the maths of problems and learning code written by others are the main features of the job. The programming is similar to what I was doing in academia. The main difference is the fact that I am working in a team and so team-working skills are vital. I feel I have less freedom to decide how to work and generally am working longer hours than I did. My intention is to build my programming knowledge and continue in the field of computer programming. I have maintained contact with my university supervisors and would consider re-entering academia, but only if I could focus on exactly the area in which I have most interest.

The working hours in my present job are similar to those at university - around 9.30 - 6pm with occasional periods of longer hours if a deadline is approaching. The work has a very commercial focus and I spend a considerable amount of time communicating with the agency in the U.S.A. which subcontracts work to us. Diplomatic communication and sensitivity to others are both extremely important. There are regular company meetings and, as the company is smaller than my previous department you really get to know the people, to know what's going on.

Update 6 months later: Over the last six months I have become much more responsible for my own work which is different from the close supervision I received in the first six months. Although managers in the USA. and here in the UK decide what I am going to do, I am free to decide how to go about it. I ask for help if I need it rather than having my work checked. As my original supervisor left the company five months after I had joined, I have been able to take on more responsibility earlier because of a redistribution of his responsibilities between myself and another member of the U.S.A. team.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Be clear about your reasons for wanting to leave academia.
· Focus on your motivation.
· Think about the kind of work environment you want and the sort of work style you have.
· Try using an employment agency.
· In an interview, look enthusiastic and try to prepare beforehand for what you think you might be asked - be ready for Personnel type questions.
· Ask yourself how commercially you are prepared to operate and how you will feel about the strong influence customer requirements will have on your work - you may have less freedom to decide how to work.
· Consider the size of organisation you would like to work for.

Kieran

Route into HE
Keiran went straight from school to read Mathematics at a Scottish university, gaining a first class degree, then moved to London to complete a Ph.D.

Reasons for entering Contract Research
· Kieran had no doubt, as a Ph.D. student, that he wanted to continue in research in his subject.
· He felt he was talented and could offer and gain much more.
· He liked the lifestyle.
· He liked the freedom, the travel opportunities and the interaction with other people.

Nature and range of work
· Scientific research.
· Supervision of Ph.D. students.
· Design and delivery of degree lecture courses.
· Consultancy work for external agencies and companies.

Likes about Contract Research
· Working with people who were at opposite ends of an approach to a piece of research and being able to translate issues into a common language and bring them to work together.
· Consultancy opportunities - doing something practical and hands-on.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Uncertainty.
· Income unsatisfactory.
· Working conditions were not good.
· There was not adequate provision for equipment etc.

Reason for moving on
· A major organisation in the relevant business community made an offer which remedied most of Kieran's concerns as a contract researcher.
· The organisation offered interesting work with high quality people and a huge increase in earnings.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Kieran had contacts in a major international computer company which had sponsored his Ph.D. and these contacts were his main sources. He is now a project manager in a research department with this company. The job involves managing a small team of researchers on projects in new product development.

Messages for Contract Researchers
· Be careful not to be too hasty in accepting offers which, on the face of it, look good but are, in fact, more of a backward career step when looked at closely.
· When organisations take a long time to reach decisions about employment, there may be a good reason - but do not hesitate to make regular and reasonable enquiries about progress.
· Establish what support the supervisor can and will offer and take up accordingly.
· Use the transition period to complete or progress anything which will be of value in the future.
· Check before deciding that a dream is being given up by making the transition out of academia - there may be just as much freedom for research in another career.
· Try to arrange an informal visit to organisations which offer interviews to gain some insight before the formal interview.
· Take any opportunity, both as a student and as a contract researcher, to visit businesses and industry, as often as possible to gain insight into their work, so that it is less of an 'unknown' when making applications at a later date.
· Be sure to have criteria ready for evaluating job offers, in case more than one is made at one time.
· Be aware of what key skills are being developed as different experiences and opportunities are taken up, such as presentation abilities, thinking on feet, helping others sort out problems. These can be developed in research, in consultancy and at conferences, for example and can benefit in different ways.
· Potential new employers will often be impressed by experience/success in finding your own funding, ability in writing good research proposals, gaining others' commitment, consultancy skills and supervisory skills.
· Create and use networks in a range of fora.
· Stay happy and optimistic.

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MEDICAL / RELATED SCIENCES

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Andrew

Background
As part of my sandwich degree course in Chemistry, where I obtained a first, I spent a year out in industry. The company I worked for during that year then sponsored my Ph.D. in Pharmacy. When I completed my Ph.D. I stayed on as Research Associate continuing in the same field of work. I took that research contract because I found the work I was doing very interesting but I never thought of it as a long-term commitment. I quickly saw that many contract research staff in their mid-thirties were patently not happy, lacked financial stability and had to move around a lot to other departments or institutions when a contract expired.

As these thoughts occurred, a business started up based in the University offering a service to the chemical and cosmetic industry. I liked the idea of working for a SME (small-medium sized business) and a start up business, so I joined them initially as a Senior Scientist, ending up some eight years later as a Director of the company. During that time I ran an analytical laboratory looking at formulation design, conducting in-vitro testing, skin permeability testing and dermal risk assessment to determine product safety for various regulatory bodies prior to commercial marketing. I also supervised two graduates working towards their Ph.D. as a joint name on a post doctorate grant and completed a part time M.B.A. course.

Transferable skills development

The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Research and analysis - Undertaking theoretical and practical investigations. Conducting field and bench investigations to explore and develop product suitability. Generating test methods for qualitative applied research.
. Communication written and oral - Writing papers for publication and technical reports on laboratory trials.Conversing at the level of knowledge and understanding of others. Speaking positively and with enthusiasm.
. Levels of problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and information to identify the root cause of problems and making independent conclusions from complex data and information..
. Working environment - Carrying out risk assessment of laboratory experiments and handling and managing potentially hazardous substances. Understanding safety requirements in the work place.
Interpersonal Listening to and observing the performance of graduates working towards a PhD, giving constructive feedback on performance. Giving support when required.

The skills I needed to develop after leaving contract research include:
. Planning and organising - Knowing how a business ticks. Recording, collating and storing information properly. Developing strong time management skills and setting realistic objectives. Planning work to achieve goals and targets.

Messages
Never forget that it is people that get you jobs. Make it a priority to develop as many contacts and build as many relationships as you can, and make sure that they know you and what you do. Look around and think about what you exactly want to do and avoid getting stuck in the trap of repeating one-year contracts.

Jack

Background
I have an M.A in Chemistry and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry and am now studying part-time for an M.B.A. During my undergraduate and postgraduate courses I worked for a number of pharmaceutical companies where I carried out small and large-scale development work and began to learn how to prepare professional written reports. After my Ph.D. I went straight into contract research work and spent two years at the Welsh School of Pharmacy in Cardiff. I was solely responsible for the design and implementation of an industrially funded research project aimed at producing novel drug candidates for further biological testing.

Lack of job security made me decide to leave contract research and I wanted to find a commercial job that utilised my scientific training. I first worked on a Department for Trade and Industry project in Cardiff and when I started to look around again it took about three months to find my current job via www.jobs.ac.uk. The interview focused much more on my commercial expertise, people skills, and management skills than on my research experience. Now I am Business Liaison Manager for Oxford University with specific responsibility for developing new business with clients from the rapidly growing biotechnology sector.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I have developed in contract research include:
. Communication - Communicating detailed conceptual ideas using simple language and writing at the reader's level of knowledge and understanding. Speaking and presenting information enthusiastically and involving people to agree outcomes. Writing technical reports.
. Decision making - Breaking the process down into smaller stages and using my own experience and that of others to make appropriate decisions. Knowing when an estimate will do and when a very precise decision is required.
. Planning and organising - Planning work and setting contingency plans to achieve targets and goals.
. Research and analysis - Using theoretical and practical investigations to explore and develop research and to test hypotheses.
. Administration - Making submissions for funding, supplying background information for committees and meeting agendas.
. Working environment - Determining the level of risk and taking appropriate health and safety steps to minimise any potential harm to people.

In my current job I have had to develop my commercial and financial skills.

Messages
To succeed you must be really committed to leaving academic research and not approach it in a half-hearted way. You must think clearly about the underlying skills that you possess and explore many different options before deciding where your future lies. Use all the available sources of job information (I found www.jobs.ac.uk to be very good with the added benefit that you can post your C.V. on the web at www.CVs.ac.uk).

Pharmacology

Michelle

Background
Following a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology, entering contract research seemed a natural extension for me. I held several contracts, some on a part time basis, and progressed to the position of postdoctoral fellow.

I found leading and owning the research that I carried out very satisfying and rewarding, and when I was younger, knowing that I wasn't tied to an organisation was attractive. However, by 1993 I was juggling two part-time contracts (one just research, one just teaching) and family commitments and I realised that I had had enough of the research treadmill. I had proved that I could do research, come up with fundable ideas, raise external funds, supervise junior research staff, write papers, give presentations, gain a national/international reputation. I did not want to spend the rest of my career teaching undergraduate biochemistry.

My exploration of other options was limited to national magazines e.g. Nature & Science, and looking out for opportunities to move sideways in Leeds i.e. keeping an ear to the ground.

One of my responsibilities as a teaching fellow was to set up and run the work-placement scheme for undergraduate students. A considerable part of my time was spent advising students and I discovered that I enjoyed working with people in this way. Noises were starting to be made about the training of postgraduate research students. The other teaching fellows in the School were focussing on undergraduate education and so I decided that if I focused on postgraduate education, then I would be positioning myself ready for when something came up. I also ensured that decision-makers were aware of my interest and plans for my future direction.

I heard about my current position through personal contacts and the grapevine. My work includes planning, organising and delivering workshops to research students and contract research staff across the University. I also advise, and respond to, the University committee with responsibility for matters relating to postgraduate research students.

Transferable skills
I am drawing on my previous experience. I have contact with a lot of people, flexibility with stability and structure, and I am still (I think) regarded as being at the forefront of thinking and practice, nationally.

I use lots of the skills which I had started to develop as a research and teaching fellow: mainly teaching skills (now re-named training skills), time management, multi-tasking, writing bids for funding, writing reports, questioning skills, problem solving, planning and financial management. I also have to draw heavily upon my presentation, communication, influencing and negotiating skills.

Useful sources of information
Association of University Administrators
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Messages for contract researchers, institutions and employers
If you want to change, make sure the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Make sure that you have positive reasons for moving in your chosen direction and that you can articulate them convincingly. Get your current employer on board so that you keep them happy while you look and prepare for your next move.

Accept that you may have to play a waiting game. Try to gain some experience of working in the area of your choice. Take the initiative. You can create your own opportunities. Look for areas in which there are likely to be new openings.

Pharmacology

Jill

Background
After my Ph.D. in Pharmacology (Bradykinin Receptors and their mechanisms) I worked as a Senior Research Scientist at a commercial laboratory for two years where I was responsible for a small team working in the field of 5-HT receptor pharmacology and migraine. Then I was appointed as a Research Assistant at the Welsh College of Medicine where I worked on two contracts. At 30 I decided that if I was going to change career now was the time to do it, as I wanted more security than contract research could offer and more scope for career progression.

I would have considered working for a pharmaceutical company, but there are no such major employers in the South Wales area where I wanted to live. My main criterion was whether a new position could provide on the job training, as with a young family going back to college to learn new skills was not an option. I just kept looking in papers and journals for about a year until I found my current job advertised in the Telegraph and the Western Mail.

My interview was at an assessment centre and included a formal interview, psychometric testing, testing critical thinking and analytical skills and group discussions. My job is in financial management and accountancy for the National Health Service in Wales. I am part of a fast track scheme that provides on the job training and I attend College one day a week to study for the CIPFA examinations.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Analytical and data analysis - Considering both qualitative and quantitative factors and taking large amounts of data and turning it into meaningful information
. Information technology - Extensive use of common software packages such as Word and Excel.
. Communication - Communicating complex information that requires careful explanation to help others understand it.
. Project management - Managing time effectively, identifying resources, prioritising and planning in order to meet set objectives.
. Interpersonal Building relationships by developing, supporting and encouraging others in the team. Liaising with people at all levels within an organisation.

The skills that I have had to develop since leaving contract research include:
Finance Understanding debits and credits, cash flow, investments, working capital management, fixed asset accounting, budgeting etc.
Business strategyWorking with strategic analysis and strategic development and implementation.

Messages
Consider what other careers you may be interested in and research them well as interviewers will ask why you want to change career and will expect you to show some knowledge of the subject and evidence that you are really interested in it. Try to identify your transferable skills and use them to sell yourself to the prospective employer. Do not be afraid to consider graduate schemes as a way to change career, as many of these are less concerned with what the degree or doctorate is, but rather what experiences and skills you have that are applicable to the job - especially for management type schemes. They also pay a reasonable salary whilst in training.

Top

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Chemistry

Adam

Route into HE
Adam went straight from school to a degree in Chemistry which was followed by a Ph.D., both at a civic redbrick in the Midlands.

Route into Contract Research
His first, one year, contract followed directly on from Adam's Ph.D. He was not happy in this first post and explored other options, including taking an extended holiday to Australia to do some thinking from a more objective position and to investigate the possibility of working in the chemical industry there. He decided that he should not be put off academic research by one bad experience and secured a second contract at a different institution to be sure that if he did decide to turn his back on scientific research it would not be for the wrong reasons.

Likes about Contract Research
. Producing useful and meaningful results.
. Having time to think about where he was going when the research was successful.

Dislikes about Contract Research
. Isolation, particularly on moving to a new institution.
. Lack of support with research and adjusting to working in a new group.

Reasons for moving on
During his second contract, Adam realised that even when the research was going well he would be happier in a different role. He gave the contract a year to be sure.

Exploration of Options and Sources
When he first felt unhappy with contract research, Adam started by thinking about what he could do with his background and looked at his friends to start to decide what he wanted to do. When he finally decided to move on, Adam felt unable to seek help from his supervisor or anyone else in the department, and so returned to this thinking and also sought advice from the university Careers Service.

He narrowed down his interests to areas which used his scientific knowledge, such as patenting and scientific communications (journalism and the media), and more commercially focused areas such as management consultancy and accountancy. He made about 15 speculative applications and received about the same number of rejections. Although this was disheartening, Adam knew that it was not untypical. He did have one interview for a process chemist post with a large pharmaceutical company but was not successful.

Adam also applied for jobs advertised in graduate recruitment bulletins such as the Prospects magazine and websites. He was not concerned about applying for jobs at this level as he felt he had a lot to learn and was keen to change direction. He was interviewed for two jobs, one as a patent analyst and one as a medical sales representative. He had researched the patent analyst thoroughly with the help of the Careers Service, the interview was fairly conventional and he was offered the job. He was also interviewed for the medical sales post and invited for a second interview after arranging to shadow one of the company's representatives in his area.

Adam attended a career management school run by the EPSRC for contract researchers and spent three days identifying the skills he could offer employers, exploring career options, sharing contacts and setting up some work shadowing. In addition to the medical sales shadowing, Adam spent some time at a television production company, arranged through a personal contact. He found shadowing to be a very useful experience and soon realised that he did not have the qualities he felt were necessary to succeed in a media career. The medical sales shadowing, on the other hand, convinced him that the job would allow him to use his scientific communication skills and have the freedom to manage his own work and time.

Following a very unpleasant and aggressive interview, Adam did not hear from the medical sales company and had to ring them up repeatedly. He was eventually invited for a second interview and felt that although it was tough, he was better prepared for it and handled the interrogation style well. He was offered the job and has since received training and feels he can make judgements about his progress, something that was always hard as a contract researcher.

Messages for Contract Researchers
. Come to a decision about your future - take some time away from the University and research if you need to.
. Explore your options - most university Careers Services can offer support, but be realistic about what they can offer. Where they can be valuable is in checking C.Vs and applications, particularly if you decide to leave academia as the style you present yourself in is very different.
. It is up to you to make the decision about where your future lies; no one can tell you what that is.
. Work shadowing can give you a real insight into a career area, saving time and frustration. You almost certainly have contacts in a careers field that interests you and your Careers Service may be able to help with this too.
. Resigning from your job can be a big motivation! The work itself can distract you from the effort you put into your applications - having a fixed date to work towards might help.

Jeffrey

Background
Following my degree and doctorate in Chemistry I spent 18 months as a Research Assistant at the same University. However, I felt I needed to get more experience than I was getting in contract research work and I decided to make a change in my career. I let a number of people know that I was looking around and after only two weeks of looking, a personal contact told me of a job that was being advertised. I applied and was invited for an interview, which I found reasonably straightforward as it concentrated on what I could offer and bring to the company if I was offered the job. The position was in many ways a continuation of my previous work in contract research but without all the uncertainty that goes with it. Today I am a Research Scientist working on the development of novel CO2 gas sensors, a position that I thoroughly enjoy.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I developed in contract research include:
. IT Programming in VB with PC support and administration.
. Research and analysis - Understanding and generating empirical, non-empirical, applied and pure research test methods.
. Communication - oral and written - Adapting to the level of knowledge and understanding of others. Actively listening to encouraging involvement. .
. Problem solving - Analysing data to identify the real problem and making independent decisions whilst being sensitive to the feelings of others.
. Working environment - Categorising occupational risk banding into high, medium and low areas. Managing hazardous substances and following safe working procedures.
. Teaching, coaching, training and development - Using a variety of teaching and learning activities and visual aids to motivate and influence others.

The key skills I will need to develop in my current role include:
. Interpersonal - Managing people either directly or through others. Developing ideas or proposals of others into a cohesive plan. Liaising with other departments and external organisations
. Decision making - Taking calculated risks and knowing when an estimate or an exact decision will do.
. Networking - Supporting existing groups and developing new partnerships. Actively networking people for mutual benefit or development.

Messages
I think it is important for you to maximise your chance of getting alternative employment by using every opportunity to develop your skills during your research work. Particularly, I would recommend getting involved in IT activities as part of your research work to develop these skills. Find out what is available outside contract research by searching the classified sections of the press, but also network all your contacts as someone could know of a vacancy which might suit you.

Julie

Background
I graduated in Chemical and Analytical Science and then did a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry followed by post-doctorate work with the same research group. Within a few months I realised that once the incentive of a qualification was removed, I didn't enjoy research enough and recognised that a lecturing career would fundamentally be about research, not teaching. At this stage I became very demoralised as I felt I had gone too far up the wrong path and sealed my fate! I started to keep advertisements from the New Scientist, Chemistry in Britain, the Guardian and Times Higher Education Supplement to build up a picture of the type of job that would appeal. Those that interested me were unrealistic but it enabled me to firm up my ideas.

When I started looking seriously, I applied for about a dozen jobs and only had one interview-luckily I only needed one! I saw a job as a Project Assistant to develop communication skills in undergraduate chemists at a Scottish University, was lucky that they were prepared to take on someone who appeared over-qualified, and I haven't looked back since. Now I am a self-employed consultant, a move I took for entirely personal reasons, specialising in career issues affecting research students and contract researchers.

Transferable skills development

The main skills that I developed in contract research include:
. Information management - Keeping abreast of current developments and future trends. Maintaining familiarity with literature, distilling out useful information and an awareness of the research activities of others.
. Problem solving - Creativity, coming up with new and innovative solutions.
. Communication - Disseminating information, writing papers, speaking at events and conferences and the essential skill of networking.
. Teaching and mentoring - Developing teaching and support materials and one-to-one work with students and graduates.
. Insight - Perhaps not a skill, but the most useful thing to take into other jobs where an appreciation of needs and concerns of others is important.

The main skills I have had to develop since leaving contract research include:
. Interpersonal skills - Managing people and understanding how teams work, recognising people's strengths and becoming less insular and looking to others to provide support.
. Planning and organising - Time management, planning and prioritising activity when other people depend on me and when things cannot be left to the last minute as they are part of a bigger process.
. Communication - Presentation skills are very important and I had no previous training so I had to learn quickly.

Messages
All my interviews have been very similar and all in Universities, but even in academia I have seen the recruitment process become more rigorous from the time that I left research. If you are planning to change direction start to see yourself in terms of skills and motivations rather than knowledge and experience. Recognise that many people don't know what contract research staff are and will have major misconceptions - you need to work hard to overcome these so don't just rely on paper based applications, get in their faces by work shadowing, information interviewing and networking.

Kathryn

Background
Following a B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemistry, I ended up working as a postdoc. I realised during my Ph.D. that I wasn't really cut out for lab work and the postdoc was a moment of weakness. I found the work really frustrating. I'd been very self-directed as a Ph.D. student and suddenly I was very much working on someone else's project.

What gave me the impetus to look for alternatives was knowing that I didn't want the insecurity of short term contracts, having to move around all the time. I also knew I definitely didn't want to spend ANY time in the U.S. - which seemed to be compulsory.

I became an avid reader of the Guardian (Creative, Media and Sales - Mondays and repeated on Saturdays) and successfully applied for a job in science public relations. I spent the first 12 months unable to believe that someone was paying me to do this great job! The draw back was that it was incredibly stressful. There was always far too much work to do and it was very reactive. Eventually, I moved on and am currently the editor of a web-based science magazine. Again, good for a nosey person, but at times frustrating because you are constantly flitting from topic to topic. The role is much more proactive, but you don't build up relationships with people in the way that I did in P.R.

I've now changed careers twice, which has made me realise that changing and doing something completely different is a) possible and b) wonderful in terms of personal fulfillment.

Transferable skills
During my postdoc, I started to look for opportunities to develop new skills and I got involved with a Women's Science Forum. Through organising events for them I realised that promoting science was what I wanted to do. I wanted other people to discover the same fascination I had and not to think science was too difficult for them to understand.

The main research skill I use in my current role is understanding science culture. I also use the presentation skills I developed in academia. This was actually something I hated in the academic setting but which I now enjoy.

Useful sources of information
· PR: The Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine Public Relations Association at http://www2.ifr.bbsrc.ac.uk/stempra/
· Journalism: The Association of British Science Writers at http://absw.org.uk/

Messages
Recognise that you have an incredible range of transferable skills. Many employers have no idea what 'being a scientist' is all about and how many things you have to do as part of your job. You need to be prepared to spell it out to them. Really work out what it is you want to do - and get some experience which proves it to your potential employer.

If you're a scientist - READ NEXT WAVE!!! (http://intl-nextwave.sciencemag.org/uk). It exists to help Ph.D. and postdoctoral scientists with their career development. If you don't know what you want to do, first person stories can give you ideas - and if you do know what you want to do, you can read how others have done it and get some useful advice.

Rob

Route into HE
Rob went to university straight from school and was awarded a first class degree in Physics with Laser Physics at a collegiate university. He then undertook a Ph.D. in the same department.

Route into Contract Research
Rob's Ph.D. led directly into his first research contract in the Physics department. After this one year contract he moved into the Chemistry department, again working in the field of laser based spectroscopy.

Nature and range of work
. Developing ideas.
. Conducting experimental work.
. Financial management.
. Liaison with suppliers to buy a system that would meet the needs of the project.
. Supervision of Ph.D. students and undergraduate research projects.
. Industrial collaboration.

Likes about Contract Research
. Able to work on the best equipment available.
. Independence.
. Freedom to decide on own style of working - hiding away to concentrate on a particular problem or line of thought or discussing work with many different people.
. The process of research - finding things out and playing with equipment!

Dislikes about Contract Research
. Insecurity.
· Not being able to apply for own research money.

Reasons for moving on
Rob felt he was fully aware of the situation facing contract researchers where there are no guarantees of future funding and was sure that he did not want to move into lecturing.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Moving between research contracts, Rob had used personal contacts and the University Careers Service. He started to look around well before the end of his second contract and was disappointed by what was on offer. There were not many vacancies in Physics World or New Scientist at the right level of experience. Having left himself almost a year to find something, Rob felt he could afford to be patient. Within a few months he saw a position advertised at the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils. The post was advertised as a three year contract but Rob believed that, unlike in academia, there was a good chance of securing a permanent position.

Rob had spent time thinking about what he wanted from his next job so he was able to highlight his strengths and give evidence to suggest that he would be able to make an early and significant contribution if appointed. He emphasised the relevance of his scientific experience, the extra breadth he had achieved by the move from Physics to Chemistry and his ability to work independently with minimal management. Rob was invited to interview where he found that the additional experience of supervising and managing projects gave him plenty to talk about. His experience of dealing with people at a variety of levels through his research helped Rob to answer some difficult questions about his personal perspective and opinions.

Rob was successful and was pleased that, although a Ph.D. and research experience were not stated requirements when the vacancy was advertised, they were taken into account in his entry grade and salary. He was made permanent after two years and has recently secured a major promotion. Rob continues to talk to people about his work and what interests him and feels that this network would be useful should he ever decide to move on.

Messages for Contract Researchers
. Be aware of how what you are doing could transfer to different settings. For example, supervising students and liaising with companies proves your ability to deal with people at different levels using different styles; self-discipline and motivation are key to success in both Ph.D. and contract research.
. Don't do it for more than two years; look for something else.
. Beware of becoming too specialised.
. Think hard about what you want to do and don't let it drift - you need to do something about this sooner rather than later.
. Don't leave it too late to change; companies can be unwilling to train someone who is older and perceived as less mouldable.

Sam

Route into HE
Sam went directly from school to university to read Chemistry. During vacations Sam had industrial experience and he also had a one year placement at home and abroad in the chemical industry. He started his Ph.D. in his 'home' university and then moved to another with his supervisor.

Route into Contract Research
Contacting and applying to work with eminent people in their field led to a post in a traditional university in middle England.

Nature and range of work
Scientific research.

Likes about Contract Research
· The facilities.
· The freedom to pursue own ideas.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· The long, unsociable hours.
· The demands.
· Insufficient support.

Reasons for moving on
Sam knew that if he were to get anywhere in his career, he had to take a post doctoral post with someone famous (in the U.S.A.). He took advice to identify the top 20 chemists in the world and to go to see them with a view to getting a post doctoral position. Sam did this, but was frustrated when the opportunity did not deliver the outcomes he wanted of a number of good papers in the first couple of years. Sam realised he had to do more and started to look for other opportunities. He pursued an opportunity in Japan, for which he learned to speak Japanese and during which he wrote a number of papers.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Whilst still working in Japan, Sam came home for a short period to look for work by searching in New Scientist and Chemistry in Britain. This led to nothing. Then he signed up with agents who helped him into a temporary post within three days of his permanent arrival home. Back in Japan for the last two months, Sam wrote seven papers and acted as a visiting lecturer. The temporary post back in the U.K. came to an end and Sam started applying for posts, one of which he got, just before the end of the temporary contract. He used the web for this; the Royal Society of Chemistry and his network.

Messages for Contract Research Staff
· Be on the look out for opportunities all the time and pursue them relentlessly.
· Be ruthless and objective in establishing whether an apparent golden opportunity is as golden as it seemed at first.
· Be honest in looking past the supervisor and his/her reputation to see whether this contract is as exciting as it might have been.
· If in the wrong work - accept it and do something about it as quickly as possible.
· Realise when things are not going as they ought - papers are not going through the system for trivial reasons; there is no support.
· Look at what organisations are asking for - do not let others persuade you that they know what it is (they can be wrong!).
· Stay optimistic, even when things are not going well.
· Use initiative to change things.
· Build and use your network to change things.
· Think big.
· Realise that very good things can come out of less good things.
· Listen to gut feelings when all is not well. Ask self what is good and what is not and check with self to see if this is acceptable for the future.
· If a temporary and pleasant job is necessary to earn some income, be careful not to let it divert effort from the career progression.
· Use agencies - they do all the hard work.
· Know clearly what is important in career terms and make sure it is going to be available.
· Remember that your contract will end - tie up all loose ends and do lots of networking.

Samantha

Route into HE
Samantha went straight to a collegiate university from school and graduated with a 2:1 in Chemical and Analytical Science. Although she then considered other options (indeed, Samantha had a job as a trainee accountant lined up when she graduated), her experience of working in the research labs of a major consumer products company and seeing that all of the managers had Ph.Ds made Samantha decide to stay and do a Ph.D in Physical Chemistry.

Route into Contract Research
Samantha enjoyed research during her Ph.D. and began to contemplate a career in academia, being particularly drawn to the teaching and pastoral side of lecturing. She opted to follow the academic path by staying with the same research group as a contract researcher for nine months, replacing someone who had left before the end of a project. This was followed by a one year post at a Scottish university which, although she was classed as a research assistant, Samantha describes as being educational development and a teaching assistant.

Dislikes about Contract Research
. Frustration of completing some else's research.

Reasons for moving on
Within a few months, Samantha realised that she didn't enjoy research enough once the incentive of a qualification (which had kept her going through the doldrums of her Ph.D.) was removed. Discussions with lecturing staff made her realise that a lecturing career would be fundamentally about research, not teaching.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Samantha felt very demoralised as she felt she had walked too far up the wrong path and sealed her fate. She spent three months doing nothing (apart from complaining about her lot to anyone who would listen!). Her supervisor was supportive and suggested a few things as well as ringing a few of his own contacts to ask for advice on Samantha's behalf. She began to keep adverts from New Scientist, Chemistry in Britain, The Guardian and The Higher in order build up a picture of the type of job that would appeal. Most of those that were of interest were not realistic (Head of Science Promotion at the Royal Society, for example!), but the process did enable Samantha to firm up her ideas.

Three months before the end of her contract, Samantha saw a Project Assistant post, working on a Royal Society of Chemistry project to develop communication skills in undergraduate chemists and although the job looked largely administrative and the pay was less than 50% of her salary, she felt that it was a chance to change direction. Samantha feels she was lucky; they were willing to take on someone far more qualified and even added £5K to the salary by classifying it as a research post to take it into a different pay scale. She had applied for about a dozen jobs and only had one interview but only needed one!

In subsequent career moves, Samantha has found that networking is invaluable. This is particularly relevant now as Samantha has become a self-employed career research consultant and needs to build and maintain a list of clients.

Messages for Contract Researchers
. Don't disregard anything.
. If you are planning to change direction, start to see yourself in terms of skills and motivations rather than experience and knowledge.
. Make connections between what you do as a contract researcher and what is necessary in other contexts. For example, the habit of searching literature and learning to discriminate, distilling out useful information; being able to come up with new and novel solutions to problems.
. Recognise that many people don't know what contract researchers are and will have major misconceptions. Don't rely on paper-based applications in trying to overcome these, try to get yourself into their faces by work shadowing, information interviewing and networking.

Yvette

Route into HE
Yvette took an orthodox route from school to University for a Chemistry degree and then, like so many of her peers, onto a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry.

Route into Contract Research
Yvette wanted to work with a particular researcher and so applied and was successful.

Nature and range of work
Inorganic chemistry.

Likes about Contract Research
· Pursuing research topics of personal interest.
· Having partial responsibility for a Ph.D. student.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· Lab work.
· Short term contracts and lack of security.
· The way the Research Group operated, in a rather disorganised way with too little communication and consequent waste of time.

Reasons for moving on
Yvette realised early she was not enjoying what she was doing and that she did not want to continue. She wanted to work in a post where she could retain links with academia and where the post involved dissemination of knowledge. Yvette also expected to gain a permanent post in academia and was disappointed when she realised it was unlikely to happen.

Exploration of Options and Sources
At first Yvette explored the possibility of becoming a secondary school teacher, including taking up the opportunity advertised in New Scientist for fast track training. She filled in forms and waited, but nothing happened. In the meantime she watched the New Scientist and Chemistry in Britain for other advertisements and found the advertisement for an editorial and publishing job with the Royal Society of Chemistry. She now works as an Assistant Editor of a scientific journal.

Messages for Contract Researchers
· When applying for jobs, seek help from anyone who can give insight.
· Be prepared to talk about the organisation in interview - rehearse what is known about it.
· Be aware of key skills such as time management and organising people, dealing with people of much higher rank and computer/IT skills learned as a CRS.
· Be ready not to get the job applied for - but an offer for another one, felt to be more appropriate.
· Decide what is appealing about other careers as well as what is not - to help focus on what are likely to be suitable jobs to apply for.
· Do not wait, after making the decision to leave - look at options and take action.

Geochemistry

Rosemary

Background
Throughout my undergraduate Chemistry degree and postgraduate studies in Geology, I had been focused on an academic career and a permanent position was my ultimate goal. I applied for a lectureship and, following a detailed panel interview and seminar, was offered the post.

In principle, academia combines many things that I enjoy doing in a flexible and intellectual environment. In practice, I was not valued and I found the research environment competitive and back-biting. I remained in the position for four years.

My first step towards an alternative career was to use 'What Color is Your Parachute?' (a U.S. published book) to investigate my skills. I then looked into three occupational areas: museum design work, information architecture for the Internet and TV science programming. After speaking to individuals working in those fields, I decided that information architecture was the most appropriate option for me at that time. I had help from a friend within the business both in rewriting my C.V. and in formulating my job letter. This was particularly helpful.

I now work as an information architect at an e-business company. I love the working environment and working in a team. I feel appreciated and this gives me confidence. The work is highly varied and intellectually stimulating. However, I don't really want to be in business in the long term and I miss science somewhat. I'd ultimately like to move into science communication and I am trying to build up relevant contacts.

Transferable skills
The ability to think conceptually and creatively, to solve problems and to observe patterns in data are perhaps particularly pertinent to information architecture. Scientific research in its various stages embodies all of these skills.

This company has a relatively high number of Ph.Ds. I think they see it as a benchmark for a rigorous and intellectual approach to problems. Basically, they look for bright minds and reckon that given that, you can learn and adapt to anything.

Messages
Find something you really want to do and are enthusiastic and passionate about. Chances are, if you're applying for a job that is perfect for you, they'll hire you. It is very hard to be enthusiastic about something you don't really want and see as second best. I think 'What Color is Your Parachute?' really comes into its own on this front.

If you are currently researching ways out, it is a good idea to start thinking about where you might want to go and work on developing specific skills that may help in your applications and interviews. Although I had practically no web experience, I spent a week learning HTML and worked on some half finished web pages for our research group. That stood me in good stead.

Lastly, I think it is absolutely crucial to see oneself as a set of skills and not simply as an academic researcher. Many of the skills that we use and develop are directly transferable to other careers and it's important to get to the point where you see that. If you can convince yourself, you can convince a potential employer.

Geology

Roger

Background
After completing undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Geology, I set my sights on a lectureship and, after peer review of my research proposal and a panel meeting, obtained the first of 3 personal fellowships.

I enjoyed the freedom to set my own research agenda and the opportunity to interact with gifted people, but the job insecurity, constant grant-chasing and intense pressure to publish led me to consider alternative options. There was little or no U.K. research funding in my specialist area, few opportunities to progress to a permanent academic post and a lack of career development support at departmental and university level. I also needed to support a growing family.

After web-based searches continued to indicate an absence of lectureships in the U.K., U.S. and Australia, I decided to seek a position in U.K. university administration allied to research or teaching. My methods included using paper and web-based vacancy listings and talking to a careers adviser. I also revamped my C.V.

My first post was in Student Support Services where I was employed as administrative officer and computer support. This was a varied job, working with nice people but the pay was absolutely dire so I continued my search. In my current role, I advise staff on preparing research proposals, manage funded projects and provide workshops on relevant issues. At a university level, I'm involved in a committee looking into career management for contract research staff. This job is also varied and the pay is better than when I was a researcher, but I dislike not having time to write papers and do research!

I haven't given up on my desire for a lectureship, but I know I am more likely to find it in the U.S. (applications pending). However, I will continue in my present post for the foreseeable future.

Transferable skills
My current role utilises my grant-proposal writing skills, ability to work with staff at different levels and in-depth knowledge of the higher education sector.

Other skills and qualities I developed in academia that have relevance in my current role include:
· persistence, dogged determination etc. - always comes in handy!
· writing ability - useful when it comes to advising staff on writing and structuring grant applications
· teaching/presentation skills - helps when running workshops
· management - I supervised one Ph.D. student and if/when I have line management responsibilities, this will have been useful preparation

Useful sources of information
· RAGnet (Research Administrators Group) at http://www.ragnet.ac.uk/ offers support and professional development/training
· Association of University Administrators (A.U.A.) is the general body for higher education administrative staff.

Messages
At the earliest opportunity, take time out to research the options that are open to you. Try to visit other institutions, meet people, raise your profile.

Physics

Joanna

Background
Graduating with a B.Sc. in Physics and Astronomy and a Ph.D. in Theoretical Particle Physics I started contract research work in the Physics department at a Welsh University. Although the work was interesting, I was not prepared to continue indefinitely on a short-term contract and fearful of finding it more difficult to find alternative employment the longer I stayed in contract research, I decided after two years to look for a change of career. Before making the move I considered the career paths of people with theoretical physics Ph.Ds to determine the types of jobs that may be suitable, which included computer programming, city financial jobs, technical manual writing, the met office and engineering.

I decided to try telecoms engineering and, because of my technical background and being able to sell myself at an interview I found my first job after about a month, but discovered that I did not like it and left after 6 months. I let it be known that I was looking around again and through a contact I found a job as a trainee patent attorney. Now I deal with patent applications (national and international) in electronics and I am very happy with what I do.

Transferable skills development
The main skills I developed in contract research include:
. Communication - Balancing conflicting data and viewpoints and recognising the importance of enthusiasm. Asking questions to encourage participation and illustrating complex points.
. Decision making - Considering every available option to make realistic and achievable decisions. Using own experience, intuition and logic to know when a precise or estimated decision will do.
. Planning and organising - Agreeing specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and timely objectives. Planning work to achieve goals and targets, reviewing progress and revising activity as necessary.
. Interpersonal skills - Forming a clear vision for a group, fostering and developing good relations. Leading and motivating others. Reconciling individuals to create mutual respect. Delegating responsibility as appropriate.

The skills that I need to develop further include:
. Decision making - Making timely decisions and seeing through unpopular decisions
. Working environment - Considering risk assessment and risk banding for health and safety.
. Communication - Creating a shared vision and avoiding jargon.

Messages
Have a contingency plan for an alternative career if things do not work out. Continue developing your skills, for example learning computer languages relevant to industry (i.e. not FORTRAN). The best way to find out about an alternative career is to speak to people in a particular company or market place. Try to assess how companies treat their employees, for example, how much training do they provide and what are the medium to long term career and salary prospects. Interviews vary and the best strategy if possible is to ask advice from someone in that company or from someone who has been through that company's interview process.

Luke

Route into HE
Luke gained a B.Sc. in Physics after entering a collegiate university direct from school then moved to a southern redbrick for M.Sc. study before returning to do a Ph.D. in Physics.

Route into Contract Research
Luke continued in the same department after his Ph.D. after being offered a research position because of his reputation. This initial three year contract was followed by an additional two years before a taking up an offer at a northern redbrick university following a visit to the department and an interview with his potential supervisor.

Likes about Contract Research
. Opportunity to pursue an interest in the subject
. The intellectual challenge

Reasons for moving on
Luke realised that research would be a series of short term contracts and felt the need for long term security becoming more important to him than the benefits of research. He felt he needed to get a job with better long-term prospects or one that would broaden his experience.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Luke looked for vacancies in the press, especially New Scientist and the Times Higher Education Supplement. Some research related jobs such as working for the research councils, were appealing, but Luke was not successful at interview for these. Luke was unemployed (although he did some temporary administrative work) for around six months before securing his final research contract.

Although he was offered a job during this time, he felt it was unsuitable and so rejected it. Luke also seized the opportunity to develop his organisational and team skills on becoming President of the Welsh Volleyball Association. In his final research position, Luke also became more aware of the issues surrounding research policy and funding which stood him in good stead when he applied for a job with a different Research Council. He felt he interviewed much better, perhaps because of what he had learned through his earlier interview experiences and after a rigorous selection procedure which included activities based on teamwork, analysis and presentations, he was offered a job as a programme manager with that Research Council. His work involves administering funding to academics, supporting them in developing applications, visiting academics and briefing them on new funding areas.

Messages for Contract Researchers
. Improve your awareness of the skills you are developing through research. Luke took part in a Research Council Graduate School and felt that this was a fantastic opportunity for researchers to develop this awareness.
. Experiencing a new environment (such as the Graduate School) can help you see yourself in a much more positive light.
. Investigate the new funding programmes from the Research Councils. It is possible for researchers on fixed term contracts to be named as co-authors on research funding applications (even though they cannot apply themselves) and evidence of ability to attract funding is a key measure of success in research.

Rob

Route into HE
Rob went to university straight from school and was awarded a first class degree in Physics with Laser Physics at a collegiate university. He then undertook a Ph.D. in the same department.

Route into Contract Research
Rob's Ph.D. led directly into his first research contract in the Physics department. After this one year contract he moved into the Chemistry department, again working in the field of laser based spectroscopy.

Nature and range of work
. Developing ideas.
. Conducting experimental work.
. Financial management.
. Liaison with suppliers to buy a system that would meet the needs of the project.
. Supervision of Ph.D. students and undergraduate research projects.
. Industrial collaboration.

Likes about Contract Research
. Able to work on the best equipment available.
. Independence.
. Freedom to decide on own style of working - hiding away to concentrate on a particular problem or line of thought or discussing work with many different people.
. The process of research - finding things out and playing with equipment!

Dislikes about Contract Research
. Insecurity.
· Not being able to apply for own research money.

Reasons for moving on
Rob felt he was fully aware of the situation facing contract researchers where there are no guarantees of future funding and was sure that he did not want to move into lecturing.

Exploration of Options and Sources
Moving between research contracts, Rob had used personal contacts and the University Careers Service. He started to look around well before the end of his second contract and was disappointed by what was on offer. There were not many vacancies in Physics World or New Scientist at the right level of experience. Having left himself almost a year to find something, Rob felt he could afford to be patient. Within a few months he saw a position advertised at the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils. The post was advertised as a three year contract but Rob believed that, unlike in academia, there was a good chance of securing a permanent position.

Rob had spent time thinking about what he wanted from his next job so he was able to highlight his strengths and give evidence to suggest that he would be able to make an early and significant contribution if appointed. He emphasised the relevance of his scientific experience, the extra breadth he had achieved by the move from Physics to Chemistry and his ability to work independently with minimal management. Rob was invited to interview where he found that the additional experience of supervising and managing projects gave him plenty to talk about. His experience of dealing with people at a variety of levels through his research helped Rob to answer some difficult questions about his personal perspective and opinions.

Rob was successful and was pleased that, although a Ph.D. and research experience were not stated requirements when the vacancy was advertised, they were taken into account in his entry grade and salary. He was made permanent after two years and has recently secured a major promotion. Rob continues to talk to people about his work and what interests him and feels that this network would be useful should he ever decide to move on.

Messages for Contract Researchers
. Be aware of how what you are doing could transfer to different settings. For example, supervising students and liaising with companies proves your ability to deal with people at different levels using different styles; self-discipline and motivation are key to success in both Ph.D. and contract research.
. Don't do it for more than two years; look for something else.
. Beware of becoming too specialised.
. Think hard about what you want to do and don't let it drift - you need to do something about this sooner rather than later.
. Don't leave it too late to change; companies can be unwilling to train someone who is older and perceived as less mouldable.

Rowena

Background
After my B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Chemical Physics I worked for a total of four years, first for a Chemical Association and then for the Natural History Museum before taking a Research Associate position at a Welsh University where I researched non-linear asymmetrical couplers for low power switching and integration. I became disillusioned working on short-term contracts and with the lack of promotion and salary prospects associated with academia. I decided to stay in research but wanted to move to somewhere with more long-term security and prospects.

I had only just started to look around when I saw my current job advertised in the New Scientist. I applied, was interviewed and offered the job before my contract expired, so there was a seamless transition from one to the other. Although applying for a technical post my interview was less technical than I expected as the company was more interested in me as a person rather than my technical expertise. My CV was more-or-less taken as read, therefore they focused on whether they could work with me as a person.

Now as a Principal Scientist I am involved in fundamental and applied research for mid to long term projects. I am also involved in project planning, people management and putting together project proposals.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Communication - oral and written - Using simple language and conversing at the level of knowledge and understanding of others. Involving everyone and using active listening to agree outcomes.
. Planning and organising - Ensuring all necessary resources are available to achieve goals and targets.
. Levels of problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and information to identify and define the root cause of problems. Developing creative, innovative and enterprising solutions to problems.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development - Preparing and presenting information clearly and confidently and using visual aids to stimulate interest.
. Generating methods to test research work.
Developing economic models of research and undertaking theoretical and/or practical investigations.

The skills I have developed since leaving contract research include:
. Interpersonal - Managing people directly and through others, breaking down barriers to develop and build strong relationships.
. Project planning - Setting realistic time scales, reviewing progress and developing contingency plans.
. Financial planning - Costing activity and managing a budget.

Messages
While your specific expertise is important, breadth of experience and flexibility are two key factors that prospective employers look for today. It is important to make sure that you can apply yourself to tasks other than those associated with your specialism in order to maximise your chances of finding an alternative career.

Top

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Applied Psychology

Trevor

Background
After my degree in Applied Psychology and a Ph.D. in Human Computer Interaction both from the University of Wales, I did two years contract research work at Sheffield followed by four years back in Wales. Although at first I enjoyed contract research work, I gradually became more dissatisfied with doing just research work and wanted to broaden my experience. I was also reaching the upper end of the pay scale and there was a scarcity of well-paid research posts. There was however a relative abundance of teaching posts and as I had enjoyed my previous teaching experience, I decided to look at the opportunities that were about.

I found an advertisement in the Guardian for a job at a post-1992 University, applied and was invited to an interview. The interview panel was larger than I expected and the questions covered a broad range of topics that included my teaching experience. I also had to make a presentation to the Department. Now I am a Senior Lecturer teaching undergraduate Psychology and conducting research.

Transferable skills development
The transferable skills that I developed during contract research work include:
. Decision making - Breaking down the process into steps and considering all available options before making realistic and achievable decisions.
. Levels of problem solving - Analysing data and information to define the root cause of a problem and identifying creative, innovative and enterprising solutions.
. Research and analysis - Conducting field and deskwork to investigate, explore and develop research and writing technical reports.
. Interpersonal skills - Building relationships by developing, supporting and encouraging others.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development - Planning teaching sessions with clear aims and objectives. Presenting information clearly and confidently. Using visual aids to stimulate interest.

The skills that I have had to develop since leaving contract research include:
. Time management and multi-tasking - Setting realistic time scales and planning work to achieve goals and targets. Reviewing progress of a number of activities against objectives and developing contingency plans to overcome problems.
. Administration - General administrative activities associated with the position.

Messages
Broaden your experience by exploiting every opportunity that comes your way to do non-research work. For me it was undertaking teaching whilst working as a researcher. Maximise the number of publications you do and make sure that you are named on all of them. This puts you in a much stronger position over people who try to go straight from a PhD into teaching.

Geography

Steve

Route into HE
Steve went straight from school to a Geography degree before he embarked on a self funded Ph.D. (done during a two-year contract research post), but had to convert to a part time M.Phil.

Reasons for entering Contract Research
Steve really loved research and liked what he did.

Nature and range of work
Started off in Geography (poverty in rural areas) and then into Education research looking into gender and underachievement in junior schools. He also looked into education restructuring and the impact on teachers' work.

Likes about Contract Research
· Fieldwork.
· Writing.
· A good supervisor.
· Intellectually challenging.

Dislikes about Contract Research
· The restrictions arising from short term contracts and levels of pay.

Reason for moving on
Promotion prospects were nil without meeting unreasonable demands and it was with great regret that Steve thought he had no option but to move on. He felt he had been treated unreasonably and there was no way to make progress. Steve felt that, in part, the difficulties with forging a career in research stemmed from his broad range of expertise (although this served him well for consultancy, even though he hates calling himself a consultant). Steve says he was driven by money and the wish for a permanent post.

Exploration of Options and Sources
The press was a very lucrative source of many appropriate vacancies for Steve, with many posts to select from and leading to a good range of interview offers. From the options available, Steve chose consultancy with an independent, international company which provides clients with specialist services in the fields of economic, environmental, social and innovation policy.

Messages for Contract Research
· Be sure what is going to be the right thing, to be able to distinguish when different vacancies become available.
· Use the Careers Service to help with C.V. and job search, if necessary
· Publish as much as possible.
· Be involved in the University to gain experience of senior committees, unions etc.
· Be organised.
· Do not be put off by early disappointments.
· Network.
· Keep in touch with fellow contract research staff.
· Try to develop key skills which might be called on elsewhere.
. Be aware of key skills which come as part of the job, such as doing research, writing, writing tenders, working effectively with other people.

Public Policy

Cliff

Background
I graduated with a 1st and then obtained a Ph.D. in Sociology. Fresh from my Ph.D., I wanted to continue doing research and the move into contract research was a natural progression. I have researched public policy, politics and how businesses can become more involved in charity and community work. My objective was to develop original case studies of contemporary development in public policy, to disseminate articles, to teach students on summer schools, and to deliver lectures to graduates on Masters courses. My last post was researching new Public Policy developments in the Welsh context.

I became more and more disillusioned with research work and combined with personal reasons and the need to get more permanent employment I decided to look for work outside contract research.

My main source of job applications was the Times Higher Education Supplement and in total I applied for 9-10 jobs. I was shortlisted for six, but not offered a position. However, at one interview I was told that a lecturing post would soon become available and that if I was interested to apply for it. I did, and, after I went through the normal interview process I was offered and accepted the position. Now I organise seminars, deliver lectures and I am developing a new course on Organisational Behaviour.

Transferable Skills Development
The main skills I developed in contract research that I now use in academia are:
. Communication: Particularly facilitating easy reading by adapting writing to the readers level of knowledge and illustrating complex points.
. Planning and organising: Setting a realistic timescale and target to achieve objectives
. Levels of problem solving: Making judgements, being flexible and adaptable and considering alternative solutions and strategies.
. Networking: Exchanging information with others and developing useful working relationships

The skills that I have had to develop in my new role are:
. Communication: Conveying enthusiasm, demonstrating interest and involving people
. Decision making: Breaking down into appropriate steps and activities, making realistic achievable decisions
. Interpersonal: Managing people, giving constructive feedback, leading, motivating and co-operating with others.
. Teaching, training, coaching and development: Preparing clear aims and objectives for teaching sessions, using visual aids to assist understanding, asking questions to encourage involvement and creating a shared vision.

Messages
I believe it is important to test the entire job market and not confine yourself to research and academia, as there are many opportunities in both commercial and charitable research. My advice is to consider all options, get some teaching experience if possible and get accredited work published. Establish your ground rules for the job that you want and above all don't waste the opportunity that research work offers for developing the skills that you can use in later life.

Social Policy

Lucy

Background
I graduated with a B.Sc. in Economics and Sociology followed by a PostGraduate Certificate of Education in Further Education and obtained my Ph.D. some ten years later. My first work after my P.G.C.E. combined two part-time posts, one tutoring and one doing research in the voluntary sector. I did this for four years and then lectured on social policy at a Welsh University for three years. This fixed term contract ended at quite short notice and, as I needed to work in South Wales, a colleague mentioned that another Welsh University was looking for a researcher so I applied and was successful in getting a contract research post.

When a lecturer in the same department resigned, the job was advertised, I applied and at the interview I satisfied their questions about my teaching interests and was appointed to the position. Had that job not been advertised I would have stayed in contract research for longer before thinking about making a move. Now I lecture in health policy, carry out research, write papers and deal with general administration.

Transferable skills development
The main skills I have developed in contract research include:
. Communication - oral and written - Adapting to the level of knowledge and understanding of others. Actively listening to encouraging involvement.
. Problem solving - Analysing data to identify the real problem and making independent decisions whilst being sensitive to the feelings of others.
. Teaching, coaching, training and development - Using a variety of teaching and learning activities and visual aids to motivate and influence others.

The key skills that I will need to develop in my current role include:
. Decision making - Taking calculated risks and knowing when an estimate or an exact decision will do. Breaking down into appropriate steps and activities, making realistic achievable decisions
. Networking - Supporting existing groups and developing new partnerships. Actively networking people for mutual benefit or development.

Messages
Strive during your Ph.D. years and subsequent contract research work to write as many papers as you can. Make sure that your name is not only on your papers, but also on any joint papers preferably as the first named author. Getting your name noticed is everything so include it on all research proposals you make and network as much as possible.

Social Research

Carole

After completing a M.Sc. in Social Research methods, Carole held one research contract for 18 months before moving to work as a consultant for an executive search company.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
My contract had run out (having been extended by 3 months already) and wasn't able to be renewed. At this stage although I had enjoyed the freedom of the work environment and the focus on meeting and interviewing people, I particularly wanted to get a permanent job with a future. I also wanted something with more of a team spirit. Where I was in academia, it felt like everyone was only out for themselves, all trying to make it as social researchers or academics rather than working for the unit.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I had been using a wide range of skills in my research, including interviewing, statistical and computing skills, administration, analytical and writing. I felt fine about the transferability of my general skills and although I had a concern that I might feel I was going backwards if I wasn't using my academic knowledge, I knew that if I went into something different I would have to start again.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
I knew my contract was ending in October and started looking for work in mid-June. It was awkward at work because everyone knew I was leaving so I just had to get on with it. I looked everywhere for vacancies - newspapers, magazines, the internet and it didn't take long to identify ones to go for. Although I did not enjoy the applications/interviews process, the actual transition into my current job was easy and I was able to integrate into my new work environment very well and very quickly.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I used both C.Vs and forms in my applications. The interviews I attended were not dissimilar to the one I had for my research post and I wasn't asked about my motivation to move out of academia. The fact that decisions were not made quickly made the whole process very time consuming and, frankly, depressing.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
My job now is ideal for me. I love interacting with people on a daily basis and I get people jobs so it makes them happy! It's a rewarding environment to work in - even if I do have to work on a Friday afternoon! The job is all about people skills and although the interviewing and analysing people is similar to what I was doing in academia the whole environment is more professional, corporate and exciting. The tangible rewards are in the form of bonuses, huge pay rises, incentives, no bureaucracy and getting immediate results. I feel as if my career is developing very quickly which is exactly what I wanted. I don't maintain my academic contacts and would never consider re-entering the university sector - I love my job here. I don't work long hours, it's fun and exciting and very rewarding.

HINTS AND TIPS
· Typing application forms can make the presentation look a lot more professional.
· Any additional computer skills you can develop will help.
· Working outside academia is not cut-throat or ruthless.

Elizabeth

After completing a Ph.D. in a sociology topic, Elizabeth held five short-term contracts before moving into work as a research officer for a charity based in Scotland (from which she has since moved on - see update).

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO CONSIDER OPTIONS OUTSIDE ACADEMIA?
My situation was rather different from other contract research staff as I held a number of short-term contracts on a free lance basis. After about a year my financial position was not very positive so I took a part time job in IT support within an academic department. Basically, I looked outside academia for a mix of personal reasons and because I wanted to re-evaluate. There were some noises from some of the lecturers in the department I was in about finding me a research assistant job. And ultimately there was such an offer, but this came after I had accepted the post I now hold.

My part time job in particular was a really valuable period of time as it allowed me to work through those silly fears about being "tied down" and having a nine to five job after a Ph.D., and also to appreciate how pleasant it can be to work alongside colleagues as part of a team and not as a lone warrior.

I analysed my experience of academia at some length and decided my personality would be best suited to doing social research outside of both academia and the corporate world in a policy development organisation, NGO, charity or think tank. I very much wanted to have the chance to experience a different research environment.

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT THE TRANSFERABILITY OF YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE?
I felt there was a strong case that my knowledge could be transferred. My PhD was quite generalised in the sense that it drew on a number of different disciplines - organisation theory, employment studies, feminist theory, sociology of science - and with each position I applied for there was some way of tying my knowledge into the post by emphasising certain aspects.

The jobs I targeted were those where I perceived I would be able to contribute efficiency and management skills but also be involved in knowledge and policy. I felt I had a useful set of skills, including marketing, communication and general business skills developed through my free-lance contract work, and never had any lack of confidence in selling these to a potential employer in any environment.

COPING WITH THE TRANSITION
It took about 6 months to identify vacancies but that did include November to January where the job market was non-existent, and a house move which took up a month. Mainly I read the job pages in the local and national papers and used internet job sites. There were a couple of less formal opportunities which fell through because of lack of funding. I had a lot of support from my partner and family and there were no major issues for me.

The biggest challenges were:
- leaving behind an incredibly flexible and autonomous culture and accepting I would need to go into an office roughly 9-5 (this has not been precisely the case but it is still more structured)
- giving up an idea of purity - that being involved in making knowledge is somehow a higher plane of activity
- not having control over what research I do and how. To an extent this is a symptom of working in a very "controlling" culture, but would likely be the case anyway.

However, I have found the whole process satisfying. I have had no real regrets about it so far and feel my assessment about the environment that would suit me best has been a fair one. I integrated immediately into my current job and feel it is a far more comfortable work environment than academia - it seems to suit my approach far better in that I still do research, but it is more varied, dynamic and practical in orientation.

THE APPLICATION & INTERVIEW PROCESS
I needed to prepare both a C.V. and application forms and at one of my interviews was asked to sit a test and give a presentation as well as having a panel interview. The differences between academic and non-academic interviews are, in my experience, quite marked. In academic interviews the focus has generally been on intellectual orientation with little apparent interest in practical details such as terms, conditions, management styles, accountability, allocation of work etc. In non-academic interviews the focus has been on practical and procedural aspects rather than theoretical positions - i.e. "what would you do if X happened", "how would you go about dealing with Y". The whole interview is more about doing the job than making the knowledge.

I was regularly asked about my motivation to move out of academia. I tended to emphasise a desire to work on more short term projects, to have more than one project on the go at one time and to have a more immediate connection to policy processes and practical outputs. This seemed to be generally accepted. The motivation for asking the question seemed to be a concern on the part of the interviewer that I was an "airy fairy" intellectual in an ivory tower who would not understand the need to compromise results in favour of practicalities.

In the interview for the post I got, both the manager and the director had worked extensively in academia and seemed to understand my desire to move out but not "burn my bridges", so I felt there was some sympathy of values and intent there which was part of my decision to go with them.

On the whole I find non-academic interviews easier to deal with, not least because they are less likely to focus on the specialist area of the interviewer which may not be yours! Looking at the process of applications and interviews as a whole, I felt reasonably positive about it. It gave me the chance to present myself fairly.

YOUR CURRENT JOB AND FUTURE PLANS
At the time of writing I am about to change my job again but still outside academia. However, my work as a research officer with a voluntary agency (working for children and families) has given me a sense of achieving social action rather than just creating ideas and this has been extremely important to me.

I have a varied workload, so I'm not in the library all the time (or indeed, ever!) and have the chance to get involved in staff management. I am closer to the policy process and feel as though I am helping to make the world better rather than just engaging in sophistry. Research and funding applications are still part of my work, but the emphasis is much more on the practical application of my work and time-scales are much shorter. Sometimes there is a tendency for senior managers to rush into projects without paying attention to the need for sound intellectual foundation and thought over detail. This is due primarily to the pressures of time and money.

I do miss the "pure" values academic work places on reading and learning, the thrill of creating knowledge, and the atmosphere of leisurely discussion, but I do enjoy my actual work and I like my colleagues (who come from backgrounds including services delivery, academia, local authority and voluntary sector) a lot.

I use an enormously wide range of skills - practical project management, proposal writing and budgeting, diplomacy and negotiation, staff supervision and mentoring, project planning, responding to tender invitations, dissemination to practitioner audiences rather than academics - and am confident in transferring these to my next job.

In terms of the future, I maintain good links with academic friends and colleagues and may at some stage want to return to academia. I have not ruled out trying for lectureships eventually, but at the moment I see myself going to Senior Principal Officer level (and beyond!) in the voluntary sector or the Civil Service. I feel that I enjoy the idea of academia much more than the reality. The area of work I am in now connects my research to the broader picture and gives me the chance to work with some incredibly committed and stimulating people who really want to change society and improve it.

Update 3 months on:
I can now add, being three months into a new job, that I am definitely using all these wide skills in the new post! I feel the move has been a success in that it has vindicated my decision to focus more on project management and staff management skills rather than pursuing a research topic per se. I now do not conduct the research myself but manage the staff who do, and am involved in different activities such as negotiation, liaising with senior management, budgeting and representing the project externally.

My personal path has led away from "pure" research as I am more practical-minded but also, to an extent, has been dictated by the fact that the higher salaries and status / perks are offered for management rather than being an active researcher - unfortunately!

Additional note:
One final thing that occurs to me is the gender issue. I find that in the voluntary sector / quangos where I have worked latterly, there is a majority of women in senior positions and the gender issue doesn't arise. For example, I am currently one of three female, senior managers, managed in turn by a man who is himself managed by a woman, whereas in academia I was conscious of the splits between "women's subjects" and the paucity of female lecturers in all subjects. It is by no means a perfect environment, but I enjoy the fact that I don't generally have to worry about sexism in the workplace!

HINTS AND TIPS
· Work on a concise and business-like C.V. which emphasises skills rather than publications.
· Don't be put off by the perception of what a 9-5 job will entail, but do prepare for a more structured work culture.
· If you do really love the research topic you are working on within academia, and are fascinated by research and finding things out, staying in academia could be best for you. If you do not have a passionate intellectual attachment to your topic, to do research for its own sake, it is worth looking outside. Social research exists in a lot of other environments and it can be well worth seeking this sort of experience.
· Develop additional skills - in particular awareness of policy processes and structures and presentation skills.
· Focus on professionalism. Being "corporate" (in dress, approach, manner) can be seen as a dirty word within academia, but wearing a suit does not negate the quality of your ideas.

Social Science

Diane

Background
I graduated with a B.Sc. in Economics and Anthropology and a M.Sc. in Economic and Social Science Research methods. My first research work was with Shelter which started immediately I completed my Masters. I was self employed and involved in everything from data collection and analysis to writing and presenting reports at conferences. From there I worked in contract research for two years, but my contract was not renewed. Luckily, I was immediately employed on a lucrative consultancy basis to carry out an evaluation project and I now work as a Consultant Researcher where my job is mainly data collection, analysis and report writing. This work is identical to that of a contract researcher in respect of data collection and analysis.

I have been to India to do a post graduate study of Homeopathy as ultimately I want to practise Homeopathy full time, but accept that it will take some time to build up a practise so I keep my ears and eyes open for part-time consultancy research work. My next assignment is for nine months and I will be working with a Learning Disabilities Applied Research Unit. I found this by word of mouth and by networking, I have been approached by a School of Social Science and a School of Health Science both with invitations of work.

Transferable skills development
The main skills that I developed in contract research and continue to use include:
. Written communication - Using simple easy to understand language that outlines aims and objectives, methodology, conclusions and recommendations.
. Oral communication - Conversing at the level of others, speaking with enthusiasm and interest and discussing points assertively not aggressively.
. Decision making - Breaking down into appropriate steps and activities, basing decisions on intuition, logic, information and data.
. Problem solving - Analysing, evaluating and assessing relevant data and information. Identifying root causes of problems, using approaches that are sensitive to the needs of others
. Networking - Establishing and developing useful working relationships, creating awareness of research work, contributing to meetings, conferences, and seminars to gain exposure.
. The two main skills that I have had to develop after my contract research work are using my own initiative and how to timetable my work to meet tight deadlines.

Messages
It is not always necessary for you to look for an alternative career to research. There is a lot of alternative research work out there. For instance, I was casually speaking to someone from Age Concern who asked me to send in a C.V. as they often look for researchers. There is definitely a life for you after contract research. All you need is to have confidence in your ability, value your expertise and realise the skills you are developing in contract research can be used in the outside world.

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VETERINARY SCIENCES

Veterinary Microbiology

Ali

Background
I enjoyed the idea of running my own research programme so, following a B.Sc. in Medical Microbiology and a Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology, I obtained the first of several postdoctoral fellowships, one of which was based in the U.S.

I found the work enjoyable and personally rewarding but became frustrated by the lack of career structure and the short-term contracts. I realised that the lucky few (very few) got lectureships, but others in my position, on the top of scales, were simply being discarded.

When considering the alternatives, I did not have focus on one particular career. I just wanted a job which had some security and which I would enjoy doing. I browsed newspaper adverts, waiting for something to catch my eye.

Eventually, after 10 contracts, ranging from 1 month to 3 years in length, I left academic research to become a programme manager with a large health organisation. This role involves working as part of a team to develop guidelines for doctors about new treatments and new medicines.

I find this work equally rewarding and enjoyable despite the fact that it is very different from what I am used to. So far, I have no dislikes. My salary is currently the same but I hope to move up the career ladder in the new organisation.

The feedback from my current employers on the value they attach to academic research experience has been very positive.

Transferable skills
During my research career I made a conscious decision to try to gain other skills and experiences which might help me to change careers. Over the years I started to volunteer for teaching duties and to represent the department on various committees. I also attended staff development courses to improve my computing, management and supervision skills. I basically did a lot of tedious jobs which academics didn't want to do or did not have time to do. The department eventually offered me a 2 year contract to run the Honours course. Unfortunately, the contract wasn't renewed, so I started to look for other jobs outside academia.

During my research career, I gained experience in teaching, supervision, course organisation and management. My management experience when I was running the Honours course was the main factor in obtaining my current job. My analytical skills as a researcher were also important, as were my experience in writing reports and communicating at conferences and at university.

Messages
I have found that getting involved in all sorts of extra duties opened some doors. Going on Staff Development courses was also very useful.

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The Competences displayed by Contract Research Staff who make a successful transition from one career to another

1. COMMUNICATION

1.1 Making an impact
· writes to provide evidence of suitability
· writes concisely and unambiguously, with a variety of layouts to help the reader
· presents self effectively in interviews and presentations with the intention of demonstrating strengths for the post
· asks questions to ensure the post and organisation are appropriate for the candidate
· articulates constraints (such as geographical limitations) effectively

1.2 Networking effectively
· networks with people who can influence
· uses a wide range of sources of information, both print and electronic
· builds relationships with named people in careers services or recruitment agencies
· asks questions of careers/recruitment staff to ensure that they understand what is sought and what will be suitable
· scans the environment by asking questions, visiting appropriate web sites and listening to people who might have an idea about the future

1.3. Persuading
· uses well reasoned arguments in applications, interviews and presentations
· is thoroughly prepared for application and interview - having researched the organisation and its environment and being fully self aware
· provides a range of examples of achievements which used relevant key skills

2. COGNITIVE

2.1 Positive/analytical thinking and use of judgement
· positive thinker, when things go wrong, looking forward and putting effort into next attempt
· sees potential in things which are not immediately obviously suitable
· uses judgement to assess the suitability of a post in relation to key skills, preferences and potential
· analytical thinker in identifying own strengths, key skills from experience in the present and previous positions and relating them to requirements of new posts
· makes timely decisions to take action (or not)

2.2 Lateral/creative/conceptual thinking
· lateral thinker, in looking far outside the expected posts in seeking a change - systematically assembles and presents relevant data about self and links it to qualities required for posts
· makes connections between unrelated fields of work and the application of key skills
· innovative in seeking posts and presenting oneself as a candidate
· uses initiative to make self known to people who can help

2.3 Political/Collaborative thinking
· strategic thinker, planning the 'campaign' for finding a new career
· understands the political implications of situations and events by being sensitive to the environment in which an organisation is operating and to interview questions or answers to candidate's questions
· collaborates with colleagues, friends and advisers who can give advice or feedback to help the process of changing career

3. SELF DEVELOPMENT

· undertakes voluntary work/work shadowing to get experience to help in decision making
· uses mentors to support transition
· gets additional qualifications to help transition
· has an ongoing personal development plan which is regularly updated

4. SELF MANAGEMENT

4.1 Positive/enthusiastic
· realistic about how long things will take and expectations
· has energy
· is enthusiastic - talks with passion/sees a positive side to everything/does things does with good spirit even when they are not preferred tasks
· responsible - works to standards expected/meets deadlines/has pride in work and self

4.2 Persistence/stamina
· persistent in making applications despite disappointments
· stamina to keep making consistently high quality applications and attend and make an impression at interviews whilst still maintaining standards in current duties and responsibilities

4.3 Flexible/open-minded
· flexible, in listening to feedback which requires action not previously thought of and in applying for posts which had not appeared appropriate formerly
· open minded in applying for a range of posts which require key skills but will need a lot of new learning as well
· inquisitive about what the world outside academia has to offer
· does not dismiss anything

4.4 Self confident and self controlled
· talks objectively about strengths, needs for development and achievements - with evidence
· self aware - has a list of everything to offer an employer, backed by evidence for previous performance (at work or elsewhere)
· objective - looking at things as they are - without bias from past experience
· adaptable, being willing to try new things which are necessary to progress in the direction required to fit a career plan
· assertive
· self controlled when facing anger, disappointment, frustration and able to vent these emotions quickly and then move forward positively
· has a clear vision for self
· insightful - knows how to build a positive reputation

· immerses self in finding knowledge about new career field
· proactive in seeking new opportunities
· uses external resources to help achieve goals
· pays attention to detail