Research Training: Personal effectiveness

The transfer process (RDC.2/2A)

The aim of the workshop is to prepare students for the process of the transfer (RDC.2/2A). If you are registered as an MPhil/PhD student, the Confirmation of Route process is compulsory. Transfer to PhD status is also possible from ResM, MD and MPhil research degree registrations. The process of transfer requires the production of written reports and any other materials and processes specified by local Research Degree Management Units and, their assessment by experts in the field who are independent of the supervisory team.

Intended learning outcome:
The workshop is designed to explain the process and to assist students in the preparation of the reports.

Facilitator: Dr Stephen Essex and Sarah Kearns
Applicability: Full-time research students who are 9 to 12 months (part-time students: 15 to 21 months) into their programme.

Course dates and times: 

• 21 October 2020, 14030-1630 (UK time) via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Introduction to creating and developing your career management portfolio

A general understanding of the structure and content of a career management portfolio and how to develop and use it to forward your career.

A career management portfolio supports you in:

• assessing your progress in your career development i.e. identifying your strengths and what you need to develop further and how
  
• identifying career direction
  
• developing the habit of documenting your work for that time in the future when you are job hunting, or maybe trying for that higher position, or even proving that you are a valuable member of the team
  
• evidencing your potential
  
• proving that you are capable of what you say you are
  
• capturing the results of your work
  
• creating a personal database to facilitate the creation of a CV and personal statement
  
• preparing for interviews
  
• confidence development.
  
  

Course dates and times: 

• 20 November 2020, 1330-1530 UK time via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Making progress in your research degree - avoiding defeatism and self sabotage

This session is designed to give research students some guidance on avoiding defeatism and self-sabotage so that they can make better progress in their research degree.

This session allows participants to:

• Discuss their working practices and consider how constructive they are.
  
• Learn about the physiological basis of stress and consider typical symptoms.
  
• Consider strategies to deal with stress and negative thinking.
  
• Reflect on the balance of activities in their life.
  
• Discuss how to achieve progress.