The program is aimed at women in research of all qualification levels who want to take a closer look at their current situation and shape their own career path more consciously. Those interested in the program should be willing to reflect on their own strengths, areas for improvement, and potential, and to actively and openly participate in collegial feedback and consultation processes.

Together as a group, you will build a strong, sustainable network to enable a trusting exchange of experiences and joint work on personal goals and your own strengths and weaknesses profile within the framework of the program—and ideally beyond. That is why the program begins with an intensive get-to-know-you phase.

You will develop your self-reflection skills and use them to analyze your career path to date, your current challenges, and your personal strengths, potential, and areas for improvement, and use this to develop strategies for success and career growth. In addition, detailed feedback from other participants and the trainers will help you refine your perception of yourself.

At the beginning of the program, you will identify and define your personal career goals and develop strategies to achieve them. Ideally, you will already begin the process of achieving your goals during the program, with the support of the other participants and the trainers.

Through joint reflection and collaboration, a pool of ideas and diverse alternative solutions is created, which you can then draw on and use to select strategies for your individual career path. You will receive individual coaching support throughout the program.

(1) Workshops on career-specific topics and coffee break coaching

• Kick-off & getting to know each other: Review – Perspectives – Visions. (Part 1)
  Self-reflection on the following topics: Personal assessment. My career at WU. Research as a profession (and vocation).
  Trainer: Dr. Liselotte Zvacek
  Wed./Thur., November 4/5, 2026, 9am-5pm, location to be announced.

• Review – Perspectives – Visions. (Part 2)
  Development of personal goals and concrete action strategies derived from them for the program and your own career path.
  Trainer: Dr. Liselotte Zvacek
  Wed./Thur., November 18/19, 2026, 9.00am-5.00pm, location to be announced.

• CoffeeBreak Coaching
  Get to know the program coaches personally; discuss career topics in the field of science
  Coaches and trainers of the career program
  Moderator: Elke Rittersbacher, M.A.
  Thur., January 14, 2027, 10am-12pm

• Communication and self-presentation in academia
  Trainer: Dr. Sylvia Löhken
  Wed./Thur., January 20/21, 2027, 9.00am-5.00pm, location to be announced.

• Leadership in Academia
  Essential Leadership Skills for Female Scientists
  Trainer: Prof. Dr. Uta Bronner
  Wed., February 17, 2027, 9am-5pm + Thur., February 18, 2026, 8:30am-3:45pm, location to be announced.

• Using Research Funding Strategically for Your Career
  How you can continue your academic career at WU after your contract - which is usually temporary - expires, and which funding sources are likely to be best suited to finance your projects and career.
  Trainer: Dr. Beate Scholz
  Wed./Thur., March 17/18, 2027, 9:30am-5pm, location to be announced.

• Reflection on the career program. Transfer.
  Where are you now, six months after the start of the program? Which goals have you already come closer to achieving? Which goals have proven to be less useful? What else do you need to be able to follow your own path and pursue your goals in a focused manner?
  Trainer: Dr. Liselotte Zvacek
  Wed./Thur., April 14/15, 2027, 9am-5pm, location to be announced.

(2) ExpertDinners

During the course of the program (usually in February and April), we are organizing two so-called “ExpertDinners”, where you will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with role models who have already successfully mastered several career stages in an informal setting. Within the first two workshops you as a group will decide on two experts of your choice to be invited to the dinners.

(3) Coaching

In addition to the program, you can take advantage of individual coaching sessions with coaches from the WU Coach Pool. More detailed information about how coaching can support you, which topics and issues are suitable for coaching, how to select the right coach, and more is provided at the “CoffeeBreak Coaching” session.

As part of the registration process, a personal meeting with the program coordinator Elli Rittersbacher (ext. 4448; Elke.Rittersbacher@wu.ac.at), is required.

By registering, you commit to fully participating in all modules (except, of course, in case of illness), as it is essential for the continuous and trusting working ability of the group that all participants are present at all modules throughout the entire duration of the event. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you reserve all program dates in your calendar until the start of the program.

Furthermore, you should be prepared to engage actively and contribute to the discussions. The success of the program also relies on you, as participants, bringing in relevant cases, maintaining an open exchange with one another, and providing mutual feedback. There is no simple 'recipe for a successful career,' but rather individual success strategies that each participant develops within the modules.

Additionally, your participation requires a willingness to reflect on your own actions and enjoy networking with other women from the professional context of 'science.'

There are no participation fees. We are pleased to offer you participation in this program free of charge again this year. Only minor costs may apply for seminar catering.