The WU PPP is a 15-month program that includes a combination of elements: peer coaching, workshops, Career Talk, and individual coaching sessions. The first 3 of these elements are mandatory, and the individual coaching is an optional service for people who need it. The elements and contents are designed and developed in English. Depending on what’s needed, the program is available both in English and in German.
Attention: Please note that the program is not intended to provide coaching for the thesis writing process, assistance in deciding between an academic or a non-academic career, or help in finding a job. The goal of the program is to assist you in planning your academic career and to prepare you for the academic job market. The program is therefore meant as a multidisciplinary addition to the support provided by the researchers’ academic units and by their supervisors, who are of course the pre-docs’ main mentors and contact persons.
For a visual overview of the project elements, please click this Link>>.
Here>> you can find a project schedule with all relevant dates. The second round of the program will start in spring of 2022.
Info-Coffee or personal meeting with the Personnel Development team (mandatory)
To participate in the program, you have to complete a personal meeting. This meeting can take place in the form of what we call Info-Coffee, where you will also have the opportunity to get to know and network with other pre-doc employees interested in the program.
During the Info-Coffee or at your interview you will be introduced to the WU PPP in detail and receive information on the format and structure of the program. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the program and share your expectations. Of course, you are also more than welcome to join us for the Info-Coffee if you just want to find out more about the program without signing up just yet.
Peer coaching (mandatory)
The peer coaching sessions are moderated by an external coach. They give you the opportunity to discuss questions regarding challenges specific to your individual qualifications with your peers in a confidential atmosphere and on a regular basis and to develop useful strategies and solutions together. The sessions are always centered around the group. Initially, the coach will suggest the first topics for discussion. As the peer coaching progresses, you and your peers will also have the opportunity to put your own topics on the agenda.
For information about the coach of the peer coaching sessions, please click this Link>>.
Workshops (mandatory)
The workshops are scheduled in advance that are intended to help you get off to a good start in the academic job market after the end of your pre-doc employment and to equip you with the skills you need for an academic career.
Workshop 1 (2-day event): “Career Planning, Application and Self-presentation in Academia”
Workshop Selection:
Workshop 2.1 (two halfdays): “Project Management in Science and Research”
OR two of the following half-day workshops:
Workshop 2.2: „Networking for Early Career Researchers: Strategies for Establishing and Maintaining Your Professional Contacts"
Workshop 2.3: „An Introduction to Diversity and Inclusion"
Workshop 2.4: „Science Communication - Promote Your Research!"
For detailed workshop descriptions and information on the trainers, please click the embedded links.
The workshop selection is made by voting within the group of participants according to the majority principle.
Individual Career Talk session (self-organized, mandatory)
The Career Talk session give you an opportunity to discuss and resolve any topics and issues that you have come across with regard to your individual career with WU and non-WU colleagues and experts of your choice (post-docs, WU professors, alumni, etc.) in a one-on-one setting. You can use the Career Talk session to develop ideas on how to best position yourself in the job market, gain insights into the structures of academia and the scientific community, receive support and advice on your thesis defense and job applications, establish new contacts, network, receive new ideas and impulses, etc.
Individual coaching sessions (voluntary and on demand)
To round out the program, you can arrange one-on-one coaching sessions with a coach from the Personnel Development Office’s pool of coaches. In individual coaching sessions, you receive guidance and support from an external coach to help you reflect upon issues in a safe setting, gain a clearer perspective, and develop your own solutions and strategies. Individual coaching allows you to address personal questions and goals that had no place in the peer coaching sessions or that require a more confidential setting. Please note that you need to contact us first before arranging individual coaching sessions.
