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In April 2008, the HERDA-SW Research Management Group Research Training network submitted a proposal to run a pilot South West Universities GRADschool during 2008/9. The aim of the proposal was to demonstrate and pilot a mutually beneficial regional collaboration in the area of generic skills training for research students.

Recently there has been growing interest in an alternate business model, social enterprise. This is a different way of doing business that trades for a social purpose whereby the social or environmental aims of the business are of equal importance to its commercial activities. Consequently the skills required for running a successful social enterprise combine those typical of enterprise activities generally with a strong motivation and passion for social improvement. We have found that this aspect is useful in engaging researchers because at the heart of social enterprise is a strong commitment to achieving a better society, a motivation that resonates with that which typically drives the research agenda and researchers themselves. This collaborative project with Vitae has been successful in developing written and associated video materials to explore enterprise skills with early career researchers. There are plans to disseminate the resources via Vitae as part of the ongoing move to produce development resources that are freely available to HEIs as part of the research skills development agenda, this is likely to be in January 2011.

InfoPlus is an online resource for postgraduate students and researchers. It supports the use of Library resources by highlighting the range of services that the Library offers via a blend of e-learning tutorials and videos.

The North East of England has many exciting opportunities to offer researchers and are keen to retain excellent graduates from North East Universities. This conference gives researchers a chance to discover what the North East can offer them outwith the university sector.

This interactive workshop will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of themselves and others, allowing them to reflect upon what is important to them in their life and help with career decision making. Benefits include improved skills in managing change, working effectively in teams, resolving conflict, career decision making and even improved communication within personal relationships. Researchers will be required to complete an on-line questionnaire before attending the session.

This session looks at the format and content of both academic and non-academic interviews. Participants will get a better understanding of the questions asked, how to approach these and important factors such as body language and personal presentation.

A 3 hour ‘simulated’ workshop based on participants taking part in two commonly used assessment centre exercises, used by non-academic employers as part of their graduate selection. There will be a group activity and an individual presentation with Careers Advisers observing and providing individual assessment and feedback

There will an opportunity to take verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests on-line and then to discuss the role of psychometric tests in recruitment by employers, as well as your individual results, with a qualified member of the Careers Advisory Service. This is excellent preparation for the "real thing" when you are asked to take these by an employer.

This interactive workshop explores the pros and cons of an academic career, looks at individual researcher's strengths and development needs and allows then to plan what needs to be done in order to be a strong candidate for an academic position in the future. (Uses materials first designed by Sara Shinton, Careers Consultant)