It's not rocket science .... Careers Advisors' Forum (SWW)

Bringing like-minded people together is not rocket science - but it works.

Specialist careers advice for postgraduate researchers and research staff is relatively new in HEIs, and those tasked with this role are often a sole practitioner in a university careers advisory service. Since the first year of its operation in 2004, the SWW Hub identified this group and has run a series of Careers Advisors Forums to bring careers advisors across the region together to share practice, explore the needs of postgraduate researchers, discuss possible collaborations and establish a useful professional network. The group have also been able to take part in taster sessions to use Vitae materials such as Effective Researcher for Postgraduate Researchers, Effective Researcher for Research Staff and Broadening Horizons. Many are also regular participants at the Hub's Annual Good Practice Conference, and at the ‘Focus On..' events.

The connections set up via this group have resulted in careers advisors running sessions at the South West universities regional GRADschools, and workshops at the Hub's Annual Conference. In December 2010 advisors facilitated on the SWW Hub's Regional Broadening Horizon's course.

In addition, from contacts forged in this way, the Hub manager has been involved in many careers events and workshops at HEIs across the region, often using information from the ‘What Do Researcher's Do?' series.

Other Hub practice sharing activities

Vitae South West and Wales Hub