The collection of case studies ' Researcher work experience: Placements/internships outside academia' shows three perspectives on doctoral researcher work experience. The interviews with the employer, researcher and academic reveal not only how work experience can impact on the development of employability skills but also the benefits that placement/internship programmes can have for the three parties involved.
Benefits for the employer:
- Innovation and new ideas. Introducing new, talented people to the organisation who have a fresh perspective and transferable skills
- Developing solutions. Accessing research expertise to add value to projects and to inform and develop practical solutions
- Getting the job done. Accessing an additional resource to complete small research projects
- New resources. Gaining indirect access through the intern to the considerable resources of a university e.g. sponsoring an EngD programme
- Recruiting new talent. Screening potential employees for talent, skills and organisational fit and developing a pipeline for hiring
- Increasing visibility. Increasing the profile of the organisation, making it more attractive to new talent
Benefits for the researcher:
- Working in a commercial environment. Gaining first-hand experience of workplace expectations and the current challenges for the company/ organisation and corresponding industry in which the internship takes place
- Developing team working skills. Working in a multi-discipline team, often in an open-plan environment
- Increasing self confidence. Building self-confidence and self-esteem making completion of a doctorate easier
- Broadening horizons. Developing fresh, new perspectives which help to bridge the gap between academia and the research environment outside university
- Problem solving. Applying research skills outside academia to a given problem within a given timeframe
- Demonstrating impact. Exposing research to a wider audience and demonstrating its relevance
- Networking. Meeting new people, developing internal and external relationships that might support future career development
- Informing career plans. Clarifying career priorities, preferences and goals
Benefits to the university:
- Promoting postgraduate opportunities. Maximising the career potential of the university's doctoral researchers by increasing their employability
- Offering a learning experience to present the skills developed during a doctorate. Ensuring that researchers understand the variety of career options open to them and the relevance of their skills gained through research whilst maintaining a high profile of transferable and generic skills through embedding them in research degree programmes
- Adding value to the researcher's experience. Providing the opportunity of work experience as an essential part of active career development
- Bridging the gap. Building and reinforcing ongoing links between the university and external partners
- Engaging with industry. The university is willing to prioritise internships and opportunities in the commercial environment in subsequent years
- Demonstrating impact. Providing an opportunity for the university - through its researchers - to demonstrate the wider impact of the university's research activities
‘ Interns bring a fresh perspective, enthusiasm and new ideas. We made changes to the project as a result of Christen's research ’
Gemma Winterton, Southampton City Council
‘I would recommend work experience to all researchers. It has broadened my outlook and the experience will be valuable whether or not I choose to stay on in academia ’
John Valletta, Postgraduate Researcher, University of Southampton
‘Experience outside academia is now a vital component of an academic CV. Even if the researcher wants to remain in academia he/she will need partner support for their research applications ’
Dr Danielle Leahy Laughlin, Research Associate, University of Sheffield