Finding a specialism

In order to raise your profile and to increase your employability one thing you can do is to create a niche and be good at it; to become a specialist. A specialist has a unique place in a network - people will therefore want to talk to you to tap into your expertise.

Your specialism could be something closely related to your research - a particular technique, subject or a unique combination of the two. If you are hoping to pursue a research career it is worth bearing in mind the cost of the research area you specialise in. If the cost is extremely high (either in ongoing costs or in capital outlay) you will limit your employability to rich institutions or those who already have the capital investment necessary.

Alternatively, your specialism could be something that is not directly related to your current research area. If you know how to do desktop publishing or web design, or if you have a background in a field such as publishing, teaching or marketing, you may find that you have some exceptional skills that others will find useful.

Use your specialism to give you access to opportunities and networks, but be careful not to let it limit you.