• Hot Topic 2012: Come Together
• Hot Topic 2011: Crossing Borders
• 2010 Community
• 2008 / 2009 Career Planning
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• 2006 Leadership Skills

2008 / 2009 Career Planning

“What are your plans after finishing your PhD?”

Here we go again. I wasn’t aware that I would be asked this question that many times during my doctorate studies. My answer is always the same: “Research in academia would be fascinating, but it also has some disadvantages, so working in industry might be an interesting option, too. Oh well, and fortunately I’ve still some time left to make my decision.” The person I am conversing with seems to be satisfied, but I realize that I just gave exactly the same answer as one year ago. Shouldn’t I start planning my career right now? Take a class, start networking? What can I actually do here at ETH in order to ‘plan my career’?”

What career possibilities exist for young scientists after finishing their PhD or PostDoc? Does ETH offer any support regarding career planning for PhD students, PostDocs and senior scientists? What does the scientific staff at ETH think about career planning?

The AVETH intended to find answers fot these questions by choosing "Career Planing" as the Hot Topic.