Hit the Ground Running: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences PhD Induction Event

Beginners

After your Departmental inductions, actually starting your PhD, particularly in an institution such as Cambridge, can be an inspiring, but daunting experience: how do I start? Where do I start? How do I make the best start?... and after your PhD: what of your career?! 'Hit the Ground Running on your PhD: your research, your career’, 11th October is an Arts, Humanities and Social Science 1st year PhD skills induction afternoon, developed by PhD students for PhD students to:

• Alert you to resources and challenges they wish they knew when they arrived;
• Provide advice and guidance for getting the most out of your time at Cambridge;
• Get you thinking ahead to maximize your preparation for long-term term career and research goals.

1st year Arts & Humanities and Humanities Social Sciences PhD Students

Please bring:

• Pen and paper;
• Your research proposal, if it's to hand.

Number of sessions: 1

What will be covered?
In 20-30 minute sections, giving an essential introduction, the programme will cover 3 areas:

• Research & Information Management
• Your Career
• The Cambridge PhD Experience: supervisor's and students' perspectives

To help 1st year Arts, Humanities and Social Science PhD students make the best possible start to their PhD that they can.

Presentations

You and your supervisor want you to make the best possible start you can on your PhD, in the right direction. Run for the last 3 years, 95% of attendees found the event useful; 98% of attendees said that they would apply the learning. Attendees said:

“The sessions were very, very informative, issues were covered that never made an appearance in department, college inductions etc.”

“I felt encouraged and better equipped to undertake my PhD. There was a focus on developing holistically: not just as a researcher, but a future professional in an academic or non-academic job. Participants seemed to have students' well-being in mind and gave very helpful advice. The sessions were divided well and complemented each other nicely. There was a clear flow to the afternoon.”

“Very down to earth, applied advice based on real-life experience.”

“I especially liked the fact that we received so much information on one afternoon. It was great to have a quick overview of so many topics. Great also that we were told to look for more information on a specific topic, should we want to know more.”

“I think that this event is vital for new PhD students - it is important to start developing skills and career experience early on in the PhD experience so that by the time we graduate we can be compete in the tough job market. It definitely inspired me and I have already sought out opportunities to gain career experience and feel like I have a better plan of what I need to accomplish in 3 years.”

One half day session