Beyond the Doctorate - What's Next? How to Find and Reach Your Goals
A workshop offered by the Bonn Graduate Center
Writing a doctoral thesis comes with many challenges and marks a decisive
step in your career. As you approach the final stage – or ideally even earlier
– it’s important to look ahead. What’s next? While this question may feel like
a distraction, ignoring it can drain energy from your research.
In-person Workshop
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 18, 2025
Individual in-person or online coaching session by arrangement
Trainer
Prof. Dr. Martin Zierold
Language
English
Location
Alte Sternwarte
Poppelsdorfer Allee 47*
Target Group
Doctoral students
Track(s)
Research, Research Management, Business and Organizations
Certificate
9 units are applicable within the Doctorate plus certificate
* The premises are not barrier-free. Please contact the Bonn Graduate Center if you need assistance.
Description
After a doctorate, early-career researchers have many options: continuing in
academia as a postdoc, transitioning to industry, launching an
entrepreneurial project, or working for an NGO, among others. With so
much advice from different sources, it can be difficult to determine what
you truly want.
The workshop consists of three parts:
- Preparation: Access an online video with insights on career options
inside and outside academia, plus a personal reflection task. - Group Workshop: Identify your competencies, refine your goals, and
discuss potential paths with peers. - One-on-One Coaching: A 60-minute session (in person or online) for
deeper individual guidance.
Please note that the coaching is a mandatory part of the workshop and will take place on either July 10 (in-person) or July 18 (online via Zoom). The coaching appointments will be scheduled a few weeks prior to the workshop.
Content
- What are your strengths and passions? Which career paths align with
them? - What do you need from a job to feel fulfilled and productive?
- How can you balance professional ambitions with personal goals?
- How can you structure the final phase of your doctorate to smoothly
transition into your next step?
Contact
Bonn Graduate Center
Address
Alte Sternwarte
Poppelsdorfer Allee 47
53115 Bonn
More Workshops?
Have a look at further workshops offered in our Doctorate plus program this semester.
Also see
Certificate Doctorate plus
Acquire the Doctorate plus Certificate in one of our three career tracks.
Read more522
Qualification Program Doctorate plus
Expand your skills with our qualification program Doctorate plus.
Read more632
Newsletter - Bonn Doctoral Bulletin
Stay up-to-date on important topics on doctoral studies and subscribe to our newsletter.
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Links
- https://formulare-ext.verwaltung.uni-bonn.de/lip/action/invoke.do?id=openform&form=EVT¶m1=2334&client=BGZ&lang=en
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/doctorate-plus/research-all
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/doctorate-plus/research-management-all
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/doctorate-plus/business-organizations-all
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/certificate-doctorate-plus
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/during-your-doctorate/qualification/doctorate-plus-1
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/events-and-opportunities/newsletter-bonn-doctoral-bulletin-en