A PhD provides a unique opportunity to engage in a sustained period of professional development. During your PhD, you will have the chance to hone your skills not just as a researcher, but as a writer and an educator; a communicator and an analyst; a creator and a consultant. Whether your looking to pursue a career within the academy or planning to look elsewhere for career opportunities, the University of Cambridge will provide you with a wealth of opportunities to build your CV, develop transferable skills and make useful connections both inside and outside the academy.

This short guide will provide you an a brief overview of some of the skills that you will need to cultivate over the course of your PhD and introduce you to some of the university services and resources that can help you develop them.

In addition to the skills you will need to participate in academic life, we will also look at some of the training programs and opportunities that exist to help you translate your evolving academic skillset to careers outside of the academy. 

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University of Cambridge, 2021