Transferable Skills Training
Becoming a successful scientist requires more than just solid laboratory skills and a decent publication record. Transferable skills are defined as skills developed in one situation which can be transferred to another situation. They are the kinds of skills which are necessary for effective performance by individuals, not only in the workplace but in life in general.
Examples of such skills include communication and presentation skills, writing skills, computer skills, leadership, team working, professional ethics, problem solving, intellectual property management, commercialisation of research, information retrieval, career planning, negotiation skills, project management, time management and organizational skills and an ability to work collaboratively across disciplinary and cultural boundaries
The importance of acquiring transferable skills during the course of PhD training is vitally important and has recently been highlighted in the article Transferable_Skills_and_Portable_Careers
TCD hosts a variety of courses throughout the year for both academic staff and graduate students through the following providers:
- Centre for Academic Practice and Student Learning (CAPSL)
- Information Systems Services (ISS)
- Careers Advisory Service
- Student learning and development
We recommend that you attend a variety of these courses or download the associated files during different stages of your PhD. Please check the relevant websites for the dates of these recommended courses. Remember also to keep a log of any such courses that you attend for inclusion in your curriculum vitae. Many of these courses also give attendance certificates at the end of each course.
Software Training
| Course | Website | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
Microsoft Word 2003 for Beginners |
1st year PhD students |
|
Further Steps with Microsoft Word |
1st year PhD students |
|
Microsoft Excel Level 1 |
1st year PhD students |
|
Microsoft Excel Level 2 |
1st year PhD students |
|
Microsoft Word 2007 |
2nd year PhD students |
|
Microsoft Excel Level 3 |
2nd year PhD students |
|
MS Access 2003 for Beginners |
2nd year PhD students |
|
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 |
1st year PhD students |
|
Photoshop |
2nd year PhD students |
|
Photoshop Workshop |
2nd year PhD students |
|
SPSS for Beginners |
1st year PhD students |
|
Further Steps with SPSS |
2nd year PhD students |
|
Endnote |
All years |
|
Planning Thesis Production Using MS Word |
2nd/3rd/4th Year PhD students |
Educational Training
| Course | Website | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
Setting into Your Postgraduate Study |
https://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/student-learning/workshops.php |
1st year PhD students |
Planning and Managing Your PhD |
https://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/student-learning/workshops.php |
1st year PhD students |
Systematic approaches to literature reviewing |
https://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/student-learning/workshops.php |
1st year PhD students |
Exam Skills |
https://www.tcd.ie/Student_Counselling/student-learning/workshops.php |
1st year PhD students |
Information Literacy Module |
https://www.tcd.ie/Library/SIFInformationLiteracyProject.pdf |
2nd year PhD students |
Entrepreneurship Programme |
http://www.tcd.ie/research_innovation/entrepreneurship/training.php |
3rd/4th year PhD students |
Intellectual Property course |
To be finalized |
Any year |
Time management (download) |
1st/2nd year PhD students |
|
Stress management (download) |
All years |
|
Note making strategies (download) |
All years |
|
Goal setting strategies (download) |
All years |
|
Concentration strategies (download) |
All years |
|
Presentation skills (download) |
All years |
|
Study skills web seminar (can view online) |
All years |
|
Supervision and your PhD (download) |
All years |
|
Getting started on your PhD (download) |
1st year PhD students |
|
Suggested references for Postgraduate study (download) |
All years |
|
Thesis Writing Process for Science-based PGs |
3rd/4th year PhD students |
Career Training
| Course | Website | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
Introduction to Teaching and Supporting Learning |
4th year PhD students |
|
Developing a Teaching Portfolio |
4th year PhD students |
|
Preparing a Lecture |
4th year PhD students |
|
Job action plan (view online) |
4th year PhD students |
|
What employers want (view online) |
4th year PhD students |
|
Apply for jobs – including CV writing (view online) |
4th year PhD students |
|
Prepare for interview (view online) |
4th year PhD students |