How to build connections for exploring careers beyond academia (for current researchers)
When exploring new careers options beyond academic research, connecting with people in sectors that interest you can be hugely insightful. Whilst networking might make us feel uncomfortable, it is a powerful tool for building understanding of different options, confidence in our next steps, and can even uncover opportunities.

This interactive online session will outline the tools needed to feel confident finding and approaching new connections to research career options beyond academia in detail.

We will share examples to help with mapping existing and identifying new connections, provide established and ethical methods for approaching individuals, and practice conducting ‘information interviews’ to gain insights into career roles of interest.

Interaction: To best achieve our workshop aim, you will take part in interactive online exercises, contribute ideas of career research questions to communal planning boards, and separately plan your own next steps for building connections. You will even have the opportunity to conduct an ‘information interview’ to gain insights into careers transitions.

By the end of this session, you should be able to:


Define the purposes of networking
Challenge any previous conceptions and fears of networking
Locate sources of Alumni and contacts, including LinkedIn
Identify your priorities for career exploration and research
Compose ‘information interview’ questions to build career understanding
Approach new contacts confidently


Please note – session recording: this session will be recorded for use as part of the lead Careers Adviser’s professional qualification assessment led by the University of Warwick. The recording will not be used for any other purpose. By signing up and attending you consent to being present on this recording.

Accessibility requirements: should you require any adjustments to support your participation in this workshop, please email the session lead directly using the following email: chris.jeffs@careers.ox.ac.uk
Date: 26 February 2025, 12:30
Venue: Careers Service, 56 Banbury Road OX2 6PA
Venue Details: 56 Banbury Road
Speaker: Dr Chris Jeffs (Oxford University Careers Service)
Organising department: Careers Service
Organiser contact email address: chris.jeffs@careers.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://oxford.targetconnect.net/leap/event.html?id=22278&service=Careers%20Service
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Fiona Sinclair