Do you have a future in Academia?

Head of Aberdeen Business School at RGU, Professor Elizabeth Gammie, talks about choosing academia as your potential graduate route.

       1) Which degrees/qualifications do you look a candidate to have?

We usually look for applicants to have a PhD or be in the process of writing up their PhD. The PhD topic is usually related to the area that they have applied to teach in. For example, if you have applied for a lecturing post in Entrepreneurship, then we would expect the PhD to be in Entrepreneurship. The subject matter for the first degree us less relevant. 

        2) What makes an exceptional employee?

Someone who is well rounded, can deliver well prepared material, and who the students relate to and enjoy their classes. Alongside publishing good quality research papers and attracting research funding. What really determines exceptional performance is someone who is a proactive employee, constantly striving to improve what they do and what the School does, who innovates and is creative in their thinking.

        3) What impact do graduates have within your business?

Staff are the lifeblood of a university and all employees have a significant role to play in delivering on both our teaching and academic commitments.

        4) Which elements do graduates find most challenging?

Probably standing up in front of a large class and keeping their attention. The first year is incredibly challenging as the preparation time for lecture material always takes much longer than expected.

        5) Why should a candidate chose academia as their grad career?

It is challenging but incredibly rewarding career. There are also lots of opportunities for career progression. Making a difference to young people's lives by inspiring and empowering them to reach their full potential is very gratifying. There is also lots of variety - no day is ever the same. It is very flexible in terms of workload with lots of opportunities to work at home and also travel. For example, this year I have been to Las Vegas, Kenya, New York, Mexico, and I am going to China soon! 

Grad Jobs at The Data Lab

The Data Lab is a collaborative environment which enables industry, public sector and university researchers to innovate and develop new data science capabilities. They have Hubs in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh in which organisations of all types can build relationships through the shared working space.

Here's what Head of Business Development, Jude McCorry, had to say:

        1) Which degrees/qualifications do you look for a candidate to have?

This year we at The Data Lab have recruited grads for different roles across the business, such as data science, marketing, and communications.

For the technical data science positions we are looking for a mix of technical ability – data science or writing reports – and ‘soft’ skills such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. The Data Lab deals with both public and private sector, therefore, we hire for the persons attitude and then train for the required skills. Some of our employees have degrees, masters and PHDs but others do not. We are looking for the right people to fit into our culture.

2) What makes an exceptional employee?

An exceptional employee at our organisation is someone who lives our values and our culture. Every month we celebrate an employee who has been exceptional by living and breathing these values.

3) What impact do graduates have within your business?

The Data Lab is an innovation centre, and we expect innovation to come from the people within, we encourage flexibility with responsibility and we want employees to be accountable (find solutions, own it, and make it happen) this is with their own workload but also in a team environment.

4) Which elements do graduates find most challenging?

Probably the most challenging thing for graduates - particularly tech graduates - is the softer skills. While technical ability can be slowly gained through formal work experience or part-time jobs, the 'soft' skills are often forgotten and not really taught at University. My advice to graduates is try and gain some of the softer skills during your education so you are an “all rounder” when you do come into the workplace.

5) Why should a candidate chose your business as their grad job?

All of the graduates who have worked with us say the benefits of working with us are:
Our openness to their ideas and new ways of doing things. Our non hierarchical way of working, means they can enjoy access to our network, interesting projects and people! We are very diverse and really want more women in Data Science and in the workplace. And finally, it's fun! We are a great team who work and play hard, and also look after each other! Grads are staying in touch and being part of The Data Lab family if and when they move on!

Find more information about Grad Jobs at The Data Lab here. 

Introduction

Are you a student ready to graduate in the near future? If so, I'm sure you have thought about future prospects and graduate jobs. 

I want to discover the ins and outs of graduate recruitment in order to understand exactly what happens once we leave education. I hope to help my future self and anyone else that needs advice when it comes to applying for these opportunities.

In each blog post I will interview a different business on what they look for when recruiting graduates as well as asking about what their own graduate opportunities entail. I aim to approach companies from a wide range of industry sectors to gather as much information as possible. Each business will be asked the same 5 questions:

1. Which degrees/qualifications do you look for a candidate to have?
2. What makes an exceptional employee at your firm/what are standout qualities?
3. What impact do graduates have within your business?
4. Which elements do graduates find most challenging?
5. Why should a candidate chose your business as their grad job?

Feel free to let me know through the comments section if there's a business you want to hear from!