The Odyssey Programme UCC

The Odyssey Programme UCC

UCC has introduced a new programme to enable research staff to pursue rewarding careers beyond academia.  The programme is called The Odyssey Programme as it is a career journey. The programme launched as a pilot in July 2018.  Since then 156 of UCC's Researchers and PhD students have participated in the 2 day programme in transformative training.

The programme is designed to enable researchers in UCC to adapt, integrate and expand on their existing expertise to prepare for the many diverse career choices ahead of them.  It also highlights the significant differences and/or advantages to the many workplace cultures that exist beyond academia.  In a time of increasing career complexity, researchers must pursue professional opportunities not only in academia but also in industry, government, non-profits, and entrepreneurship. **

The content of the  modules are:

1. Organisational cultures beyond academia

2. What are the metrics for success in organisations beyond academia

3. The numbers - the facts about careers in academia

4. Fear and personal change

5. Changing your perspective

6. Career opportunities available to researchers in a range of work environments

7. Specific research skills valued by organisations beyond academia

8. How applications are won and lost

9. Using research skills resourcefully to move beyond academia

10. Discover the skills you already have!

11. Develop a career action plan

12. Speakers who have successfully transitioned from academia to other domains

It also includes:

• Meeting with participants individually prior to the programme to explain the programme and get to know them and their career expectations

• Meeting with participants individually after the programme for individual CV Clinics

• Tracking the careers of those who completed the programme for 2 years (with their permission of course!)

For further information on the Odyssey Programme please contact Mary O'Regan HR Research Manager UCC email: marykate.oregan@ucc.ie 

The Trainers

Mary O'Regan HR Research Manager University College Cork

Dr Jay Chopra from Making Shift Happen

Dr Anne Gannon HR Wellbeing & Development Manager University College Cork

Fionnan O'Sullivan Oliver Mall

All the trainers are experienced in working within a university environment (Research or Academic) and provide expert knowledge of organisational culture and practice in business/industry/non-profit work environments.  They also bring experience of career and professional practices in work environments beyond academia.

  RESULTS SINCE PILOT LAUNCHED IN JULY 2018 Of the 177 PhD students and research staff who completed the programme:

• 34% have pursued rewarding careers beyond academia.

• 36% have remained in UCC in the same role or have been promoted.

• 26% are completing PhD’s.

• 4% have moved on to other universities globally in research/academic roles.

The 34% who have moved beyond academia hold roles such as: Environmental NGO Project Member, Medical Affairs Officer, Senior Metabolic Engineer, Global Scientific Communications Associate, Regulatory Writer, Information Developer, Clinical Trials Associate, Associate Scientist and/or Associate Research Scientist, Operations Manager, Clinical Biochemist and many more.

See this website https://www.ucc.ie/en/hr/research/theodysseyprogrammeucc/