Career Day for Early Career Researchers 2024

On 20 September 2024, the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (MPI-AB) and the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) hosted a Career Day at the University of Konstanz, as part of the annual Postdoc Appreciation Week. With a focus on exploring careers beyond academia, the event aimed to promote dialogue between early career researchers and alumni, showcasing a range of diverse career paths.

Held at the VCC, the day featured parallel sessions with distinguished speakers representing various sectors, including private industry, IT, consulting, start-ups, public administration, and science management. These sessions provided valuable insights into alternative professional routes.

Parallel sessions were followed by a panel discussion, where invited speakers discussed career strategies, challenges, and personal experiences from their respective fields. They also shared their personal journeys by discussing the reasons that led them to their current positions and the key skills from their academic background that proved relevant in their new roles.

The event concluded with an informal networking session over snacks and drinks, allowing early career researchers to connect with alumni in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

By bringing together professionals from multiple sectors and fostering an open exchange of ideas, Career Day 2024 successfully provided participants with the knowledge, inspiration, and connections necessary to navigate careers beyond academia.