The 29th of May marked the conclusion of the EDUC TESE Days, a pivotal event hosted in Cagliari by the University of Cagliari's EDUC team, under the leadership of EDUC and in collaboration with the Faculty of Law, Economics, and Political Science. This event gathered doctoral students and experts from eight partner universities of the EDUC Alliance, fostering invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange and entrepreneurial skill development.
Student Perspectives Illuminate the Experience
From the outset, doctoral students and academic experts came together to explore innovative approaches to career development and interdisciplinary collaboration. Reflecting on the event's impact, Justine Noyer, a third-year PhD student at UPN, noted, "The event brought together doctoral students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and representatives from the professional world of European universities and enabled participants to compare different methods and support the discovery of new approaches to job hunting, the promotion of cross-disciplinary skills and the transmission of the desire for social impact."
A Focus on Professional Growth
Across three intensive days, participants engaged in workshops and lab sessions designed to enhance their skills and prepare them for the complexities of today's job market. Pierre-Louie Sutton, also from UPN, shared, "My participation in this event was extremely rewarding. I was able to gain a better understanding of the expectations of recruiters from different European countries, and, above all, I was able to familiarise myself with the specific techniques involved in writing cover letters and CVs and to learn the codes of the job interview. Presenting my poster also enabled me to share my research work with a very varied audience, which strengthened my ability to present my thesis more effectively. The experience also provided me with valuable networking opportunities with professionals and researchers from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines."
Highlighting Career Day
On May 29, the event culminated with participation in Career Day at the University of Cagliari. This day, which is entirely dedicated to the world of work, saw the participation of students and graduates from all UniCa study programs and hosted EDUC doctoral students.
During the Career Day, the doctoral students had the opportunity to present themselves to companies seeking new talents, exploring potential career paths, and creating useful connections for their future. Additionally, a significant event moment was the workshop conducted by the pedagogical engineer of EDUC for the University of Cagliari, Fabio Sorrentino, along with the Vice-Rector for Internationalization, Alessandra Carucci.
Mariana Nogales Paez, a PhD student at UPN, emphasized, "The idea for the workshop was original, and they dealt with solving a problem that PhD students face. It was a good opportunity to network and learn. I would like to thank the University Paris Nanterre and the EDUC Alliance for giving me the opportunity to take part."
The Importance of European University Alliances
Throughout the event, participants highlighted the transformative impact of international collaborations within the EDUC Alliance. Antonin Guillard, reflecting on the diverse interactions, stated, "The three study days were rich in human encounters with doctoral students and lecturers from different universities and disciplines. These very diverse relationships offer a renewed vision of the thesis, which is perceived very differently in law, physics or linguistics. More specifically, the various training courses on offer have given me the opportunity to identify my career plans more clearly and to build a real strategy for achieving them. This dynamic can also be supported by the human network developed on a European scale. ”
Yannick Gnanou, Director General of Fondation Université Paris Nanterre and participant in TESE Days 2024 reflected on the event: "The event was remarkably well organized and provided an excellent opportunity for networking and collaboration. The interactive activities particularly enriched the experience, allowing PhD students to better understand their strengths and define their career goals with greater clarity."