In May 2024, several doctoral students from University Paris Nanterre took part in the first-ever EDUC TESE Days — a three-day event focused on career development and skills training for PhD candidates across Europe. Hosted within the framework of the EDUC European University Alliance, the event welcomed students and professionals from various disciplines and countries, all with a shared goal: to explore new directions, exchange ideas, and prepare for life beyond the doctorate.
For many participants, the experience offered more than just practical tools. It became a space for honest conversations and new perspectives on research, careers, and collaboration.
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"The event brought together doctoral students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and representatives from the professional world of European universities," said Justine Noyer, a third-year PhD student at UPN. "It 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."
The cross-disciplinary nature of the event was a recurring highlight.
"The three study days were rich in human encounters with doctoral students and lecturers from different universities and disciplines," shared Antonin Guillard, PhD student at UPN. "These very diverse relationships offer a renewed vision of the thesis... The training courses helped me to identify my career plans more clearly and to build a real strategy for achieving them."
Workshops offered concrete skills and hands-on practice — from building better CVs to preparing for job interviews.
"Presenting my poster enabled me to share my research work with a very varied audience, which strengthened my ability to present my thesis more effectively," said Pierre-Louie Sutton, PhD-teacher at UPN. "I gained a better understanding of the expectations of recruiters from different European countries... and I learned the specific techniques involved in writing covering letters and CVs."
"The idea for the workshop was original and they dealt with solving a problem that PhD students face," added Mariana Nogales Paez, PhD student at UPN. "It was a good opportunity for networking and learning."
The programme also offered insights for those supporting doctoral training at the institutional level.
"The event was remarkably well organised and provided an excellent opportunity for networking and collaboration," said Yannick Gnanou, Director General of the Fondation Université Paris Nanterre. "The interactive activities particularly enriched the experience, allowing PhD students to better understand their strengths and define their career goals with greater clarity."
TESE Days 2024 set the foundation for a new kind of European collaboration — one that supports not just academic progress, but personal and professional growth for doctoral researchers.
We look forward to welcoming even more participants and partners to the next edition of TESE Days in 2026. Stay tuned for another inspiring chapter of this transformative event!