Trinity Careers Service, Trinity Teaching and Learning

Contact Us Trinity Careers Service, Trinity Teaching and Learning

2nd Floor

7-9 South Leinster Street

Trinity College

Dublin 2

D02 K104

View the contact page for more contact and location information

careers@tcd.ie Gaeilge

Careers, employability and work-based learning for PhD students

Are you curious about the types of career prospects available for PhD students? Or perhaps you want to develop your career readiness upon graduation. Trinity Careers Service offers two accredited modules as part of the Trinity Structured PhD. These modules support PhD students with career planning, critical reflection and career decision-making, and offer opportunities to explore and prepare for careers in academia or industry.  

Careers and Employability PhD Modules

Students in a lecture hall

Audit Module

Module runs from January 2026 to end of April 2026. Click here to find out more.

5 ECTS Module

Module runs from January 2026 to end of May 2026. Click here to find out more.

10 ECTS Module

Module runs from January 2026 to the end of June 2026. Click here to find out more.

Trinity Careers Service offers a 5 ECTS module on Careers and Employability, and a 10 ECTS module on Careers, Employability and Work-based Learning, developed in collaboration with industry partners. The modules are offered in a blended learning format, which includes an online Skills Audit tool and a range of assessments. 

Students also have the option of auditing the 5 ECTS module, where you can register to attend the in-person workshops and access the online sessions, without submitting any assessments. The modules are open to students in all years of a full-time or part time PhD across all disciplines. 

These modules will be open for registration in November 2025 and will start in January 2026. All Trinity PhD students will be emailed once the modules are open. There is no need to register in advance.

By the end of these modules, participating PhD students will be able to:

  • Critically reflect on, develop and articulate their skills in relation to their PhD and for the workplace
  • Create a career path that reflects their beliefs, values, interests and potential
  • Apply tools to proactively manage their own career
  • Develop the skills to create meaningful connections with other PhD students, alumni and employers
  • Critically evaluate a work-based learning experience (secured by the student) in terms of their future career direction (10 ECTS module only)

Frequently Asked Questions for students

Pre-work:

Students will be required to complete an online Skills Audit Tool and Reflective Personal Development Plan, listen to an introductory podcast and review the Student Handbook, prior to attending the in-person day on 15th January 2025.

Students will undertake alternating face-to-face and recorded online sessions on the following topics:

Careers Stream (5 ECTS and 10 ECTS modules):

  1. Designing your Career (online)
  2. Navigating the Emotions of Planning and Managing your Career (online)

Skills Stream (5 ECTS and 10 ECTS modules):

  1. Mapping Skills onto Career Options (face-to-face)
  2. The Art and Craft of a great CV and Writing an Effective Cover Letter (online)
  3. Networking with Confidence (face-to-face)
  4. Presenting your Best Self at Interview (online)
  5. Intercultural Competence and the Global Workplace (online)

Work-based Learning Stream (10 ECTS module only):

  1. Preparing for your Work-based Learning Experience (online)
  2. Reflecting on your Work-based Learning Experience (online)
  3. Complete 100 hours WBL in the form of a mini-internship, a consulting project or another suitable experience

 

  • Bring knowledge and skills from the work-based learning experience back into your day-to-day PhD work.
  • Gain insight into a research or professional organisation and develop their awareness of that sector to help with future career decision-making.
  • Develop professional and employability skills such as communication, team-working, commercial awareness, problem-solving, applied research and self-management.
  • Make new professional contacts and build networks.
  • Boost your CV or LinkedIn profile by including work-based learning experience.
  • Gather examples and evidence from the workplace to use in interview situations.
  • Have an opportunity to reflect on your enhanced skillset, research and what you are looking for in a career.

Three different types of WBL experience are suitable as options in the 10 ECTS module:

  1. A mini internship, which for the purpose of this module, is defined as an approved and supervised immersive work experience with a host organisation of 100 hours in duration, that meets specific learning goals consistent with module learning outcomes above, is appropriate for a student at PhD level, and is within the scope of the College Internships and Placements policy.
  2. A consulting project, which for the purpose of this module, is defined as an independent project which is undertaken in collaboration with a host organisation over an agreed time period totalling 100 hours, that meets specific learning goals consistent with module learning outcomes above and is appropriate for a student at PhD level.
  3. Another suitable experience which meets specific learning goals consistent with module learning outcomes above and is appropriate for a student at PhD level, to be agreed with TCS, e.g. development of a new business idea or entrepreneurial venture, community learning.

Frequently Asked Questions For Academics

In order for your students to get the most from these modules, PhD Supervisors are asked to:

  • Fully support your student to undertake one of these modules if they express an interest.
  • Factor in the time required to undertake the various module sessions and supporting activities and resources, including the WBL experience for the 10 ECTS module (100 hours) and associated assessments, when planning research work. A clear timeline of module commitments will be provided to the student in advance of undertaking the module.
  • Help your student to critically reflect on their skills development through participation in the module. For example, by meeting to discuss the results of their Skills Audit or by assisting with preparation for the WBL experience through provision of advice, contacts for internships etc.

Potential benefits include:

  • Expanding your networks to new organisations may lead to links and opportunities for guest lecturing, research collaborations, work placements, etc.
  • Knowledge of policymaking and business practices gained can be shared with staff and students.
  • Create opportunities to access new funding streams, e.g. through knowledge exchange.
  • Develop impact case studies to showcase learning and impact.

For more details on these experiences, please read the Academic Supervisor Handbook.

Contact Trinity Careers Service

If you have any questions or comments please contact Fiona Hayes, Module Co-ordinator & Careers Consultant at postgrad.careers@tcd.ie