Careers Archives - Enhancing Postgraduate Environments https://postgradenvironments.com/category/careers/ Mon, 05 Nov 2018 13:21:53 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9 https://postgradenvironments.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/favicon.png Careers Archives - Enhancing Postgraduate Environments https://postgradenvironments.com/category/careers/ 32 32 Predatory Journals: How to identify and avoid them https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/11/06/predatory-journals-identify-avoid/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:34:02 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=804 This brief tutorial defines “predatory journals” and their major characteristics. It provides information to help novice academics to avoid this trap. Developed by Mark P...

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]]> This brief tutorial defines “predatory journals” and their major characteristics. It provides information to help novice academics to avoid this trap.

Developed by Mark P Snyders, Digital Scholarship Librarian, University of the Western Cape. Thanks to Jessica van der Hoek and Duane Bowers.

Who might find this useful?

Novice academics may find this useful as they begin publishing their research. This video might add a useful contribution to any workshop on academic publishing and knowledge dissemination

Explore these additional resources

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]]> Deciding to do a Doctoral degree? https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/11/06/deciding-doctoral-degree/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:22:41 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=801 Advancement of research and innovations capacity is a basis upon which, sustainable socio-technological developments can be built. Increasing the number of doctoral graduates can improve...

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]]> Advancement of research and innovations capacity is a basis upon which, sustainable socio-technological developments can be built. Increasing the number of doctoral graduates can improve this potential. Deciding to do a doctoral degree however, can be difficult. This video captures this challenge, outlining key guidelines to consider when exploring a doctoral post graduate career.

Developed by Prof Nhlanhla B.W. Mlitwa (Mlita), Director, Research and Innovation Office (RIO), University of Zululand. Thanks to Ms Dinah Arnott (Grahamstown), Priscilla Masamba (Ph.D candidate, MicroBio); Amanda Phungula (NRF Intern, BioChem); Bukhulubenkosi Mthethwa (Masters candidate, Humanities); Halalisani Mlambo (Masters candidate, Humanities), Ms Nomnikelo P. Lundall (IP & Tech Transfer office), and Londiwe Hadebe (Training & Development) – all from the University of Zululand.

Who might find this useful?

This material is directed at postgraduate students who are completing, or have completed their Master’s degree/s, and are seeking guidance on how to proceed to a doctoral degree level.

Explore these additional resources

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]]> Deciding to do a Master’s Degree? https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/11/06/deciding-masters-degree/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 11:04:39 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=796 New information suggests that many students delay pursuing post graduate studies, due to lack of related insight on what is possible. This video captures plight...

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]]> New information suggests that many students delay pursuing post graduate studies, due to lack of related insight on what is possible. This video captures plight of affected students, and offers illustrative guidance on key considerations, how to position yourself for enrollment, and ultimately, a successful progression into a Master’s qualification – from registration up until graduation.

Developed by Prof Nhlanhla B.W. Mlitwa (Mlita), Director, Research and Innovation Office (RIO), University of Zululand. Thanks to Ms Dinah Arnott (Grahamstown), Priscilla Masamba (Ph.D candidate, MicroBio); Amanda Phungula (NRF Intern, BioChem); Bukhulubenkosi Mthethwa (Masters candidate, Humanities); Halalisani Mlambo (Masters candidate, Humanities), Ms Nomnikelo P. Lundall (IP & Tech Transfer office), and Londiwe Hadebe (Training & Development) – all from the University of Zululand.

Who might find this useful?

This material is directed at students who are completing, or have completed their fourth year (honours) degrees, seeking guidance on how to proceed to a Master’s level.

Explore these additional resources

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]]> Understanding the PG journey & process https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/11/06/understanding-pg-journey-process/ Mon, 06 Nov 2017 10:47:11 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=792 Many students delay or end up avoiding post graduate studies, often due to misperceptions on what the process entails. This video captures students in this...

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]]> Many students delay or end up avoiding post graduate studies, often due to misperceptions on what the process entails. This video captures students in this predicament, and offers illustrative guidance on key considerations, how to position yourself for enrolment, and ultimately, a successful Post Graduate career – from registration up until graduation.

Developed by Prof Nhlanhla B.W. Mlitwa (Mlita), Director, Research and Innovation Office (RIO), University of Zululand. Thanks to Ms Dinah Arnott (Grahamstown), Priscilla Masamba (Ph.D candidate, MicroBio); Amanda Phungula (NRF Intern, BioChem); Bukhulubenkosi Mthethwa (Masters candidate, Humanities); Halalisani Mlambo (Masters candidate, Humanities), Ms Nomnikelo P. Lundall (IP & Tech Transfer office), and Londiwe Hadebe (Training & Development) – all from the University of Zululand.

Who might find this useful?

This material is intended for students who are completing, or have completed their final year of undergraduate study, and are seeking guidance on how to proceed to the next level in their academic career.

Explore these additional resources

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]]> Selecting a Journal for your publication https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/16/selecting-journal-publication/ https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/16/selecting-journal-publication/#comments Mon, 16 Oct 2017 08:40:42 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=692 This three-part series of videos looks at a number of crucial issues to take into account when selecting the journal for your academic publication. The...

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]]> This three-part series of videos looks at a number of crucial issues to take into account when selecting the journal for your academic publication. The first video looks at where the pressure to publish comes from. It argues that this pressure can lead us to think that the end goal is ‘getting published’. This then has negative consequences for quality and collaboration. The video argues that we should rather be thinking about publishing as joining a conversation and making a contribution to knowledge. In the second video, key issues that an author needs to take into account when selecting a journal are considered. From readership, to citation indices and more, the video outlines a number of concerns; in particular, this video engages with the debates around open access publishing and spells out what ‘counts’ as an accredited journal article for subsidy purposes. The final video reflects on the rise of predatory publications. The video spells out how we can spot predatory publications but also reminds the viewer that if we focus on contributing knowledge within an existing conversation in the field, we are less likely to be caught in such scams.

Developed by Professor Sioux McKenna, Director Centre for Postgraduate Studies, Rhodes University.

Who might find this useful?

These three videos will be of use to postgraduate scholars and supervisors and to any academics embarking on publication. It can be viewed independently or could be used within a workshop or short course on academic publishing.

Explore these additional resources

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]]> https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/16/selecting-journal-publication/feed/ 1 Research design and methods https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/13/research-design-methods/ Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:43:37 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=680 Methodology and methods are often confused in postgraduate research, especially in smaller scale, shorter studies, such as those completed in a coursework Honours or Masters...

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]]> Methodology and methods are often confused in postgraduate research, especially in smaller scale, shorter studies, such as those completed in a coursework Honours or Masters degree programme. These terms mean quite different things, though with methodology referencing a more conceptual, abstracted understanding of what kind of study you are doing, and why, and methods understood as practical tools that you can use to realise your study design and purpose. This Prezi takes students through a basic explanation of what the different terms mean, and how they fit together in designing a research study. It then goes further to explore how methodological choices are made by crucially taking guidance from the research questions, and theoretical framework for the study. The additional reading recommended below, as well as the worksheet, enable further exploration of this topic, and an opportunity for students to link the video and reading materials with their own research study.

Developed by Sherran Clarence, Independent higher education consultant. Thanks to Carmel van Niekerk for the narration.

Who might find this useful?

This material is primarily for postgraduate scholars, to assist them in conceptualising and plotting out their methodology and methods, if they are starting out, or revising this section if they are further along in their study. It can also be utilised, with the worksheet, in postgraduate research workshops. The additional reading may be useful for supervisors and postgraduate mentors, to guide their students in developing this section of the research project.

Questions for users:

For supervisors/PG support staff: What methodologies do you typically use in your research – qualitative/quantitative, exploratory/causal and so on. Why and how do you use these? What aspects of your own research design process and decision-making can you share with your students, to help them to think about and construct their own? What reading, or other resources can you point them to, to get them started, or deepen their thinking?

For students: What is your research design? Why have you chosen this design? What data are you planning to generate, why, and how?

Explore these additional resources

Worksheet: Outlining a research design and its tools

Blogposts:

 

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]]> The importance of transferable skills https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/13/importance-transferable-skills/ Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:10:02 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=669 Graduates need to identify the job specific and transferable skills they need to develop to be competitive in the job market. This video focus on...

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]]> Graduates need to identify the job specific and transferable skills they need to develop to be competitive in the job market. This video focus on the competencies employers looks for in graduates. The additional readings, development plan, and resumé template, will provide graduates with a better understanding of the competencies needed to be successful in the job market and how to present their skills in their CVs.

Developed by Dr Henriëtte van den Berg (University of Free State) and Mr Katleho Nyaile (Vice-President Postgaduate Student Council). Thanks to Mr Brian Munro for the video recording and editing.

Who might find this useful?

Postgraduate students and supervisors may find this video helpful.

Complete the following Individual development plan to determine your training objectives for the next year and to use as a basis to write the skills and competencies section in your CV.

Read the following aricle in The Guardian and then write your CV (using the CV template included). https://www.grb.uk.com/careers-advice/graduate-cv

 

Explore these additional resources

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]]> Career Development Resources https://postgradenvironments.com/2017/10/13/career-development-resources/ Fri, 13 Oct 2017 09:19:06 +0000 http://postgradenvironments.com/?p=661 There is no blueprint for a successful career, but graduates can steer their career paths in a positive direction through early planning and active implementation...

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]]> There is no blueprint for a successful career, but graduates can steer their career paths in a positive direction through early planning and active implementation of a career plan. A vast array of electronic career planning and development resources are available. This presentation introduces users to different career planning resources that can be used in the career planning processes. The additional readings and career plan template will be of great value to graduates.

Developed by Dr Henriëtte van den Berg (University of Free State) with voice-over by Dr Mardi Delport (Central University of Technology). Thanks to Mr Wynand Viljoen for the recording and editing of the presentation.

Who might find this useful?

Postgraduate students may find this video helpful.

Complete the following career development plan to formulate an action plan for your future career.

Explore these additional resources

Resources on resume writing

Interviewing skills

Search engines to search for vacancies

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