Our Comprehensive Curriculum
Discover Your Skills
Discover the professional skills from your PhD that enhance your career versatility with our online Skills Self-Assessment. Gain the language to articulate these skills to prospective employers and customize your professional development based on your unique career goals.
Develop as a Leader
Immerse yourself in our Leadership curriculum, centered around Ivey Business School's renowned Leader Character framework. Cultivate the strength of character needed to shape decisions, drive innovation, and create positive change.
Maintain Your Wellbeing
Nurture your wellbeing and productivity through our Thriving curriculum. Apply strategies to monitor your progress, navigate challenges, and recognize when help is needed.
Prepare for Your Career
Gain confidence and clarity in navigating your career with our Career Engagement curriculum. Built on Stanford's Life Design approach, envision multiple paths forward to design a meaningful career. Leverage your unique strengths to enhance your impact and engagement.
OUR unique APPROACH
Preparing Doctoral Graduates to be Leaders in the Contemporary Labour Market
“Through Own Your Future, I feel more competitive in my job search knowing that I have invested in areas that will set me apart from other candidates.” - Josh Stoikos, PhD Student, Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
The PhD has historically prepared students for tenure-track careers; however, the global academic landscape is evolving. Universities worldwide now acknowledge the multifaceted potential of a PhD that extends beyond academia. At Western University, we embrace this paradigm shift, and recognize that doctoral graduates possess remarkable capabilities that add value to diverse career pathways and society at large.
Join us in redefining the PhD experience.
Own Your Future empowers PhDs to navigate new and emerging career opportunities. Participants explore how their academic skills and strengths translate to diverse career paths to harness the full value of the PhD. Through our innovative career and professional development workshops, participants cultivate self-awareness and lifelong learning skills that foster lasting professional success.
Our unique approach involves innovative self-assessments, strategic partnerships with academic and industry experts, and rich interdisciplinary collaboration among participants.
Feedback
"Own Your Future has illuminated the transferrable skills I’m cultivating during my PhD, skills such as discipline, self-motivation, attention to detail, and intellectual rigour. The program has opened my eyes to how these skills are valuable to employers in both academic and non-academic settings."
Crystal Taylor, PhD Student, Philosophy
"With the uncertainty of securing a tenure-track position, Own Your Future gave me confidence while cultivating the skills that are highly sought out by employers so I can thrive in the workplace. Through the workshops and discussion with my peers across disciplines, I have gained a new lens on how my degree can be applied to diverse careers"
Priyanka Prabhu, PhD Student, Chemistry
Our Partners
- Career Education
- Center for Teaching & Learning
- Department of Engish & Writing Studies
- Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership
- Learning Development & Success
- Transition, Leadership, and Enrichment
- Wellness Education
- Western Libraries
- Western Research
- Writing Support Centre
Questions?
Julie Jonkhans, PhD (she/her)
Doctoral Professional Development Coordinator
p. 519-661-2111 x80326
julie.jonkhans@uwo.ca