How to decide what to do with your career

Eventually, many academics face this possibility: leaving, quitting academia. Ofen, it is a 
decision fraught with much emotion, perceived as a threat to our identity, to our sense of 
self and pride. The uncertainty of our prospects in the outside world also fuels fears and 
doubt. What will I do? What can I do? In this talk we introduce some helpful strategies to 
explore and expand the landscape of our options. We will also discuss practocal tips and tools 
to face the culture change and ease the most common frictions academics face when 
transitioning to a role in the private sector.

Vicent Botella-Soler has been a PhD student (physics), a Postdoc (neuroscience), a machine learning 
consultant for start-ups, a R&D manager for a tech company. With extensive international 
experience in both academia and industry, he now works as a freelance consultant and 
author, helping academics and industry professionals snap out of cognitive traps and long-held beliefs hindering their development. He specializes in critcal thinking and decision-making for individuals and team.

Trainer:        Vicent Botella-Soler
Target Group:  all postdocs
                         (Priority is given to postdocs with a  DESY contract)
Date:                October 07, 2025
Time  :             10:00-12:00

Please register here!

Mini-Workshop/Life Hack „How to transfer your skills from academia to the world outside“

This mini-workshop is about making the participants aware of the skills they have acquired in academia which are attractive for the job market outside of academia. Participants reflect on their individual strengths in a small group. Together, they then compile the "typical" skills acquired in academia and look at how they can be transferred to the "outside" world.

Trainer: Dr. Cornelia Rahn
Target Group:  all postdocs
                         (Priority is given to postdocs with a  DESY contract)
Date:                October 16, 2025
Time  :             10:00-12:30

Please register here!

How to fight discrimination and deal with diversity in your team

Diversity is a lived reality in many work groups in academia, but nevertheless these teams often have no clear understanding of the benefits or additional challenges of a diverse work environment. The biggest issues are undoubtedly undetected micro-aggressions and discrimination. This workshop will give a very brief introduction into how every individual can contribute to a group culture that is defined by mutual respect and open, empathic communication rather than reoccurring injustices. We will focus on the prevention of discrimination and instant reactions to difficult situations in your work environment.

Due to the introductory character of this course, we will not be able to address fundamental system changes (which are of course necessary) or official complaints procedures as a response to severe discrimination in greater depth. However, the trainer can provide information on these issues to the participants if they are interested to dive deeper.

About the trainer: Eileen Schwanold is a Social and Organizational Psychologist (MSc) specialized in Diversity & Social Equality. Currently she is developing and implementing Diversity strategies for the Cluster of Excellence “CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter” at the University of Hamburg and Programme Coordinator of the Mentoring Programme dynaMENT. Furthermore, she offers talks and workshops on Diversity Matters. Outside of her main occupations she has experience in young talent promotion and social justice in the educational sector through her year-long volunteer work with the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) where she was a scholarship holder herself during her studies in Germany and the UK.

Trainer: Eileen Schwanold

Date: 23rd October 2025

Time: 13.30-15:30 Uhr

Please register here!