Making choices for good research and a good life during doctoral studies
How can doctoral students pursue meaningful research while maintaining their well-being and preparing for future careers? These questions were at the heart of a two-day workshop led by Professor Geraldine Fitzpatrick on 13–14 October in Tallinn. Organised by Tallinn University's School of Digital Technologies as part of the Estonian Doctoral School, the workshop brought together doctoral students in mathematics, computer science and informatics to reflect on their experiences, challenges and career aspirations.
The workshop, "You at your best: Skills to navigate your PhD and career", focused on helping doctoral students better understand their strengths, develop practical self-management strategies and explore different career opportunities.
Finding your own identity as a researcher
According to Professor Fitzpatrick, an internationally recognised researcher and academic career development expert, one of the keys to a successful and fulfilling research career is understanding who you are and how you work best. "We often think there has to be this ideal model of a researcher, and we don't trust ourselves enough to develop our own identity as researchers," she explained.
While doctoral studies offer freedom and independence, they also come with challenges. Research rarely has clear stopping points, and there is always another paper to write or project to pursue. Professor Fitzpatrick emphasised that making conscious choices about work, setting boundaries and finding time for life outside academia are essential for both well-being and good research.
Another challenge is the feeling that everyone else is coping better. "Everyone thinks they're the only one going through the challenges. Everyone thinks everyone else has got it together or is doing OK," she said.
She pointed out that academic environments often focus on achievements while everyday struggles, uncertainties and disappointments remain unspoken. Sharing these experiences with peers can help doctoral students feel less isolated and realise that such difficulties are a normal part of research. "When you share it, you get support. You also get to hear that other people are the same. It doesn't stop it being a hard time, but you can stop beating yourself up about it as much."
Looking beyond the PhD
The second day of the workshop focused on future career opportunities. Professor Fitzpatrick encouraged doctoral students to think beyond traditional academic careers and recognise that their skills can be valuable in many different fields.
Rather than focusing on a specific job title, she suggested considering who they are at their best - what kinds of problems they enjoy solving, which methods they want to use and what impact they hope to make. Understanding these interests can open up career possibilities that students might not otherwise consider.
She also stressed that universities and supervisors have a responsibility to start career discussions early and help doctoral students develop skills that keep different career paths open.
Supporting independence through supervision
Professor Fitzpatrick also highlighted the important role supervisors play in supporting doctoral students. In her view, successful supervision is not just about research but also about building a strong working relationship based on open communication and mutual understanding.
"Take time to talk about the process, the communication and the relationship, because it's a relationship. We often just start talking about the content," she explained. "But we need to talk about: Who are you? Who am I? How are we going to work together? How are we going to deal with challenges?"
She also encouraged supervisors to ask good questions rather than always provide answers, allowing doctoral students to develop their confidence, independence and identity as researchers.