Across our three partner universities, Leeds, Sheffield, and York, doctoral researchers share a common challenge: transitioning high-level academic expertise into fulfilling, impactful careers. 

Whether you are aiming to remain in academia or explore roles across industry, policy, healthcare, or the third sector, taking that first step can feel daunting.

The White Rose PhD Careers and Networking Fair is designed specifically to connect doctoral researchers with regional employers, creating a shared space for career exploration, knowledge exchange, and meaningful networking.

To help you navigate the fair with confidence, we’ve put together practical tips for making the most of the event, alongside expert insight from careers specialists across our partner institutions.

Advice from the experts

“Being prepared helps you make the most of the PhD Career Fair. Research who is attending on the event webpage. For employers that interest you, what sector are they in? What do they do, and what makes them different? This research beforehand enables you to ask questions that make you stand out, around information that can’t be found on their website. You could also prepare an introduction or elevator pitch in advance,” says Jason Law, Careers Consultant at the University of Leeds.

“A careers fair is the perfect opportunity for you to practice different ways of communicating your skills and strengths to non-academic recruiters. You could prepare and test a couple of different ‘pitches’ to see which has the best impact when you introduce yourself. And think carefully before preparing an introduction that leads with the topic of your doctoral thesis: while one or two specialist recruiters might find your niche expertise relevant, non-specialists will likely be more interested in the transferable skills you’ve developed –  such as independent thinking, problem solving, organisation and time management, communication and project delivery,” says Dr Rebecca Woodfield, Careers & Employability Consultant (Researchers) at the University of Sheffield.

“Leave some room for discovery. Use conversations with employers to explore where your skills and experience could take you, ask questions and test out ideas about different career paths. You don’t need to speak to every employer – focus on having a few meaningful conversations. You may find that a conversation opens up an opportunity or sector you hadn’t previously considered – or helps you rule something out. Remember, employers are there because they want to meet researchers, so there’s no need to have all the answers – be curious, start a conversation and see where it leads,” says Lou Dobson, Careers Communications Officer at the University of York.

Plan ahead

A PhD careers fair can feel overwhelming if you arrive without a plan. Take time beforehand to review the list of attending organisations and regional employers.

Identify priority organisations you are particularly interested in and prepare some relevant questions specifically for that organisation. At the event, keep an open mind and remain open to speaking with other institutions at the event.

Employers outside of academia value the problem-solving, project management, and analytical skills PhDs possess. Think beforehand about how your research experience can translate into different industries, and where your key strengths lie.

Prepare an elevator pitch

When talking to an employer or a fellow researcher, you need a quick, accessible way to introduce yourself. Avoid using overly dense or academic vocabulary here. Aim for a 30-second summary that covers:

• Who you are and your broad field of research
• The core problem your research addresses (in plain English)
• The types of roles or sectors you are keen to explore

Practice your pitch with non-expert friends or family to see if it’s easy for a lay audience to understand. 

Be curious

The White Rose PhD Careers Fair is built around genuine knowledge exchange and relationship building. Rather than simply asking “Are you hiring?”, approach conversations with curiosity:

“What kind of problems is your team currently trying to solve?”

“What made you choose to join this organisation, and what has kept you here?”

“What skills do you find most valuable?”

Build networks across institutions

Don’t limit your networking solely to employers. The fair brings together doctoral researchers from across Leeds, Sheffield, and York. Sharing experiences, challenges, and career ideas with peers from other universities can open up unexpected collaborations and fresh perspectives.

Make sure your LinkedIn is up to date, and try to find out people’s names and ask to connect on LinkedIn to grow your personal network.

Career development is an ongoing journey rather than a single event.

By bringing together the collective strengths of the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, and York, the White Rose University Consortium helps doctoral researchers have access to the broad networks, regional opportunities, and expert guidance needed to thrive in any sector.

Find out more about how the White Rose University Consortium can support you.