TU Berlin Center for Junior Scholars (TUB-CJS)

Program overview summer term 2024

In this summer term, the program will be held in English!

proMotion training is one of two program parts of the proMotion program. The goal of proMotion training is to accompany a fixed group of female doctoral students for one semester. proMotion training supports them in their doctoral studies with workshops on the topics of goal setting, work productivity, communication, networking and career orientation. Also, we would like to promote a strong interdisciplinary network among the participants. Next to exchange and networking through taking part in the workshops as a group, there is an additional optional peer coaching offer.

The proMotion training program is in a blended format, workshops will be held online and offline.

Program

proMotion Kickoff Workshop - My Path to a Successful Doctoral Degree

  • 2 May 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Opening a new round of proMotion training, this workshop invites program participants to reflect on their path to their doctorate and their individual goals: How would you describe the current status of your doctorate? If you look back at you process, what have you already achieved? Which specific steps do you see ahead of you? What was your initial motivation to start the entire process? And how would you describe your current motivation? What are your overall objectives? And what do you want to achieve over the course of this program?

In the spirit of the proMotion training program, this workshop aims to create a positive atmosphere for peer support and foster personal networking among the participants. The kickoff workshop is therefore mandatory for all program participants.

Objectives:

  • Learn about common dynamics on the path to a doctoral degree
  • Check your motivation and clarify your goals
  • Reflect on your doctoral journey (past and future)
  • Define your personal goals for the (time of the) program

Finding Your Groove – Sustainable Productivity Strategies for Doctoral Researchers

  • 27 May 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (online)
  • 03 June 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (online)
  • 10 June 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (online)

Planning and perseverance are two of key factors in accomplishing your doctorate. But how do you plan your doctoral project, when it is supposed to evolve in the research process? How can you stay focused and keep up your motivation over such an extended period of time? How can you structure your daily work to support this long-term process? Which external and internal factors propel your work – and which inhibit it? How can you enhance the positive aspects of your working style and learn to tame the negative ones?

Based on the premises of holistic planning and sustainable productivity, we will integrate all aspects of life into the planning process and focus as much on reducing (inner) pressure as on increasing productivity. You will explore your personal working style and reflect your current habits and attitudes. But you will also learn a range of techniques to tweak your productivity and implement practical tools to structure your working process.

Objectives:

  • Learn and apply effective strategies for planning your doctoral research
  • Analyze your current work habits and circumstances
  • Draft a weekly template tailored to your specific circumstances
  • Get new impulses to tweak your work process

The ABC’s of successful communication in dialogues, groups and meetings

  • 04 July 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • 05 July 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

ABC = Alignment, Bridgebuilding and Confidence.

In communication, we can focus on connection, ease and clarity in our communication. Everyone can develop their communication and collaborative skills, overcome restrictive and inhibiting dialogue patterns, creating connection in everyday and difficult circumstances.

Alignment: In all dialogues and collaborative settings it is possible to prepare well for the potential and pitfalls of what we may encounter and ensure we are aligned with our own integrity and authenticity.

Building bridges in the face of adversity is achievable when empathic dialogue is the focus. This means finding common ground, creating connection whilst still keeping our eyes on our boundaries and limitations.

Confidence comes from insight, practice and transfer. Female researchers face specific challenges and power dynamics in academia that can be prepared for and overcome. Clarity about how to secure our own inner resources, create achievable goals, aspire to more and overcome fear is central to success.

Content

If you would like to achieve greater confidence in communicating effectively, co-creating ease and connection in your collaboration, then this training is for you:

  • Language choices and language expansion: Words can be windows or walls
  • Fostering self-awareness, self-empathy and inner clarity
  • Authentic, calm and confident: Alignment in your personal style
  • Overcoming difficult power dynamics in groups + meetings
  • Formulating key messages and holding the space within a group setting
  • Real-life scenarios for realistic transfer plans

How to network intentionally to increase opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and professional recognition

  • 11 Spetember 2024, 9:30 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.

Content:

Starting a career as a young scientist, you will often hear that networking is crucial for progress, support, and recognition. As a female scientist, you might be hesitant to put yourself out there, whether due to concerns about i.e. gender issues or work-life balance, or simply because you don't want to 'oversell' yourself.

In this workshop, you are going to learn about the potential of networking for collaboration, mentorship, and professional recognition in science. First, you will analyse your current network and personal networking strategies. Using this foundation, you will explore ways to make networking more feasible, beneficial, and effective, tailored to your individual goals, preferences, and purposes. Thus, you can work on strategies to build meaningful connections, enhance your visibility, and contribute to a collaborative and supportive professional network.

The workshop will be highly interactive, drawing on the principles of Working Out Loud and the serious playfulness of liberating structures for discussion and peer support.

Learning objectives:

  • To understand the importance of networking for young scientists
  • To analyse the strengths and weaknesses of one’s current network
  • To clarify the values and benefits one can gain and provide while networking
  • To learn strategies to improve visibility in the scientific community 

    proMotion Closing Workshop - My Career Outlook

    • 17 October 2024, 02:00 p.m. - 05:30 p.m.
    • 18 October 2024, 09:30 a.m. - 04:30 p.m.

    As the proMotion training series comes to its end, it is time to review your personal highlights and identify some key inspirations you draw from the program. But it is also a suitable moment to look ahead and consider your professional aspirations for the time after the doctoral process: How specific are your ideas for your professional development at the current stage? Do you see yourself rather pursuing a career in or outside of academia? Do you have any particular areas in mind? Which information or what other kind of support would you need to take a step forward in this matter?

    Finally, the workshop encourages participants to stay connected and continue the practice of peer support.

    Objectives:

    • Review your personal progress (over the course of the program)
    • Learn about career options in and outside of academia
    • Reflect on your professional aspirations
    • Determine the next steps for your professional development

    Optional: additional meetings of your Peer Coaching Group (scheduled by the participants themselves)