Argelander Career Days 2026 - Perspectives beyond Academia

Speaker: Dr. Imke Lode | Room: Lyra, first floor

Unsure whether you might continue your career outside of academia after your doctorate? Find out which non-academic paths are possible alternatives for you. We will explore eight different professional directions, what they require and what you can offer in terms of scientific and personal skills, and how you can prepare for a non-academic career.  

About Dr. Imke Lode:

She grew up in Berlin where she studied German Languages & Literatures, Media Sciences, Media & Social Psychology, and at the Institute of Antisemitic Research at Technical University. She completed her studies at New York University (New York City, USA), earning a Master of Arts in Cinema Studies and a Ph.D. in German Languages & Literatures. She spent 18 years in different non-academic positions (including leadership & CEO) in International Higher Education Management, PR & Marketing, and Consulting in the US and Germany. Since 2015, she is an independent consultant, speaker, trainer, and coach on transcultural and diversity-conscious leadership, team-development, non/academic careers, communication and conflict resolutions in higher education, the medical, public and NGO sectors.

* Please note that the Opening Talk is a compulsory part of the program.

Choose one of the workshops below and deepen your knowledge about the range of skills you have acquired, about career planning or the professional field of research management.

• Workshop A: Preparing a Career beyond Academia (Dr. Imke Lode, lindengruen - crossCultural consulting & communication) | Room: Lyra, first floor
  
  

  In this hands-on workshop, you will gain practical experience in preparing strategic steps for an exemplary job application in a non-academic field of your choice: understanding your strengths and transferable skills, identifying areas where you may need further training or experience, finding a mentor or coach, and building a network of professional connections and personal support to help you secure non-academic positions. 
  
  

• Workshop B: Identifying your Transferable Skills for a Career beyond Academia (Dr. Clara Stumm, TwentyOneSkills) | Room: Argelanderstr. 1, 0.005/0.006, ground floor  
  

  
  Unlock the full potential of your academic experience! In this workshop, you will learn how to recognize the valuable competencies you’ve developed during your time in research and translate them into strengths for diverse professional paths. Discover how your analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and project management skills can open doors far beyond academia—and gain the confidence to position yourself for your next career step.
  

  
  
• Workshop C: Career Option: Research Management (Dr. Robert Radu, Deputy Head of the Support for Early-Career Researchers | Dr. Wiebke Deimann, Project Manager, Academic Career Development, University of Bonn) | Room: Pegasus, ground floor
  
  Research Management is a professional field that has gained more and more attention in recent years. It offers an exciting field of work, especially for doctoral graduates who wish to work at the interface between research and administration. In this workshop, we will explore the following questions, among others:  What exactly does a researcher manager do? What requirements do employers have? What qualifies me for a job in research management? 

Attend one of our Role Model Talks to gain personal insights into different career paths based on first-hand experience. The Role Model Talks end at 4:15 p.m.

• Role Model Talk - Business/Entrepreneurship (Dr. Alireza Ahmadi, Founder and CEO of DynamoBot)
  Room: Lyra, first floor
• Role Model Talk - Research Management (Dr. Magdalena Baer Radermacher, Coordinator of Early-Career Researchers Support at ML4Q & Dynaverse Clusters of Excellence, University of Cologne)
  Room: Pegasus, ground floor

Identify your strengths in a one-on-one with HR development and get ideas for your next career step or application. Slots (40 minutes each) are assigned after registration, with the last slot ending at 5:00 p.m. Limited availability; first come, first served.

• My Competence Profile – Spotlight on Your Strengths offered by HR Development and Careers | Room: tba

Attend one of our Role Model Talks to gain personal insights into different career paths based on first-hand experience. The Role Model Talks end at 4:15 p.m.

• Role Model Talk - Business (Dr. Lars Flöer, Lead Consultant Artificial Intelligence at Comma Soft AG)
  Room: Lyra, first floor
  
  
• Role Model Talk - Entrepreneurship (Dr. Marcel Hövels | Dr. Andre Neff, Research transfer (with plans for a university spin-off) "Sweethoven Biotech")
  Room: Pegasus, ground floor

Identify your strengths in a one-on-one with HR development and get ideas for your next career step or application. Slots (40 minutes each) are assigned after registration, with the last slot ending at 5:00 p.m. Limited availability; first come, first served.

• My Competence Profile – Spotlight on Your Strengths offered by HR Development and Careers | Room: tba

Choose one of the workshops below and deepen your knowledge about job applications outside of academia or about networking.

• Workshop A: Launch Your Career Beyond Academia: CV-Writing and Applications  (Bridie McHale, Write English) 
  
  

  Ready to explore opportunities beyond academia? This practical workshop is designed for early-career researchers who want to turn their academic experience into exciting career opportunities in industry and other sectors. It will guide you through crafting a compelling CV and strong applications tailored to industry roles and beyond. You will learn how to identify your transferable skills, decode job descriptions, and present your experience in a way that speaks directly to employers. By the end, you will know how to structure your CV and write a persuasive cover letter that highlights your strengths and achievements.

  
  
• Workshop B: Personal Branding for Your Job Application (Dr. Michael Bessel, Coaching und Beratung UG)
  
  You have mastered complex research, published papers, and developed deep technical expertise - but can you articulate who you are beyond your credentials? Many doctoral students struggle to move past listing their qualifications and fail to present themselves as distinctive individuals. This workshop tackles a critical gap: transforming technical experts into memorable candidates who stand out not just for what they know, but for who they are. Learn practical strategies to discover and communicate your unique professional identity, turning your technical background into a compelling personal brand that resonates with decision-makers.
  
  
• Workshop C: Business Networking (Katja Wolter, academy-science.de)
  
  Cultivating a professional network is a key component of career advancement and landing new job opportunities. In this workshop, you will learn why networking is valuable and discover effective ways to connect with people across industries. Together, we will develop practical steps for reaching out and building professional relationships. The following questions will be addressed: How to build a professional network? How to connect with peers and/or with hiring managers? Network etiquette: What do I need to consider when networking?
  

Choose one of the workshops below and deepen your knowledge about job interviews outside of academia or about the hidden job market.

• Workshop D: Pitch Yourself - Winning Job Interviews Beyond Academia (Bridie McHale, Write English)
  
  

  Transitioning from academia to other sectors often means facing unfamiliar interview formats and expectations. This practical workshop will help you navigate job interviews with confidence and clarity. It will equip you with the tools to approach interviews with confidence and make a lasting impression. You will learn how to prepare effectively, give clear and engaging answers, and present your skills in a way that connects with non-academic employers. We will also cover how to handle difficult questions, showcase your strengths, and adapt to different interview formats so you can perform at your best. 
  
  

• Workshop E: Mastering Your Strengths & Weaknesses in a Job Interview (Dr. Michael Bessel,  Coaching und Beratung UG)
  
  "What do you consider your greatest strength?" and "Tell me about an area where you'd like to improve" are two deceptively simple questions that trip up even the most accomplished candidates. The challenge is finding your answer that demonstrates self-awareness without appearing arrogant or exposing vulnerabilities that cost you the job. This interactive workshop equips you with proven strategies to navigate these critical moments confidently. Learn how to articulate your strengths in ways that resonate with interviewers, address weaknesses honestly without self-sabotage, and strike the delicate balance between authentic humility and professional confidence. Through practical examples and guided practice, you'll develop responses that showcase both competence and character.
  
  
• Workshop F: Application Strategies in the Hidden Job Market – Strategies for Positioning,
  Networking, and Approaching Executive Search Consultants (Headhunter) (Katja Wolter, academy-science.de)
  
  Many career opportunities for scientists are never publicly advertised. Instead, they are filled through personal recommendations, professional networks, and executive search consultants (headhunters). This workshop introduces participants to practical strategies for gaining access to this hidden job market and positioning themselves strategically beyond traditional application pathways. Participants will learn how executive search consultants work, what they are actually looking for, and how scientists can use them. Special emphasis is placed on how to prepare for outreach and conversations in a way that aligns with both human decision-making and AI-supported screening processes.
  

Use our one-on-one CV-Check to get feedback on your CV for applications for non-academic positions. Stand out to employers and take the next step in your career with confidence!

Bridie McHale, Dr. Michael Bessel and Katja Wolter are looking forward to supporting you.

Please submit your CV in advance of the CV checks along with a job advertisement.

Explore your future from new angles: combine creative career planning with practical strategies to turn your research into real-world impact. Join us to experiment, reflect, and take the next step forward.

• Workshop A: Play Your Career: A Creative Approach to Career Planning for Early-Career Researchers (Dennis Daseking | Dr. Florentin Joscha Schmidt, Transfer Center enaCom) | Room: Poppelsdorfer Allee 49, room 1.003

  
  Career planning with a playful twist: In this interactive workshop, we use analog games and creativity methods to help you approach your professional future from a totally different angle. Whether you’re interested in business, or alternative paths, this is your opportunity to experiment, reflect, and network. No prior experience or preparation is necessary. Join us!
  
  

• Workshop B: Make an Impact: From Research to Use Case in 3 Hours (Greta Mittweg-Grapentin | Christina Qaim, Innovation Scouts Transfer Center enaCom) | Room: Pegasus, ground floor

  
  Shape the Future with your Research! Are you enthusiastic about your research and wondering how you can make an impact and translate it into effective, practical applications? In the workshop of Transfer Center enaCom, you'll discover the Research-2-Use Canvas - a powerful tool to structure your scientific projects and ideas with a focus on impact and practical application. We’ll give you first insights on how you may transform your scientific knowledge into viable solutions and products and bring your ideas successfully into action.
  
  Please note for workshop B: To actively participate in the exercises during the workshop, participants are kindly asked to bring their laptops.

Prof. Dr. Denise Fischer-Kreer | Room: Lyra, first floor

Denise Fischer-Kreer is a professor of entrepreneurial behavior at the University of Bonn. Her career has taken her both in Germany and abroad, encompassing academic institutions as well as industry. She focuses her research on sustainability-oriented entrepreneurship, psychological perspectives on entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurial change management. Committed to making an impact beyond academia, Prof. Fischer-Kreer empowers researchers, students, and entrepreneurs to develop innovative, practical solutions to today's social and environmental challenges. She is a member of the PhenoRob Cluster of Excellence and the TRA Sustainable Futures program.

* Please note that the Keynote is a compulsory part of the program.