What are transferable skills?
During your postgraduate and postdoctoral research, one of your main aims will be to further your knowledge and expertise in your chosen field of science. But while you are carrying out your research, you’ll also be involved in various tasks that help you to develop a wider range of skills that will be useful to you as you progress through your career to more senior positions. Many of these skills will be useful to you whether you choose to stay in academia or pursue a career outside of research. Skills that apply to many different kinds of roles are known as ‘transferable’, or sometimes ‘soft’ skills.
For example, think about your tasks on a typical day in the lab. Maybe you presented some results to your group, helping to hone your communication skills. Or did you have to negotiate with a colleague over the use of some equipment? Perhaps you worked on an application for a travel grant, giving you some experience of acquiring funding for your research experience.
Developing transferable skills doesn’t just happen in the lab either. Think about some of the activities you get involved with in your spare time. Has playing football helped to develop your team mentality? Are you helping to organise social events within your department or the University?