Career Planning for Research Software Engineers

This workshop will provide an opportunity for Research Software engineers to think about their careers, including self-awareness, opportunities, decision making and planning.

You will consider your own skills, strengths and motivations around work and identify how different career opportunities match these. You will be able to think about and discuss your own career development as well as explore some activities which could help you achieve your next steps.

At the end of this session, you will be able to:

• Analyse your own transferable skills and strengths
• Identify some possible career and professional development opportunities
• Evaluate some development ideas to help build your experience
• Create an action plan for career related next steps

This workshop will be led by Sarah Allen, the Career Pathways Lead for the UK Institute of Technical Skills and Strategy. She supports the HE and Research technical community to plan and implement careers initiatives at a strategic, local and individual level. Sarah is a careers educator and coach and is passionate about supporting technicians to be fulfilled at work.

About the Research Software Camp: Careers and Skills in Research Software

The Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) runs Research Software Camps (RSCs), which aim to improve coding literacy by providing attendees with tailored programmes consisting of online workshops; panel discussions; resources such as guides, articles, and videos; and one-to-one support around specific topics within research software. The RSC format prioritises entry-level training while also supporting the transition to intermediate skills.

This year’s Research Software Camp, Careers and Skills in Research Software, will be delivered over the course of two weeks as a multi-session event tailored for early-career professionals, recent graduates, and anyone looking to transition into research software roles. Through a combination of hands-on workshops and engaging panel discussions, attendees will gain a strong foundation in both the technical and professional competencies in research software.