Pre-Conference PRIDE Training
Professionalising Researcher Career Guidance
Hosted by the University of Helsinki
from 4 to 5 May 2026
The pre-conference training is completely sold out. It is still possible to book the conference. Thank you for your enormous interest in this timely topic.
Pre-Conference PRIDE Training
Professionalising Researcher Career Guidance: Tools and Labour-Market Insight
This training equips professionals with evidence-based frameworks and practical tools to guide researchers through successful transitions beyond academia. Participants gain strategic labour-market insight and hands-on expertise in CV and LinkedIn positioning, and interview coaching—grounded in real cases and guided practice. Designed for professionals working with PhDs and postdocs, the program strengthens confident, ethical career guidance without slipping into prescriptive advice-giving.
The Pre-Conference Training Program:
Day 1: Monday, May 4, 2026
12:30-13:00 Arrival
Arrive register and use the time to exchange with peers.
13:00-13:15 Welcome Note by PRIDE Network Board Member
In our welcome note we will give you an initial introduction to the aims of the training and the conference.
13:15-17:30 Module 1: LinkedIn for Industry
LinkedIn remains one of the most underutilised tools among researchers transitioning from academia to industry. While many PhDs recognise its importance, they often lack a clear strategy for how to use it effectively.
This workshop focuses on:
• Optimising a LinkedIn profile for industry roles
• Using LinkedIn strategically in the job search
• Leveraging LinkedIn to build a professional network beyond academia
17:30 End of Day 1
Use the time to arrive in Helsinki. We will meet a bit later for our social program.
Evening offer: Social Program
We will offer a social activity to explore Helsinki and exchange with your peers.
Day 1: Monday, May 4, 2026
08:30-09:00 Arrival
Arrive register and use the time to exchange with peers.
09:00-13:00 Module 2: CV Writing for Industry Roles
Many PhDs experience repeated rejection not due to lack of competence, but because their experience is presented in an overly academic way. Transitioning to industry requires communicating value to a different audience.
This workshop covers:
• Key differences between academic CVs and industry CVs
• Structure and content of an effective industry CV
• Translating academic experience into industry-relevant skills
13:00-14:00 Lunch
Join us for lunch and get re-energised for the afternoon! Chat with the trainer and network with new PRIDE friends while enjoying a meal.
14:00-17:30 Module 3: Understanding the Industry Interview Process
For many PhDs, the industry interview process feels opaque and unpredictable, leading to insecurity and under-preparation. This session demystifies the process and provides a clear framework for interview preparation.
Topics include:
• Structure of typical industry interview processes
• Roles of different interviewers
• Common interview questions and how to prepare strong answers
This session will include additional insights from a hiring manager with over 20 years of industry hiring experience.
17:30 End of the Pre-Conference Training
Enjoy Helsinki. We will meet tomorrow at the 8th Annual PRIDE Conference.
The Trainer: Elena Hoffer
Elena Hoffer completed her PhD in Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm in 2023. During her doctoral training, she led initiatives at Karolinska Institutet to support researchers in exploring career paths beyond academia. Passionate about helping PhDs transition into industry with confidence, she co-founded Alma.me in 2024, a company dedicated to supporting PhDs in identifying their next career steps and taking practical action toward them. Through her work with both individuals and universities, Elena has helped hundreds of PhDs secure roles in industry over the past four years and has reached tens of thousands of researchers across Europe through her LinkedIn content on PhD careers beyond academia.
Conference and PRIDE Training Host
Founded in 1640, the University of Helsinki is Finland’s oldest and largest university, known for world-class research. Located in the capital, it is a leading European institution in sustainability, innovation, and open science.
