On Friday 30 March, we held our annual PIPS Symposium at the Babraham Campus. The event aims to connect current students, who haven’t completed their PIPS yet, with potential host organisations. It was attended by host representatives coming from different sectors, such as GSK, PetMedix, UK Dementia Research Institute, Lifescience Dynamics, BeneficialBio, Sygnature Discovery, to name few.
Current students found the event very informative, “it made the process of applying for PIPs clearer and less daunting and motivated me to think about what I can do beyond academia” (feedback from a DTP student). They had an opportunity to learn about the range of different approaches that previous students took to find their own PIPS. Students, who have already completed their PIPS, clearly stated the benefits of the internship as a vehicle in helping them to further develop their capabilities and enhance their future career prospects.
From the Host Organisations’ point of view, the event represents a way to find out what students are expecting from an internship. It gives an opportunity to present their work and interact with the students, also the breadth of internships done elsewhere, could potentially provide them with new ideas. “The energy, enthusiasm and passion of the PhD students and their willingness to take time out from their research to widen their experience by taking on a PIPS project, unrelated to their PhD, was good to see” (feedback from one of the Host Organisations).
The PIPS Symposium is a cross-cohorts event; therefore it offers the opportunity to socialise and share experience, which varies according to the year’s cohort and their different stage in research.
After the event, many Host Organisations advertised their PIPS opportunities through the DTP office, so students will have a chance to find their 'perfect PIPS'!
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