You’ve spent years mastering your research. You can navigate complex methodologies, synthesize vast amounts of literature, and contribute original knowledge to your field. But when someone asks you about your career plans after the doctorate, do you hesitate?
‘Te Ara Whakamua: Navigating Our Doctoral Futures’ was designed for that moment of uncertainty. This eight-week programme brings together doctoral candidates from across disciplines to develop the professional skills, networks, and confidence needed to thrive in whatever career path you choose.
Building Community, Building Futures
The inaugural 2025 cohort, who have just completed the programme, comprised 30 students from across AUT’s five faculties. What they discovered wasn’t just a series of workshops, but a transformative journey that one participant described as taking them “from building a strong research community to reflecting on our future paths, combining practical career skills with discussions on wellbeing and cultural context.”
The programme begins where all meaningful learning should: with connection. At the marae, participants engage in a formal mihi whakatau that establishes cultural foundations and authentic relationships. These connections become the backbone of the entire experience. As one candidate reflected, “I now have friends who are walking this doctoral journey and continue to walk with them in this journey called life.”
A Journey Through Eight Sessions
- Te Hononga – Building research community and cultural foundations at the marae
- Te Whakamana – Resilience and wellbeing strategies for professional success
- Te Tūhono Mātauranga ki te ao mahi – Translating academic skills to industry careers
- He Reo Pono, He Reo Tika, He Reo Aroha – Communicating research across cultures and contexts
- Ngā Tapuwae Rangahau – Academic career perspectives from a panel of early career researchers
- He Kete Raraunga, He Kete Tikanga – AI literacy and ethical data practices
- Ngā Hua o te Mātauranga – Research commercialisation and entrepreneurship
- Te Amorangi ki Mua, Te Hāpai õ ki Muri – Cross-cultural leadership and professional growth
Preparing for What Comes Next
Over these eight sessions, the group worked through essential career competencies. They learned to translate their specialised research skills into language that resonates with employers outside academia. They practiced communicating complex ideas to diverse audiences, from academic peers to community stakeholders and potential funders. They explored resilience strategies specifically designed for the unique pressures of doctoral study. They discovered how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping their fields and heard from early career researchers about their real journeys from PhD to academic positions.
The programme wove Māori and Pacific cultural values throughout, not as an addition but as a foundation that enhances professional development. The cultural grounding and career preparation sessions together created a unique opportunity to develop the skills necessary to thrive in our Aotearoa New Zealand context.
“The diverse group of students and the professional connections forged through this platform are invaluable.” – 2025 Te Ara Whakamua participant
Expert facilitators brought both professional expertise and genuine cultural understanding, creating an environment where the group could explore potential futures: whether in academia, industry, government, non-profit sectors, or launching their own ventures. By the end, participants reported gaining “a renewed sense of confidence and direction” as they navigate the final stages of their PhD and prepare for what comes next.
Your chance to join the programme
For those who didn’t get a chance to join the programme in 2025, there is another chance! The programme will run again over eight weeks in Semester 1 2026. Applications are open now! Click here to apply.
