Branding you for doctoral students 2.0 ECTS FOR055F
COURSE SYLLABUS
Course name:
Branding you for doctoral students
ECTS/HP:
2,0 ECTS
Course code:
FOR055F
Educational level:
Third-cycle course
Entry requirements: The course is open for students admitted to third-cycle studies at LTU.
Course content:
Personal branding is an emerging area of marketing and branding theory. The course aims to provide a deeper understanding on what it takes to understand, develop, and prepare your personal brand for job opportunities once the doctoral student’s Ph.D. is successfully defended. Areas covered in the course include developing a post-doc personal brand for one of three potential markets: Staying within academia and seeking employment at other universities; working for industry (including both the private and public/government/non-profit sectors); seeking potential investment in an entrepreneurial idea originating from one’s research. The course will focus on developing both written and verbal/non-verbal communication skills, the former in order to become invited to a potential job interview/funding “pitch” opportunity.
Learning outcomes:
After passing the course, the student shall be able to:
- Account for the components of a personal brand that applies to Ph.D. students, including theories within branding, marketing, and communication.
- Analyze their personal brand as a potential employee in the public or private sectors.
- Develop both written and spoken communication tools for potential employment via continuing to work within academia; going to work within industry; finding employment in other public sectors, such as government or non-profit organizations; develop and pitch entrepreneurial ideas based on their research.
- Demonstrate an ability to reflect on and develop a personal branding strategy that applies to employment opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
The above learning outcomes implies that this course targets the following national criterium for a doctoral degree, as numbered in the Appendix B to the individual study plan:
2.6: demonstrate an ability to contribute to the development of society and to support the learning of others in research, education and other advanced professional contexts.
3.2: Demonstrate specialized insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, it’s role in society, and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used
Course methods:
This course includes lectures and individual assignments and is offered digitally, both in the online learning platform, as well as the use of digital tools. The student will work individually on a series of assignments designed to help them understand and build their personal brand in order to seek employment upon completing their Ph.D. This will prepare the doctoral student for employment opportunities within academia; within industry; or via an entrepreneurial venture based on their research. The course is given in English, however work done by the students, including meetings with the teacher can be either in English or Swedish. This will depend on the nature of their potential employment, as many organizations use English as a corporate/organizational language. This will be left up to the Ph.D. student to decide.
Examination form:
The course is assessed through individual assignments only.
Active participation and attendance are required to pass the course. This will be through the Ph.D. student following the course in an online environment, watching online lectures that connect to active work with certain assignments, at a time and pace that fits their schedule. The course will also include two “live” online meetings with the instructor, one at the start of the course and one at the end as a part of the final exam. This allows the Ph.D. student to take part in and complete the course at a time and at a pace that fits their Ph.D. studies.
Grading scale: Pass/Fail
Course literature:
Foster, T. & Oldenburg, M. (latest edition), Branding You: How to Market Yourself in a Competitive World, Studentlitteratur
Literature might be added.
Education cycle:
The course is given continuously during the year 2024. The course is read at a time and pace that suits the doctoral student and can be started and finished at any time during the year (January to December)
Course is given periodically: Yes, next time is planned 2026
Send application to: etks-foutb@ltu.se.
Doctoral student enter: name, civic registration number, e-mail, division and department in the application.
Deadline for application:
The course can be applied for continuously during the year, however, no later than 2024-10-17, in order for the course to be finished in December 2024
Course open for application by doctoral students admitted to other universities than LTU: Yes. Attach a registration certificate from Ladok in your application.
Limited number of students: No.
Tuition:
The course is free of charge for doctoral students admitted at LTU.
Contact person:
Tim Foster (tim.foster@ltu.se)
Examiner:
Associate Professor Tim Foster
Course syllabus decided by:
Helena Ranängen
Date of decision:
2023-12-04
Updated: