As well as the research skills you gain doing your PhD, there are other "transferable skills" that you may acquire as part of your work - things like how to work well in a team, how to make a good presentation or how to write for a particular audience. Graduates working for good employers in other sectors have opportuties to train in these "management" skills and there are now courses available for PhD students in the UK.

See the UK GRAD Programme for information about the courses available around the country.

Read the INTERVIEW with Raphaela Kitson-Panton, about the benefits of GRAD school courses.

Many funders will pay for their PhD students to attend these courses. To check your eligibility see this page.

Some formal training in these transferable skills will not only enhance your research career, but if you decide that the academic career path is not for you after all, it will really help your transition into another career.