In this section

Callum MacNab (he/him)

Bio

Details: 23, from Stirling, Scotland

Imperial Course: Grantham Institute SSCP DTP

Optional Modules: Attributes and Aspirations for PhD

Previous Education: BSc in Ecological and Environmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh , 1st

Clubs and Societies: Outdoor Club

Tags: Home, PGR, FoNS, Grantham, deaf

Motivations

Callum is drawn to the charity sector because he wants to work somewhere which aligns with his values, perhaps in ecology or biospheres but he is not exactly sure what he would do. He took a year out after finishing his undergraduate to earn money so he could continue his studies, he also volunteered at Lodge Forest as a biodiversity supporter. He spends a lot of time outdoors and as a member of the Edinburgh university hill walking club he regularly organised trips. At Imperial he is a member of the Outdoor club and has started rock climbing.

Frustrations

Callum lost his hearing at a young age and had a cochlear implant. He is finding it hard to adjust to London where everything is loud and access to nature is difficult. He is also struggling to understanding the range of opportunities that might fit with his values and how he can really check that employers’ practices follow what they say their green credentials are on their website. Callum also struggles to explain to his research team why he doesn’t want to remain in academia which is what he feels is what is expected of him one he gains his PhD.

AA Journey
DAS

AA Journey

Callum uses Attributes and Aspirations for PhD the sections in bold refer to the units he takes.

Callum is new to Imperial and London and in EE3 for PhD – Organisation and Prioritisation he uses prioritisation theories to help him settle in and sort out the important aspects of moving to a new institution. In his previous degree Callum had extra support because of his hearing impairment. He has already contacted his department disability officer and he uses AA3 for PhD – About Imperial to find what other support is available.

He is also to make the most of what is on offer during his PhD and uses IAS1 for PhD - Your Academic Development to look at ideas for what he might want to do in the future so he can start working on next steps while doing his PhD. Then in CP1 for PhD – Networking he starts to build his network by looking for careers fairs to attend and professional societies he may join. Callum learned about a tool called MindView and uses this to draw out his network. He also uses this unit to think about how to approach networking events like careers fairs, the sort of questions that he could ask employers, and how to politely leave a conversation.

As part of his DTP Callum is working on a challenge project and WWO1 for PhD – Working in a Team helps to explore group dynamics and how different skills and personality traits make a difference. Callum completes an online test to find out what his ideal role is within a group, then reflects on that when selecting group roles.

Callum has a poster accepted at a conference in CVA1 for PhD - Introduction to Recruitment and explores his eligibility for a travel grant.

Outside of his programme Callum is trying to raise money for new equipment for the Outdoors Club. EE4 for PhD – Goal Setting explores SMART goals and how they can be set to make new projects work well. He is also looking for roles that might complement his studies and sees a part-time role with the Forestry Commission advertised. In CVA3 for PhD – Application Language he visits the Careers Service and they look at how this role would fit with his current experience and future goals.

DAS

Callum lost his hearing at a young age and while working through Attributes and Aspirations at the start of his PhD programme he investigated some of the areas that he could access support. He works with the Disability Advisory Service to have ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ put in place for his PhD. Visit the DAS site for more information.