Membrain with Carolina: The Dynamic PhD Journey of Calum Upton

In this episode of Membrain with Carolina, we hang out with Calum Upton, a super dynamic PhD student who's got a lot going on beyond just his lab work. Calum’s journey is all about self-discovery, networking, and planning smartly his future during the PhD.

We talked about how he ended up doing a PhD and how he has been planning the future. Calum kicked off his PhD after making a novelty discovery during his master’s. His curiosity and drive pushed him to dive deeper into research.

Social media and networking

Calum is all about being active on social media and networking. It’s both his passion and a strategy. He addresses the importance of extracurricular activities for personal growth and boosting your CV to stand out in the job market.

Building a Commercial Mindset

Calum’s not just about the academics. He’s also working on improving his commercial skills and learning how to market himself.

Dealing with Procrastination and Stress

We have talked about the common issues of stress, anxiety, and procrastination among PhD students. Calum finds motivation in the sense of accomplishment and enjoys exploring different mindsets through career talks.

Writing Skills

Aiming for a career in patent law, Calum is sharpening his writing skills and figuring out how to showcase them effectively.

Mentorship Matters

Calum’s PhD supervisors at Aston are like mentors to him, offering invaluable support and advice. He highlights how crucial mentorship is for personal and professional growth.

LinkedIn as a Career Diary

For Calum, LinkedIn is more than a networking site. It’s his career journal where he documents his journey, connects with inspiring people, and sets SMART goals.

Subscribe on Spotify as well, if you prefer an audio only version.

Connect with Calum
LinkedIn: Calum Upton
Blog: Calum Upton on Medium