Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice, in cooperation with the UPJŠ University Counselling Centre and the SAIA organization, prepared an interactive workshop titled “Build Your Professional Identity as a Researcher.” The event for doctoral students took place on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, in the Minerva building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The attendees were welcomed by Mgr. Veronika Zibrinyiová, PhD., UNIPOC Director, and Ing. Kristína Šoltýsová, SAIA Regional Coordinator. The workshop was led by Matúš Draganovský from SUVKO Coaching.
Personal branding is not just for influencers or entrepreneurs. Our doctoral students also have their own personal brand. Some build it consciously, others perhaps unconsciously. Their brand is created by how they are perceived by those around them, their reliability, curiosity, and the way they present themselves in their academic and professional environment. During the workshop, they learned that building a personal brand is a real skill, not just a marketing trick. They discovered how their daily decisions, communication style, and cooperation with others influence how others perceive their expertise and credibility. Reputation and credibility are often as important, if not more so, than research results.
The aim of the workshop was to give doctoral students a clear understanding of what makes up their personal brand—their values, strengths, and behaviour. They were also informed about practical tools that will help them confidently communicate their expertise both online and offline. For their research and reputation to grow together, it is necessary to effectively plan trust and visibility. As future researchers and leaders, they will need this.
