GA-Counseling Mission Statement

1. Availability

We offer counseling and advice to all (prospective) doctoral candidates, postdocs and supervisors, regardless if they are a member of the Graduate Academy or not. However, individual coaching for doctoral candidates and postdocs is only available for GA members. Counseling occurs in an open and unprejudiced atmosphere, supporting consulters in developing own decision-making and problem-solving processes.  

2. Confidentiality

We treat the consultees’ individual concerns and questions with maximum confidentiality. We do not share information or impressions we draw from the counselling sessions with third parties. If further advisory services or third persons are to be involved in order to facilitate the counselling processes, this happens only with the consultees consent.  

3. Professionalism

We have several years of work experience in academic advisory services and  received professional training in coaching/counselling. We are informed about current developments in research funding and other relevant issues and receive continued training. Furthermore, we are closely cooperating and exchanging knowledge with other counseling and advisory service of TU Dresden.   

4. A person-centered, nonjudgmental approach

The consultees with their individual concerns and questions, their interests and values are in the focus of the counseling process.

5. A systemic perspective

We do not perceive the concerns and questions of the consultees in an isolated way, but as embedded and interconnected within various social systems which will be taken into consideration during the counseling process.    

6. Helping people to help themselves

We establish a relationship on equal footing with those who are seeking advice and counseling. Thus, our focus is on supporting consultees with acquiring the appropriate information and with their individual decision-making and problem-solving rather than on giving expert advice. 

7. A resource- and solution-oriented approach

The competences and resources of the consultee are in the focus of the counseling we offer. We put more emphasis on the development of individual decision-making and problem-solving options than on an extensive root cause analysis.

8. Networking

We are part of a network of various advisory services of TU Dresden and beyond. These partners might be involved in the counseling if this helps the problem-solving process and if the consultee consents. Here you can find an overview over further advisory services of TU Dresden.