Doctoral education can come in many different forms, from Professional Doctorates to the more common PhD (Doctor of Philosophy). It is the latter of these forms of doctoral education that provides the basis for the current paper.

A PhD is more than writing a thesis. Indeed, a PhD is an opportunity to study, train, and develop in many ways, for example, to develop in-depth research expertise in the specific field of study, to complete applied work to have a real-world impact, to begin to develop independence as a researcher, and to also experience a period of intense personal and professional development that opens doors to a plethora of opportunities. Within the UK Higher Education system, every PhD researcher is different and has had a different journey pre-doctorate, bringing with them skills, lived experiences, and knowledge. These pre-doctorate skills and experiences will have a direct role in shaping the personal development that the doctoral student engages with throughout their PhD journey. This is especially relevant with recent attempts to attract a more diverse postgraduate community (e.g., ^[1][2]). Furthermore, every PhD thesis is different, involving a range of differing approaches or methodologies, focusing on diverse topics, working under different supervision arrangements, and being written up in a different manner shaped by the student. The training and development needs that a student identifies and completes during their PhD are also individualised. The whole PhD journey differs on an individual basis and is shaped by the individual, and each success and bump in the road will have an impact, either positive or negative. Finally, PhD graduates will choose a wide range of career paths, utilising the breadth of skills developed during the doctoral journey, many of which will translate to their specific career path and allow for further personal and professional growth. Therefore, there is a significant diversity of experiences within doctoral education, and institutional PhD structures provide the flexibility to meet the diverse needs of researchers.

Diversity and flexibility within doctoral education are of significant benefit in shaping the doctoral journey to best suit the personal and professional development needs of each individual postgraduate researcher. It may not be until the end of this doctoral journey that an individual takes the time to reflect upon the personal development that has occurred. However, we should encourage doctoral researchers and their supervisors to embed personal development needs alongside professional development right from the start of the doctoral journey and use a method of continual reflection throughout the PhD.