After starting your employment as a PhD student a personal research-plan should be made, including the courses and workshops to be attended. In the 4 years to follow research is carried out, in many cases, in collaborations with other PhD students and/or postdocs. In the process of becoming a full-fledged researcher the transition from research towards published results takes time. It also involves strong personal interactions, which can be delightful and always shapes your personality. A useful guide is the booklet written by Patricia Gosling and Bart Noordam, Mastering your PhD. The supervisor is responsible for proper coaching, which includes of course getting the best out of you, and monitoring progress in an informal and formal way.