What can I do with my PhD outside of academia?

Non-academic jobs for PhDs in education might include curriculum development, educational publishing, science communication, online teaching jobs from home, etc. Alternative careers for PhD scientists abound in the private sector, in areas such as genetics, statistical science, bioinformation, immunosuppression, etc.

How do I get a non academic job?

Table of Contents

1. Make a LinkedIn Profile.
2. Take a Nice, Boring, Professional Headshot.
3. Google Yourself.
4. Connect with Colleagues on LinkedIn.
5. Create a “Non-Academic Job Search” Spreadsheet.
6. Make a List of References.
7. Make a List of Skills.
8. Make a List of Professional Achievements.

Does PhD require work experience?

It is your choice: some people decide to work for a year or more before starting with their PhD studies, some start studying without taking a break from the university. Working in industry may provide just the research question or data you need for your PhD.

How hard is it to find a job with a PhD?

Too many PhDs and PhD candidates have a weak academic mindset, which makes it impossible for them to get an industry job. According to a report by the Atlantic, greater than 60\% of PhDs and greater than 80\% of Life Science PhDs will NOT have a paying job at graduation.

How do I get a job with a PhD?

You need to connect to other professionals (both PhDs and non-PhDs) to find out where jobs are and to get referred to the hiring managers for those jobs. Don’t worry about your resume until after you build up your network and get a few good referrals. Then and only then should you craft a sharp industry resume.

What are non-academic careers?

These positions include clerical-technical, maintenance and operations, building trades, non-academic supervisor, professional, and classified administrators including Directors, non-academic Vice Presidents, and non-academic Vice Chancellors.

Can’t find a job after PhD?

Start writing down job titles that might fit you. You NEED to figure out something you can do that people will pay for. This might be research or writing—these are the usual suspects for PhDs. But it might also be stakeholder relations, event management, grant writing, project management.

Is doing a PhD a lot of work?

Yes, doing a PhD is a lot of work. So is looking for a job. Don’t think that the moment you finish your PhD, you can switch on your computer, start applying for jobs and wait for the offers to roll in. You can’t. Getting an industry job is a full-time job.

What can you do with a PhD without going into academia?

However, research shows that PhD holders who don’t enter academia are still likely to have thriving careers in industry. You’ll find PhD holders in all walks of life, from the banking sector and pharmaceuticals to the public sector and the legal industry.

Are you prepared for a non-academic career?

The good news is that PhDs are more than capable of applying their skills to alternative careers. You are prepared for a non-academic career. Consider the new technical skills you mastered throughout the course of your graduate studies. Consider the endless papers you read to develop your hypotheses.

Is academia still the preferred career destination for PhD students?

At a recent conference hosted by the UK Council for Graduate Education, it was clear that while academia (i.e. academic research) is still the preferred career destination for PhD students, 80\% of them are aware that it may be hard to get a job as a post-doc or junior research associate and secure a lifelong academic career.