FINDING A NEW CAREER
your reading list
When it comes to starting a job search outside of academia, it can be easy for you to get overwhelmed and struggle to know where to begin.
To help you get started and stay on track, I’ve created a 5-step framework to guide and support your efforts.
For each of these steps, I’ve written detailed articles exploring the activities you need to undertake, and the outputs you need to create. I’ve also written about the whole process of getting started with your job search, for instance, learning about the non-academic job market and adopting the right mindset for changing careers. There are also guest articles by other career experts.
You can work through this reading list according to which step of your job search you’re at, or dip in and out, depending upon where you feel you need support.
My 5-step job search framework:
Getting started (things you need to know first)
Step 1: Identify your transferable skills – knowing what you can do
Step 2: Choose your profession – focusing your job search
Step 3: Get the right experience – proving that you can do it
Step 4: Create your professional brand – communicating your value
Step 5: Tell a great story – shining in interviews
filter articles:
Why you need to start thinking about a career outside academia – today!
Ask a first or second year PhD student what they want to do after completing, and you can bet that most will answer that they want to get an academic job.
Preparing for life after the PhD: retrain your brain
In the final stages of your PhD you can become so absorbed in finishing that the last thing on your mind is what happens next!
A PhD is a fixed-term job, not a passport to a professorship
You need to be realistic and honest with yourself about what a PhD is, in pure employment terms. If you’re funded, you’re receiving a salary for X number of years, to produce a given output (your dissertation).
The majority of PhDs are switching into careers outside academia
For how much longer will a career outside of higher education (H.E.) be considered an ‘alternative’ career for PhDs? After all, a 2010 UK study by Vitae showed that only 22% of doctoral graduates were working in H.E. teaching or lecturing roles three-and-a-half years after graduating, with only 19% in H.E. research.
Post-PhD careers: you can have your cake *and* eat it
How do you feel about working and earning a living? As something that you have to endure, or as something that you really enjoy?
Boost your job prospects by attending campus careers events for PhDs
Since 2009 I’ve had the pleasure of getting out on the road, sharing the story of my own career change with audiences of researchers and academics. I’ve made a successful transition from a PhD in Medieval Studies, into a career in business, project management and consultancy. I love telling my story and helping PhDs with their own career thinking.
Planning a career change after your PhD? About time …
For many PhDs, switching careers is a pretty big change. Decades spent in education and now you want to take your passions and transferable skills outside of academia?! To make this leap, you’re going to need a decent run-up.
You can’t climb a ladder that’s run out of rungs
As intelligent people we’re expected to do well. It’s actually fantastic that we have such a supportive network around us: all the people who care about us and take an interest in our success. When we were starting out, they set high expectations for us.
How to build up your career support network during your PhD
When you’re seeking a professional job outside of academia after your PhD or post-doc, who can you turn to for career advice and support?
Deciding when to quit the academic job search, Part 1
Did you always want to be an academic? Many PhDs look back and ask, just how did my desire to complete a significant piece of self-guided research turn into a wish to become a permanent member of academic staff?!
Deciding when to quit the academic job search, Part 2
In the first part of this 2-part post, I introduced the whole subject of deciding when to quit the academic job search. In the second part of this post I’m going to lay out a decision-making framework for you.
The caterpillar and the inquisitive bug (a story)
One day a caterpillar met an inquisitive bug. The bug, who’d never seen a caterpillar before, asked ‘What sort of creature are you? What special powers do you have?’