websites
There are many online resources that can help when it comes to finding jobs outside of academia.
These are just some of my favourite websites below (listed in alphabetical order). Be sure to check back often for any updates.
If you think there should be any added to the list you can get in touch and let me know here.
Beyond the Professoriate
Founder Maren Wood (History PhD) has assembled a formidable range of careers resources on this site. The support for researchers includes blog articles, an online community, twice-yearly conferences and career coaching. Plus there’s support for institutions too, with the unique Aurora e-learning programme giving access to 150+ video interviews with PhDs.
Beyond the Tenure Track
Fatimah Williams’ website has loads of free resources to help you with your career transition, including videos, articles and success stories. You can also browse Fatimah’s range of paid-for products and courses, designed to support career explorers as well as active job seekers.
Career Clarity Coach
Jon Tam’s YouTube channel is packed with helpful videos on a wide range of career-change topics, including a playlist on conducting informational interviews – a vital activity for PhDs transitioning into jobs outside of academia.
Cheeky Scientist
Training and support for STEM researchers on making the transition into an industry career (membership required). There are free resources on the site which are of interest to all researchers.
Discover PhDs
This UK site has a comprehensive set of interviews with doctoral graduates, which you can explore to find inspiration for your own career path.
Employed Historian
Andrew Webb’s site helps liberal arts graduates to get a job. There is content aimed specifically at folks with higher degrees too, for instance this comprehensive article on I have a master’s degree and can’t find a job – which has some great advice on using measurement rather than tasks, on your resume.
From PhD To Life
Jen Polk’s wonderful site captures her experience and career progress after completing her PhD. Browse the inspiring interviews with people who’ve made the transition into a fulfilling career outside academia (including one from yours truly!).
Glassdoor
There are many different job sites out there, but what I like about glassdoor is the way you can read comments posted by employees working INSIDE organisations – this helps you to decide whether that’s a place you’d want to work.
Jooble
A powerful search tool for searching multiple job boards in a particular country, for a specific keyword or vacancy. Use Jooble to find out what roles are available in your target employment sector or profession.
The Leveraged PhD
Mel Bruce provides for PhD candidates and early career academics who want to build their own businesses, create a strong personal brand and/or develop a side hustle.
MEDICAL WRITING - GREEN PEN SOLUTIONS
If you have a life sciences or medical background, have you thought about getting into Medical Writing as a career after your PhD? Sarah Nelson shares lots of free information on her website Green Pen Solutions. including this helpful article on using your transferable skills to transition into Medical Writing, to get you started.
Ontology of Value
A research-driven company that helps professionals determine which future career paths may be best for them. Check out the range of books, coaching, webinars and courses designed to help PhDs and early career researchers effectively navigate the job market. There is also a fantastic YouTube channel which features an interview with me in Episode 39.
PhDs At Work
Michelle Erickson takes the PhD interview format to a whole new level with her ‘week-in-the-life’ approach. PhDs working in corporate and non-profit sectors give accounts of what they do in their day jobs, showing how skills learned in the PhD are put to use outside of academia. My favourite part is the way that each contributor’s dissertation title is listed too!
Post-gradual: the PhD careers blog
Holly Prescott shares valuable insights gained from more than a decade spent working as a university careers adviser. My favourite is Holly’s article on ‘What-the-heck level of job can I apply for beyond academia?’ – which offers a simple framework approach to an area that has always felt hard to understand and explain.
ReseaRch Careers: Options Beyond Academia
This fantastic resource was started by researchers who are connected with the University of Oxford in some way. Their website has a very slick and professional look and feel, and you can filter by industry sector and by degree type, which makes it easy to pinpoint individuals who match your own interests. These profiles serve as a brilliant blueprint and inspiration for folks who’re looking to make their own career transition.
Roostervane
Lots of great content here from Chris Cornthwaite to help you build your career, including videos, articles and a free email course.
Think Ahead Blog
This blog, from the Researcher Development team at the University of Sheffield, has over one hundred profiles written by researchers who’ve found careers outside of academia. Use the hashtag #sheffvista to generate a list of all of the personal profiles on the site, and read about all the fantastic career paths open to PhDs.
Turning Science
David Giltner’s site aims to help scientists and engineers make a successful transition from academia into industry. David shares the benefits of his 20 year-career in industry, through a range of free content (e.g. videos which answer common career questions), and paid-for content like his book Turning Science into Things People Need, and his Essential Skills for a Career in Industry online course.
Versatile PhD
The Versatile PhD, founded by Paula Chambers, is a US website which aims to help humanities and social science graduate students and PhDs identify, prepare for and excel in non-academic careers. You can join for free and get access to a range of information including career profiles of doctorates.
Vitae
Vitae is a UK organisation dedicated to helping the careers of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education. Browse its website for useful information about career paths for PhDs both inside and outside academia.