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What To Do After a PhD: Exciting Career Options for PhD Graduates

Choosing what to do after your PhD isn’t always easy, particularly when you’re not sure if you want to work in academia. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of career opportunities that come with a PhD – and a good chance it’ll increase your earning potential.

Weve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Will a PhD help you get a job or earn a better salary? And what are your career prospects in and outside of academia?

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work as a student or recent graduate in the USA.

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work in Germany as a student or recent graduate in Germany.

If you’re completing or applying for a PhD, it’s likely that at some point you’ll consider working in academia. Academia is the career path of researchers who work to advance teaching and research in institutes of education. While most academics are employed by universities, institutes could include government-funded experiments or sites of historical preservation, for example.

The main objective of academia is to produce original research. Though not all academics work in university, this page shall focus mainly on the university progression path.

Earning a PhD is a huge accomplishment that requires years of intense study and research. But once you’ve completed your doctoral degree, an important question arises – what’s next? Your PhD has equipped you with highly transferable skills, opening doors to diverse career opportunities. This article explores the many exciting options available for PhD graduates within and beyond academia.

Completing a PhD demonstrates your expertise in a specialized field through rigorous research and analysis. It also cultivates critical soft skills like project management communication, critical thinking and perseverance. With such versatile capabilities, there are diverse possibilities for stimulating post-PhD careers.

Common PhD graduate roles include teaching professionals, natural and social science professionals, research and development professionals, therapy professionals, and business/administrative professionals. But your options expand far beyond these traditional pathways. Whether you desire to stay in academia, transition to industry, or explore unconventional alternatives, this guide outlines promising directions to take your career after PhD graduation.

Academic Careers

For many, a PhD serves as preparation for an academic career centered on research and teaching. Academic environments allow you to utilize your subject-matter expertise and passion for discovery on a daily basis.

Postdoctoral Positions

After earning a PhD, one of the most common next steps is completing one or more postdoctoral appointments. Postdocs involve temporary research positions usually 1-3 years, under the guidance of senior academics. Postdocs build your skills, network, and publications to boost competitiveness for permanent faculty roles.

Research and Teaching Faculty

With postdoctoral experience, you can attain full-time academic positions like lecturer, professor, or researcher. Faculty spearhead courseloads, pursue grants, publish studies, mentor students, and more. Your PhD equips you to shape minds and advance knowledge within your discipline.

University Leadership

Further along your career, you may transition into academic administration as a dean, provost, or university president. These roles oversee university operations, formulate strategic plans, and represent the institution. Your PhD demonstrates the research background necessary to guide universities.

Research-Focused Careers

For those passionate about research numerous career paths allow you to apply your analytical acumen beyond academia. Your advanced methodological skills combined with deep subject-matter expertise make you an asset to research teams and think tanks.

Research and Development (R&D)

R&D drives innovation in various industries and companies by creating new technologies and products. Fields like engineering, computer science, life sciences, and more hire PhDs to lead complex R&D initiatives.

Government Research

Government entities like the CIA, Census Bureau, NIH, and Department of Defense house research divisions that benefit from PhDs’ expertise. Projects can cover wide-ranging topics from public health to national security.

Think Tanks

Think tanks are organizations that undertake in-depth research on policy issues to advise government, academia, businesses, and the public. PhDs often direct projects and author publications for think tanks.

Science and Health Careers

For PhDs in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and health fields, your advanced knowledge equips you for specialized technical roles improving society and lives.

Scientific Research and Consulting

PhDs enter private research firms analyzing chemicals, materials, agricultural products, and more to advance innovation. Consultants apply scientific expertise to advise companies on meeting lab standards, regulations, and safety.

Health Care

With a PhD in fields like microbiology, neuroscience, clinical psychology, and public health, you can take on vital health care roles. Options include epidemiology, lab management, hospital administration, and leading research/technical teams.

Business Careers

While less traditional, PhDs also thrive in business settings by leveraging their analytical abilities and mastery of complex concepts. Companies value PhDs for solving problems with critical thinking.

Data Science and Analytics

With expertise in statistical analysis and computational methods from your PhD research, data science roles allow you to uncover game-changing business insights from vast datasets.

Management Consulting

Strategy consulting firms like McKinsey, Bain, and BCG recruit PhDs to tackle multifaceted business challenges like operations optimization, growth strategy, and risk management.

Investment Banking and Finance

PhDs have the quantitative chops to excel in finance, whether analyzing economic trends, developing trading algorithms and risk models, or advising clients on investments as an advisor or portfolio manager.

Policy and Writing Careers

For PhDs in social sciences and humanities, your advanced writing and analytical skills open doors to careers shaping policy, public perception, and discussion through writing.

Policy Research and Analysis

Government entities hire PhDs to research and evaluate policies on topics like economics, education, transportation, and more to optimize effectiveness and outcomes.

Journalism and Publishing

PhDs are equipped for journalism with training in compelling writing and ability to explain complex issues to general audiences. Options include books, newspapers, magazines, websites, and more.

Also mentioned in research careers, think tanks utilize PhDs in social sciences and humanities for policy-focused writing and advising on domestic/foreign affairs, economics, education, and more.

Entrepreneurship

The critical thinking, perseverance, and passion cultivated during your PhD also prime you for entrepreneurship in wide-ranging fields. Your expertise and research skills give you an edge.

Academic Entrepreneurship

Commercialize your research through academic entrepreneurship. Options include starting spinoff companies, patenting/licensing inventions, or joining startups translating research into real-world tech and products.

Mission-Driven Ventures

Bring your PhD experience to mission-driven startups innovating in areas like health, environment, government services, and more. Lead teams applying technology to benefit society.

Start an independent consulting practice offering your specialized expertise to help companies solve complex problems in your field through strategic advising.

A PhD is incredibly versatile, preparing you for diverse, stimulating careers improving companies, societies, and lives. While academia is a common path, roles in research, science, business, policy, writing, entrepreneurship, and more allow you to apply your advanced expertise. Assess your skills, interests and values to determine the best direction for your post-PhD journey. With an open mind, you can land your dream career capitalizing on your PhD capabilities.

What is a fellowship?

Research fellowships are competitive and prestigious positions. Unlike postdocs, you will be funded to complete your own research project. Some positions will also guarantee a permanent academic role after completion. To successfully achieve a fellowship, you’ll need an interesting and viable research project, a history of academic excellence, and experience in writing successful funding or grant applications.

The other type is a teaching fellowship . These roles are not always for early career academics and will be offered to senior researchers so make sure you check the job description.

Non-academic PhD graduate jobs in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

If your PhD is in an Arts, Humanities or Social Science (AHSS) discipline, the skills you have to offer differ from STEM PhD holders.

Your aptitudes as a AHSS PhD graduate are likely to be suited for industries where communication skills are necessary. The ability to research and write about complex topics will be in-demand across any number of leading companies and sectors. Also, creative thinking will be highly valued by employers in strategic planning or industries such as marketing.

After a PhD what next? | 6 popular options

What is the next stage after PhD?

What comes after a PhD?

What happens after I get my PhD?

What can I do with a PhD?

Writing, lecturing and advocating a business all help market each other, and doing all three in tandem can help build a stable career with your Ph.D. Gaining a Ph.D. means you gain verified proof of your expertise on a subject. With this expertise, you can become a consultant in your field of study.

What can I do after getting a PhD?

Related: 38 Careers That Require a Doctoral Degree After getting a Ph.D., you have multiple options for what you can do next, including: Once you study and complete a Ph.D., you have expert knowledge in a focused portion of the field. As an expert, you can begin writing publications concerning the industry as an authority in the field.

How can I live a better life after a PhD?

If your goal is to live a better life after attaining your PhD in comparison to the one you had during your research, pick a career path that meets two requirements: Choose something you’re passionate about. Make sure the job is well-suited to your lifestyle. For example, consider three people with the same degree.

What can a postdoc do after a PhD?

A postdoc can be a crucial stepping stone to a successful career after completing a PhD. Find out what they are, what they involve and much more. From communication to time management, you will gain a large variety of transferable skills from completing a PhD. Learn what these are and how to use them in your CV. Life After a PhD: What Can You Do?

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What to do after getting your phd: 5 next steps, published by steve tippins on february 11, 2019 february 11, 2019.

Last Updated on: 5th June 2024, 03:08 am

What to do after finishing your PhD is a surprisingly common challenge for students who have recently graduated. So if you’re asking this question, you’re not alone.

After years of hard work and passing on enjoyable opportunities to get your writing done, you have finished your dissertation. This is quite an accomplishment. But what do you do now that you’ve finished?

This is something that few doctoral programs prepare you for. How do you take what you have learned and capitalize on it? How do you start your new career or use your PhD to take the next step in your existing one?

What to Do After Getting Your PhD

Based on my own experience and my experience coaching countless recent graduates, I’ve come up with an answer. Here is what to do after PhD is officially part of your title.

Step 1: Take a Breath

It may be tempting to rush right into the next thing. You finally have your PhD, now you get to use it! Apply for a thousand jobs, become a postdoctoral fellow, take a research trip to Indonesia with your favorite professor, launch a consulting firm, and publish a Nobel-Prize-worthy paper in an academic journal. All before breakfast.

Or not. In fact, my advice is to slow down. Not for too long–of course you have to take the next steps in your career. But once you start your career, it’s that much more difficult to take a break. Relax for a moment, and then take a good long deep breath. You are at the summit of one of the largest (proverbial) mountains you’ve ever climbed. Take a moment to appreciate the view. Then, get back to work.

Step 2: Set your Goals

After taking a break, the first thing you need to do is figure out what your goals are . You employed a great deal of discipline to get to this point. Use that skill to determine how you want to move forward. Your doctoral degree is an asset, so try to maximize the return that you get. Getting clear on your goals will determine your next steps and provide a map of what to do after completing your PhD.

When setting your career goals, it’s important to remember your life goals. Remember why you started this journey in the first place. How have you changed? How have your goals changed? What is most important in your life, and how will your next steps support this? Considering how your career fits into your life as a whole will help you make decisions about how to move forward.

Here are some of your options:

Do you want to publish? Think hard about this. You are now an expert on your topic, it would be great if you shared that expertise with the world. Think about your goal in publishing. Is your goal to see your name in print so that your mother can brag about her child being a published author? Do you want to spread the findings of your dissertation across the world to help humanity? Different goals will lead you in different publishing directions.

What a noble profession. Many people want to use their degree to help shape the future by teaching. If this is a path for you, think about the following questions: Do you want to teach full time or part time? Would you prefer to teach online or in a traditional classroom setting? Are you bound to one geographic location or are you willing to go anywhere? Do you want to prioritize teaching over research or vice-versa? Each choice offers various, but different, opportunities.

Outside of Academia

Are there non-academic alternatives available to you? Are you looking for a promotion at your current job? Do you want to speak at conferences? How about a new job? Maybe consulting is the path that you want to take. Your degree puts you in a very small group outside of academia; use it as best you can, remembering that you will be seen as the expert in most settings.

There are many things that you might want to do with your degree. Stop and take the time to determine your goals and then you can see how all of the hard work that you put in to get your degree can get you there. If you find yourself stuck, or want support realizing your full potential, career coaching can help.

Step 3: Prepare your Material

No matter what you choose to do after getting your PhD, you will have to put together a package of material that represents you. This is true whether you want to apply for academic jobs, work outside academia, or start your own business as a consultant. This is the first thing that most employers or potential clients will see of you, so make sure it represents the best of who you are.

You will need a resume and to be ready to answer all kinds of questions. It’s important to update your resume after finishing your PhD, adding relevant accomplishments and experience besides your new degree.

Prepare to answer common questions (for example, “Why did you get a PhD?” “Can you tell me about a situation where you worked well with others?” and “Can you tell me about a situation where you were able to work with someone who was difficult to work with?”).

Also, remember to highlight the unique strengths and skills that you have as a newly minted PhD. Having spent the past few years in the company of other people who either already have PhDs or are trying to get them, it’s easy to lose sight of your uniqueness. Remember the grit and persistence you’ve shown, the critical thinking skills you’ve had to cultivate, and the balanced ability to simultaneously take direction from committee members and forge your own unique research path.

Remember that you are a member of a small group of people with an exceptionally useful skill set, and a degree to prove it. You have proven your capacity to innovate, learn, and work with others. Take a look at Catherine Sorbara’s excellent article on this subject.

Inside of Academia

Work on creating a CV (curriculum vitae) that fits the standards of your discipline. You will probably need to submit documents that cover your teaching philosophy, a list of references, a research agenda, and copies of teaching evaluations, if available.

If you get a campus visit interview, you will need to prepare a presentation about your research and may be asked to teach a class or give a seminar to interested students. Do not take these two steps lightly, as the search committee will get feedback from everyone who participates in these sessions about your suitability for the position.

Find research interest connections at prospective universities. Look within the department you are applying for professors who share your research interests, but also look more widely — to the college and to other colleges within the university — for others doing related studies that may dovetail with your work. The potential for collaborative research and interdisciplinary studies will catch the attention of university administrators and may well give you an edge.

Seek advice. Make sure you are prepared for all of this and get well-acquainted with norms. Your professors and advisors are an excellent resource to help you prepare for this, as are my career coaching services .

Step 4: Search for a Job

When people ask what to do after PhD completion, they’re usually trying to skip ahead to this step–but it’s vital to take the time to set your goals and prepare your material before looking for a job . Now that you’ve done that, you can set your sights on your new (or improved) career. Many people use their PhD as a springboard to an exciting new career path. Here are some insights to help you do that.

The Chronicle of Higher Education is a great place to start. The Chronicle posts jobs daily online for most disciplines. You can also look at HigherEdJobs which tends to have jobs that may not make it to the chronicle.

Conferences within your discipline are a very good place to find out about jobs. Also, the professors within your program may be a good source of contacts who may know about jobs. Remember, most academic jobs start in August/September and postings may come out as much as 11 months before a job starts.

Some professions specifically recruit PhDs. If you are in the sciences this may be the case. Consultancy firms also seek PhDs. Outside of these areas the job search may include networking, sending out resumes, and using the services of recruiters. Your committee chair may be able to connect you with former students in your field who would be willing to make introductions. Most universities have career centers that offer assistance with networking and other job-seeking skills.

Step 5: Stay on Track

Periodically reevaluate your goals–both whether you’re meeting them and whether the goals themselves need to change. Perhaps you started out wanting to pursue research but have fallen in love with teaching. Or maybe you started off teaching but found that consulting is much more enjoyable. Whatever your goals are, they’re subject to change as you learn and grow.

However, if your goal was to teach but you find yourself getting bogged down in research projects due to the pressure to publish, take some time to reflect on how you can better achieve the goals that are most fulfilling to you. Would you prefer an instructor’s position? Or perhaps looking at universities that emphasize teaching over research would be your solution.

What to Do After PhD Completion: A Summary

Getting your PhD is a huge accomplishment. However, if you’re wondering what to do after your PhD is complete, you’re not alone. Once you finish your PhD, take a breath and allow some space in your life. Next, determine your goals and create a plan for how to proceed. Once you are clear on your goals, prepare your materials and apply for jobs. Finally, periodically re-evaluate your goals to see whether you’re meeting them and whether they’re still relevant.

Many recent graduates use a career coach to help them in this process. If you are interested in this kind of coaching, feel free to take a look at my services page or get in touch.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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• PhD Careers: What to Do After a PhD?

Deciding what to do after your PhD can be daunting. Whether you're contemplating a career in academia or considering opportunities outside it, you have numerous paths to explore. Completing a PhD is a significant personal and professional achievement, but it's often just the beginning of your journey. The world brims with opportunities for those ready to take the next step, and understanding these paths can help alleviate the uncertainty and stress that many new PhDs face.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll look into varied career avenues, including academic roles and alternative options in various industries. By the end of this article, you should have a clearer understanding of your prospects and be better prepared to make informed decisions about your future.

To help you make the best decision, we also have guides on PhD employability and earnings , and how you can decide if PhD study is worth it .

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Will a PhD help you get a job or earn a better salary? We look at what starting salary you could get after a PhD in the UK.

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work as a student or recent graduate in the USA.

Everything you need to know about part-time and full-time work in Germany as a student or recent graduate in Germany.

Academic careers

If you’re inclined towards academia, you're aspiring to join the ranks of researchers focused on advancing knowledge and educating the next generation. Academic careers are prestigious and intellectually rewarding but often demand a blend of teaching, research, and administrative duties. Your work can shape future generations and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.

Academic roles and responsibilities

Academics primarily work in universities but can also be found in government-funded research institutes and cultural heritage sites. The core objective is to produce original research while often engaging in teaching and administrative duties.

As an academic, you’ll be expected to publish your research findings, supervise students, and contribute to your academic community through various service roles.

How much do academics earn?

According to official data produced by HESA, in 2021-22 most full-time academics employed by a university in the UK were salaried between £47,419 to £63,668 . The second largest salary range, with just over 33% of academics falling into, was £35,326 to £47,419.

Salaries also vary by department. For example, those in Biological, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences earn between £34,000 and £45,000 , while Humanities and Archaeology academics often earn over £45,000 . These figures showcase the range of earning potential, influenced by experience, field of study, and institutional funding.

Pathways to academia

To become an academic in the UK, a doctoral degree is increasingly essential. Generally, you will need at least an upper second-class undergraduate degree, often followed by a Master’s degree. After your PhD, two main pathways lead to permanent positions:

• Teaching Route : Starting with part-time teaching roles can make you competitive for research or teaching fellowships and eventually, permanent lecture positions. These roles often involve a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, curriculum development, and sometimes even student advisory responsibilities
• Research Route : Alternatively, you could apply for post-doctoral positions (postdocs) to gain valuable experience. Postdocs are temporary research roles typically lasting 1-4 years, under the supervision of an established academic. These positions help strengthen your research profile and often provide opportunities for publishing papers and attending conferences.

Candidates are not always expected to have completed a fellowship to apply for a lectureship. These roles can be obtained after completing a postdoc or teaching experience.

Postdocs and fellowships

Postdocs are excellent for building research and teaching experience. Fellowships, on the other hand, are more competitive and prestigious, allowing you to undertake your own research project—sometimes leading to a permanent role. Fellowships can be a crucial stepping stone to further academic opportunities, offering funding and resources to focus intensely on your research.

Though not mandatory, completing a postdoc or fellowship significantly boosts your employability in academia. These temporary roles help you gain the experience needed to secure permanent positions and build a network within the academic community. Networking is vital, as academic positions are often filled through a combination of formal applications and personal connections.

What is a postdoc?

A postdoc is a temporary funded research position at a university or in industry. Postdocs work under the supervision of a research group or established academic and are considered an employee, unlike PhD students. Some roles will include teaching responsibilities and assistant supervisory roles to students. Responsibilities will also include grant writing, funding applications and administrative duties.

Sometimes postdocs can be referred to as Postdoctoral Research Assistants or Postdoctoral Research Fellows. A postdoc, however, is not the same as a fellowship.

What is a fellowship?

Research fellowships are competitive and prestigious positions. Unlike postdocs, you will be funded to complete your own research project. Some positions will also guarantee a permanent academic role after completion. To successfully achieve a fellowship, you’ll need an interesting and viable research project, a history of academic excellence, and experience in writing successful funding or grant applications.

The other type is a teaching fellowship . These roles are not always for early career academics and will be offered to senior researchers so make sure you check the job description.

Do you need a postdoc or fellowship to work in academia?

Technically you do not need to have completed a postdoc or fellowship to work in academia, but it is becoming increasingly expected.

Employment in academia is more competitive each year as the number of PhDs rewarded is increasing, whereas the available permanent academic positions are not. The experience gained from completing one or more temporary positions can help you increase the competitiveness of your CV, make connections and build a positive reputation within the academic community.

Permanent positions

To secure a permanent role, you'll generally start with a lectureship, an entry-level position requiring teaching, research, and administrative duties. After successfully navigating a probationary period (usually three to four years), you might be promoted to Senior Lecturer, Reader, or even Professor, based on the evidence of your contributions and progression. Each upward step typically brings higher responsibilities, leadership opportunities, and an increase in salary.

In the UK, tenure, as understood in North America, doesn't typically apply. However, academics in permanent roles receive standard employment protections. Instead of tenure, UK academics undergo periodic reviews to ensure continued performance and contribution to the institution.

Non-academic careers

Choosing to step outside academia after your PhD opens numerous opportunities. According to the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), over 70% of PhD holders are not working in academia three and a half years after their graduation. This statistic highlights the diverse range of career paths available to PhDs outside of the traditional academic route.

Transferable skills

A PhD equips you with a range of transferable skills that are highly valued in various industries. From analytical thinking and project management to excellent written communication, your PhD experience sets you apart from Bachelors and Masters graduates. Skills such as problem-solving, data analysis, and independent research can make you an attractive candidate in many fields.

Industry examples

Here's how your PhD can translate into various industries:

• A PhD in the Arts and Humanities demonstrates excellent written communication, presentation skills, creativity and analytical thinking. You may be suited to work for jobs in the Publishing industry , Digital Marketing or Civil Service .
• A PhD in Biological and Medical Sciences builds specialist subject knowledge, data proficiency and collaborative skills. This will compliment work in industries such as Pharmaceuticals , Genomics or Clinical Care .
• A PhD in Business and Finance will help build organisational and data experience that could benefit careers in Accountancy , Data Science or Consultancy .
• A PhD in Chemical Sciences will provide you with laboratory skills and an advanced understanding of chemistry needed to benefit jobs in Chemical Engineering , Industrial Chemistry and Food Technology .
• A PhD in Earth Sciences could set graduates up for careers in Construction , Environmental Protection or Mineral Surveying , utilising analytical skills and strong subject knowledge.
• PhDs in Engineering have a strong emphasis on project management and practical construction. This could aid jobs in Management Consultancy and Finance as well as more practical fields such as Aeronautics .
• The specialist knowledge gained from a PhD in Law can enable students to comfortably enter industries such as Investment . Additionally, soft skills gained in communication will help in careers such as Teaching or Public Engagement .
• A PhD in Maths and Computing could benefit jobs in Finance , Investment or Web Development , complimenting skills in logic, problem solving and data.
• A PhD in the Physical Sciences demonstrates experience with software and data. This could set graduates up to work in Software Engineering , Data Science or even Sound Engineering .
• A PhD in Social Science and Health requires a deep understanding of human society on a macro or micro level. Graduates may find themselves working in Epidemiology , Public Health or Social Work .

You may be inclined to apply for jobs relating to the subject of your research or previous studies. But a PhD is a versatile enough qualification that you can often look outside your discipline area.

Making the transition

You should invest some time during your PhD for personal and professional development (this is true if you want to stay in academia too!).

Even if you attend none of the formal training courses offered by your department, your PhD itself will provide you with many skills. When leaving academia, you'll need to translate your skills so they make sense to the industry and commercial employers. Think outside the box and take stock of what you are good at or have experience in.

Some translation examples include:

• The dissertation shows you're capable of presenting and organising large amounts of information.
• Having published papers shows you can communicate information across a range of formats.
• If you did interviews for your PhD project, you might graduate with skills in questionnaire design, sensitivity and data analysis.

There’s always a way to link your academic experience to the commercial world. Be prepared to do this in any upcoming job interviews.

It’s also a good idea to move away from the long, multiple page academic CV that you might be used to. Employers won’t read them. They also won’t be interested in scanning a lengthy list of articles. Instead, you should mention that you’ve had several publications without detailing every instance.

Want to find out more about PhD careers?

Check out our guide to PhD employability and earnings . Then, head to our course listings to find your perfect PhD opportunity .

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Ph.D. Coursework: Advice to My Younger Self

By  Natascha Chtena

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Natascha Chtena is a PhD student in Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. You can follow her on Twitter @nataschachtena .

Coursework is an essential part of any doctoral program, and it sets the stage for the dissertation phase. How essential it is I’m only realizing now—just when I’m about to be done with it.

As I’m approaching the end of my PhD coursework, I’m finding myself in a “coulda woulda shoulda” situation, reflecting on the many things I could have done differently and, ultimately, better on my road to the written qualifying exams.

What advice I would give to new PhD students (and my younger self)?

Learn how to speed-read. It might take a lot of effort at first, but it will save you time and frustration . New PhD students are treated like experts in “how to be a student.” Knowing how to read is assumed to be part of that. But many of us don’t. I mean, not really. During my first few quarters I was really trying to read everything that was assigned in my classes, until I realized (too late) that the point wasn’t to literally read everything . The point was to familiarize myself with authors and arguments and situate them within broader contexts, and for that I didn’t have to read 500+ pages a week line-by-line. While over the years I’ve become a faster reader, I wish I had invested time and effort in speed reading training at the beginning of my PhD.  

It’s never too early to get started with citation management tools . For the first year at least I took notes all over the place, misplaced some, and lost others. It took me more or less a year to develop a note-taking system that works for me and that is sustainable. It took me another year on top of that to start using citation management software. Looking back, there’s so much information that got lost along the way. Today I keep everything (including notes and annotated PDFs) on Zotero, but I can’t help fantasizing about the repository I would have built if I’d started in my first quarter (yeah, wishful thinking).

There’s no such thing as a useless methods course. There’s no such thing as too many methods courses. Therefore, if given the choice, choose a methods course . When I started out, everyone insisted that as part of my dissertation preparation I take as many methods courses as possible. Familiarity with a breadth of methods was supposed to make me a better researcher and more attractive on the job market, and to open up opportunities for collaborative, interdisciplinary research. I wasn’t sold. And so I largely ignored them, until I realized that methods training is not just about me and my dissertation or the kind of job I want after I graduate. It’s also about developing the ability to understand and critically evaluate other people’s research, ask the right kind of questions at conferences, peer review manuscripts, and offer constructive feedback to my colleagues. And that’s an essential part of being an academic (granted, if that’s what you want).

Research Apprenticeship Courses (RACs) are at least as useful as “regular” classes . As a first-year without a clearly defined research topic or a polished scholarly identity, the idea of joining a RAC (your university might have a slightly different term) or an informal research group terrified me. But as I progressed through the program, I realized how few opportunities there were to present my work and get substantial feedback. In “regular” classes, one is asked to respond to specific readings and to produce assignments that relate to the objectives of a specific course, defined by an instructor (as opposed to the student). In research groups, members have to carve out an academic identity for themselves, which is more challenging, but also, perhaps, more important.

Be selfish. Make course assignments about you. It’s ok. Treating every single assignment as a potential dissertation chapter is, I think, an ambitious plan that only a handful of prospective PhDs realize. But every end-of-term assignment should somehow contribute to your larger project. If you can pilot research projects in your classes towards what you want to do your dissertation on, do it. If you can work on different aspects of the same project in different classes, do it. If you can rework older work to develop something presentable at a conference, do it. If you’re taking a course that feels irrelevant to your work, write a literature review or do an annotated bibliography. If your professor fights you, try (politely) fighting back. Don’t write random analytical papers you will never use or develop further just to please some professor.

Stay open-minded. What you think is useful or relevant will (probably) keep changing for a while. Everyone is, at some point during their PhD, forced to take some class they really don’t want to take. Over the past few years I walked into quite a few classes thinking they would be irrelevant or even useless. But I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge (and I really should have taken better notes!). Sure, there are classes whose value I still have to figure out (and maybe never will), but there are also classes that surprised me and others whose relevance became apparent many months after I delivered that final paper.

Oh, and keep the syllabi on file . They are incredible resources full of cherry-picked readings in areas you will want to revisit, whether for your qualifying exams, articles, dissertation or, further down the line, your own classes.

What advice would you share with students starting out with their PhD coursework? Are there things you wish you had done differently? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

[Photo courtesy of Flickr user tommmmmmmmm and used under a Creative Commons license.]

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What Next After PhD? Decoding Your Life After a PhD

Acquiring a doctoral degree is undoubtedly a momentous occasion worthy of celebrations—students can relax, unwind, and let go of the many stresses associated with the past few years of hard work. But soon, these celebrations are followed by questions on the steps needed to grow professionally after a PhD. In this post, I hope to guide you toward finding an answer to the question “What comes after a PhD?”

So what does life after a PhD look like? It is inevitable that your PhD will leave you with an array of skills that are transferable across different sectors. These could be technical skills that are domain-specific and, more importantly, broad skills such as project management, data analysis, and effective communication. Often, it takes a while after a PhD for students to acknowledge that they are indeed equipped with these skills. Hence, it is a good idea to create a portfolio, mapping different skills to the projects and tasks that were undertaken during and after your PhD.

Choosing the next step in your career and life after PhD would then trickle down to your personal preferences and leveraging your skills tactfully. If you’ve felt stuck with the question of what to do after a PhD, here are some career options to consider:

• Postdoctoral fellowship. After a PhD, if you are keen to continue doing research, you can pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in an academic institution and then work toward securing a tenure-track professorship. And while this path surely has its perks, especially if you want to set up your own research lab, it may be helpful to know that this is not the only worthwhile career path in life after a PhD.
• Industry research. If you are not keen on research in academia after a PhD, you can opt to join the industry directly or after a few years of academic or industrial postdoctoral fellowship. If you choose this life after a PhD, you may need to invest additional time and energy in understanding the differences in work ethic and culture between industry and academia. However, orientation to these aspects is usually part of the training that you might receive as a new employee. Upon entering the industry, you can expand your portfolio by exploring sales and marketing, product development, and business development options.
• Publication support. If you envision your life after PhD to be closely associated with research, but not directly involved in it, you can opt for careers in publication support, and work with publishers/journals or organizations specializing in scholarly communications.
• Science journalism and social outreach. If after a PhD, you are keen to explore your communication skills and contribute to filling the gap between science and society, you can opt for a career in science journalism/communication and can look for organizations that are involved in science outreach and social engagement.

If you have wondered about your career after a PhD, by now it may be clear that what comes after PhD is not a question you should stress about as there is no dearth of career options. However, here are a few additional points to consider helping you shape your life after PhD and to ensure that your career choice aligns well with your personal preferences.

• Financial aspirations. Financial perks vary drastically across the above-mentioned career options, and it is important to understand your personal financial goals before deciding what to do after PhD. Choosing an option that will help you grow both professionally and financially will keep you happier in the long run.
• Working in a team vs. working solo. As a PhD student, you may be used to working on your own and taking complete ownership of your projects and ideas. You may not always have this option in your life after PhD. It is important to acknowledge your preference regarding the change that might occur in an organization where you are expected to engage in teamwork and share credit for your ideas.
• Fixed work hours vs. flexible work hours . The doctoral journey is filled with unpredictability and you might have started getting used to the flexible work hours. However, after a PhD if you are planning to work in an organization where fixed work hours are a norm, then you might want to relook at your preferences and reconsider what to do after a PhD.
• Hierarchical vs. non-hierarchical work environment. This can be an important point to consider when assessing where you can thrive the most in your life after a PhD. A structured work environment, like an established company with a defined hierarchy may provide you security, stability, and opportunities for a steady rise up the career ladder. On the other hand, working in a non-hierarchical or non-structured environment like a start-up may require you to perform a variety of roles simultaneously, give you the flexibility and chance to explore new domains and acquire new skills regularly, and could be rewarding in its own way after a PhD.

Through this article, we hope you found an answer to the common conundrum of what’s next after a PhD. Ultimately, for a happy and satisfying life after PhD, adopting a growth mindset will take you far in your career, no matter which direction you choose.

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