I’ve never been much of a fan of romantic comedies. I mean, even before spending 8 years as a humanities student analysing and deconstructing narrative tropes and gender stereotypes (!), I never bought the way that so many of them end with the wedding, as if to say ‘ok, job done, it’s official now… story’sContinue reading “‘What if I hate life beyond academia?’ When the move doesn’t go to plan”
Category Archives: Making career decisions
Taking Charge: Three key things you don’t need when moving from academia to industry
‘Getting a job in industry isn’t about having all the right stuff, and then magically getting the job when you have that stuff. Instead, you just have to get out there and convince people you can do it.‘ – David Giltner About a year ago, I stopped looking for the watch I’d had since IContinue reading “Taking Charge: Three key things you don’t need when moving from academia to industry”
How can you ‘use’ your PhD in your future work? Options for STEM PhDs
‘Science isn’t [just] WHAT you think, it’s HOW’ – Science Everywhere Before I go on, I just wanted to say… I hear you, humanities people, and an equivalent post is coming for you in a few weeks! Now we’ve got the disclaimer out of the way, let’s get down to business. Or industry. Or entrepreneurship.Continue reading “How can you ‘use’ your PhD in your future work? Options for STEM PhDs”
When leaving academia isn’t ‘giving up’… it’s actually finding yourself
‘Changing your goal or vision is ok. You can be happy beyond academia: it’s not second best, it’s an alternative.’ – Dr Naomi Tyrrell One of the most confusing conversations I had in my PhD went something like this: Me: Yeah, I’m properly looking into careers in university professional services for after my PhD. FellowContinue reading “When leaving academia isn’t ‘giving up’… it’s actually finding yourself”
Making the ‘wrong choice’: why there’s no need to solve your entire life with your first post-PhD job
‘Your first job helps you learn and evaluate where exactly you want to be […]. Your first job post-PhD is your next step, not necessarily your end goal. – Dr L. Maren Wood I graduated from Careers Adviser School in 2016. Since then I’ve worked almost exclusively with Postgraduate Researchers, the majority of whom wantContinue reading “Making the ‘wrong choice’: why there’s no need to solve your entire life with your first post-PhD job”
What jobs can I do after my PhD? How to ‘map’ your options, with real examples
‘The bad news is there’s no comprehensive list of jobs you can get after a PhD in X. That’s also the good news: you can move into a vast array of exciting, meaningful careers.’ – Jen Polk, PhD: Founder of From PhD to Life I have a (PhD careers) dream. My first TV memory asContinue reading “What jobs can I do after my PhD? How to ‘map’ your options, with real examples”
‘To academia or to industry’: … is that the question?
‘PhD students ask each other “are you staying in academia or going into industry?” The problem with that question is not just that your options aren’t limited to these two areas… it’s that they aren’t discreet entities, anyway!’ – Kira, our special PhD grad guest for the week Does anyone else love a game ofContinue reading “‘To academia or to industry’: … is that the question?”
The ‘bits’ of academia you REALLY enjoy… and how to find work based on these
‘Research/ academia isn’t one job, it’s many. If the package deal isn’t for you, look for the bits you enjoy and find rewarding work with them.’ – Joel Huey You’re at a party.* (*Other Covid-compliant virtual options are available). Someone who has never previously met anyone with/doing a PhD asks ‘what do you do?’ WhatContinue reading “The ‘bits’ of academia you REALLY enjoy… and how to find work based on these”