MCS recently subscribed to Beyond the Professoriate, an online platform for Harvard Griffin GSAS student to explore resources around ACADEMIC careers and CAREERS BEYOND ACADEMIA. In addition to video lessons to take you through career development and job search strategies, Beyond the Professoriate offers recorded interviews with nearly 200 PhDs who share their career stories, discuss their jobs, and offer advice for PhDs. They also offer many career webinars throughout the year. Take advantage of all Beyond the Prof has to offer and register now!
Below is a recap of “What we learned in 2023” offered by Beyond the Professoriate in January 2024.
“1. First, a reminder that PhDs exit academia EVERY DAY.
We know how disheartening it can be to hear that the academic job market outlook is not good. But more and more PhDs are moving into industry and non-academic roles — working outside higher ed is no longer an “alternative” career path. Indeed, it’s where most PhDs are.
This is good news! This means there are more PhDs/people for you to connect with during your career transition, more stories to inspire you in your journey, more employers who are hiring PhDs, and more opportunity for you learn about career paths that are best suited to you.
2. Networking is CRITICAL to your career transition and weathering any downturn in hiring.
There were many questions about hiring freezes in industry, layoffs, and how to find growth areas during the webinar. Yes, tech companies are laying off workers — including people in the field of UX research where many PhDs transitioned into between 2015 – 2021. PhDs interested in working at tech firms will find it very challenging to compete in a saturated (and shrinking) market against applicants with more direct, linear career experience.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t opportunity in other industries.
Healthcare, government, professional services, pharmaceutical, retail all hire a broad range of roles — and there is still a demand for tech workers in these industries if you’re interested in say, data science or analytics. We’ve interviewed PhDs who work at companies like Boeing, Deloitte, Pfizer, Merck, Sephora, Victoria’s Secret… but also PhDs who work in areas like Clinical Research, Real Estate, Business Development, Food Production, Pharmaceutical Sales and more…
So how do you learn about what jobs are out there? By networking!
How do you learn where growth sectors are, where people are hiring, and how to leverage your experience? By networking! (Because needless to say, growth sectors will vary by location and what roles you’re interested in).
Your network is VITAL to your career advancement. The community of professionals you build a relationship with are the people who will share their industry knowledge with you, help you learn the business acumen and skills you need outside academia, and the people who will help keep you in mind when opportunities arise for hiring.
Not all industries are facing hiring freezes, but you won’t know where the opportunities are if you aren’t connected to people in the field, on the ground, who can give you the insider knowledge you need.
3. The hard truth is, career transitions are never easy. It will feel like a lot of work. It will challenge you. But you are not alone — and we know you can do this.
Which brings us back to point number one — PhDs make this career transition every day. We know you can, too. Follow the steps (so you don’t get overwhelmed), and plan for a 6 month runway to lay the ground work before you actively job search.
Here are a few lessons in the platform that we recommend you watch:
· Introduction to the professional job search (how long does a job search take, what nonacademic employers value, how to find your career path)
· What will the world pay you to do? (skills employers value, identify your marketable skills, become a more marketable candidate)
· Key to a successful career transition (hidden job market, networking process, informational interviews)
Finally, we’d like to share a few quotes below from past alumni to help encourage you to continue the work you’re doing. We know how difficult this time period can be — we’ve been there, too. Create a plan for yourself, leverage the lessons, and know that we’re here cheering you on.
Wishing you a happy holidays, and we’ll see you in the new year.
— Your Beyond the Prof Team –“
The MCS GSAS team is here for you too! Feel free to schedule an appointment with Laura Stark or Caroline Rende in Crimson Careers.
What We Learned in 2023 – Recap of Beyond the Professoriate webinar
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