Q & A: Exploring the job market after the PhD

Time for another long overdue reply to your questions!

I received the following question:

Your advice on reversing delayed gratification mode after the Phd is very pertinent. I am waiting to hear from my examiners to see if I passed after major revisions. Since I self-funded my research and studies I really need a job. I am more than willing to work in industry, government or a non-profit. (I am older and have already gone down the adjunct path of no return before the Phd.) Is there age discrimination here? It is hard to find openings where my skills fit so I have only applied for a few jobs, but I get no interviews. There is always one box that I have not ticked that would require another degree or certification. I am beginning to wonder why I started this--I wanted to teach literature instead of driving an hour and a half one-way late at night to adjunct-teach grammar. Maybe a job at Walmart is in my future! I am fortunate to have a hard-working spouse to support me and our 5 kids, but with a son with a chronic illness, bills are piling up! My question is, how do I fashion myself into those other jobs without more so-called necessary training?

As always, let me break down your question:

I am waiting to hear from my examiners to see if I passed after major revisions. Since I self-funded my research and studies I really need a job.

First of all, I hope your corrections went well, and your job search made a turn for the better since the time you wrote me.

Is there age discrimination here?

Ageism is a thing everywhere in this world. I graduated from my PhD very young and am female, so I get the friendly remarks that the only reason that I got hired at university is because my husband is working there too. Never mind my 20 publications in Scopus. On the other hand, there is discrimination against older people as well. Perhaps the fact that you recently graduated is going to help - your knowledge is still considered fresh. But ageism is one of these persistent problems.

It is hard to find openings where my skills fit so I have only applied for a few jobs, but I get no interviews. There is always one box that I have not ticked that would require another degree or certification. I am beginning to wonder why I started this--I wanted to teach literature instead of driving an hour and a half one-way late at night to adjunct-teach grammar.

Confidence! The ideal applicant does not exist. It still is a difficult job market, more so this year with the dropping oil prices, and for us Europeans, because of the never-ending Eurocrisis. Just keep trying, and don't be afraid to look out of the box. Learn how to reframe your specific academic skills for the requirements of the industry. I wrote a lengthy article about the topic in the past. And please, don't lose hope - eventually you will find something.

Maybe a job at Walmart is in my future!

Think positive. Zen and stuff as well, to shield off the despair.

I am fortunate to have a hard-working spouse to support me and our 5 kids, but with a son with a chronic illness, bills are piling up!

I'm sorry to read this, and I hope you found a job that makes your life easier.

My question is, how do I fashion myself into those other jobs without more so-called necessary training?

After my PhD, and while I was preparing my job search, I wrote quite a number of posts about this topic. My recommended reading for you:
Preparing for life after the PhD: re-train your brain
Life After Graduate School: What happens next?
Getting a job, after the PhD
What should you do after your PhD?
Q & A: The PhD and The Job Market
An Expat Scholar’s View from the Gulf
Finding employment outside of academia
How you should prepare for a career outside of academia: 7 lucky tips for a smoother transition
PhD Talk Interview: Creating your Career, post-PhD
I am Nathan Ryder and This is How I Work

Q & A: The PhD and The Job Market

I was recently interviewed on the job market after obtaining a PhD. You can find the interview here:

1. When you began your PhD, what were your initial career plans?

I didn’t really have plans – my original plan was to pursue a PhD at the university where I was enrolled for my Master’s, but then the economic crisis of 2008 hit and funding was impossible to find. At the beginning of my PhD I was open for both working in the industry after my PhD (seeing bridges being built) as well as staying in academia. More than anything, I went into my PhD out of curiosity and out of my love for learning – two factors that have been driving the course of my life.

2. Were you always interested in going into academia?

Not really – I just always wanted to do something that I find interesting and challenging. The regular school system had me bored out of my mind, and once I got out of there, I just wanted to go and study something difficult, something that would actually be fun and intriguing – and, as I mentioned before, this curiosity and need for getting my brain to work, has been a constant drive for me.

3. If you weren’t in academia, what career path would you have taken?

I have a broad range of interests. I could have gone full-time into bridge engineering in the industry (I am working on some projects in the industry besides my academic work at the moment). Other career paths that draw my attention (in no particular order) are: teaching yoga, writing (poetry mostly) and music.

4. How did your PhD research get picked up by the Dutch Ministry of Transport?

I actually joined a project as one of 5 PhD students that was funded based on a need of the Dutch Ministry of Transportation to further analyse the shear capacity of the existing bridges. Since I applied to the open position for a PhD student, their need for this research came before any of my results.

5. How did you secure your research position at TU Delft after receiving your PhD?

It followed naturally from the experiences that I had during my PhD – more than anything, I think the excellent work relationship I built up with my direct colleagues made it a logical step to keep working together. It was decided before my graduation that at least I would be able to stay as a guest, without a salary, but keeping the research tie, keeping my library access and similar benefits. When funding was found to hire me as a part-time researcher, I was very happy. Practically it means that during the summer semester of Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where I am a professor, I return to The Netherlands to focus on research, work on short research projects, or chip in where my colleagues need an extra bit of help.

6. What do you think of the jobs market for PhD graduates outside of academia?

At least in the field of engineering, I think there will always be a need for people with a deep understanding of the problems that the industry faces. Sometimes it might be a little more difficult to explain the value of the PhD degree to some companies, but none of my fellow PhD students from the same research group seemed to have any difficulties securing a job position – in academia or in industry.

7. Do you feel your PhD gave you an ample skillset to pursue roles outside of academia?

Absolutely. I work on some smaller projects in the field of design of structures outside of my academic work, and the speed with which I can develop a design is very high, because I have a deep understanding of the structural behaviour of concrete. Moreover, when I’m faced with the need to design a structural element I haven’t designed before, or I need to familiarize myself with a code that I haven’t used before, I only need a few hours to soak up the new material before I can put it into practice – again, thanks to a thorough understanding of the behaviour of structural concrete.

8. You mention the need to learn ‘non-scientific skills’ during a PhD, what are these?

Communication more than anything: giving presentations and writing reports and papers. Planning and time management skills are another important set of skills: you can’t manage 4 years’ worth of research without a basic time management system.

9. What advice would you give someone undertaking a PhD who is worried about finding a job after graduation?

If your graduation date is more than a year into the future: relax – you never know what curveball the economy is going to throw you (good or bad). If you graduation date is coming up: go to events and network with companies and other universities, talk to your senior colleagues about your job search and ask about their recommendations and experiences, visit the career center of your university for some guidance on finding a position upon graduating. If you want to stay in academia, familiarize yourself with the institutions that award research grants, and their requirements.

What should you do after your PhD?

More Q&A today!

I recently received the following question from a reader:

Hello, i just want to know what i should do after completion of Ph.D?

Excellent question, but not one that I can answer right away. I don't have my crystal ball lying around to tell you what the Flying Spaghettimonster has in store for you after the PhD.

Now with that disappointment out of the way, let me give you the no-nonsense answer:

It all depends on you!

To guide you in your thinking, consider the following questions:
- What would you like to do after your PhD?
- What are your strengths and for which competences can you leverage your skills?
- Are you willing to move away from your current location?
- What type of lifestyle do you want to have?

As I transitioned from being a PhD student to a young professor, I've written extensively about the topic, and I also had the opportunity to invite others over to share their experiences. Here is an overview of posts that might be of your interest:
- Getting a job, after the PhD: my own cautious tale on how to navigate the job market after the PhD. Do read the comments - some people found the post to be rather negative and have more uplifting stories to share.
- Finding employment outside of academia: My interview with Samuel Oduneye in which we touch upon the many possibilities you have outside of academia, and how you can show the value of your skills.
- Preparing for life after the PhD: re-train your brain: an excellent guest post by Dr. Chris Humphrey about leaving academia when the time is right.
- Life after graduate school: What happens next: a guest post by Gemma Gaten, on the fact that your diplomas sometimes might not be valued as much as you'd wish.
- PhD Talk for AcademicTransfer: Leveraging your Job Seeking Position by Highlighting your Academic Skills : What are you, as a recently graduated or soon-graduated-PhD bringing to the table that other candidates (without a research degree) don't have?
- Four Tips That Will Get You Noticed During a Job Interview : Once you are at the point of going for an interview, read this guest post by Ross Jilling before you walk into the interview room.
- An Expat Scholar’s View from the Gulf: There are academic jobs out there, but sometimes you might need to move far away. I opted for South America, John Laprise, author of this guest post, moved to the Gulf - read his positive story about moving countries to build your academic career.
- PhD Talk for AcademicTransfer: Academic Culture and the PhD Experience : I wrote this post for prospective PhD candidates, but the idea holds true for every academic: consider the culture of the country and university you will moving to when you are thinking about making the leap.
- PhD Talk for AcademicTransfer: The Curious Case of the Academic Nomads: More about moving countries - this post deals with the fact that we often move around for our studies and academic careers, and give some advice.

PhD Talk for AcademicTransfer: Leveraging your Job Seeking Position by Highlighting your Academic Skills

This post is part of the series PhD Talk for AcademicTransfer: posts written for the Dutch academic career network AcademicTransfer, your go-to resource for all research positions in the Netherlands.

These posts are sponsored by AcademicTransfer, and tailored to those of you interested in pursuing a research position in the Netherlands.

If these posts raise your interest in working as a researcher in the Netherlands, even better - and feel free to fire away any questions you might have on this topic!

After 3 or 4 years of hard work and study, you have received your PhD degree, and you wonder: "What is next in life?".

Very few PhD graduates remain in academia after obtaining their doctoral degree. Most of us will go to the industry.
And every so often, especially in the Netherlands, the following remark comes up during the hiring process:

"Why did you spend your time on doing research, while you now want to come and work in the industry? Shouldn't you have gone to work straight after your Master's degree and used these years to get real-life experience?."

When this question, or a similar remark comes up, don't feel offended or misunderstood. Instead, highlight your academic skills as a function of your job search. Needless to say, think thoroughly about this subject before you walk into the interview room...

While a number of years of experience in practice are certainly very valuable, these years in academia, especially while working towards a PhD degree, provide you with skills that might make you a more attractive candidate for the open position.

Let me restate that clearly: your doctoral training has made you an independent researcher, with an array of unique skills that are highly valuable in industry.

Depending on your field, you can think of the following skills that put you ahead of other applicants:

1. Analytical skills
Whether your PhD research relies on qualitative or quantitative data analysis, there is almost always a large chunk of analytical work involved in PhD research. Being able to handle large amounts of data is a skill needed by consultancy offices, private labs as well as many large technical companies.

2. Autonomy
Getting a PhD is all about becoming an independent researcher. No third or fourth year doctoral candidate has his/her adviser watching over his/her shoulder while working. You might be working weeks on end on something, trying out different paths, iterating, and making your own decisions. This large level of autonomy gives you the ability to work on larger projects, all by yourself, while being able to communicate your decisions and the reasons for these decisions to your superiors later on.

3. Ability to learn new topics and skills
A very typical situation during your PhD studies is one in which you run into a subject that you don't know much about, or one in which you seem to be needing a different computer program or programming language to continue your research work. Instead of lifting up your shoulders and thinking: "Well, too bad, I don't know that...", you head out to the library to pick up a book on the subject, read a couple of papers on the subject, follow an online tutorial or start getting involved in a programmer's forum. This ability to learn by yourself new topics and skills, combined with your autonomy, gives you the ability to advance quickly in your career in almost any given field.

4. Deep understanding of your field
Since a doctoral degree is the highest level of education you can achieve, you can pride yourself in the fact that you know more about a certain topic than most other people. In fact, when it comes down to your sub-topic of research, you can claim that you are the expert in your field on that topic - you simply are the only person who knows all the ins and outs of the topic you chose for your PhD studies.

5. Teamwork skills
A PhD degree is always the result of cooperation: with your supervisors, with funding institutions, with other researchers, and with laboratory technicians. Nobody ever graduated by brooding in his/her room in complete isolation for a couple of years and then spitting out 1000 pages of innovative research material. Being able to work in teams is one of the great skills you learn during your doctoral studies.

6. Writing skills
Those papers and that thesis didn't write themselves, and they certainly did not get written without developing sound academic writing skills. With all the writing practice you get during your doctoral years, you will be able to whisk together reports and briefings faster and in a clearer style than your peers who did not go into a PhD program.

7. Presentation skills
Just like you got a good training in (academic) writing during your PhD, you also got a good training at giving presentations. Remember your very first presentation in graduate school? Remember how nervous you were, and how afterwards you learned how to better structure your talks until it almost became second nature? You need to realize that this communication skill is again very valuable to prospective employers.

8. Extra skills you learned during your PhD
During your PhD years, you certainly picked up a few extra, general skills besides your analytical and communication skills. You might have taught yourself a programming language, you might have learned how to speed-read, or you might have taken a number of courses to sharpen your soft skills. Think about all these extra skills, and use them to your advantage to show the benefit of your years of doctoral study.

As I said earlier, make sure that you go well-prepared to your interview, by thinking about the additional benefit you can bring to a company through the skills and topics you mastered during your PhD research. Highlight the value of yourself and your skills as a function of the company where you are applying for a position: show them clearly what unique characteristics you are bringing into the company, and how the company will benefit from this.

An Expat Scholar’s View from the Gulf

Since I wrote a post about the topic of finding a job after the PhD, I've been receiving a lot of feedback from you guys (thanks so much!). One of the people who approached me to discuss the employment debate a little further is John Laprise, a Visiting Professor in Residence at Northwestern University in Qatar. He's about as interdisciplinary as you can get with degrees in Media, Technology and Society; War Studies; History; Religion; and Interdisciplinary Studies. He has also worked as a consultant in the private sector for a decade in the logistics, telecommunications and higher education sectors. John contacted me and told me about his story. Since I'm now a professor at a young university in a country that might be considered as "off the beaten path" as well, my curiosity was triggered, and I asked John to share his story on PhD Talk.

I recently re-entered the job market for the first time in ten years from Doha, Qatar. In 2003, I began my PhD at Northwestern. Five years later, they approached me and asked me to join the faculty of their new campus following my graduation. I was fortunate. I was the right person at the right place at the right time. I could teach needed courses, my research was portable, I had lived previously in the Middle East, I did not have a family to complicate relocation, and I had a solid reputation as a graduate student. I was also an older graduate student having spent ten years in the private sector consulting before returning to university.

In 2009 I arrived in Doha and for the past four years, I have been part of an amazing project. There have been many challenges. Starting a university campus is no small feat but the faculty, staff, and students have produced a truly remarkable program over the intervening years. Along the way, my faculty position has afforded me amazing opportunities. Northwestern supports active global scholarship at international conferences which has enabled me to stay connected with disciplinary colleagues and build new international networks of contacts and collaborators. Moreover, I have had truly unique opportunities for interaction ranging from a serendipitous coffee with Vint Cerf to chatting with cast members from Kevin Spacey’s touring production of Richard III. I have had the incredible good fortune to work with ictQatar, the government council that regulates and sets policy for information and communication technology. Many if not most of the amazing interactions I have had here are unthinkably improbable if I were a junior faculty member in the United States.

It is thus with some regret that I confront the end of my time in Doha and look forward to new challenges and opportunities. Unlike many colleagues who have written about the dismal state of the academic job market, I have a decidedly rosier if broader point of view.

I will never be unemployed unless I choose to be.

As an international academic, I quickly realized that as a holder of a US PhD, I would always be able to find a job if I did not limit myself to US academia. Start-up universities are eager to fill newly created faculty positions while existing universities are always interested in improving the prestige of their departments. While US universities receive significant criticism within the US, they have a strong global brand and a US PhD is prestige. PhD holders from US universities are globally rare and sought after, regardless of discipline. A PhD can be a credential for non-academic employment. International organizations and governments are eager to hire PhDs.

PhD holders are trained to be creators of new knowledge and in an information society that skill set is highly valuable.

Our information society thrives on the creation of new knowledge and PhD holders are an important part of that ecology. A PhD announces expertise at creating and sharing new knowledge in a critical and intellectually rigorous way. Disciplinarity is in some ways less important than the skill set that comes with the discipline. These skills are also very valuable outside of academia. I am a historian of computers and the same skills I use to sift through archives and construct narratives is equally useful when I consult on trends in technology policy.

I want to be paid for doing intellectually challenging work with people I like.

My happiness is important to me and I value it highly. Crucially, I do not define who or what or where my employer might be. I think of myself as a renaissance artisan or condottiere whose work is supported by a patron. When the funding runs out, the contract ends, or the interests of patron and scholar diverge, I must find a new patron. This does not diminish the quality of my work or my professionalism. This is the situation I find myself in currently. Northwestern has established itself in Qatar and is now developing a strong regional research program while I study White House computerization. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just business.”

Non-tenure track faculty are underpaid academic consultants.

Post-docs, visiting and adjunct faculty tread academic water hoping for a tenure track line, but most will drown without ever landing that position. If these academic consultants decided to ply their trade in the private sector, they would almost certainly command equal if not better compensation and work-life balance but this is not an easy choice because:

Academics tend to identify with their knowledge rather than their skills.

Academic position are frequently advertised by looking for scholars with knowledge in particular areas. The private sector is interested in what skills you have. For many academics, setting aside their knowledge in a subject and identifying with the skills of an archival researcher for instance can be difficult. One big exception are scholars who are methods pioneers. They tend to make the jump without a problem. This is compounded by the fact that:

Academia does not encourage taking risks.

Graduate students spend five or more years at the mercy of their committees. In some cases, this is a benevolent tyranny but in others it’s more like the Terror. Tenure-track faculty are no less ruled by tenure review committees. So for ten or more years, academics are encouraged to take some risks but only within circumscribed bounds. It’s no wonder that many academics fear a private sector job search.

It has never been easier to search for a job.

Internet ubiquity and the global hunger to fill challenging positions means that employment and networking opportunities abound. Spread your wings and move a little outside your comfort zone. Odds are your comfort zone is actually bigger than you thought it was.

Four Tips That Will Get You Noticed During a Job Interview

Today we are expanding on the topic of finding a job after the PhD. This guest post by Ross Jilling gives you some ideas on how to stand out when you go for a job in the industry.

The economy has made finding a job increasingly difficult, but when you reach the interview stage there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of landing the position. Being polite, forthcoming, honest, prepared, well-dressed and having extra resumes are all excellent preparation to be made, but if you focus on a few key areas, you’ll stand apart from the pack and increase your chances tremendously. Companies want employees who can communicate well, are personable, and know how to behave in professional settings, and the following will help prove that you are capable of such tasks.

Speak With Authority
The most common mistake people make during interviews is to speak elaborately and meekly. Filler words such as “um” and “like” should be avoided while talking to the interviewer. If necessary, pause while speaking to collect your ideas instead of using filler words. The company wants to see that you can communicate effectively, and as a professional. Verb tense should never be passive, either. A passive tense is typically dull, and many people find it boring. Instead, use active tenses to increase your own energy and raise the interviewer’s interest.

Remaining confident and upbeat can also help, but don’t be disingenuous. An interviewer may think that you come off as fake if you behave with too high-levels of energy. Instead, try to maintain a natural and healthy level of positive energy.

Practice Your Posture
Aside from speech, your posture is the second most important outward trait that others will use to judge you. It’s important not to slouch, recline, or sit awkwardly. It’s also best not to lean against objects while standing and to retain an upright posture. While seated, sit upright, back straight, with your feet planted firmly on the floor, or crossed. Hands should remain at your sides while standing, or in your lap while sitting; never fiddle with objects, play with garments, or fidget since unnecessary distractions may interrupt your thoughts and make conversation awkward.

Eye contact is another important and often-neglected aspect of posture. It may be difficult, but don’t let your eyes wander while speaking to the interviewer. Eye contact creates a human connection, and it also affirms an assertive presence.

Personal Speech
There are common questions asked during nearly every interview. One is surely a variation of “tell me about yourself.” Always prepare for this question by creating a story about your past that has shaped your values, accomplishments, and goals. Make it informative but brief, so the interviewer may ask you questions afterward. Beforehand, do some research about the company and tie the organization’s values into your story as well.

Dress to Succeed
Most interviews will require business dress. For men, that means a button-down shirt and tie, slacks, and dress shoes. For women, it means a business suit, a blouse and skirt, or a dress paired with nice shoes. Appearing at an interview with a slovenly or casual appearance is unacceptable, and most interviewers will discard the interview, no matter how impressive you may be. Choose clothing that fits well and you’ll stand out on your own. Friends or family can help you choose clothing that works best, but remember to dress conservatively and in a way that doesn’t distract from the interview.

It’s important to stand out in a positive way during job interviews. Many interviewers will interview dozens of people, and your chances of getting the job drop dramatically if the interviewer cannot recall much about your time together. Speak clearly, maintain a strong presence, prepare a story that identifies you, dress well, and you’ll stand apart from the crowd.

Ross Jilling writes es all about employment and education. His recent work is a piece titled "Smart Choice 25 Best Online Colleges"