Non-Academic PhD Career Information & Connections

Hello! This twitter account will serve as a coordinated place for non-academic PhDs (mostly in political science, at least at first) to share experiences and career paths with those considering a non-academic path.

And then you write a great, tailored cover letter explaining exactly how you can excel at what the job wants to lock in that proof of concept. Stress your ability to learn quickly. Describe how you adapt well and excel at things previously unknown.

This is why I advise people to set up their resumé with a "Professional Experience" section, rather than "Work Experience." Put everything you've done - all the projects in grad school - under Professional Experience, paid work or not. This is your "proof of concept."

A common question about going into non-academic work from academia/grad school is "how can I show experience?" This article has a good answer - you need to show "proof of concept." You address this in your cover letter & by tailoring resumé. katrinahoner.substack.com/p/candid-caree…

If you didn’t get a chance to attend our “Research Work Outside of the Ivory Tower” event on Friday, catch the recording on our YouTube channel. A big thanks to @nataliemj10 @laurabronner @shomzworld @stan_okl @charlesbreton and @decustecu for a great discussion!

Looking for an offramp from academia? If you're a social science Ph.D./ABD with strong qualitative methods training and interest in international democracy/human rights work, I'm here to help: docs.google.com/document/d/11C…. FT, benefits etc. You know, a real job. @NonAcPhDs

Are you a PhD in political science? The insanity of the academic job market has you thinking about other options? Ask our fantastic group of panelists your Qs! @nataliemj10 @laurabronner @shom_mazumder @stan_okl @charlesbreton *Join us Nov 6 at 1pm MST* polisci.colostate.edu/events/researc…

Free resource! Brushing up on (or learning new) coding skills is a great way to expand your job skills & opportunities:

Thinking about career options? Read this blog about moving from academia to think tanks ow.ly/4XSD50B8kiL Based on the joint event we ran with @CH_Events last month. You can also listen to the full event on our YouTube channel youtube.com/watch?v=k06ia3… @BISAPGN @NonAcPhDs

Hi @NonAcPhDs looking for #altac or #nonac jobs, Wiley is currently hiring for a PHD level position. job ad is here: g.co/kgs/bNz8XF

Also be sure to take advantage of panels offered - the Political Methodology conference next week has one focusing on corporate careers. While there are many other options besides corporate, the information will no doubt be useful.

Adding that LinkedIn is useful for nonacademic life and finding people to connect with. I get that it’s not really for most academics, but it is outside of that. Feel free to send me (@nataliemj10) a connection request.

Grad students going on the market this year: Now is the time to start learning/working on nonacademic options if you are worried by what you see on the academic market. Start with networking, though - if you are finishing in May, you won’t apply to nonac jobs until spring.

This will seem pretty obvious but join and participate in professional associations that aren't composed primarily or solely of academics. @AAPOR is mine but there are many others in various disciplines. Go to their conventions (sigh... when conventions happen again)

@rp_griffin Adding that zoom coffee is appropriate in these times. 😊

@NonAcPhDs -Whatever amount you're doing, do more. -In many cities, the bar for asking people out to a coffee is much lower than you think it is. -Don't view them as one-off conversations that you need get something out of RIGHT NOW. You're establishing long-term relationships.

Simple is best for job applications that you aren’t sure are being read by a real person first. And use common resume category headers, not academic ones! (“Work experience” not “research appointments”, for example)

Many scholars have a false belief that they haven’t developed many specific skills during their time in academia that are relevant for jobs elsewhere. As a result, they end up listing generic skills. @AcademicChatter @NonAcPhDs #PhDChat #AcademicLife sciencemag.org/careers/2020/0…

"I have interviewed Ph.D.s who loved all [teaching, academic research] just as much as you do, yet left academe and are intellectually challenged by the work they do today. They still collaborate with smart colleagues. They are making a difference in the world. You can, too."

"It takes time to build a professional network and do research on career options, which is why my advice is to start yesterday."

"Ph.D.s and graduate students who have the misfortune to be on the job market this year or next will need as many career options as they can get. Those career options will be in the private sector, not in academe." "Get serious about Plan B now." chronicle.com/article/For-Wo…