Read on Twitter
Once again huge thanks to everyone who got in touch re the below. A few people asked for a list of the jobs/areas I was made aware of so I’ve listed some below... https://twitter.com/JadeVShepherd/status/1286326205579493377
Academic publishing (e.g editorial assistant)
Bid writing
Library work (cataloguers, subject librarians)
Museum work (curators, managers...)
Psychotherapist
Local council work (admin)
3rd sector management roles (bid writing, research & evaluation)
Policy work (civil service)
Bid writing
Library work (cataloguers, subject librarians)
Museum work (curators, managers...)
Psychotherapist
Local council work (admin)
3rd sector management roles (bid writing, research & evaluation)
Policy work (civil service)
Actually the civil service came up a bit...
Case writer (preparing learning materials for academic depts)
School teachers
Professional services (HE): REF admin/managers, PAs, learning development advisors, project managers, project & funding officers
Case writer (preparing learning materials for academic depts)
School teachers
Professional services (HE): REF admin/managers, PAs, learning development advisors, project managers, project & funding officers
Some of these things obvs require further training etc., & some of these sectors are *really* struggling. So of course nothing is guaranteed.
But people are doing important, fulfilling work, & in some cases are doing it because they have a PhD...
But people are doing important, fulfilling work, & in some cases are doing it because they have a PhD...
A few things/tips popped up:
1. Network. Get in touch with people you know (or know of) who are doing what you want to do - ask for advice on applications, job openings (not everything is widely advertised)
1. Network. Get in touch with people you know (or know of) who are doing what you want to do - ask for advice on applications, job openings (not everything is widely advertised)
2. Don’t use your academic CV.
Your publications are brill BUT what skills do they illustrate?
& you do have LOADS of skills! You might just have to frame them a little differently.
Your publications are brill BUT what skills do they illustrate?
& you do have LOADS of skills! You might just have to frame them a little differently.
3. ...& once you’re invited to interview prepare yourself for competency/scenario based interview questions
4. If you’re worried about starting at the bottom: don’t be. Some people found they started on a higher grade because of their PhD (& the skills, experience it gave them!)
5. Nothing is perfect, all jobs have problems. But many who replied said they were glad they left academia (whether straight out of PhD, after yrs job hunting, or after they’d got the “permanent” job).
They gave me a little hope, anyway (even now, even with *the world*)
They gave me a little hope, anyway (even now, even with *the world*)
