Want to know about the career opportunities after the PhD? Well! Everyone thinks of his/her bright future. It is never too early to begin thinking about what you love to do after your graduation.
During the time of PhD defence, people start finding a job. Well! There are several career opportunities available for you. Till now, you will come to know that every PhD student does not continue in academia. People with PhDs are desirable at a different place, and your skills prepare you for additional challenges.
Let’s talk about different paths and options or career opportunities after the PhD.
Post-Doc: Academia
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The traditional step in academia is landing a post-doc position. The post-doc contracts have multiple lengths (between 1 – 4 years). An option is to stay at the university where you got the PhD and get a project on what you did for the PhD. You can use the time of post-doc them to publish the research you did during the PhD and grow your network of research.
Faculty Position: Academia
Some students do not like the above step and choose this option right away. If you can be a faculty member on a tenure-track program when you are fresh out of the university, you can be in a little deprived position, because you do not have the post-doc time to up the publications you did. Usually, as a young faculty member, you can spend some time on teaching as well.
You may think of choosing a faculty position at a place where you get the PhD, and you may know that number of openings is limited. But if this is the path you are in search of, and you agree to make a move and be an academic nomad, then you may find that other parts of the universe are frantic to hire people having a PhD degree to join their faculty. A great bet for this option is developing countries.
Adjunct Position: Academia
These positions are the non-tenure-track positions at institutions. Though some universities exploit the adjunct faculty and burden them with educational duties, other places treat them as they are intended to be treated: the faculty members who deliver valued contributions and have chosen not to track tenure and title of professor.
Teaching at Undergraduate Institutions: Academia
In Belgium and Netherlands, the undergraduate schools are known as “Hogeschool.” These places deliver undergraduate degrees and carry out short projects of research, having a direct application into the industry. In other parts, you see the same system at the places that are teaching-oriented colleges.
These places need individuals with PhDs to make up their staff for teaching and carry out the research practically. The links between these institutions and the industry are more direct as compared to the old and larger universities.
Your Field of Specialization: Industry
An option is to join a company in your field of specialization. Thought some individuals tend to consider the PhD as an extra, useless degree and a waste of time, most companies agree that PhD graduates bring different value to the company, and can be set to handle more complicated issues or to put their refined skill set to work.
Adviser to Policy Makers: Industry
The association between the policymakers and researchers is an individual who is known with the recent research and technical literature, and at the same time can talk about the results to politicians and policymakers to help them in their choices. We need to do some research to make this universe a better place; however, we also want the research to be put in practice. For this method, consultants to policymakers play their role.
Business Consultant: Industry
If you have a PhD in neuroscience, you may think business is nothing for you, but large firms hire PhD graduates from different fields. If you are aware of managing significant amounts of data, these firms will look out for you. If you want to be familiar with the work of such companies, you can join them for a week in which you are asked to solve a case of business.
Become an Entrepreneur: Industry
Isn’t it a great idea to start your own business and convert your research into marketable products? Yes! Obviously, it is. Some universities have similar startups. Also, you can create a business that is not relevant to your research in PhD. The PhD people start companies working as research or career advisors to students, independent researchers, technical translators, and professional proofreaders.
Government
You can do the research, you can be the advisor to policymakers, or you can make your mind to go to the public organization and use your knowledge in a government place. You can work at any of the ministries, where your experience of complicated issued helps making the right decisions. For example, in transportation, a great understanding of the complex system of transport is essential to make the right decisions. Or you can use your mind to work your way up in any political party. The former prime minister of Belgium is a PhD graduate in Chemistry.
Science Journalism and Science Communication
Do you like explaining your family and friends about the broad implications of your research? A career in science journalism and science communication can be for you. Most of the universities require science communicators, who are the links between the public and the researchers. Magazine and newspapers depend on the science journalists for their recent publications and turn them into a clearer and lighter read, emphasizing the impact on the world around us.
Career opportunities after the PhD
These are the career opportunities after the PhD. You have the power to make your own career. There is no need to make one choice and stick with it for your entire life. You can make different career and job changes whenever you like. Follow your nose, pursue your interests. Enjoy life. Don’t forget to visit our website for more content.