DanaLandisPPT

7/22/2019 DanaLandisPPT

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Using Your PhD in the

Non-Academic Job

Search

Dana Landis PhDUCLA Career Center


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How Did You Get Here?

Academia was your original plan, butthen

Academia is still your preferred plan,but the job market looks grim

You pursued a PhD for its own sake,keeping an open mind to the variety

of career possibilities down the road


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Regardless of your relationship

with Academia: PhDs entering the non-academic

realm are experiencing a full-fledgedcareer change

This process can be energizing andexciting, but often brings with it agreat deal of anxiety

There are steps you can take toreduce your anxiety, and increaseyour successes out there in the realworld


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Whats in your way?

Emotional: Youve been socialized to see a non-

academic career as a personal failure

A typical PhD education tends to

stamp out the voice inside us that tellsus what we want, what comesnaturally, and what we love to do

You may feel that leaving academia

means leaving all thoseaccomplishments, sacrifices, years ofinvestment behind you

Youre convinced you know nothing


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Whats in your way?

Functional: Youre surrounded by academics

Your mentor, advisor, or greatestadvocate may not support you if youleave the fold

Your accomplishments are hard tocommunicate to people outside ofacademia

You dont have a traditional workhistory, and may be judged asovereducated, yet under-qualified


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Whats the result?

Every year, thousands of PhDs applyto academic positions they dont reallywant

Every year, great non-academic jobsgo to less talented, less creative, lesscompetent applicants because PhDsare hiding out in the ivory tower

Every year, really educated, smart,motivated, socially concerned people(thats you) wind up in jobs that dont

excite them, or fully utilize their talents


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What can you do?

First things first

Broaden your value system beyond

that of academia

Reconnect with your preferences,passions, and long-term goals

Connect with PhDs working outsideof academia

Reframe your education (what it cando for you, not what its keeping youfrom doing)


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Exploring

An effective job search requires somefocus and some flexibility:

Researchfields and industries

through informational interviews,Career Center libraries, and theinternet

Learnthe language, values, and

culture of the industries that interestyou

Be openand flexible in the face ofunforeseen events and opportunities


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Assessing Yourself

What can you do? Move away from thinking in terms of

your accomplishments, and think interms of the skills youve developed

Reframe your research or teachingexperiences to match the industryyoure entering (i.e. a consultingemployer would be interested in your

strong communication skills, trainingskills, and complex problem solvingskills)


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Presenting Yourself

There is no substitute for a clear,concise, targeted resume:

Study resumes from the industryyoure entering

Apply their language and constructsto describe your background andexperience

Keep it short (1-2 pages), and easy toread

Get feedback on your resume fromsomeone who works in the industry


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Resume Tips

Reframe, rather than disregard, youracademic experience:

Translate knowledge ( i.e. mydissertation described the impact of non-

governmental organizations on thedevelopment of democratic institutions inKenya)

Into skills ( i.e. Researched and wrote a

dissertation. Identified research problemand designed criteria to evaluate possible

explanations. Developed timeline, cultivated

contacts in Kenya, and supervised a team of

undergraduate researchers)


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Skills? What skills?

Supervision Skills:

Scheduling and monitoring groups ofstudents

Managing conflict Train, coach, manage groups,

delegate, coordinate events

Promote and facilitate change

Develop new ideas, solutions


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Skills!

Interpersonal and CommunicationsSkills

Public speaking, professionalpresentations, lecturing

Active listening, motivating,representing others ideas

Writing, editing, abstracting

Performance feedback to studentsand colleagues

Mediation, counseling, collaboration


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And more skills!

Research and Planning Skills:

Creating new ideas

Problem-solving

Identifying resources and gatheringbackground information

Needs analysis, programdevelopment, outcome evaluation

Grant-writing and documentation RESEARCH!!


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My Interview with a Publisher

Skills you already have:

Editing and writing

Project coordination

Monitor, supervise groups of people Keeping multiple balls in the air

Working to deadline

Establishing relationships with

outside buyers and distributors Keeping an eye on the big picture


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My Interview with a Publisher

Skills you need to develop Copy editing skills (6 week course)

Developmental editing skills (6 weekcourse)

Some publishing experience (work asa freelancer, or take an entry-level job

just long enough to get oriented)

Desktop skills (if you wanted to

pursue book production: cover design,book design, type-setting)


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Things to remember

A little training goes a long way

Entry-level doesnt last long for PhDs

Freelance is a good way to get

acclimated You can start freelancing while youre

still in school

Conversations with people in the biz

will guide your decision-making andsave you time

Your PhD training is immediatelyapplicable


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When times are tough

managers take few chances:

Seek out opportunities to get hands-on experience in the field (i.e. part-

time entry-level, freelance, volunteer,apprenticeship)

Show initiative, and be ready toclearly communicate WHY youre

interested, convey enthusiasm, andexpress your willingness and desire tolearn


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Final Thoughts

PhDs working outside academiareport just as much job satisfaction,creative control, independence, and

intellectual stimulation as thoseworking inside

Your network is everything, talk toeveryone, keep contact through e-

mail, and be open about your goals Be patient, and keep moving toward

the things that truly interest and excite

you


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