Moving from Academia to Non-Academia is hard, especially if you are coming from a school that has little guidance on how to bridge the gap between these two worlds. Having just recently taken this journey myself, I want to help those who have also decided to take a non-traditional path out of their Ph.D. program. Below you will find resources that I found helpful on resumes, networking, federal and private sector jobs, and tips I wish I had. I hope this helps, and if I can be helpful in any way please let me know! It can be scary and uncomfortable going from something you know to a world that seems so different, but I promise you can do it and you will end up somewhere great! Good luck!
Books To Read If You Are Just Starting Out
James Goldgeier and Tamara Cofman Wittes' new book Foreign Policy Careers for PhDs: A Practical Guide to a World of Possibilities
Building Your Resume
10 Things Smart Ph.D.s Do NOT Put on Industry Resumes
CV Resume Resource Guide
Harvard Resume Examples
Incorporating Research Project Experience
Ph.D. to Industry Resume Template, Example, & Tips - Life After My Ph.D.
Resume Action Verbs
UChicago Resume Builder
You can find the latest version of my resume on the home page next to my CV
Your Transferable Skills
Ph.D. Transferable Skills
Skills Assessment
Transferable Skills Self Assessment
Jobs Boards
Exploring Applied Career Options
Nonprofit Jobs
Think Tanks
Social Impact Job Board
IR Jobs (with some gender focus)
Job Sites
Tips!
- Are you early in your career thinking about leaving academia? Make sure you participate in programs like Bridging the Gap, which will help you in this endeavor.
- Start reaching out early! The earlier you start to network the better likelihood you will have something lined up when you graduate.
- If you are hoping to get a job with a security clearance give yourself 6 months - 1 year to have the clearance go through (mine took 12 months)
- Create a LinkedIn
- Reach out to your existing network! Professors who have worked in both academia and non-academia, people you met at conferences, friends, family members, connections on LinkedIn
- Find someone who has your dream job, then reach out to them and ask them how they got there
- Follow up with everyone
- ALWAYS BE NETWORKING! The saying goes "Who you know gets you in, and what you know keeps you there"
Have a resource you think I should add to this page? Let me know!
James Goldgeier and Tamara Cofman Wittes' new book Foreign Policy Careers for PhDs: A Practical Guide to a World of Possibilities
Building Your Resume
10 Things Smart Ph.D.s Do NOT Put on Industry Resumes
CV Resume Resource Guide
Harvard Resume Examples
Incorporating Research Project Experience
Ph.D. to Industry Resume Template, Example, & Tips - Life After My Ph.D.
Resume Action Verbs
UChicago Resume Builder
You can find the latest version of my resume on the home page next to my CV
Your Transferable Skills
Ph.D. Transferable Skills
Skills Assessment
Transferable Skills Self Assessment
Jobs Boards
Exploring Applied Career Options
Nonprofit Jobs
Think Tanks
Social Impact Job Board
IR Jobs (with some gender focus)
Job Sites
Tips!
- Are you early in your career thinking about leaving academia? Make sure you participate in programs like Bridging the Gap, which will help you in this endeavor.
- Start reaching out early! The earlier you start to network the better likelihood you will have something lined up when you graduate.
- If you are hoping to get a job with a security clearance give yourself 6 months - 1 year to have the clearance go through (mine took 12 months)
- Create a LinkedIn
- Reach out to your existing network! Professors who have worked in both academia and non-academia, people you met at conferences, friends, family members, connections on LinkedIn
- Find someone who has your dream job, then reach out to them and ask them how they got there
- Follow up with everyone
- ALWAYS BE NETWORKING! The saying goes "Who you know gets you in, and what you know keeps you there"
Have a resource you think I should add to this page? Let me know!