In the past, a research degree was typically considered to be training for an academic career; however, research shows that the majority of postgraduate researchers go on to work in sectors other than academia. As well as developing you into a subject expert, a research degree also helps you develop broader qualities including strong analytical, project management, and communication skills. It can therefore be really useful to spend some time considering your strengths, interests and what matters to you in a future career, before exploring the options open to you, to make sure that you are aware of what is out there.
Identifying what matters to you in a career
When considering future career options, it can help to start by looking at yourself: your interests, your values and what really makes you tick. This can then help you to evaluate and narrow down your options. Any feedback, report or results that you get from taking a self-assessment exercise can also be a useful starting point for a one-to-one career guidance appointment.
- Understand your strengths and what comes naturally to you. This can help you to work out what comes naturally to you, and what parts of yourself you most want to apply to whatever you do next. Cappfinity offer a free strengths profile which you can complete on the Cappfinity website.
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Undertake a self-audit and examine your skills, experience, motivations, needs and values. This will put you in a better position to choose the career that is right for you, and will give you some ideas about how you might market yourself to employers. You can access a skills audit through our Canvas course PGR careers beyond academia: a one-stop e-guidance course to help you understand your work preferences and explore your options beyond academia. The 'Panopto' section of the course also contains recordings of previous webinars and workshops on planning for careers beyond academia, including a session called 'Your PhD, What Next? Understanding What you Want from Life Beyond your PhD.'
More Career planning courses and information
Exploring your career options
There are numerous opportunities available in sectors other than academia that will also enable you to use your research skills, your broader skills and interests, or your specialist subject knowledge.
The following web sites provide further information about the range of possible careers available to you and may help you to consider your options.
Marketing yourself to employers
Many postgraduate researchers underestimate what they can offer to an employer outside of academia. You may be unsure about how to identify your selling points. On the other hand, you may fear that you will be considered 'overqualified' for roles that do not require a PhD, but 'under-experienced' for positions asking for a track record in a particular industry. If you are looking for advice on how to market yourself to employers effectively, then you might like to discuss this with the PGR Careers Adviser, or check out our Application advice pages for further information.
Other resources that might help you to articulate your skills and experience to non-academic employers include this article on translating PhD skills to employers, as well as this piece on putting your skills across in interviews for roles beyond academia.
Starting your own business
For some of you, running your own business may be an attractive option. If you feel that you have an idea that is commercially viable then support is available from our B-Enterprising team. Information is also available from the following web sites: