As a young academic, hearing that there is no future for you at university can be quite painful. You have worked hard, solved puzzles, mastered theories and created new knowledge. So you ask yourself: what now?
Can I use my knowledge and skills outside academia? The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, you are brimming with skills that are perfectly suited to many other sectors. Think about everything you have learned during your PhD: immersing yourself in complex issues, conducting research, collecting and analysing data. That drive and analytical skills make you a true detective in any industry that takes data or information seriously.
Whether you end up in marketing, communications, consultancy or project management, your ability to think critically and solve problems is worth its weight in gold.
In addition, you have learned to communicate clearly and convincingly. Your reports, publications and presentations are not just sent out; they are often complex and yet made understandable to a wide audience. These kinds of communication skills are essential in almost every sector.
Whether you are explaining ideas to colleagues, management or customers, your language skills and presentation talent will automatically make you a good conversation partner. And then there is your independence. As a PhD student, you have to plan, meet deadlines and motivate yourself. Working independently in a research environment has taught you to set goals and persevere, even when the going gets tough. This is an extremely valuable skill outside the academic world, where self-motivation and perseverance often make the difference.
Project management and collaboration are also important skills. You have often worked in teams, supervised projects and built partnerships. This has given you good communication skills, flexibility and the ability to ensure that processes run smoothly.
And don't forget your critical eye and creativity. Your way of looking at problems and coming up with solutions can be very valuable in areas such as innovation, design, strategy or policy. Many companies are looking for people who don't just give standard answers, but can think in new and original ways.
In short, you have a wealth of skills that go beyond your title. Take this opportunity to take a look at the bigger picture.
Your knowledge is not limited to one field, but can be flexibly applied wherever curiosity, perseverance and analytical skills are valued.
