course work after phd

Career paths after a PhD

Research Retold

Have you completed your PhD? Congratulations! This is a great achievement. You are part of the world’s 1% of the population with a PhD (Coldron, 2022).

If not, maybe, you are thinking about doing a PhD and are considering if it is the right step for you. If you are looking into your future career, asking yourself what you want to do afterwards is important.

So… what happens after a PhD? What could your next adventure be? Would you like to stay in academia? Would you like to try other paths?

Although the most common direction for PhD graduates is academia, it is not the only one.

• Only 30% of PhD graduates end up in academia three years on ( HEPI, 2020 )
• Other graduates transition into industry, the public or charity sectors, education or become entrepreneurs ( University of Toronto, 2016 ).

It is up to your interests and the opportunities you take to make your talents shine.

In this blog, we touch on three paths: a postdoc , working in industry and becoming an entrepreneur . Consider these options if the next stage of your career is still unclear.

Career paths after a PhD :

What is a postdoc .

The most common milestone in an academic career after a PhD is doing a postdoc. This is a period in which you are expected to manage your own career development.

In what sense? Well, you should be proactive and take steps to become an independent researcher ( KU Leuven, 2022 ). This includes:

• setting up and managing a research project to achieve certain objectives
• sharing your expertise with others through teaching, supervising and outreach activities
• taking part in effective collaborations

Research During a postdoc you can develop the skills to design, develop, implement and adapt an extensive research project. This can be a project proposed by you or you can support an existing project or research group. The project can be small or large-scale, in which case you will also gain coordination skills.

Networking You are encouraged to create and extend a network of researchers and industrial partners. A way to do this is by participating in (international) multi-stakeholder projects or research stays abroad. Besides travelling, staying abroad can enhance your professional profile and enrich the scientific community you are part of. Other tasks you should be mindful of, if you choose to stay in academia, are writing papers as well as editing and submitting grant or funding applications.

Teaching The teaching requirements during the postdoc will vary depending on the institution you are working at. In some cases, teaching is not compulsory. In other cases, you are expected to teach a certain number of hours and balance it with your research time. Whichever the case, it is always advisable to carry out some teaching, grading or tutoring; this will enhance your CV, build up your experience and reinforce your knowledge.

Existing support As a postdoc, you should get support from a senior academic who will play the role of “host” and offer guidance. Be mindful of who you choose to work with. Is that person an expert in your field of interest? Are they interested in your project? Are you interested in their project or research group? Are your working styles compatible? As in the case of the PhD, having a good relationship with your supervisor can boost your research and even your career.

Is a Postdoc for you?

Go for it if you want to stay in academia and if you want to become an independent scientist.

How do you know if you want to be a scientist? Well, getting involved in academia can occur in different ways. For example, some people use the PhD or the postdoc as means to advance their career since they can move to different countries and meet different networks where they find better opportunities. In other situations, good students working closely with a professor or research group can be offered the opportunity to stay for longer projects doing a postdoc.

Alternatively, there are people who have always wanted to do research. In this case, a postdoc might be the best course of action since it allows you to consolidate your research skills and gain more experience. Just remember that a postdoc is for a short period of time, usually a couple of years, and afterwards, you might be competing for funding often. If financial stability is a priority for you, consider your options carefully.

During the postdoc, you become aware of your capabilities and you realise how you can employ the skills you learned during the PhD for a personal project. “

Dr Jonathan J Huerta y Munive, Postdoc at the University of Copenhagen

Working in Industry

What are the options for a PhD graduate in the industry?

Positions for PhDs in the industry largely depend on the field of the PhD, and what skills and interests you cultivated. For example, PhDs in arts and humanities can be a good fit for the publishing industry, digital marketing, NGOs, charities or civil services. Moreover, STEM PhDs can find a place in pharmaceuticals, data science, consultancy, industrial chemistry, aeronautics, finance, or even software engineering, among others ( Bennett, 2022 ).

Is a path in industry for you?

The industry has a faster pace and is a different environment than academia. If you want a change of lifestyle, then working in industry might be for you. Another advantage is that in industry, contracts tend to be longer than a postdoc, which provides more financial stability.

How can I transition to industry?

If you want to make the change from academia to the industry you must focus on your strengths. During the PhD, you gained many skills that are highly transferable to the industry. Here are some of the top transferable skills you gain from a PhD ( Lantsoght, 2022 ):

• Writing: After writing a thesis (and possibly journal papers or even blogs), your writing skills have been trained to be clear and concise. This comes in handy when reporting to someone, managing a team or for written communication in general.
• Presenting: If during the PhD you presented your research to many audiences, you now have practice in translating complex information and insights into accessible language and format. Use this skill to express your thoughts clearly according to your audience and influence others, for example when building relationships with stakeholders.
• Visualising information: Depending on your research, it is likely that you employed different visualisation techniques for your thesis and presentations. This experience to create and use clear visualisations is useful for reporting, presenting and management.
• Time management: During the PhD, you learn to manage your time and prioritise tasks. You become capable of organising yourself and meeting deadlines. This is very useful for project management and supervising.
• Analytical thinking : Being able to critically analyse a situation and solve complex problems is crucial in research, but also in businesses. Comparing solutions, deciding the best course of action and being able to see the big picture can provide a competitive edge to organisations.
• Autonomy: During the PhD, you learn to be independent and proactive. You do not need someone to tell you what to do next or to give you a set to-do list. Many organisations appreciate it if you do not require a lot of supervision.
• Teamwork: Depending on the nature of your research project, you might have come across teams that required your collaboration. For example, PhDs working in a laboratory or research group need to adapt to different opinions and working habits. These collaborations make you open-minded towards others and capable of creating productive relationships.
• Resilience: The PhD is full of challenges (the lab equipment is not working, the participants of your study are not complying with the activities, your code does not run, your draft is rejected… you name it). As you overcome them, you persist in achieving your goals. Being able to recover from setbacks and coming up with new solutions is useful for business development.

These skills are valued by commercial employers and organisations who look for skilled staff (including the public and charitable sectors). They also set you apart from bachelor’s and master’s students, so make sure you take advantage of them.

Additionally, be mindful of your interests and look for matching positions. Research your potential employers and think about what they are looking for. Is this something you have or need to develop? Do the daily activities appeal to you? Do you like the working culture? You can find useful information about companies on LinkedIn, so we recommend you create and maintain your profile. Here are some tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile .

Entrepreneurship

Self-employed PhD

As a PhD graduate, you become an expert in your field. It might not feel that way since you also become more aware of all you ignore. Yet, you still have more knowledge than most people. You can use this knowledge as a consultant within an organisation or independently. Alternatively, you can create your own business. It can be totally unrelated to your PhD or it can be the result of your research.

Creating a science spin-off company

It might be the case that your PhD research project can be employed to create new technology/drugs/methodologies with potential for commercialisation. In this case, creating a spin-off company might be something you can become interested in. Here is a list of 44 examples of spin-off companies in case you are looking for inspiration.

Is entrepreneurship for you?

Having a PhD does not necessarily mean you have an entrepreneurial profile. Although resilience, patience and the ability to work in teams are traits you can develop, entrepreneurs have to go the extra mile to influence and inspire others, while raising money and building trust and relationships ( Domayne-Hayman, 2020 ). If this is something you enjoy, then it can be a good path for you.

Things to consider

If you are thinking about creating a spin-off company from your research, consider the following points ( Domayne-Hayman, 2020 ):

• Is your idea fit to work in the real world? How can you make it appropriate for fulfilling a market need? Remember to get feedback from potential users in the early stages.
• How are you going to protect your idea? This will help you reassure investors that they will have a competitive advantage.
• Is there any support at your institution for startups? Many universities have hubs or incubation centres.
• Do you have any intellectual property obligations towards your institution? There are many cases in which the University has the intellectual property of research carried out within its boundaries. Revise your conditions.
• Who will be your team? What is your leadership style? Make sure you are compatible with your team.
• Who will fund your enterprise? Do research on the available kinds of investment (from venture capital to angel investors and supporting programmes at your institution)

In summary:

What do you think? Are any of these three options appealing to you? What do you want to do after your PhD? Let us know in the comments!

Many thanks to our Research Communicator, Phebe Bonilla, for writing this blog post.

• Bennett, Mark (2022) Non-Academic Careers – Jobs for PhD Graduates . Consulted 20th June 2022.
• Coldron, Alice (2022) How Rare (or Common) is it to have a PhD? Consulted 20th June 2022
• Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) (2020) New report shows 67% of PhD students want a career in academic research but only 30% stay in academia three years on . Consulted 21st June 2022.
• KU Leuven (2022) Charter of the postdoctoral researcher and the senior academic host . Consulted 16th June 2022.
• Lantsoght, Eva (2022) Transferable skills from your PhD . Consulted 20th June.
• University of Toronto (2016) 10,000 PhDs Project , School of Graduate Studies. Consulted 21st June 2022.
• Domayne-Hayman, Barbara (2020) The four pillars of a successful science spin-off company , Nature. Career column. Consulted 21st June 2022.
• 44 firms highlighted in The Spinoff Prize 2020 , Nature . Consulted 21st June 2022.

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Phd graduates: a guide to life after your degree, published by steve tippins on june 25, 2022 june 25, 2022.

Last Updated on: 2nd February 2024, 05:49 am

What do PhD students do after they graduate? What should they do? And what are the unexpected challenges and limitations they encounter?

The first thing a PhD graduate should do is rest and gather their thoughts. It can actually feel stressful to rest after you’re finished because you’re used to pushing yourself to the limit. It can almost be a letdown for some people to have time to rest. However, it is vital to allow yourself to return to a baseline that is a healthy pace of life. Take time and gather your thoughts. 

After that, it’s time to take a look at how to navigate your career after you graduate with your PhD.

Getting a Job as a PhD Graduate

Traditionally, many people moved on to academia after getting their PhD . They would become a professor or instructor. The ideal was to become an assistant professor and do the teaching, research, and service needed to continue; then become an associate professor; and then get tenure and eventually become a professor. That has been the traditional route for people with PhDs . 

But what people do with a PhD is expanding dramatically. In some fields such as education, having a doctorate leads to administrative positions. Many principals and superintendents with doctorates, whether it’s a PhD or EdD, use their degree to enhance their career outside of colleges and universities. They do administrative activities and fill administrative roles in school systems or specific schools. 

Are Universities Failing PhD Graduates?

“Instead of seeking work across society, many highly skilled doctorate holders end up teaching a course here and there – for low wages – in the vanishing hope of full-time jobs as professors. This proliferation of adjunct labor devalues the people doing it and the academic workplace together.” – The Conversation

People are beginning to wonder: Is getting a PhD worth it? Are schools actually doing the right thing by putting out more PhDs? 

Over-Producing PhDs

There are more PhDs than academic jobs at this time. And, the pandemic didn’t help hiring; uncertainties are all over the place. The number of college-age students is lower, so demand for professors is lower. 

What have many universities done in response to all this? They have said, “we are not going to hire tenure track people, we will hire instructors or even adjunct professors.” Doing so frees them from the obligations of tenure. 

Over 50% of doctoral candidates don’t finish their dissertations.

Tenure is almost like locking people up for lifetime contracts. Abandoning this practice gives universities a lot more flexibility to handle their demand. However, this also means that there is a whole group of people who are getting paid a lot less. 

This is especially hard on those in adjunct positions who have earned a PhD. They have spent lots of years working to get paid $2,000 to $10,000 to teach a class. It’s hard to support yourself on that, let alone support a family and pay student loans.

The Adjunct Faculty Rut

Many people who come from a PhD program get stuck in the adjunct faculty rut while searching for a full-time position. They have to do the research to keep current, but they could make more money working a $15 to $20 an hour job that doesn’t require much education. People entering a PhD program should understand that is one of the realities they may face. Now, many people consider careers outside of academia and what a PhD can do for them.

Careers Outside of Academia

Challenges for PhDs Looking for Jobs Outside Academia

One of the challenges people with PhDs face is having employers understand who they are, what their skills are, and why they should hire a PhD. Some people have this perception that PhDs are overqualified to work for them. Other people think PhDs are just theoretical and want somebody who will “actually do work.” You have to combat that thought process. 

Selling the Skill Set of a PhD to Non-Academic Employers

Presenting the skills you acquired doing a PhD to employers and showing them that your skill set is going to be highly valuable is one challenge. This will be less of a challenge over time as more PhDs enter the workforce. 

How do you sell the skill set of a PhD to a non-academic employer? It’s all about communicating the skills you acquired and proved by doing your PhD. Here are some examples:

• In order to get a PhD, you had to be highly organized. 
• In order to keep track of all the research you were doing, you had to be able to carry out a long-term project. 
• You had to be able to work with people, even though some may think you did it alone. 
• You had to be able to work with a committee and essentially manage a group of people. 
• You have planning skills: the planning of your degree, doing the research, and then carrying out the research. It’s a huge endeavor and skill set. 
• You have the technical skills 
• Critical thinking has become part of your normal life. You bring the ability to look at problems from many different sides and then break the problem down and come up with the creative solutions employers are looking for. 

PhDs have to market the skill set more than the degree.

How Does the Glut of PhDs Affect Society?

From a positive perspective, having a group of highly educated people with the skills we just outlined is potentially highly beneficial for society. People within society with these skills can help solve and tackle many problems. 

However, on the opposite side, to get a PhD, you spend time outside of the productive world. You have what some economists might call pent-up demand for materials and services. If there’s a glut of PhDs and you don’t have the capacity to get the jobs you wanted within academia, that can cause unemployment. 

For example, there are places in the United States like Austin, Texas where they say all the taxi drivers have PhDs. People fall in love with Austin, but there aren’t many jobs there. They dedicate huge portions of their life to their PhD and then end up working in jobs they never needed that degree for. 

Is Getting a PhD a Waste of Time?

You shouldn’t get a PhD for financial rewards. However, there is joy in following the pursuit of knowledge. If you are the type of person who really wants to answer questions, explore issues, and come up with solutions, a PhD may be an ideal route for you. If this is the case for you, figure out how to monetize it and become successful. 

For many people, there’s no greater feeling than finding a problem and then providing solutions to it. That can be the beauty and non-monetary reward of being involved in a PhD. Just make sure to cover the financial side of things as well.

Final Thoughts

When you’re doing a PhD, you are surrounded by people who are also on a quest. The camaraderie of supporting each other on these quests can be very rewarding. 

Ultimately, you should not enter into a PhD program lightly. You should understand not only the process of getting a PhD – the rules and procedures – but also why you want to get a PhD. What about it is going to be worth over three years of your life? Explore that, and if you can answer that question, a PhD can be very rewarding.

Steve Tippins

Steve Tippins, PhD, has thrived in academia for over thirty years. He continues to love teaching in addition to coaching recent PhD graduates as well as students writing their dissertations. Learn more about his dissertation coaching and career coaching services. Book a Free Consultation with Steve Tippins

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Tress Academic

#101: Preparing for a career after your PhD or Postdoc (with Tina Persson)

October 19, 2021 by Tress Academic

With a PhD or a Postdoc in your bag, you’ve got many options for your career: You can stay on the academic path, or look for a job in the private or public sector. Many PhD candidates and Postdocs find it hard to make up their mind and identify what their next career step should be. And even once that’s decided, there are a few things you should know about the job hunting game inside and outside of academia. We asked career advisor and leadership coach Tina Persson (PhD) for her advice for the transition period — especially when looking for a job in the industry. She has shared candid tips, personal experiences from her own career, and why it’s good to trust yourself in this process. 

Many of you who are working on a PhD or in a Postdoc position dream about a lucrative and rewarding career to finally make all the struggles and hardships worthwhile. While some think about staying in academia because it’s a well-known environment and they love to do research, others are attracted by professions in the public or private sector. 

From numerous discussions with PhD candidates and Postdocs, I know that for many of you, it’s a struggle to find the right career and in general, make the transition from PhD or Postdoc into a career. It’s never easy!

While I know a great deal about getting an academic career and help applicants to land a permanent academic position —I’m aware that  not everyone completing a PhD will later work in permanent positions at a higher education institution. So looking for outsider expertise is needed to find out what other career options you’ve got. 

For this reason, I’ve invited a specialist regarding the transition from academia to industry: Our colleague and good friend, Tina Persson is an expert when it comes to young academics heading for a job in the private sector. She has a PhD from Lunch University in Sweden, and did her Postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine in Göttingen, Germany. She’s the founder of Passage2Pro , a consultancy providing career advice to folks like you. She’s also working as a leadership coach, and she created the podcast PhD Carrier Stories , which I find super entertaining and very informative.

Let’s get started with the interview with Tina: 

Bärbel:  Welcome, Tina, thank you for taking the time to talk to me and giving insights into what young researchers, PhD candidates, and Postdocs would need to do to get a smooth career start. Before we dive right into this interesting question, let us briefly talk about your experiences as a PhD candidate in Lund, Sweden, and as a Postdoc at the Max Planck Institute in Göttingen, Germany. What do you remember from that time? What are the memories that stick out?

Tina:  What I remember is that I had a lot of fun, and I was working with great people. We had parties and we spent much of our spare time together. I worked very hard in the lab, but I was never really worried that I was not going to get the PhD degree. I always had a mindset of: I’ll sort it out somehow, I will manage! So I remember mostly the happy days. I might have forgotten all the struggles. So what I tell every young researcher today is: Enjoy it! 

Bärbel: That is very encouraging to hear! 

Don’t panic when feeling uncertain about your career!

Bärbel: When I talk to PhD candidates and Postdocs about their career aspirations, they are often uncertain. If I have a group of 20 young researchers, there’s probably one who says upfront “I want to be a professor”, and two or three know they want a job in the industry. The rest are really unsure on what they want to do when their contract ends, and that makes them worry a lot. Is this also your experience? And what advice would you give them?

Tina: My first tip—and this is really the $10 million tip—is: Don’t panic! You will sort it out! 

Many researchers—and people in general—panic in such situations. I think, somehow, that society or the research environment has put so much pressure on people. So they think they are not allowed to say: “You know what? I’m not really sure what I want to do as a next career step. But it’s okay, I will figure it out!” My advice: Ignore the people who put pressure on you. If you get remarks like “Oh my God, you have done a PhD, and you still don’t know what you want in your career?” ignore them!

It is okay to not know. You have to be in that situation for a while in order to figure out what you really want. So tell them “Yes I don’t know, but isn’t that fantastic? Because I have so many doors to open up now. I have so many opportunities!” So lean back, not knowing is normal. If you don’t take the time to figure out what you want, you’ll easily enter one job after the other, and you are never really happy and satisfied.

I have written about this in my book “The PhD Career Coaching Guide.” You can download that chapter for free . It’s about resilience.

So, my first advice is: A normal transition from academia to industry needs about three months to a year, and it’s a learning process. It’s a process about you identifying what you like and don’t like.

Figure out what you want! 

Bärbel:  This is good to know: It will take time to figure it out, and you have to allow yourself to take the time, right? And it’ll probably not be the easiest period in your life, but what you say, Tina, is: Trust yourself. You’ll find out what suits you best! 

Let’s assume I am a PhD candidate or a Postdoc, and I really have no clue what I will do as a next career step. What would you suggest I do? How can I make up my mind? Could you give a few further hints about what would help our early-career researchers to take the first step and figure out which career they want?  

Tina: First, start thinking about what you actually like. Do I like to travel, and does that have to be part of my job? Do I want to be part of a team, or do I like to work on my own? As I mentioned at the start, I liked my PhD because there was a lot of partying going on. I loved that. Maybe that is because I like to be social, I like being among fun people. That is important to me. 

Second, reflect on the experiences in your PhD and Postdoc years. That can tell you a lot. Did you like working in the lab for yourself? Or were you happier when you could meet and connect with other people? Did you like managing your research or projects? Maybe it is more administration and finance you are interested in? Or are you super creative and you enjoyed writing or coming up with new ideas? 

If I can take myself as an example: From my background and knowledge, I could be a medical writer. But I would be deadly bored in that job after two weeks because I don’t like to write. So start to identify those things. 

Bärbel: So it’s really important to start reflecting on what you like and what you don’t like, right?

Tina: Yes. And then the next thing that you might think about is location. 

Find out where in the world you want to do which job!

Tina: With a PhD or Postdoc behind you, you’ll enter a global job market. But if you kept it entirely open, that would mean you are very unfocused in your job search. So try to narrow down your location preference.

Are you living in the United States and you’re going to stay in the United States? Well fine, then dig down further. I have clients who tell me they want to stay in Europe. “Great,” I say, “that’s 44 different countries—where do you want to go?” And, if you pick one, let’s say it’s France, then there are further practical issues as well. How well do you speak the language, or will you get a work permit there? Do you want to live in a big or small city? How is it with your family? Are you going to bring your family with you?

I have often experienced that people managed to identify their preferences and their dream job, but then they start searching in the wrong region. They looked for their dream job in a certain region in Sweden where I’m living. It’s just that the kind of companies they were looking for don’t exist in that region. So it’s a waste of time. You’ve got to look for the right job at the right place. 

At that stage, you need a more coherent strategy—one that brings it all together. In my coaching, that’s part of my hidden job strategy, because that is a strategy to learn. And when you start to organise these things, then it gets much easier to figure out in what direction you should look.

Bärbel: Let me just sum up what you said: Start with your preferences, what you like, and then think about the part of the world you’d like to live in and see if the jobs you are looking for are available there. So it’s literally like you pick a few elements at the beginning that are really, really important to you, and then you build it up until the picture of what you want is clear, right?

Tina:  Yes. And when you have figured it out and you know—“I’ll go to Berlin, I’m going to work with data science”—this is the point where coaching could come in. This is where I would suggest to an applicant: “Why don’t you start to connect with people who work as data scientists in Berlin? They can mentor you.” Now, you’re ready to have a mentor. So many researchers, I think, do it the other way around. They don’t know what they want, and tend to ask for advice from mentors. And then, they have too many mentors. But they still can’t figure it out.

Bärbel: I think that’s an important point. You say a coach or mentor is helpful in the job search, but it’s you who has to figure out what you want, that is your task. This is the question you have to answer, and of course, consider your family, or your partner. But you can’t just follow all the advice of parents, teachers, mentors, supervisors, everyone around you. At the end of the day, you can’t escape confronting yourself and figuring out what you want. I think that’s important to emphasise.

Send 100 applications to get one job offer

Bärbel:  Let’s focus a bit on the application process itself now. Let’s assume, someone has figured out what they want and they are ready to send out job applications. In my experience, PhDs and Postdocs are often hesitant when it comes to sending out their first job applications. They ultimately underestimate the number of applications they have to send to be successful.

I occasionally hear of candidates who are lucky and score a job after sending just 1-2 job applications. But these are exceptions. What are your thoughts? How many applications does one have to send to receive the first invitation to an interview? 

Tina:  If you get a job with the first application you sent, that is sheer luck! I call that luck! That’s the jackpot, but how high is the chance that you’ll get that? Slim, right?

So I would say, apply for 20 jobs and see what happens. And then we can talk! This is also what I tell my clients. And it might not be so comfortable to hear this, but it’s almost like you have to get rejected at the beginning of your job search. That is part of the journey. It will hurt, but it’s the only way you’ll get better. 

And if you have been rejected for all 20 jobs, then something might be wrong with your CV or with your strategy. Then you have to take a step back and check-in with yourself one more time.

After those first rejections, get rest, get feedback, and improve. At that point, a career coach can really help because they can independently look at your application and give advice on how to move forward.

Bärbel:  I’ll have to jump in here, Tina, 20 applications—that will probably be a surprising number for our audience. 

Tina:  My statistics, Bärbel, are the following: For the corporate job search, if you send 100 applications, you get invited to ten interviews, and you get one job. What’s your experience?

Bärbel:  Well, in most scientific fields you’d scramble to get 100 applications together, though the amount of job openings varies in the different scientific fields and depends on the career stage as well. 

But I share your experience that you need to send many applications: I call it the job-seeking pyramid—it’s very broad at the bottom when you start out, and narrows in towards the top at the end. I tell my job-candidates: You’ll probably read 200 job advertisements, you’ll send 30-40 applications, you’ll end up with two or three invitations to interviews, and you’ll get one offer for an academic position in the end.

Tina:  We are really reconfirming each other’s experiences here. So both from the corporate side and from the academic field, you just have to broaden your scope at the very beginning and do a lot of groundwork to actually harvest a few interviews and secure a good job in the end.

And here’s the next remark my clients usually make: 100 applications? But there are not that many open jobs in my field? So, to put that in perspective, this number—for the corporate side—includes unsolicited applications, networking applications, and hidden jobs that are not advertised. And then you can very well come up to 100 applications. You send applications strategically to key people at the companies you want to work for. 

And I think that many, many PhDs and Postdocs underestimate this networking strategy and the importance of communication.

Get better with every rejection you get

Bärbel : These are great insights that you share, Tina. I just want to come back to something you said a bit earlier. You need some rejections in your job-search, because this is what makes you a better applicant next time. You said the best way to learn this is by having your own—sometimes negative—experiences, right?

Tina: Yes, absolutely, it’s like you need to get through the first rejections. And if I put it that way, even though both career coaches and advisors can support you, the best training you get is your own life.

Bärbel:  I often find it hard to communicate this to my job applicants. To make them aware of how much they can learn and how much more professional they get with every single interview they attend. I have observed that many times: The first interview of a candidate is crap. Then they move on, and after a few nasty experiences, they learn to enjoy the interview process. Then after doing four, five interviews, bang! They nail it and get an offer. 

Don’t say ‘yes’ to every job—trust your feelings! 

Tina:  I’ve got to share a story from a friend of mine who is very experienced in the job market. She called me and said, “I’ve just been through the most funny interview in my life. After the first 5 minutes, I heard myself—as a candidate—saying You know what, thank you for inviting me. But this job is not for me! ” Then she asked me, “Tina, what do you think, was that good or bad?”

Well, I told her, this is how interviewing goes. It’s not only the company looking at you, it’s also about how you think and feel about working for them. If you realise in an interview that you don’t like the company, you’ve got to be honest with yourself and admit that this is not the place for you. 

Bärbel: I can totally relate to that. When I was searching for staff positions at European universities, I had an interview and the moment I set foot into that Department I knew I didn’t want to work there. There was something that put me off immediately. I don’t know, it was the entire atmosphere, the smell, the carpet, the colour of the doors, whatever. 

If there is something that puts you off during the interview, be honest with yourself. An interview really is testing both sides. But sometimes, of course, as an applicant, you’re so eager to land a job that you’re afraid to admit this. You think you have to say yes, just to get a job. 

Tina:  You think you have to say yes, but, please don’t. I share the same experience: I can tell you when I was afraid to be unemployed, I said ‘yes’ to do a job that my stomach said ‘no’ to. I said ‘yes’ because I was scared. And that was a mistake. One year later, I was unemployed again. 

So my advice for everyone in the job search: Listen a little bit to what your feelings are saying. When you go for the interview, how do you feel about it?

Bärbel:  I think that’s super good advice: Listen to your little inner voice. Is it saying “Yeah, super chance, I’ll jump on it?” Or does your flight instinct set in and you’d rather never come back to the place of your interview.

Celebrate every interview! 

Tina:  Again, this is interviewing: it’s not only about the company looking at me, it’s also about my feelings. Do I want to work for them? But when you are under pressure because your contract ends soon or has ended already, you experience turning down a position as a failure—you see it as if you have failed. Instead of saying: “Wow, I was invited for an interview! I’m gonna celebrate and learn as much as I can in this process.” That is the mindset that you should have as an applicant. 

Bärbel:  Fabulous. I couldn’t agree more: Securing an interview is a major success along the path to getting a job.

Prepare early for the job hunt!

Bärbel: Now let’s assume a candidate has made up their mind on what job to look for. And they are in the final months of their PhD or Postdoc contract, and want to get ready for the job market. What is the bread & butter, so to speak—the essentials of being ready for the job market? What should one prepare?

Tina:  When you have a few months left in your PhD or Postdoc, that’s when you should start sending applications, definitely. But let me be clear: I think you should start earlier, but with different activities. So in your last year, let’s say, maybe listen to the PhD career stories podcast , maybe go to career fairs, check-in with a career advisor, read books about career planning, and figure out your strategy a little bit.

The final months, that’s the time when you should actually start to nail down your résumé. So you have some kind of general résumé that is not tailored to any job. In the end, you should have a one-page application and a two-page application, that you can adapt for different jobs.

Bärbel: One second, I know this is confusing for many applicants: There’s one clear difference between applications for corporate jobs and for academic jobs. For the industry résumé, you prepare a short 1-2 page summary of your experiences and expertise (see this podcast episode Why companies ignore your Resume ). Whereas the academic CV gives a full record of your experiences and achievements, and is therefore much more comprehensive and longer (for advice on setting up an academic CV, see blogpost no. 31: Six smart strategies for a strong Academic CV and no. 33: Why a great academic CV is a work-in-progress! )

Tina:  Oh yes, clearly. I think my academic CV was about 60 pages long—research agenda, teaching portfolio, publications, all included. So be aware of which sector you are applying to. 

And then you should make sure to have a LinkedIn profile. And start connecting with people. This is also the moment when you need to get in touch with people in your network that might be helpful. Get out there and spread the word that you are looking for a job, and send out applications. 

Don’t be afraid to decline an offer

Bärbel:  That brings me to another observation: Researchers often seem to think that everything has to be kept top secret and if they apply, then maybe this or that person might hear about it and that will negatively affect them in the future. So they often hesitate to send out more applications, and instead wait for that one special opening to go up one day. 

Tina:  Sounds familiar: Does it affect my chances in the future if this committee has rejected me or if that institute knows I am looking for a job? No, I say! Don’t be afraid of that, really. Just start out, even if it’s not 100% what you are looking for! Gain experiences and learn from them.

And then you may worry, “But what if I get that job?” Well, that’s good! Then you can make a decision. Just because they offer you a job doesn’t mean you have to take it.

Or you think: “But what if I get two jobs, three jobs?” Well, that’s great I say! Now, you have a choice. 

What’s the worst thing that can happen? You may have to decline an offer. And that’s not the end of the world, you know.

Bärbel: I’ve got to repeat it because I think this is such great advice: You can get a job offer, but that doesn’t mean you have to take it.

Make a decision and be happy with it!

Tina: When you get an offer, you always have a choice to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Certainly, you have to check the details of the offer and first of all, get the contract and see what exactly is written there. And then take your time and make a decision. And Bärbel, I know, there are candidates who are afraid to say ‘no’, because they are afraid they will regret it, and then they call me as their coach for advice. 

And I have to tell them: “This is your choice. Now it’s time for you to sit down and look inside. What is the plus side to this job, and what are the negative aspects? Then you evaluate it. And then you make a decision.” That’s it, don’t look back. Once you make a decision, be happy with it. And when you wake up the next day, it’s a new morning. Don’t look back.

Bärbel:  That’s so good to hear from you, and it might take away a bit of the pressure: No one knows whether a decision you make now is the best choice ten years down the line. But on the day you make that decision, it is the best choice. Otherwise, you wouldn’t make it. That’s it. Once more, it is about being confident and trusting your abilities. 

Tina:  Absolutely! I mean, you made it through your PhD. You made it through a first or second Postdoc. You will make it through the next career step. This is the strength of being a PhD. You have that toughness and persistence, and these are super critical and very positive abilities in the job search. You are a trained scientist, wonderful! 

Bärbel:  Thank you Tina for all the great advice you provided here. I think we managed very well to outline the overall strategy of the job hunt after completing your PhD or even after the Postdoc years. Good luck to you guys out there! Now it’s up to you to start with the first step! 

About Tina Persson:  

Tina is a career and leadership coach, author, and entrepreneur whose creativity, confidence, and tenacity have earned her a reputation as a dynamic leader. She is also a public speaker, facilitating seminars and workshops to PhD professionals and early researchers alike, supporting them in their career development. As a businesswoman, she is founder of Passage2pro AB and Aptahem AB (a biotech start-up company), is featured in over 20 scientific publications, is the inventor of 2 scientific patents, and is the host of the PhD Career Stories podcast. 

After spending nearly two decades in academia, Tina decided to enter the staffing industry, where she gained eight years of expertise working as a Recruiter and Talent Sourcer. Combining her multifaceted experience, she is adept at empowering researchers to pave their way to a smooth transition from the academic world to a fulfilling career beyond academia.

Relevant resources:

• Passage2Pro
• Persson, T. 2020. The PhD Career Coaching Guide. Passage2Pro AB.
• Podcast “PhD Career Stories”
• Blog post 18: CV-makeover: revamp the design of yours
• Blog post #31: Six smart strategies for a strong Academic CV
• Blog post #33: Why a great academic CV is a work-in-progress!
• Blog post 77: When should I start searching for my next job?
• Blog post #93: The top 5 reasons to have a LinkedIn profile as a scientist

More information:

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What to Do After PhD? – Pros and Cons of Pursuing Postdoc

“Received my PhD. Where do I go from here? What to do after PhD?”—is one of the most common challenges for students who have recently graduated. So if you’re stuck at this point of deciding whether to go ahead with academia or switch to a non-academic career, you’re not alone! How do you plan on taking what you have learned in your PhD and capitalize on it? How do you start your new career or use your PhD to take the next step in your existing one?

What to Do After PhD?

After having spent endless hours conducting your research and passing up enjoyable opportunities to complete your dissertation, you have finally attained the coveted doctorate degree. It’s a remarkable feat! But one struggle that holds on to you is—what do you do now that you’ve finished your PhD?

Be it from your seniors at the university or just having heard it from scholars in your field, one thing you may have realized is that tenure-track positions in academia are hard to come by.  Despite the “default” propensity of PhD graduates pursuing academic research positions, they’re now moving beyond it. Additionally, an uncertain future in academia is a factor of concern amongst all. Here we shall discuss what to do after PhD?—and focus on the pros and cons of pursuing postdoc to make a calculated decision.

Should I Pursue Postdoc?

Navigating through the career waters after PhD can be quite treacherous. Moreover, with the job market in academia being intensely competitive, even students with excellent academic caliber aren’t assured of getting a position.

While the competition is persistent, doing a postdoc is becoming a prerequisite for a successful career. However, your zeal and confidence of wanting to stay in academia can take you a long way. The preliminary postdoc benefits to consider while applying for postdoc are:

• Additional time to expand your research through funding.
• Publish more research work to support or expand your research conducted during Phd.
• More opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Pros of Pursuing Postdoc

While the answer to “What to do after postdoc?” can vary for every researcher depending on their interests, the undeniable benefits of a postdoc position can’t be overseen.

1. Career Development Prospects:

Pursuing career as a postdoc fellow allows you an extended period to work on your research after your PhD. Furthermore, it offers you more flexible opportunities to leverage laboratory facilities than you could during your PhD. It allows you to travel freely for conferences, which lead to meeting scholars from your field and making newer professional connections. Additionally, a postdoc fellow gets opportunity to upskill themselves in their research field and allied domains.

2. Advanced Research Opportunities:

Given the immense value that a postdoc position poses, it opens doors to newer research opportunities. This is not just restricted to independent research but also to collaborative research. Consequently, due to lesser teaching and administrative responsibilities, it will provide you with time to publish more research work. Additionally, it allows you to revise your project cycle, begin a new project, and gain expertise in a given subject. Furthermore, it lets you collaborate with international researchers to work on similar projects. More importantly, as a postdoc your chances of receiving grants increases based on your success as a researcher during PhD.

 3. Technique Development Opportunities :

As a postdoc fellow, you have more time to acquire new technology and research skills. In addition, it lets you gain experience in allied fields that you work in with your colleagues. This leads to an excellent opportunity to perfect your distinctive set of skills and learn advanced techniques in growing times.

4. Intellectual Development:

A postdoc fellowship is a distinguished phase in your career to focus exclusively on your intellectual development. Moreover, it is an important and most influential part of your research training. Therefore, choosing a postdoc can bolster your ability to pursue an advanced and successful research career.

Cons of Pursuing Postdoc

Despite the impressive benefits, considering the flip side of pursuing a postdoc position is imperative before taking the big decision.

1. No Tenure-track Guarantee

The uncertain career prospects in academia does not guarantee a tenure-track position even after completing your postdoc. According to a survey, only 30% of postdocs in the United States, and 20% postdocs in the United Kingdom succeed in acquiring a long term academic position. Moreover, some even have to climb through a series of postdoc positions before reaching a stable academic position. This predicament often leads many postdocs to quit academia and move to an industrial career.

2. Lack of Support

As postdocs are expected to work as an independent researcher, they often receive little to no professional advice or training from experienced researchers at the university. On the contrary, some institutions take advantages of the postdoc fellow as a teaching or researching captive. Furthermore, you may also experience poor working conditions as a result of being neglected by your department and surviving postdoc position becomes difficult.

3. Monetary Challenges

One of the major disadvantages of pursuing a postdoc position is meager salaries. The financial situation of postdoc fellows is so critical that an assistant professor is paid more than them, although fractionally, but yes!

4. Over-qualification

After struggling to acquire a stable academic position, postdocs often try to switch to industrial jobs. In this process, it is found that postdocs are over-qualified for industrial jobs and have to begin from scratch in the new field.

It’s undoubtedly a great feat to have successfully defended your PhD dissertation. How do you decide? What to do after PhD? What do you choose? Let these pros and cons help you in taking a well thought out decision. Tell us how this article helped you in the comments section below! You can also visit our Q&A forum for frequently asked questions related to different aspects of research writing and publishing answered by our team that comprises subject-matter experts, eminent researchers, and publication experts.

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• Life After a PhD: What Can You Do?
• After a PhD

So, you’ve passed one of the biggest milestones in your life so far (or at least in your academic life!). You’ll have spent at least 7 years at university on a journey that’s taken you from sitting in your first lecture as an undergraduate student to finally handing in your PhD thesis and making it through the viva. This is a time for celebration and of excitement of what the future holds. But it can also be a time of uncertainty, where you’re presented with so many options for your immediate next steps that you’re not sure where to start.

Here are some thoughts we’ve put together to help you in your decision making in case you are wondering what to you with your PhD.

A common option used by fresh PhD graduates is to stay on within their lab environment for the first month or two, but this time in a part- or full-time teaching capacity. This will ensure you have some money coming in now that the stipend payments have finished and can be an excellent way to build up some teaching experience (although you’re likely to have done this throughout the course of your time as a PhD student).

If your department or institution has teaching opportunities available, then it should be a fairly straightforward transition to this new role; you’ll already be familiar with the environment and know the team well.

Keep in mind though that whilst you may gain experience working within your old lab or department, you might gain more from taking up a teaching post within a new setup that you’re not familiar with. This could be a good way to widen your network and learn more about how things are done in different departments, even within the same university.

The key thing is to view this teaching role as a temporary position while you explore your options for the next big step in your career development.

A natural progression for someone just having completed their PhD (and in particular someone keen on developing their career in academia) is to take on a post-doctoral role either within your current lab or a different one.

Post-docs positions usually last between one and three years, and most researchers gain experience by completing several positions at different institutions. The roles are funded, offering a generous step-up from your PhD stipend and are a good way to start developing your own ideas and thoughts as to which direction you want to take your research in.

Post-docs publish quite a bit and present at conferences; this is also an excellent opportunity to work more collaboratively with senior academics within your field.

Know that securing a post-doc job can become very competitive, particularly in the leading universities within your area of research. This is definitely a time where building a strong network can pay dividends – a strong CV with a developing track record of publications is also valuable.

Life Outside of Research

You may be one of a growing number of people that decide at the completion of their PhD that a career based in research and at a university is not for you. You can have a great sense of freedom when you know what you want out of life.

Just because you decide on a path outside of academia, does not mean that your years of study have been for nothing. In fact, the opposite is true – in completing your PhD, you’ll have built a set of skills and knowledge that are highly sought after by many employers.

Your CV will show that you’re self-motivated, able to work well both within a team and individually, keep to deadlines and can present complex ideas.

Highly educated, skilled people are in high demand by the commercial sector; you should have no trouble tailoring your CV to something very appealing to them.

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How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

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Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

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Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

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Career Opportunities after the PhD

While you might read the title of this post as something that has "after the PhD" in it, and you might think that is a problem to address once you have the date of your defense in your planning, it is never too early to start thinking about what you want to do after you graduate.

In  the months around my PhD defense , I have blogged extensively about my experiences in finding a job, and I've tried to make the voices of others, who made other decisions, heard as well.  I also got interviewed about it .

In today's post, I will go through the different career options you have. By now, you will already realize that not every PhD student continues on in academia. People with PhDs are needed at different places in society, and  your academic skills prepare you for a wide array of challenges . And of course,  prepare well for your job interview , for the job you are actually interviewing for.

So let's look at the different options and paths that you could walk  upon finishing your PhD :

1. Academia: post-doc

Landing a post-doc position is maybe the most traditional step in academia. Post-doc contracts have varying lengths (between 1 year and 4 years, typically). One option is to stay at the institution where you got your PhD, and get a continuation project on what you did for your PhD. You can use the years of your post-doc then to publish the work you did during your PhD and grow your research network.

2. Academia: faculty position

Some people skip the postdoc step and land a faculty position right away. If you become a faculty member on a tenure-track program, fresh out of graduate school, you might be in a slightly disadvantaged position, because you don't have the post-doc years to up your publications. Typically, as a young faculty member, you will spend quite some time on teaching.

You might be thinking of landing a faculty position at the institution where you obtained your PhD, and you might know that the number of openings are very limited. However, if this is the career path you are seeking, and you are willing to make a move and  become an academic nomad , then you might find that other parts of the world are desperate to hire people with a PhD title to join their faculty. Developing countries are a good bet for this option.  John Laprise wrote about his experiences in the Gulf in a previous post .

3. Academia: adjunct position

Adjunct positions are other non tenure-track positions at universities. While some universities abuse their adjunct faculty and overload them with educational responsibilities, other institutions treat their adjunct faculty as they are supposed to be treated: faculty members who deliver valuable contributions and have opted not to pursue tenure and the title of full professor.

4. Academia: teaching at an undergraduate institution

In the Netherlands and Belgium, undergraduate institutions are called "Hogeschool": these institutions only deliver undergraduate degrees, and carry out shorter research projects that have a direct application into the industry. In other parts of the world, you find similar systems at institutions that are mostly teaching-oriented colleges.

These institutions need people with PhDs to make up their teaching staff and carry out practical research. The ties between the industry and these institutions are typically more direct than at larger, older universities.

5. Industry: your field of specialization

Joining a company in your field of specialization (in my case, that would be anything from a bridge design company to a large contractor) is an option. While some people tend to treat the PhD as a useless extra degree, and a waste of time (you could have gained practical experience in this time period!), most companies do agree that employees with a PhD bring additional value to the company, and can be set to tackle more complex problems or to put their highly refined skill set to work.

6. Industry: adviser to policy makers

The link between the researchers and the policy makers is a person who is familiar with the technical literature and recent research, and at the same time can communicate these results to policy makers and politicians to assist them in their choices. We want to carry out research to make this world a better place, but we also want our research to be actually put in practice. For this step, consultants to policy makers come into play.

7. Industry: business consultant

You might have a PhD in neuroscience, thinking business is nothing for you, but large consultancy firms hire graduates with a PhD from all different fields. If you know how to manage large amounts of data, these companies will be looking out for you. If you want to get acquainted with the work of these companies, you can typically join them for a weekend in which you are challenged to solve a business case.

8. Industry: become an entrepreneur

Why not start your own company and turn your research into a marketable product? In Delft, there is  Yes!Delft  to help you get started with your project, and other universities have similar initiatives.

You can also start a company that is not immediately related with your PhD research. PhD graduates start companies acting as professional proofreaders, as technical translators, as independent researchers and as career- and/or research-advisers to PhD students.  Check out the interview I did with Dr. Ryder on this topic.C

For more on transitioning to industry, read  this guest post of Dr. Chris Humphrey . Read here  for 7 tips to transition to the industry . I also conducted  an interview on finding employment out of academia .

9. Government

You could be actually doing the research (academic jobs), you could be the link (nr. 6: adviser to policy makers), or you could decide to go in public service and use your knowledge in a government institutions. You could be working at one of the ministries, where your understanding of complex problems helps making informed choices. In transportation, for example, a good understanding of a complex transportation system is necessary to make the right choices (remember that research has shown that building more roads only leads to more traffic and does not solve complex traffic problems). Or you could use your keen mind to work your way up in a political party and serve your country as -eventually, hopefully- a minister. Belgium's former prime minister, who is praised for steering the country through the Euro-crisis, holds a PhD in Chemistry.

10. Science communication and science journalism

Do you enjoy explaining your friends and family what are the broader implications of your work? A career in science communication or science journalism might be for you. Universities need science communicators, who are the link between the researchers and the broader public. Newspapers and magazines rely on science journalists to keep up with recent publications, and turn these into a lighter and clearer read, focusing on the impact on the world around us.

11. Whatever you wish

You have the power to build your own career. You don't need to make one single choice (academia or industry), and stick with it for the rest of your life. You will make a number of job and career changes throughout your life. Pursue your interests. Follow your nose. Enjoy the ride.  Build a career, as Dr. Kelly explains in this interview .

To learn more about how to do the necessary soul-seeking to find what you want to do,  check out this post . As  I explained here , it's not up to me to tell you what is the "best" job (hint: it's different for everybody anyway).

Discover your future career path

Did you know that approximately 70% of PhDs and 80% of postdocs in the Netherlands pursue non-academic career paths? Discover your options with our Career Navigator! Read personal stories from other researchers and learn from their career steps and experiences.

Recent blog posts

Tenure track in the netherlands, tips for successful collaborations with government partners, tips for successful collaborations with industry partners, how to compile your publication list, how to develop a publication strategy, how to use x (twitter) as a scientist, centering your teaching around your teaching vision, how to build up an (international) network, transitioning into the last leg of your phd journey, what changes between a postdoc and assistant professorship.

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Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has five areas of study: Accounting and Management , Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management  

Business economics  , health policy (management)  , management  , marketing  , organizational behavior  , strategy  , technology & operations management  .

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What to expect from a phd schedule.

Take a look at a current student’s schedule and get the insider perspective from doctoral students and coordinators on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

The life of a PhD candidate can be stressful as you adjust to a rigorous academic and research schedule. Penn and Wharton offer a variety of resources to help support you in the transition to PhD life.

Wharton’s sense of community offers a level of comfort when reaching out to faculty as well as fellow students to help solve problems. Doctoral students and coordinators give the insider view on what to expect from a PhD schedule.

Class and Research First

The first two years of a PhD program are mainly made up of classes and the beginning stages of research. Deborah Small , the doctoral coordinator for the Marketing program , said, “It starts with heavy duty coursework and a lot of specific requirements. At the end of your first year, there are qualifying exams on all the core marketing courses. Second year they still have a lot of coursework to do, but more of that is elective with a focus more on their interests. During those years they’re expected to get started on research.”

In addition to taking classes and getting started with research, the Marketing program requires students to write two papers. The first research paper is due at the end of the second year, the other is due at the end of the third year.

The Real Estate and Business Economics and Public Policy programs run like the Marketing program. Fernando Ferreira , coordinator for the programs, said, “During the first year they complete six core courses. In the second year, the focus shifts to field courses and to independent research. They have two professors advising them in that year.”

After completing the main courses, students shift to conducting independent research. For REAL and BEPP students this means writing three dissertation chapters during the third and fourth years.

Time for Conferences and Seminars

Because coursework is usually completed by the second half of the program, there’s time for students to attend lectures and seminars. Andrea Contigiani , a fifth year student in the Management program, said, “In my fourth year, I usually attended a seminar around lunchtime. Wharton has an incredible seminar series throughout the year, with a good seminar happening almost everyday. Occasionally, I attended other events, like MBA events or speaker series. I then go back to research for most of the afternoon.”

Prof. Small said, “Students are expected to actively participate in seminars and activities. They’re also encouraged to go to academic conferences and try to present their work at those conferences. It is similar to the expectations of being a faculty member, minus teaching.”

Classes take up the majority of the first two years of the programs. When the focus then switches to research, you’re expected to work independently. Sometimes that can be intimidating. You become your own boss, which is an adjustment from being told what to do and when to do it.

So how do you manage it? Get advice from students and coordinators.

Posted: August 4, 2017

• Work/Life Balance

Doctoral Programs

Matthew caulfield.

Hometown Ocean City, New Jersey

Concentration Management and Legal Studies & Business Ethics

Doctoral Stage Second Year

Typical Day at a Glance

8:30 am Wake up and get ready for the day

9:15 am Get to PhD Offices, respond to emails, check philosophy blogs and read news

10:30 am Journal article readings

11:30 am Meet with advisor

12:00 pm Attend departmental seminar speaker and lunch

1:30 pm Attend Wharton Social Impact Doctoral Community meeting

3:00 pm Attend business ethics seminar

5:00 pm Read for class

7:00 pm Meet with nonparametric statistics study group

8:00 pm Complete homework

12:00 am Go home

1:00 am Bedtime

What is your favorite part about Wharton?

First, the faculty are excellent. They are often leading experts in their fields, and they can offer advice that would be hard to find elsewhere.

Second, the other PhD students are just as passionate about research as you would hope. A huge part of my scholarly development has been due to the discussions I have had with other graduate students.

Third, the Wharton name can offer you serious advantages. In the course of research, I think industry practitioners as well as other academics have been more willing to talk or correspond with me because I am a graduate student at Wharton.

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Career in Doctoral Studies

It’s a common myth that phd is a training based study module to become a university professor. yes, it is true to an extent but the scope of phd goes beyond academia..

PhD – It’s more than a Degree

Simply feeling proud of the “Dr.” rubber stamp on your degree would not get you a job. It’s good that that you are a PhD graduate, however, it is more than a degree, where training and knowledge based research activities are more important. PhD is all about engaging in in-depth research along-with thorough understanding of research issues and the ability to solve key problems with exceptional analytical and observational skills. A PhD graduate must learn to work for long hours, analyze & solve complex problems and handle every situation with calmness. These traits are not only required to become an academic but also required in other areas of work such as Research, Finance and Public Service.

How the trend of PhD has changed over the years?

The advent of Start-ups has changed the entire PhD ecosystem. If you back in time, the scope of PhD was limited to academia. However, today, the amalgamation of academia and start-ups has left many options for PhD graduates to explore. As start-ups have become a storehouse of innovation and improvisation, PhD graduates are willing to join a thriving and new organization where they use their knowledge-based skills to design new products through their exceptional research and developmental capabilities. Now-a-days, PhD graduates are looking forward to work in start-up environment, gain experience and then join academia where they can use their skills and expertise in a productive way.

The future of PhD Graduates in Academia

Academia has become the first choice of PhD Graduates due to the freedom in working and lucrative salary packages. In most of the cases, jobs in academics also include other perks like free accommodation. Also, there is a chance for PhD graduates to work in other countries. In all, the most thing that organizations look for while hiring PhD candidates is superior analytical skills and the ability to solve complex problems at one go.

Key factors to track your potential after doing PhD

Once you have completed your PhD, it’s time to track your potential and apply to jobs based on your exact skills and expertise. Though it’s not a difficult task to analyze your skills at PhD level, however, the following parameters will help you to understand and realize where your true potential lies:

This list will give you a fair idea about your potential, and this will help you to figure out your skills and expertise at various levels of work. In this way, you will also be able to describe and present your qualities and skills in-front of a recruiter.

Meanwhile, you should refrain from drafting a lengthy resume even if you are a PhD graduate who has lots of things to say. Generally, employers tend to ignore reading such long resumes, which may put your efforts in vain. You should also consider the following things before your first job:

• Be practical about your job prospects and set your ambitions in way that is achievable
• Keep in mind that you and your colleague (with low qualifications than you) will be treated equally in organizations
• Know the keywords and buzz words of the sector you want to go into.
• Update yourself with the key market trends that are relevant and are in buzz
• You might get paid less than you expected after doing PhD. In that case, accept the fact and move on
• If you are making a transition from academia to start-ups or industrial R&D firms, be ready to adapt to the changes in terms of freedom and salary components

Career after PhD

It’s a common myth that PhD is a training based study module to become a university professor. Yes, it is true to an extent but the scope of PhD goes beyond academia. The proportion of PhDs joining academia is not very large as compared to the number of candidates having PhD degrees. The employment landscape in India and other international countries is changing drastically, and this has left PhD students to reshuffle their objective in joining academia. Now-a-days, PhD graduates are eyeing for alternative options in the field of writing, research, investment banking, law and many more.

Career Choices after PhD

From financial sector to public sector, PhDs are now found everywhere as they are not limited to work in the zone of academia. Now-a-days, professionals are willing to make a transition from academic research after completing their PhDs to work in corporate environment and use their skills productively. It’s important to note that to work in banking sector you need to have a PhD in finance. This is because the shift from academic research can go beyond your area of study.

Some of the popular PhD specialization along-with the job sectors is listed below:

You must remember to experiment, learn and innovative to excel in your career after doing PhD. And, if you are planning to make a transition from academia, be ready to adjust yourself in terms of stiff market challenges and freedom.

Job Prospects after doing PhD

At first, you need to understand that the value of a PhD degree is measured in terms of knowledge and skills. You need to have both these traits to excel in the career of your choice. Let’s take a look at some of the career options after doing PhD:

In general, the most sought after jobs after PhD are University professor, Industrial R&D Lab professionals and Start-ups mentors. Industrial Research and Development organizations have dedicated PhD groups who are involved in research activities, designing new products and taking part in crucial strategic meetings. As compared to development centres, the average salaries in industrial R&D labs are much higher. This clearly suggests that an engineering graduate with 5 years of experience would be earning less than a fresh PhD Graduate who has recently joined a industrial R&D lab.

In some cases, development centres hire PhD graduates for multiple roles with salaries almost same or even more as compared to exclusive R&D labs. The salary structure and designation of PhD graduate joining a Research lab or development centre is always higher than that of any other graduates with rich experience.

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COURSE WORK

• a) Course work is mandatory for all the students admitted in Ph.D. Programme.
• b) The course work will have a minimum of 14 credits.
• c) All candidates admitted to the Ph.D. programme will be required to complete the course work prescribed by the university during the initial one or two semesters.
• Course I: Research and Publication Ethics
• Course II: Research Methodology
• Course III: Academic Writing and Presentation Skills
• Course IV: Research Seminar
• e) Minimum 75% Aggregate attendance is mandatory in the course work.
• f) The evaluation parameters will be similar to that of regular programmes of the university.
• g) The minimum passing marks required in course work of Ph.D. programme is 55% aggregate in the individual courses with at-least 40% in final end term examination (Applicable in Course I, Course II and Course IV)
• h) Exemption in course work will be applicable only if scholar has done M.Phil. with 55% or equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale through regular mode from LPU or any other recognized university.
• i) Selected scholars will have option to pursue course work in one of the following modes:
• h) The coursework tentative schedule for non-agriculture programmes is available below:

For Full-Time Ph.D. Scholars

Course Work options for Ph.D. Scholars

• 1. The coursework options listed under preference exercised by the scholar will only be offered subject to fulfilment of minimum number of scholars opting for that given option. If an option lacks sufficient interest, it may not be offered, and scholars must choose from the available alternatives.
• 2. For option II classes are to be conducted Thursday to Sunday of every third week of all 4 months.
• 3. Induction programme will be conducted before the start of every coursework option.

Exemption in course work will be applicable only if scholar has done M.Phil. (regular mode) with 55% or equivalent grade ‘B’ in the UGC 7-point scale through regular mode from LPU or any other recognized university.

• a) Course work is mandatory for all the scholars admitted in Ph.D. Programme.
• b) The course work will be of 3 semesters containing 30 credits.
• c) All the scholars need to clear non-credited compulsory courses as prescribed by ICAR norms in case they have not studied these courses in their Bachelor and Master degree. For which School of Agriculture and CRDP needs to coordinate after admissions.
• d) Minimum 75% Aggregate attendance is mandatory in the course work.
• e) The evaluation parameters will be similar to that of regular programmes of the university.
• f) The minimum OGPA required in course work of Ph.D. programme is 6.5 with a minimum grade of 6.0 in the individual courses.
• g) Following coursework options with tentative schedule are available for agriculture programmes:
• 1. The contact hours in all these two options will remain same. If number of Research Scholars in any option is less, then that option may not be offered.
• 2. Induction programme will be conducted before the start of every coursework option.

Selected Research Scholar will have option to pursue course work in one of the following modes and tentative schedule is mentioned below:

• 1. The contact hours in all these three options will remain same. If number of Research Scholars in any option is less, then that option may not be offered.

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Ph.D. After MBA

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• Program Overview
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Ph.D. After MBA Program Overview

PhD after MBA might sound new to you but its impact on a professional’s life has already created a history. After completing an MBA program in any domain in regular or online mode, you can apply for a PhD program. However, to become eligible for this course, you need to have a good score in some national-level entrance exams of GATE/UGC-NET/CSIR-NET. For a PhD abroad , you need to score well on the English level proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS and the entrance exam of GRE. In India, it takes around 5 years to complete a PhD program while abroad it ranges between 4 to 7 years.

Among the top management universities in India, FMS New Delhi, IIMs, BHU, and IITs are some renowned ones offering PhD after MBA. They provide learners with a list of top specializations in the business field including PhD Finance, PhD Operation Management, PhD Marketing, PhD Human Resource Management, and many others.

Here are some key aspects that you must know about PhD after MBA: 

Making it easy for PhD after MBA aspirants, some foreign universities have launched an online version of it in the name of Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) online which also adds a “Dr.” title to your name in just 3 years and is equally credible as a regular PhD program in India. An online DBA is not offered by Indian universities as it is yet not approved by UGC but on completing it from an accredited foreign university, it will be completely recognized in the global industry.

Why Opt for a Ph.D. After MBA?

Completing an MBA will help you explore senior management positions in your functional domain but doing a PhD after MBA will bring new opportunities for you! It will help you climb up the organizational ladder and become a suitable fit for CXO positions. Based on the specialization you choose in your PhD program, you will have a variety of options not only in the business sector but also in the research and teaching fields. Above all, a PhD after MBA will increase your earning potential by multiple times which otherwise would take several years to achieve.

All of the above-mentioned benefits can also be explored with an online DBA program which is a more accessible and affordable version of PhD. Its entrance-free admission procedure and short duration of 3 years encourage a large number of candidates to opt for it.

Who Should Do a Ph.D. After MBA?

All fresh MBA graduates and working professionals serving any business domain can apply for a PhD program. The only restriction that is there is they need to clear the entrance exams with the minimum cut-off score to get admission to their desired university and specialization.

With an online DBA program, you have the liberty to apply for it after your graduation, and the best part about it is that you do not have to appear for any entrance exam. 

When To Do a Ph.D. After MBA?

If you are concerned about the age limit to apply for a PhD program, you must go through the age restrictions put on the entrance exams for it. For instance, for a UGC-NET exam (JRF), the maximum age limit is 30 years and on the other hand, a GATE exam has no specific age limit.

With an entrance-free admission process, an online DBA program makes all interested graduates apply for it at any age. This feature of the program has made even senior professionals apply for it.

Key Highlights of Ph.D. After MBA In India

• Get recognized for your management expertise with a PhD after MBA program.
• Opt for your choice of specialization in PhD after completing an MBA in online, regular, or distance mode.
• Qualify for the UGC-NET or GATE Exam to take part in a reputed institute’s PhD program.
• Choose your major from a long list of PhD specializations including Finance, Operation Management, Marketing, Human Resource Management, etc.
• Develop a research-focused understanding of the business concepts and launch new methodologies for the betterment of the industries.
• Earn a “Dr.” title with the completion of PhD from top management institutes like FMS New Delhi, IIMs, BHU, IITs, and others.
• Jumpstart your career as a CEO, COO, and board of director upon completion of PhD after MBA.
• Enjoy the benefit of completing your PhD at any age with no age capping.
• Widen up your career chances in the research and teaching domain other than the business world with a PhD after MBA.

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Ph.D. After MBA Course Subjects/Syllabus

The course structure of a PhD program is research-oriented and focused on the industrial aspects of the business. The syllabus of PhD offered at IIM Ahmedabad is provided here to help you get an overview of the program. 

Top Specializations of Ph.D. After MBA

There is a long list of specializations available in PhD programs based on the domain you choose. Here is a list of top specializations that you can opt for in PhD after MBA.

All of the above-mentioned specializations are available in online DBA programs allowing you to opt for a domain of your choice.

Ph.D. After MBA Eligibility & Duration

The eligibility criteria to apply for a PhD after MBA include the following points:

• A master’s degree in the related field from a UGC-recognized university or institution
• A minimum of 55% marks or equivalent grades in the master’s degree
• A good score in the entrance exams conducted for PhD program like NET, GATE, or any other university-specific exam
• For PhD abroad, candidates need to pass English Proficiency Tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, etc.
• A statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LOR), academic transcripts, and an updated resume are also needed for  PhD abroad
• A good score on the GRE is needed for PhD abroad other than a master’s degree

To read the updated guidelines of UGC for undergraduate students, click here .

In case you want to skip these complications of understanding whether you are eligible for a PhD or not, go for an online DBA program that only demands a credible master’s or bachelor’s degree + work experience from an accredited university. 

The duration of a PhD after MBA in India takes around 5 years. However, if you are planning to do it from foreign, you will be able to complete it in 4-7 years. To complete it in an even shorter period of 3 years, you can opt for an Online DBA program.

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Program Fees for Ph.D. After MBA

Starting at ₹ 6,776/month

Program Fee: ₹60,000 - ₹2,50,000

Low Cost EMI Available

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The fee package of the PhD program ranges between INR 15,000 and INR 5,00,00. This figure varies from university to university. If you have qualified for a PhD from a government institution like IGNOU or DU, your course will be completed under 1 lakhs. However, on going to a private institution, the cost of the program increases.

Online DBA programs are more expensive than regular PhD courses in India as these are offered by accredited international universities. It generally starts at INR 7 lakhs.

Ph.D. After MBA Admission Procedure

The admission process for a PhD program begins with filling out the application form for the national-level research entrance exams like UGC-NET, GATE, etc., or university-specific ones. After cracking these exams, candidates will have to appear for an interview wherein they will present their research proposal to the mentors of the university they have been selected for. On completing the paperwork and other documentation formalities for grants or stipends, candidates will be allowed to start with their research work.

With an online DBA, you will have a simple admission process that will not involve any entrance exam or interview. 

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Growth of Online Education in India

• Online education in India is set to grow at a CAGR of 19.9% by 2030.
• Skill development and employment are the major driving forces for this growth.
• Higher education is gaining popularity in this online medium.
• Financially affordability is a significant contributor to this boom.
• The increased adoption of technologies, i.e., the Internet and smartphones, has increased accessibility significantly.
• The advantage of flexibility in terms of time and location is the key highlight.

Education Loan/EMI Facilities for Ph.D. After MBA

In general, the universities offering PhD programs do not have an EMI option in their fee payment method. However, to help students financially, some of them have developed an installment-based fee structure through which they can pay their fees in part. Moreover, you can avail of a debit card or credit card EMI facility if applicable at your chosen university.

In an online DBA course, you will have the option of an education loan which adds to the accessibility of this program by making you pay the fee in easy EMIs.

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Is Ph.D. After MBA Worth it?

If you wish to retire from a respected designation in your career, a PhD after MBA is something you should think about! After an MBA, you become eligible for the senior management positions but with a PhD, you get the chance to take charge of the business strategies and model as a CEO or COO of the organization. 

The research-focused learnings of the management concepts make you develop an innovative approach toward business issues. The choice of specialization in this highest degree program in the management field gives you the freedom to choose your domain. Upon completion of the PhD after the MBA, both your designation and the salary package increase by many folds. All of these offerings are also obtained after completing an online DBA after MBA. Thus, for a long-term and successful career, a PhD after MBA or an an online DBA after MBA is worth giving a shot!

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Job Opportunity after Ph.D. After MBA

Upon completing PhD after MBA, you not only earn a “Dr.” title but unlock some premium job designations that were not in your reach before. The career prospects that you have after a PhD will be the same after you complete an online DBA. Some of these job titles are listed below along with their annual package to give you an overview of the career prospects after a PhD/an online DBA.

Top Recruiters for Ph.D. After MBA

Top organizations in the business sector hire PhD candidates actively. These organizations admire the innovative way these PhD graduates use to tackle business issues. Their “out of the box” thinking puts them in the limelight for top recruiters globally. Online DBA holders also have a special place for top recruiters as their knowledge of global business trends adds significant value to their organizations.

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Let's clear up some doubts about Ph.D. After MBA

1 is phd after mba a good option.

Yes, getting a PhD after MBA adds new career opportunities to your list. It makes you climb up the organizational ladder to CXO positions and improves your salary package at the same time.

2 Which specializations can I choose in PhD after MBA?

There are numerous specializations available in the management domain of PhD for MBA graduates which include Finance, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Operation Management, and many more.

3 Which entrance exams are considered for PhD after MBA?

To qualify as a PhD candidate, you need to score well in UGC-NET, GATE, GRE, or other research-oriented entrance exams.

4 How long does a PhD after MBA take to complete?

In India, it takes around 5 years to complete a PhD but abroad, this period ranges between 4-7 years depending on your chosen university.

5 Can I do PhD after MBA without a master's?

As per the earlier UGC guidelines, online master’s degree holders with a minimum of 55% marks were eligible to apply for PhD but with the updated guidelines 4-year graduates with 75% marks can also apply for it.

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Canada to introduce new rules around off-campus work hours for international students

From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

News release

International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Students Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.

April 29, 2024—Ottawa— International students enrich Canada’s social, cultural and economic fabric. That is why, in recent months, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced reforms to the International Student Program, to ensure system integrity while protecting students from fraud and financial vulnerability.

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced today that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus will come to an end on April 30, 2024, and it will not be extended. This fall, we intend to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours.

Students who come to Canada must be here to study. As such, allowing students to work up to 24 hours per week will ensure they focus primarily on their studies, while having the option to work, if necessary.

As we head into the summer session, students who have a scheduled academic break can continue working unlimited hours.

In developing this change, we looked at the needs of students, policies in other countries, as well as research that has shown that academic outcomes suffer the more a student works while studying. It also strikes the appropriate balance so students have the option to work without compromising academic outcomes. More details will be shared in due course.

We also continue to develop the new Recognized Institutions Framework to reward post­secondary institutions that set high standards for selecting, supporting and retaining international students. We will continue to support and protect international students from financial vulnerability and keep protecting the integrity of the International Student Program.

“Working off campus helps international students gain work experience and offset some of their expenses. As international students arrive in Canada, we want them to be prepared for life here and have the support they need to succeed. However, first and foremost, people coming to Canada as students must be here to study, not work. We will continue working to protect the integrity of our student program.” – The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

Recent studies conducted in the US and Canada have shown that there is a considerable decline in academic performance for students working more than 28 hours per week, and that working more than 24 hours per week increases the chances that a student will drop out of their program.

Most countries that welcome international students set limits on the number of hours they may work while they study. Australia recently changed its policy to allow a student to work 48 hours every 2 weeks. In the US, students must meet additional criteria before being permitted to work off campus at all.

In December 2023, the Government of Canada raised the cost-of-living threshold that students must meet to be approved for a study permit so they are financially prepared for life in Canada and are not as dependent on working.

International students who begin a college program delivered through a public-private curriculum licensing arrangement on or after May 15, 2024, will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit when they graduate. Those who already started this type of program prior to May 15, 2024, will still be able to access a post-graduation work permit, provided they meet all other criteria .

The new letter of acceptance (LOA) verification process has been a success. Since its launch on December 1, 2023, through April 1, 2024, IRCC has

•  received almost 162,000 LOAs for verification
• confirmed nearly 142,000 LOAs as valid directly with designated learning institutions (DLIs)
• identified almost 9,000 LOAs that didn’t match any LOA issued by a DLI or that the DLI had already cancelled before the foreign national applied for a study permit

Associated links

• Statement: Minister Miller issues statement on international student allocations for provinces and territories
• Notice: Update on public-private college partnership programs for international students
• Notice: Additional information about International Student Program reforms
• News release: Canada to stabilize growth and decrease number of new study permits issued
• News release: Revised requirements to better protect international students
• News release: Changes to International Student Program aim to protect students
• Website: Work off campus as an international student

Aissa Diop Director of Communications Minister’s Office Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [email protected]

Media Relations Communications Sector Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 613-952-1650 [email protected]

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