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What is an industrial PhD? Can academics move to industry?

Welcome to our comprehensive guide that explores the concept of an industrial PhD and the path for academics seeking to transition into industry roles.

This blog provides an in-depth look at the unique characteristics of an industrial PhD, illustrating how it bridges the gap between academia and industry. We also delve into the value of PhD-acquired skills in the industrial landscape and the broad range of opportunities that await PhD graduates in various sectors.

We highlight the process of transitioning from academia to industry, discussing the pros, cons, and a range of potential career trajectories. Join us on this exploratory journey to uncover the intersections between academia and industry.

What is an industrial PhD program?

 An industrial PhD program is a type of doctoral program designed to link university research with industry needs and interests. PhD students are often jointly supervised by an academic supervisor as well as someone from industry. 

I know a load of PhD students who went into an industrial PhD and they found the balance between the pulls of faculty research and industry very rewarding. 

Also, they were able to build up a wide range of contacts during their PhD which was then a ticket to a high-paying industry job upon graduation. 

The aim of the industry PhD program is to produce highly skilled researchers who are able to apply their findings to industrial settings and solve real-world problems. Also, acting as a conduit between industry and the ivory towers – something that has been lack for a number of years. 

Industry PhD programs are designed to give students a deep understanding of the industry they will be working in and its needs.

This can include everything from lab work and prototype development to market research and product testing. Students in an industry PhD program typically spend a significant amount of time working directly with the sponsoring company, often as interns or apprentices.

The research topics are chosen based on the needs of the industry organization, and the program typically provides funding and resources for the research project – often a 50:50 income split between industry and the uni. 

Graduates of the program typically have a high level of expertise in their field and are well-equipped to take on challenging roles in both academia and industry.

The program is gaining in popularity as industry-academic collaborations continue to increase because PhD students are demanding better job outcomes at the end of a PhD, and as more organizations seek to stay competitive by investing in research and innovation. 

PhDs in Industry

PhDs in industry are becoming increasingly common as more companies seek highly qualified individuals with strong research and development skills.

It’s been a long process of getting the soft and hard skills recognized and valued in industry. Sometimes we are seen as overqualified and too specialised. But skills some are very value, like there:

Unlike PhDs pursued in academia, doctoral programs in industry often emphasize more practical applications of research rather than purely scholarly pursuits. It’s not just about the publication of peer-reviewed documents – there are different pressures such as profitability and keeping a competitive edge in the business. 

This focus on industry-specific problem-solving and innovation attracts many PhD students who are interested in making a real-world impact with their newfound PhD skills. 

Should I pursue an industrial PhD?

 Deciding whether or not to pursue an industrial PhD can be a difficult decision. You’ll have to think about what you want to do after a PhD. 

If going into industry is part of that – it’ll be invaluable for you. 

It can provide the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience while also achieving an academic degree.

Additionally, it is important to research potential programs and advisors to ensure they align with your interests and goals.

Check out my video that highlights the types of new PhDs that you may want to consider:

It’s important to do as much research as possible before deciding on a PhD – no matter what type you want to do. 

There’s no perfect decision, and you can always change supervisors, projects, and research groups if the going gets too tough!

Why Transition from Academia to Industry

The transition from academia to industry is a significant step that many graduate and doctoral students contemplate after completing their education.

There are various reasons why individuals prefer to make the switch from academia to industry. Working in industry provides a more stable job, with more resources than in academia. 

I worked in industry for one year after my PhD and found that the focus on profitability and spending meant that projects would often get pulled from me – even if they looked promising. Your experience may vary depending on the field and job that you have. 

Industry offers compensation packages that can be more substantial than academic salaries, especially for highly skilled PhD graduates.

Industries also provide more flexibility for candidates to apply their discipline in different areas and may have broader research applications.

The publishing process in academia may distract from conducting new research and even hinder tenure cases in academics, while qualifications and more tangible experience working in industry may carry more weight in the job search process.

Making the leap into industry can be challenging, but it can be a rewarding step for candidates seeking a fulfilling full-time career. 

List of Industry Jobs after PhD

Here is a list of a number of potential pathways that I have seen people take after their PhD in engineering, science and others. It’s important to find an employer that appreciates what you have learned during your PhD.  

  • Research Scientist : This role is especially applicable for those with science-based Ph.D.s. Companies in sectors like biotech, pharmaceuticals, and technology often hire Ph.D. graduates for their expertise and research capabilities.
  • Patent Examiner/Patent Attorney : These roles require a deep understanding of technical concepts and intellectual property, which makes them a good fit for Ph.D. graduates. Patent attorneys also require legal training, which can often be acquired after the Ph.D.
  • Data Scientist : Ph.D. graduates, particularly from fields like statistics, computer science, or physics, are often sought after in this role due to their proficiency in handling and interpreting complex data.
  • Quantitative Analyst : Commonly found in finance and insurance companies, a “quant” applies mathematical and statistical methods to understand and predict market behaviors.
  • R&D Project Manager : Here, Ph.D. holders can apply their research skills and subject-matter expertise to manage and lead important research projects.
  • Professor/Lecturer : While academia is often seen as the traditional pathway for Ph.D. holders, it’s still a viable and fulfilling option for those who enjoy teaching and research.
  • Consultant : Consulting firms, particularly those in fields such as biotech, IT, and management, value the problem-solving skills and expertise of Ph.D. graduates.
  • Medical Science Liaison : For those with a medical or life sciences Ph.D., this role involves building relationships with academic leaders and facilitating scientific discussions in the pharmaceutical industry.
  • Policy Analyst : For Ph.D.s in social sciences, working as a policy analyst for government or non-profit organizations could be a great fit.
  • Science Writer/Technical Writer : This job allows Ph.D. graduates to leverage their deep knowledge of a subject and their writing skills to communicate complex ideas to different audiences.

Wrapping up

The transition from academia to industry, or embarking on an industrial PhD, is not a decision to be taken lightly. It involves careful consideration of your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to develop further.

If you’re passionate about applying academic research to solve real-world problems, if you’re keen on innovating within a specific industry, or if you’re looking to acquire industry-specific skills while pursuing a doctorate, an industrial PhD might just be the perfect choice for you.

However, it’s essential to understand that industry roles demand different skills and focus areas than academia.

While the former emphasizes practical problem-solving and innovation, the latter values scholarly pursuits and theoretical knowledge. As such, being aware of your skill set and how it matches the needs of industry or academia is crucial in making a successful transition.

In the end, whether you decide to pursue a traditional academic path or delve into the industry-oriented realm, the skills and expertise gained during a PhD can open doors to an array of opportunities.

The choice between academia and industry is not an easy one, but it is definitely a choice worth considering for those dedicated to their field and eager to make a meaningful impact. 

Whether you choose academia or industry, remember that the end goal is to contribute to your field in a way that is fulfilling and beneficial to you. And remember, your PhD is not just a credential, but a testament to your resilience, curiosity, and dedication to knowledge.

phd after industry experience

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Northeastern University Graduate Programs

Preparing Yourself for Grad School After Working in Industry

Preparing Yourself for Grad School After Working in Industry

Many people earn their undergraduate degree and then enter the workforce with a goal of eventually returning to graduate school to earn their master’s or professional degree. But when the time comes to begin considering enrolling in graduate programs, many of those same individuals begin to worry that their time out of the classroom may have made it more difficult to go back to school and earn an advanced degree.

The good news is that tens of thousands of workers every year decide to pursue—and earn—a graduate degree. In many cases, time spent working in industry was actually an asset, making it easier to complete the degree.

Below, we offer a high-level overview of the application process and the value that your work experience can bring to the mix, and provide a number of tips to help you prepare for graduate school after spending time in industry.

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Applying to Graduate School After Working

Returning to academic life after working doesn’t have to be intimidating. After all, you now have relevant insight and practical skills to back up the theoretical concepts you’ll learn in the classroom. As an undergrad, you weren’t required to have extensive knowledge and training at the start of your education. In grad school, however, admissions counselors want proof that you have a sense of purpose, clearly defined career goals, and proficiency in your field.

While every school has its own standards for applicants, here are some common requirements in the application process.

  • A completed application form
  • Undergraduate or graduate transcripts from schools you’ve attended
  • Test scores for graduate-level exams, such as GRE, GMAT, or LSAT
  • A professional resumé or CV
  • A personal essay or statement of purpose
  • Letters of recommendation
  • An application fee

Career experience can distinguish you as a strong candidate when you start preparing your recommendation letters. Working in a real-world environment exposes you to a wide range of skilled workers across multiple departments. Not only are you able to learn from fellow professionals, but you’re also in a position to observe how different roles serve an organization. By including recommendations from co-workers in diverse roles, you can demonstrate strong networking skills and your ability to perform well in demanding environments.

Your grad school resumé and statement of purpose are your chance to establish credibility in your own words, and both should be tailored to each program application. The professional experience you gained from an industry job provided the opportunity to explore your strengths and discover work that you find both challenging and satisfying. Use your resumé to show career progression by listing relevant skills, on-the-job achievements, and professional certifications you obtained.

Think of your personal statement as a narrative journey. Admissions counselors want to feel your passion and get a sense of what motivates your career decisions. Drawing on your educational background, work history, and life experiences, your essay should tell a cohesive story of how your career has evolved and what you hope to accomplish in grad school.

Tips to Prepare for Grad School

Start preparing yourself to ease back into an academic mindset as soon as you make the decision to go to grad school. If you’re like most students, the application process will end up consuming more time and focus than you realize. Before you know it, major deadlines will be looming ahead, and you’ll have a harder time managing all the elements you need for a successful application. Instead of letting yourself get overwhelmed, follow these tips to ensure you’re ready for enrollment.

1. Practice time management.

Good time management will aid you before and during your studies. Whether you’re raising a family or you plan to keep working through school, it’s essential to find a balance that allows you to finish important tasks on time. Create a to-do list for each degree program you’re applying to in order to track key deadlines. An application timeline is crucial for tasks with built-in delays, such as requesting transcripts and recommendations. You want to make sure your contacts have adequate time to return materials to you, so you aren’t left scrambling at the last minute.

2. Focus on relationships.

Networking is one of your most advantageous resources in the application process and afterward. Friends, co-workers, or mentors who have already been through the process often have valuable tips on how to get into grad school after working.

As you compare schools, it’s also beneficial to speak with enrollment counselors who can answer your questions about the degree programs and even connect you with faculty or past students. Many institutions host events for prospective students throughout the year, which provides opportunities to meet people who may end up being your classmates.

Once you get into grad school, building relationships with peers and professors will play a key role in completing class assignments and growing as a professional. Networking helps you to tap into skill sets and perspectives that are different from your own, and you can continue to leverage these relationships throughout your career. The sooner you start building a professional network, the easier it will be to make the transition into grad school.

3. Explore financial options.

Research payment options for grad school that can ease your financial burden. Many colleges require you to fill out the Federal Application for Student Aid, which helps to identify federal grants and loans that are a good fit for your situation.

If you’re currently working or plan to get a job during enrollment, find out whether your employer offers tuition reimbursement. By taking advantage of employer-based tuition assistance, you can receive full or partial compensation for courses that are relevant to your job. Eligibility requirements vary by employer, but it’s a common condition that you must stay at your job for a specific period of time to qualify.

Another way to avoid debt is to apply for fellowships or assistantships at your institution. Fellowships are academic merit awards that are designed to fund a specific element of your studies, such as a semester of tuition or a graduate research project. Assistantships are work-study opportunities that involve working for a faculty member on campus. Both programs support activities that are beneficial to your career and education, making fellowships and assistantships attractive options.

Talk to a financial aid counselor at your prospective college to learn more about paying for grad school. Professional counselors can help you find grants and scholarships that match your student profile, so you can subsidize the cost of going back to school.

4. Choose the right program.

Doing more prep work upfront will help you choose a graduate degree program that’s compatible with your personal and professional goals. Consider whether you prefer to enroll in a traditional, hybrid, or fully online degree program. Most colleges have several degree options for each field of study, and while the curricula may overlap, the individual programs have their own specialized focus. Consulting an admissions counselor early on is the best way to understand the distinctions between each program and how the curriculum relates to your skills and interests.

Ask questions about the pacing of the courses, the grading structure, and the frequency of required activities. By setting up realistic expectations in advance, you will get better at managing your time and creating a balanced schedule for work, school, and personal obligations.

The Next Step In Your Career

Although work experience isn’t mandatory for many graduate degree programs, there’s no substitute for hands-on learning in a professional setting. An industry job gives you a practical, firsthand look at the challenges and benefits of working in a specific field, so you can decide if it’s right for you. If your exam scores or undergraduate GPA aren’t as high as you would like, a robust work history can significantly strengthen your graduate school application as well, making it more likely that you will be accepted.

As you begin preparing for graduate school, it’s important to note that many of the same things that served you well in your professional career—especially time management and relationship building—will prove essential to your academic success. By following the tips above, you can feel confident in your abilities to reach your goals of earning a master’s degree.

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About shayna joubert, related articles.

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Navigating the Crossroads After Your PhD: Choosing Between Academia and Industry

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Completing a PhD is a monumental achievement, but it often leads to a critical juncture: deciding between pursuing a career in academia or transitioning to industry. This decision can significantly impact your future trajectory, making it crucial to weigh various factors and make an informed choice. Here are some considerations:

Understanding Personal Goals and Values:

Before delving into career paths, take time for self-reflection. Consider your interests, passions, and values. What aspects of your work energize you the most? Are you drawn to the pursuit of knowledge through research, the joys of teaching, or the practical applications of your expertise? Understanding your intrinsic motivations will guide your decision-making process.

Exploring Academia:

If your heart lies in the pursuit of knowledge and research, academia may be your natural habitat. Consider the depth of your research interests and whether you envision a career centered around advancing scholarly discourse. Additionally, if you have a passion for teaching and nurturing the next generation of scholars, academia offers abundant opportunities for mentorship and academic engagement.

Considering Industry:

Industry beckons with its promise of real-world impact and diverse career opportunities. Research the demand for PhD-level professionals in your field of expertise and explore industries where your skills can flourish. Keep in mind the potential for innovation, collaboration, and stability that industry roles can offer, along with considerations such as work-life balance and financial security. Technical skills, experience, and applications are transferable between industries and academic fields.

Evaluating Long-Term Career Prospects:

Look beyond the immediate horizon and consider the long-term trajectory of both academia and industry. Assess factors such as career advancement opportunities, salary growth potential, and job security. Additionally, recognize the importance of building professional networks in both spheres for career development and collaboration.

Seeking Guidance:

Don’t navigate this decision-making process alone. Seek guidance from mentors, professors, career consultants, and professionals in academia and industry. Their insights and experiences can offer valuable perspectives as you weigh your options. Networking is invaluable. Consider conducting informational interviews to gain firsthand knowledge about different career paths and industries.

Job Search Platforms Tailored to PhD Students:

In your job search, leverage platforms specifically tailored to PhD candidates. These platforms often cater to the unique skills and experiences of doctoral graduates:

VersatilePhD : Designed specifically for PhDs exploring non-academic career paths, Versatile PhD offers job listings, resources, and a supportive community to guide your transition into industry roles.

PhDJobs.com : This platform specializes in listing job opportunities for PhD holders across various disciplines, including academia, industry, government, and non-profit sectors.

PhD FInd a Path : AfterPhD provides job listings, career advice, and resources tailored to PhD graduates seeking opportunities beyond academia. It covers a wide range of industries and career paths.

Nature Careers: If you’re in the life sciences field, Nature Careers offers job listings, career resources, and articles specifically tailored to professionals with advanced degrees, including PhD graduates.

*Also make sure to consult Career Central Career Communities’ Job Search Resources, and resources for Career Development listed on your department page. Job Search Resources

Flexibility and Adaptability:

Remember that your decision isn’t set in stone. Many professionals transition between academia and industry throughout their careers, leveraging their diverse skills and experiences. Keep your options open and embrace the flexibility to explore new opportunities as they arise.

Ultimately, the decision between academia and industry should align with your passions, goals, and personal circumstances. Take the time to consider all factors, gather information, and seek guidance as needed. Whether you choose to pursue a career in academia, industry, or a combination of both, trust in your abilities and embrace the journey ahead. Your PhD research experience has equipped you with invaluable skills that will undoubtedly open doors to a fulfilling and impactful career path.

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Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Experiential phd.

The future of research will be collaborative. Researchers across academic institutions, industry, government, and other organizations will team up to solve complex real-world problems. Researchers will require technical proficiency as well as the ability to work with others, form teams, manage projects, and more—skills that go beyond the classroom. At Northeastern University, every PhD student and postdoctoral research associate has opportunities to acquire experiences beyond traditional research. Exposure to and integration with our many partners through unique programs in authentic settings from laboratories to startup companies to nonprofit institutions leads to greater impact and broader career opportunities, both within and beyond academia.

Northeastern’s Experiential PhD programs offer such opportunities for current Northeastern PhD students and postdoctoral research associates and for full-time master's-level employees at companies, laboratories, and organizations who want to pursue a doctoral degree at Northeastern. The former occurs through the LEADERs program , while the latter occurs through the Industry PhD program . Traditional internships and sponsored research agreements are available to Northeastern students.  

The LEADERs program is designed to enable researchers to develop professional skills through authentic career exploration opportunities at organizations in industry, government, and the nonprofit sector. Beyond the comfort zone of their own university research group, PhD students and postdoctoral research associates encounter new experiences that help shape their research perspective. They also bring fresh ideas and talent to their host organizations. Northeastern is one of the only universities in the world to offer students in all of its research-based doctoral-degree programs the option to learn and pursue research outside of their primary research group. These real-world placements are highly flexible and customizable, tailored to meet the needs of both Northeastern’s PhD students and postdoctoral research associates and our institutional partners.

The Industry PhD is a first-of-its kind research-based doctoral program for full-time master's-level employees.  Designed with input from external partners, employees pursue a research-based doctoral degree while maintaining their job and conducting research at the employer site. This enables employees to acquire new skills that will help them to advance in their careers and provides the organization with an opportunity to invest in their future leaders. By working closely with Northeastern faculty, employees will explore their research from a broader scientific perspective, enabling them to appreciate the research foundation of their day-to-day work and to pursue new areas of research for the company.

Experiential PhD programs offer robust benefits to both students and institutional partners. Students solve complex problems as part of their education and chart careers as future innovators. Our institutional partners receive many benefits as well, including:

A deeper engagement in rapidly evolving fields of research

Access to university facilities and senior faculty expertise

Opportunities for senior leadership to mentor and copublish with students and to serve on their dissertation committees

A chance to recruit emerging talent

Opportunities to partner with Northeastern, an entrepreneurial research university known for its innovative collaborations with academia, government, and industry

At Northeastern University, PhD students enjoy a uniquely broad range of immersive opportunities to expand critical inquiry, learn, perform original research, and chart a path to professional success. Experiential PhD opportunities enable PhD students to step outside the comfort zone of their campus research group where students can pursue challenging, creative, customized assignments within industry, government, or the nonprofit sector that inform and enhance their pursuit of a research doctorate.

This Graduate Certificate in Experiential PhD Leadership aims to:

•  Challenge students to address complex problems  through experience within the context of real-world needs and challenges faced by industry, government, or nonprofit-sector organizations, broadening students' view of stakeholders and impact, shaping the very questions they raise and answer.

•  Equip students for a lifetime with the cultural agility, creativity, and professional skills— public speaking and communications, meeting goals and expectations (e.g., project management for personal and professional purposes), teamwork, leadership, peer influence, leading from the middle—that they will need to translate their findings into impactful solutions.

•  Enrich every student’s research group and, ultimately, fields of expertise  by fostering a collaborative, entrepreneurial, innovative approach to knowledge creation that expands their network far beyond academia to include intellectual and professional mentors and collaborators.

This graduate certificate designed for PhD students across all of Northeastern’s research-based PhD programs provides students embarking on an experiential PhD with the preparation, project delivery, and guidance for contextual integration within the context of leadership development. All students pursuing this leadership certificate will be mentored by their sponsor supervisor and dissertation advisor(s).

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated. 

A grade of B or higher is required in each course.

Requirements

Program credit/gpa requirements.

12 total semester hours required Minimum 3.000 GPA required

The Industry PhD is a first-of-its kind research-based doctoral program  designed with input from external partners to provide a pathway  for full-time  master's-level employees. Designed with input from external partners,  employees pursue a research-based doctoral degree while maintaining their job and conducting research at the employer site. This enables employees to acquire new skills that will help them to advance in their careers and provides the organization with an opportunity to invest in their future leaders. By working closely with Northeastern University faculty, employees will explore their research from a broader scientific perspective, enabling them to appreciate the research foundation of their day-to-day work and to pursue new areas of research for the company.

The Industry PhD is applicable to any of our 35 doctoral programs. Applicants should follow the requirements of the program to which they are applying. In addition, the following Industry PhD terms apply.

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Industry Jobs After PhD

Industry Jobs After PhD

Finding industry jobs after PhD is a worthwhile ambition for those who have earned doctorate degrees. As more students are learning how to transition from academia to industry , it can be helpful to see how many options are still available to you outside of the university walls. It may seem daunting to move away from academia after being accustomed to it for so long. However, this can be exactly the change you need to kickstart an exciting career.

This article delves into why PhD graduates would want to pursue a career in industry-related areas instead of academic settings. We also list some viable job options for those coming out of STEM programs or other disciplines, and touch upon how PhD consultants can provide helpful advice that will be appropriate to your situation, especially if you are not yet accepted into a doctoral program.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 11 min read

Why transition from academia to industry.

Figuring out how to find a job after grad school is rarely easy, but expanding your horizons and considering new options may be a life-changing decision. At first, you may feel fear about leaving academia, but. More and more doctoral graduates are making the change to industry positions rather than remaining in academic settings, especially if they come from STEM fields.

Want to know the difference between a Masters vs PhD? Watch this video:

It may not be what you initially pictured when writing your grad school career goals statement , but industry jobs can provide you with a worthwhile career. Similar job hunting skills will benefit you no matter where you choose to look for employment. There is not one singular way to do this and it also depends on your chosen discipline. The important thing to remember is that there is a whole world out there for you to explore when it comes to your professional future. Here’re some of the reasons you should consider industry jobs after PhD:

More Opportunities

You will often be told to be very sure of your decision when wondering "should you pursue a master’s or PhD?" . This line of thinking usually comes from the fact that graduate degrees are a boatload of work and effort without a guaranteed payoff at the end of it.

One of the biggest reasons why many PhD holders are now working in industry is because the job market is very competitive. The academic job market is generally competitive, but is now even more so due to less full-time, tenure-track positions available for the amount of PhDs to fill them. These applicants may not have found a viable postdoc position or had enough teaching experience to secure a job in academia. Whatever the case, working in an industry sector is much broader and PhDs can use their training in a variety of ways that differ from academia.

Now that you’re more aware about why those who have earned a doctorate can move away from academic careers, what are some of the industry jobs that be of interest to you? There is truly no list that will be 100% complete, as the amount of opportunities are endless. Nevertheless, here are some great examples of industry jobs one can have after completing a PhD:

1. Scientist/Researcher

For STEM graduates, this will be a very obvious option right off the bat. Just because you are no longer in the academic job market, does not mean you cannot participate in research at any level. If you acquired a background in research while completing your PhD, there are positions that will accommodate this. A wide variety of industries are all about what is new and value innovation, and their research and development departments will reflect these principles.

Another positive about industry research positions as a scientist is that you do not necessarily need to worry about how to get a tenure-track position. In academia, you have the added pressure of trying to achieve tenure and meeting research expectations while teaching and participating in university events. This is not the case for industry. Industry research science positions can be as fulfilling and have as much of a positive impact as academic positions. The same can be said for engineering-related positions of a similar nature. In other words, there are research careers available to you outside of academia. 

  • Clinical Laboratory Scientist
  • Chief Materials Scientist
  • Genomic Research Scientist
  • Immunogenicity Scientist

2. Data Analyst

As a PhD, you are perhaps able to analyze data better than most other candidates. Many organizations want to use the information they collect to make better decisions about the future, whether it is related to customers, statistics, or otherwise. As a data analyst, you will use your data to solve problems and be an essential part of your company. This job requires analytical, numerical, and technical skills to successfully perform. Ideally, this position will combine your affinity for data collection with conventional business knowledge. 

  • Strategic Initiatives Analyst
  • Supply Chain Master Data & Solutions Analyst
  • Planning Analyst

3. Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Advanced scientific knowledge is beneficial for many fields, especially for matters related to health care. Working in regulatory affairs means that you are responsible for obtaining and maintaining government approval for drugs, nutritional products, medical devices, and more. This is a position that combines research with a legal touch, as you will be filling out paperwork and ensuring that whatever product you are working with follows regulatory guidelines. If you are detail-oriented and good at dealing with deadlines, this option might be of interest to you.

  • Regulatory Affairs Manager
  • Senior Quality and Regulatory Affairs Specialist
  • Director of Regulatory Affairs

4. Pharmaceutical Roles

In a similar vein, STEM PhDs in particular can find work in the pharmaceuticals industry. While you not be as familiar with the medical field specifically or have not been to any of the pharmacy schools in the US or Canada, this does not mean that your skills cannot benefit a pharmacology company. For instance, a medical science liaison meets with doctors and other practitioners to create strategies that enhance health outcomes. They also may be responsible for producing medical equipment, assessing clinical samples, and enable drug distribution, among other tasks. While some MSLs can have a medical degree or be a Doctor of Pharmacy, any PhD related to research science can be relevant to a position of this sort.

  • Medical Science Liaison
  • Pharmaceutical Data Scientist
  • Clinical Information Science Associate Director

5. Consultant

Consultants are professionals that can provide advice to companies or clients in need of hitting specific targets or achieving certain goals. Consulting roles can be related to almost any professional field. Some of the most common consulting firms are related management consulting, financial consulting, human resources consulting, and academic consulting. Since you have a PhD and are likely well-versed in how higher education admissions work, becoming a grad school admissions consultant could be beneficial to your career. Consulting firms usually employ a team of experts that are usually hired on a contract basis to a particular client. In the case of academic consulting, your clients will likely be prospective students looking to get into competitive graduate school programs. Since you have already gone through the process yourself, your input on a graduate school statement of purpose and interview prep could be much appreciated.

  • Academic Consultant
  • Associate Workflow Consultant
  • Change Management Consultant
  • Organizational Measurement & Evaluation Consultant

6. Professional Writer

Regardless of discipline, your academic training has probably left you with superior writing skills, which can be essential to industry as well. Writing skills are always necessary for companies around the world. Content writer jobs are available in various capacities and are adjacent to many other fields, such as communications and marketing. As digital content becomes more prevalent, well-written newsletters, social media posts, blogs, product descriptions, press releases, and more could be used to build a brand’s presence online. Writing jobs could also be more specified, such as becoming a medical writer or business writers. Therefore, there is a wide range of opportunity for PhDs who can write effectively.

  • Medical Writer
  • Grant Writer
  • Technical Writer

7. Marketing

Moving on from content writer jobs, these skills are also incredibly useful in marketing environments. PhDs could potentially have the ability to share creative ideas to promote company products or services. For example, one way to do this is to establish some of the best affiliate marketing strategies and how they will benefit your organization. Marketing roles, like other types of positions, could also be somewhat related to academia, as colleges and universities need their own marketing too. As someone who has been a student through multiple stages, you can garner enough expertise to assist with implementing marketing strategies to increase student enrollment . Pretty much every business needs marketing measures, and you can definitely participate in those using the training from your doctorate degree.

  • Marketing Communications Coordinator
  • Marketing Science Supervisor
  • Digital Marketing Manager

8. UX Designer

A user experience designer is a relatively new type of job that is broad and, once again, can apply to multiple professional fields. The exact specificities of this role can depend on the company, but its main objective is to make a product useful and easily accessible to multiple parties. The most common type of UX design is for company websites or apps. This job can be performed through testing of various kinds, creating prototypes, making ideal customer personas through conducting user research, and more. Keeping the end user in mind is key to success in this field. In this role, you are essentially collecting data and using it to improve the product at hand.

  • Senior Product Designer
  • Website UX Designer
  • UX Researcher

9. Entrepreneur

If you are a business-savvy PhD, starting your own enterprise may be the path for you. Make sure your business is related to a field you are passionate about and that is feasible to begin on your own or with a small number of colleagues. Over your studies, you can develop the necessary skills to succeed in business, such as data collection, identifying trends, and solving problems to move forward successfully. Once you identify what the relevant market needs and how your business will operate, you can learn more about the best business growth and development strategies to assist with creating an organization that will last. While networking is also crucial to finding academic jobs, these skills can also evidently be applied to entrepreneurship. Connecting with others is sure to be an advantage whether you work in academia or industry.

  • Startup Entrepreneur
  • Small Business Entrepreneur
  • Large Company Entrepreneur

9. Product Manager

Another role that is related to business is a product manager. As it is a newer field similar to UX Design, it is probably another avenue where your PhD can be useful that you may not immediately think of. In this job, you would be identifying how a product or service will be successful and how this fits into the larger business objectives of the company. It requires a lot of teamwork and not having control of every decision. The power of being able to influence without necessarily having the most authority is crucial to success in this position, as well as asking the right questions and empowering the team around you. This kind of role will be especially useful for STEM PhDs, who can work in electronics, aeronautics, IT and biotechnology, among other fields.

  • Assistant Product Manager
  • Senior Product Manager, International Payments
  • Product Manager, Digital Enrollment

10. Sales Positions

Salespeople often have qualities that you will embody as a PhD, such as analytical and problem solving skills. Any job in sales requires some form of persuasion, which may have been necessary for you when you were writing essays or learning how to prepare for a thesis defense . You may also have the necessary experience for it, depending on what you studied and what you will be selling. For STEM graduates, working in technical sales will make the most sense. In this kind of role, you will be selling software, hardware, or IT services. These roles are not limited to STEM, however, as there are sales roles that exist in many fields. You can also work in a fundraising department oversee major gifts to your company, for example. A doctorate degree can be seen as more credible and add to your overall sell capabilities while confirming your knowledge about the product at hand. Positions within sales can also have a lot of variety, such as remote sales jobs or ones that necessitate travel.

  • Sales Representative
  • Senior Technical Sales
  • Cyber Security Sales Specialist

11. Publishing

While many of the jobs listed above can appeal to STEM or business disciplines, a PhD in the arts or the humanities can lend themselves to jobs in a broad number of fields, including the publishing industry. Whether these publications are academic or not is up to the job itself, but your primary responsibilities would be to approve project acquisitions, manage budgets, oversee departments, and more. If you’re passionate about books or other forms of publication, and want to transition to an industry setting, the publishing industry may appeal to you.

  • Literary Agent
  • Publishing Manager
  • Publishing Production Coordinator

 Conclusion

While it can seem pretty daunting to make the jump from academia to industry, there are tons of PhD graduates doing the same. Working outside of the university might not be the first thing you think of when you initially answered “Why do you want to do a PhD?” in your grad school interview, but plans can change over time. The skills and experience you have garnered over the years can translate rather well to a variety of industries, so be careful not to limit yourself or sell yourself short. Completing a doctorate degree is a massive achievement and you should be very proud of yourself. However, this does not mean you will have a job fall in your hands. You must still search and put the necessary effort into planning out your future. If you are not yet enrolled in a PhD or other graduate program, using a grad school advisor to create a plan can make a world of difference. At the end of the day, the first step is knowing what your options are so you can prepare as best as possible. What you decide to do with that information is up to you.

Finding a job in an industry setting is not any more or less difficult than finding a job in academia. What’s important is adjusting your skillset, mentality, and perhaps your approach to finding a job. Industry jobs have a slightly different process for assessing who the best candidates are, so you must appeal to that.

The main differences are the exact types of roles and responsibilities you will have, salary expectations, the larger goals of your position, work structure, and management style.

Try and find what types of jobs your discipline and background will excel in. If certain skills that you do not have are requested again and again, work towards gaining those skills to become more appealing to those hiring.

Industry jobs do tend to focus less on your academic qualifications, such as the amount of times you have been published. However, this does not mean that you can’t have a research resume available for any positions that may relevant or to prove your skills in that area.

Using your network effectively is important when searching for any job opportunities. If you know anyone who has made the change from academia to industry after earning a PhD or has hiring experience in this domain, their advice will probably serve you well. 

There are postdoc positions that relate to industry-related jobs, rather than academic ones. These can give you beneficial experience that will aid you in finding a more permanent role down the road. Review the postdoc interview questions to get a sense of how to secure that spot.

Yes, slightly. The questions you receive may be a little different or focus on skills and attributes related to that particular position instead of mainly your academic accomplishments.

There are recruiters who will be able to assist candidates just like you. If you are currently enrolled in a PhD program, you could also ask academic advisors or trusted faculty members for their input. If you have not yet applied to a PhD program, trained experts can strategize with you to maximize your chances of acquiring a great education and career. These trained experts can help with application documents such as a PhD motivation letter . They could also be useful for interview preparation and providing tips that will be valuable at any stage of your education or professional career.

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PhD after BTech

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  • Updated on  
  • Apr 4, 2023

PhD after BTech

Pursuing a PhD after Btech is for those who have figured early out the answer to “ What to do after BTech? ”. A doctoral degree helps candidates discover advanced-level research opportunities after completing a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) program through the integrated or combined PhD route rather than completing a master’s degree and then applying for a doctoral program. Pursuing a PhD program, individuals can work under professors at universities and organisations that demand research scientists, and associates, amongst others for various projects. Here is a detailed guide on the various aspects of how you can pursue a PhD after BTech and delve deeper into the field of Research directly after graduation.

This Blog Includes:

Overview of combined/integrated master’s and phd, phd after btech: routes of applying, phd after btech: how to apply, background & gpa requirements, how to do phd after btech, phd after btech abroad, eligibility for phd after btech  , colleges offering phd after btech in india.

  • What Next After BTech?
  • Why MBA after BTech?

In many universities, professors encourage students to pursue research by providing them with necessary exploratory tools and techniques. Further, integrated MS/PhD degree programs are also offered by many academic institutions and these courses have a comprehensive research-oriented curriculum and are designed with flexible duration ranging from 3-6 years and even 10 years. The course also encourages practical experience through research assistantships, projects and fellowships. Increasingly popular in the US, this degree is now being steadily offered at institutions all across the globe. 

Also Read: Integrated PhD

Individuals looking to pursue a PhD after Btech can either follow the traditional application process or opt for direct faculty recommendations. While the former has been discussed below, the latter involves reaching to faculty members of a university department directly. Typically considered as an informal path, the method of direct recommendation can lead to an admission offer if the research interests align, the professor is impressed by your projects and is willing to recommend the candidate to the admissions department of a university. Many professors at elite institutions invite candidates through this method.

The process of applying for a PhD after a B.Tech, apart from the method of direct faculty recommendation, is a simple one. While a prior background and coursework in Physical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Mathematics or relevant Engineering branches is a must, relevant industry experience, research projects are undertaken and extra-curricular activities are also preferred. While many universities adhere to the above criteria of admission, a considerable number of institutions do not have any restrictions as to eligibility conditions whatsoever. It is advised that prospective students get in touch with Leverage Edu experts and know about the exact specifications and updated information about their chosen program and university.

Admission to most programs of PhD after BTech prescribe a strong background related to the specific intended field of study. Common requirements include familiarity with advanced mathematical concepts like algebra, calculus etc, economics, software proficiency, statistical tools amongst others. A strong score throughout all post-secondary qualifications is highly recommended. However, if you have a score belonging to less than the recommended section, you can compensate it by stating the activities you undertook, assistantships, projects completed, languages learnt during that time etc.

  • International Tests like GRE/GMAT/TOEFL/IELTS etc. A huge majority of institutions as part of the application process for PhD after BTech either require or recommend submission of scores of various international tests such as GRE / GMAT / TOEFL / IELTS / PTE etc.
  • Letters of Recommendation/Statement of Purpose/Resume These form an essential supplementary part of an application that elaborates the motivations and interests of candidates and how they are suitable for the program. Further, Letters of Recommendation / Statement of Purpose / Resume helps the admission committee in understanding what a candidate aims to achieve through the program they are applying for.
  • Research Proposal (optional) In some universities, the application process comprises a research proposal to be submitted that outlines somewhat the specific area of research the applicant is intending to pursue while at the university. 

Also Read: PhD Entrance Exams

When it comes to finding a suitable answer for how to do a PHD after BTech, the most suitable solution to this is having a strong profile during and after your BTech course. It is vital for one to show adequate experience in research for a PhD that you can do by showcasing your published papers for certificates of seminars along with the extra projects that you have made during your BTech. You can align the topic of your final year project as per the topic of your PhD research. Make sure that the work you carry out under guidance corresponds to a letter of recommendation to you that will help you uplift your profile. 

The selection of major and minor subjects also help the students presenting their direct m application for PhD. Stating that your major subject of BTech course aligns with your research domain I will help you elevate your candidature. Since you will not be having a proper degree of masters, possessing peripheral knowledge or a stronghold over the concepts that are taught in the master’s program for the same will also work as an icing on the cake. Do not forget to thoroughly proofread your statement of purpose and make sure that it aligns the best with your future endeavours. 

There are many leading academic institutions and research universities across the world that offer a wide range of programs for those wanting to pursue a PhD after BTech or their bachelor’s degree completion. Here is a list of major global research universities providing plentiful PhD programs in Science and Technology-related fields and specialisations.

Note: The above-mentioned universities as well as the academic institutions in Germany, Denmark , Canada etc operate with flexible admission requirements. This implies that the relevant admissions committee evaluates a candidate’s suitability with the program requirements individually and this means that in some cases, applicants might be required to have attained their master’s degree. Especially with regards to applicants from India, though there is no compulsion, they must ensure the suitability of their qualifications with the stated eligibility requirements given on the university’s official website.

Also Read: PhD in Computer Science

PhD after BTech in India is also known as Direct PhD that one can pursue after completing their BTech course. Those who are clear about pursuing a career in research and academics, this is one of the best career options for them in India. Leading Indian institutes like IIT, IIM, IISc, etc offer this advantageous opportunity of pursuing PHD after BTech to the students having an exceptionally great academic background.  let us now take into consideration what all is required to become eligible for Direct PhD- 

  • The average score in GATE exam or other equivalent national exams is mandatory for students belonging to Non-Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs). Whereas those who belong to CFTI may not be required to present a score in GATE or any other national-level exam. 
  • At least 8.0 CGPA out of 10.0
  • Only the student studying in the final year of BTech/ BE can apply 
  • Well written SOP 
  • Letters of Recommendation 

Listed below are the popular universities in India from where you can pursue PhD after BTech-

  • IIT Guwahati
  • IIT Hyderabad
  • IIT Kharagpur
  • BITS Pilani
  • Chandigarh University
  • Lovely Professional University
  • Lingaya’s Vidyapeeth
  • Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science
  • Awadhesh Pratap Singh University

Ans. Yes, you can pursue Ph.D. after Btech in India as well as abroad. 

Ans. When it comes to posing a direct Ph.D. after Btech from India or abroad it is not necessary to have a master’s degree. Students having an adequate amount of research experience along with an exceptionally great academic background can pursue a Ph.D. 

Ans. The basic eligibility criteria for Ph.D. after BTech is-  -A good GPA score  -Adequate experience in research  -A good academic background with charming scores in competitive entrance exams -Statement of Purpose and Letters of Recommendation

Ans. Completing a Ph.D. in India usually takes 3-5 years. 

Ans. No, GATE school is not mandatory for pursuing a Ph.D. in IIT f the candidate belongs to Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs).

We hope that this blog helped you understand the key essentials of pursuing a Ph.D. after BTech. Further, while going for a doctoral program, it is important to choose the right specialization and the university. Take the help of Leverage Edu ‘ s AI tool to browse through a wide range of academic institutions across the globe offering Ph.D. programs and find the right one that suits your interests and career aspirations.

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I thought to do phD, iam B. Tech graduated E.C.E 5year old at2015.

Thank you for reaching out to us. Please call on this number- 1800572000, if you want to find out the procedure and universities available to you for PhD after B.Tech.

I have 16 years of IT Industry exp, i want to pursue PhD but i had done my B.Tech in CSE. plz guide.

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Please contact our experts through this number 1800572000 to solve all your queries! Thank you.

I completed my BE(CS) in 1999. I wish to do phd. I do not have work experience. Can I apply ?

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Athletic training graduate to work with professional, pre-professional athletes

April 15, 2024  | Erin Bluvas,  [email protected]

“USC has an incredible reputation for their sport science programs, and the athletic training program has diverse clinical opportunities with a final spring semester immersion allowing you to go anywhere in the world to complete,” says Kimberly Nardi , who graduates in May with an M.S. in Athletic Training from the Department of Exercise Science . “Some of the hundreds of sites offered include professional, collegiate, high school, orthopedic or specialty clinics, industrial etc. Other programs cannot match the widespread network that USC Athletic Training has created.”

Kimberly Nardi

Nardi experienced a diverse array of these clinical placements during her program – including USC Women’s Soccer and the Savannah Ghost Pirates’ professional ice hockey team. She also conducted research with Prisma Pediatric Concussion Clinic – circling back to the reason she entered into sports medicine in the first place.

Growing up in Maryland, Nardi experienced concussions as a high school athlete, leading her to study neuroscience at Christopher Newport University. As an undergrad, she discovered the athletic training profession, which ticked all of her boxes for a career in sports and health care and opened her eyes to how she could make an impact on patients.

During her master’s program, Nardi found mentors in exercise science/athletic training faculty Jim Mensch , Amy Fraley , Zachary Winkelmann and Ph.D. in Exercise Science student Courtney Meyer .

“I do not know if I can pick one and talk about just them because I would have too much to say; they all care about their students, and I never once felt like a number or that I was alone,” she says. “When I was struggling one semester, I reached out and they all immediately were by my side helping me stand back up. I have a lot of love and appreciation for the USC Athletic Training program. They are incredible mentors and professors who have pushed me to become the best version of myself.”

She also loved living and learning at a university located in South Carolina’s capital city.

“It was easy to get around campus and make friends along the way,” Nardi says. “I will miss game days and the feeling of the entire city shutting down to support the university.”

We rehabilitate our patients from various injuries/surgeries and build powerful connections with our patients while working hard to provide them with the best care possible.

After graduating in May, the Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia. She feels well-prepared for this role, particularly from her immersion experience with the Ghost Pirates that she is completing this semester.  

It’s the perfect path for Nardi, but it’s also one that many people are not familiar with. She’s discovered that people often confuse athletic training with personal training or other professions and has learned first-hand about the uniqueness of this career.

“We are there before, during and after injuries; this means we are the first responder to a scene sometimes, and we evaluate the patient to determine the next steps,” Nardi says. “We rehabilitate our patients from various injuries/surgeries and build powerful connections with our patients while working hard to provide them with the best care possible.”

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  • CAREER COLUMN
  • 08 April 2024

How we landed job interviews for professorships straight out of our PhD programmes

  • Violeta Rodriguez 0 &
  • Qimin Liu 1

Violeta Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Qimin Liu is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University in Massachusetts.

A person organizing ideas and thoughts with sticky notes on a glass wall.

By staying organized in their job hunt, both authors received several job offers. Credit: Getty

We met during the last year of our PhD training, after securing placements at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Department of Psychiatry for our predoctoral internships — the final step of our clinical doctoral programmes. V. R. came from the University of Georgia in Athens and was pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology, and Q. L. came from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was working towards a PhD in clinical science and quantitative methods. It was amid the academic rigour and personal stress of the last year of our programmes that we became friends. We bonded over being immigrants and not speaking English as our first language while navigating the complexities of academia. We both wanted to forgo postdoctoral training and instead immediately become junior professors. Now, we’re assistant professors: V. R. is at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Q. L. is at Boston University in Massachusetts.

The odds we faced in the academic job market had seemed insurmountable, particularly to immigrants, and we had been cautioned by mentors and even junior faculty members about the challenge ahead. But we succeeded: we received a combined total of 27 in-person interviews, leading to 15 tenure-track assistant-professor offers across departments of psychology, paediatrics or psychiatry, schools of education and academic medical centres. (You can check out our hints for nailing job interviews in our other article .)

phd after industry experience

How to move labs

Despite the positive outcome, the process was stressful, fast and unpredictable. Our friendship became a sanctuary: amid the daunting job market and our own self-doubt, we understood and encouraged each other. We want to offer what our friendship provided us — understanding, support and encouragement — to researchers hoping to stay in academia after earning a PhD, so we are sharing our reflections and insights.

We must first make clear: no amount of job-search tips and tricks can substitute for good science and a strong publication record. To gauge our readiness, we looked up the CV of the most recent hire in each department that we applied to. We also made sure we had backup offers of postdoctoral positions. While navigating this process, we learnt that institutions were interested in candidates who planned to pursue external funding.

Portrait of Qimin Liu in front of a graffitied wall.

Qimin Liu is now an assistant professor. Credit: Qimin Liu

We had both obtained federal and private funding before — making us more competitive. We urge aspiring professors to prioritize their research contributions, external fellowship and grant applications and academic achievements above all.

To readers who’ve successfully navigated this process, many of our reflections and insights could seem obvious. However, this kind of advice can be the hardest to follow during a fast-moving job hunt, with several moving pieces involved and new considerations and job offers or advertisements emerging unexpectedly. Treat this as a checklist before beginning to fill out job applications.

Tips and tricks

Start your search early. Allow ample time to prepare for the job hunt; research potential options, such as jobs in academic medical centres, standard department positions or tenure-track jobs in related fields; and submit applications. Plan to reply to job ads long before the first deadline. Starting early gives you time to collect and incorporate feedback from mentors and colleagues.

phd after industry experience

Training: Free course on peer review

Prepare your networks. The academic job market can be unpredictable, with opportunities emerging unexpectedly. It is important to think about who can write letters for you — sometimes at short notice. Most of our applications required three letters of recommendation from all applicants. Others requested letters from only shortlisted candidates.

Plan ahead. The final drafts of materials took, on average, one to two months in total to prepare and polish. The initial drafts took about 8 hours, and the research statement required a total of 16 hours. (The research statement summarizes your research programme, the work you’ve done so far and what you plan to pursue in future. It can also highlight why a particular institution is well-suited to support your work.) Preparing drafted statements in advance made it easier to adapt them to different positions later — tweaking materials for specific positions took 30–60 minutes per application.

Research potential job opportunities. Don’t just rely on word-of-mouth or googling specific positions to find things you’re interested in applying to. Use online job boards (such as HigherEdJobs or Nature Careers ), and tap into your professional network by sending e-mails or LinkedIn messages to your mentors and colleagues, letting them know you’re on the job market. Scour social media and department websites to find available positions. We both posted on X (formerly Twitter) that we were job hunting, and several people reached out with opportunities.

Develop job application ‘templates’. Create a set of well-crafted templates for your application materials, such as cover letters and statements, on which you can easily fill in your name, relevant details and where you’ve previously worked. Having adaptable documents allowed us to respond quickly to new postings.

Tailor your application materials. Templates can take you only so far. Take the time to customize your application materials, including your CV, cover letter (each of ours was one page long) and research statement, to highlight your relevant skills, experiences and research contributions. Tailoring your materials to each position demonstrates genuine interest and increases your chances of standing out to hiring committees. Generic applications are easy for hiring managers to reject. Mentioning centres or institutes that align with your research; available resources, such as early-career programmes, that you want to take advantage of; and the names of people whom you are interested in working with can help to personalize your application materials.

Stay organized. Maintain a well-organized system to track application deadlines, requirements and submission statuses. Be ready to remind your letter writers to submit their recommendations. Keep a calendar or spreadsheet to ensure that all required materials are submitted on time and to track when to follow up. An example spreadsheet is provided below.

Practise for interviews and job talks. Run mock interviews with your peers or mentors. Practise answering common interview questions and develop concise, compelling responses that highlight your expertise, teaching abilities and fit. Treat these seriously — you’re likely to be nervous in the real interview, so try to recreate that while rehearsing, perhaps by inviting a relatively unknown colleague or professor to join the practice runs. V. R. recorded her job talk on Zoom and sent it to others for feedback.

Practising your job talk — a presentation of your academic research that is often a spoken version of your research statement — until you know it backwards and forwards will prepare you for the unexpected. In addition, rehearsing how you plan to respond to different questions, and practising saying that you want people to hold their questions until the end, can be helpful.

Prepare a start-up budget to get your lab running. Many academic positions include a start-up fund for incoming faculty members. It is typically used for summer salary and staffing or research costs. You might be asked for an estimated budget before, during or after the interview stage — so you should have one ready in advance. When preparing your budget, keep in mind the spending norms at the institution and for your discipline. Ask for more than you think you need, because this amount will often be reduced during negotiations.

As we look back on our job-hunting experiences, we are reminded of how much we grew in this process, in ways that are not related to just our jobs — and this growth continued in our interviews .

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01044-1

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged .

Supplementary Information

  • Example spreadsheet

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phd after industry experience

Postdoctoral Associate- Curing Brain Tumors

Houston, Texas (US)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

phd after industry experience

Energy AI / Grid Modernization / Hydrogen Energy / Power Semiconductor Concentration / KENTECH College

21, Kentech-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea(KR)

Korea Institute of Energy Technology

phd after industry experience

Professor in Macromolecular Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in Chemistry. The department has 260 employees and has a turnover of 290 mil...

Uppsala (Stad) (SE)

Uppsala University

phd after industry experience

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Former Nickelodeon star featured in 'Quiet on Set' says she's 'done' with the entertainment industry

Raquel Lee Bolleau

Raquel Lee Bolleau, who shared her experiences working on “The Amanda Show” as a child actor in “Quiet on Set,” said she is “done” with the entertainment industry after her recent experience with the docuseries.

In a TikTok video posted Wednesday, Bolleau expressed her frustration with the Investigation Discovery series , which featured interviews with several actors and former child stars who alleged abuse, inappropriate behavior and a toxic work environment when they appeared on some Nickelodeon shows Dan Schneider produced in the 2000s and the 2010s.

Following the docuseries' release last month, Schneider apologized for some of his past behavior and the on-set atmosphere.

Bolleau said the “Quiet on Set” producers did not invite her to join a panel discussion with other former Nickelodeon stars for the show’s fifth episode, which aired Sunday.

Representatives for Bolleau and Investigation Discovery did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Maxine Productions, which produced “Quiet on Set,” and its parent company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

The “Quiet on Set” producers “did the same thing that the industry always does,” Bolleau says in the video, which had amassed over 300,000 views as of Thursday afternoon. “They get what they want from you and then they’re done.”

Journalist Soledad O’Brien interviewed the actors who appeared in the episode. She asked them about various issues that were brought up in the docuseries, as well as their thoughts about what the entertainment industry can improve on.  

While Bolleau was not part of the group that was interviewed, the final episode included a previously unaired clip of her describing an alleged incident on set of “The Amanda Show." She said she was "infuriated" after she was repeatedly spit on by Amanda Bynes during a sketch. She said she was told to "keep your cool" and try not to make the incident a problem.

A spokesperson for Bynes declined to comment on Thursday.

O’Brien showed the clip of Bolleau to “All That” actor Bryan Hearne and his mother, Tracey Brown, during a discussion about racism and representation on set. 

Hearne said that he was unaware of the incident Bolleau recounted and that he had had only “one solid conversation” with her. However, he said, hearing Bolleau’s experience “hit me really hard.” His mother, Brown, called the incident "racist."

In his response to the docuseries’ release, Schneider said that “diversity has always been very important” to him.

Hearne and Brown did not immediately respond to requests for comment. 

Bolleau said producers informed her that the clip of her would be shown Sunday, the day the episode dropped. She said she wished she had been able to be part of the discussion with others.

I’m going to get back to my family, my businesses; that’s what I’m focused on. Because this industry? Y’all can have it.

— Raquel Lee Bolleau on the entertainment industry

“You want me to share my story, but you don’t want to involve me in the actual narrative of change,” Bolleau said. 

She also claimed that the documentary’s producers did not tell her the premise of the series when they reached out to her. 

“First of all, you don’t even tell me what type of documentary that I’m going to be a part of,” she said. “You never questioned whether or not this is going to be triggering for me.”

It has been “very, very difficult” for Bolleau to face the traumatic experiences that happened to her when she was a young actor, she said. 

“I can’t do it anymore,” she said at the end of the TikTok video. “I’ve given it all I can. I don’t have nothing else. The show, I don’t want to talk about it. I’m going to get back to my family, my businesses; that’s what I’m focused on. Because this industry? Y’all can have it.”  

She posted the video days after former “Double Dare” host Marc Summers also said he was misled about the docuseries’ premise. Summers appeared on Elvis Duran’s program “The Elvis Duran Show” to promote his off-Broadway show “The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers,” which tells his life story, including his time at Nickelodeon.

In the interview, Summers said the docuseries producers “did a bait and switch” on him. 

“They ambushed me,” he said. “They never told me what this documentary was really about.”

Summers said he left the “Quiet on Set” interview after producers showed him a video and explained the premise of the series. It was not clear from the interview or from the docuseries what clip he was shown.

Mary Robertson and Emma Schwartz, who directed the series, previously responded to Summers' comments in a joint statement provided by Investigation Discovery.

“We are clear with each participant about the nature of our projects," they said.

phd after industry experience

Daysia Tolentino is a culture and trends reporter for NBC News.

IMAGES

  1. Career paths after a PhD

    phd after industry experience

  2. 9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2023

    phd after industry experience

  3. Industry Jobs After PhD

    phd after industry experience

  4. PhD Resume: Example & Writing Tips

    phd after industry experience

  5. What is an industrial PhD? Can academics move to industry?

    phd after industry experience

  6. 9 PhD Resume Examples & Guide for 2023

    phd after industry experience

VIDEO

  1. Ph.D. after CS from IIM😯🤩

  2. Life After PhD in Biotech

  3. After Phd life #phd #afterphd #phdlife #phdvlog #phdlatestnews #phdcomedy

  4. Get a Second PhD to Boost your Career!

  5. PhD after Pharm D ?/Scope of Research

  6. Experiences of PhD| Life During PhD| Life After PhD

COMMENTS

  1. Enjoying a PhD after significant industry experience : r/PhD

    Avoid junior faculty. These are PhD students, (likely never worked in industry) that now at thrust into a managerial capacity with no experience. You want senior tenured (famous) faculty. They are generally hands off and politically connected so that you can get your paper in splashy places.

  2. Is it hard to start a PhD programme after leaving to work in industry?

    All this is vital in writing project proposals and project execution. In a nutshell: experience in industry, when used wisely, can give you an "entrepreneurial" attitude, which definitely is an advantage over students who plunge to doctoral studies right after completing their master's degree. ... From an admissions standpoint getting into ...

  3. How to make the leap into industry after a PhD

    In 2021, Australia had nearly 185,000 PhD graduates, up from 135,000 in 2016. But the number of academic positions had shrunk — falling from 54,086 in 2016 to 46,971 in 2021. The trend is ...

  4. What is an industrial PhD? Can academics move to industry?

    Working in industry provides a more stable job, with more resources than in academia. I worked in industry for one year after my PhD and found that the focus on profitability and spending meant that projects would often get pulled from me - even if they looked promising. Your experience may vary depending on the field and job that you have.

  5. How mixing academia and industry opens doors in graduate ...

    And as of 2021 — the most recent year for which survey data are available — just 35.9% of recent PhD graduates had academic jobs lined up after graduation, compared with 43.2% heading into ...

  6. PhD after industry. Is it reasonable?

    I did my PhD in my fifties, after a computer science industry career. I am also a permanent resident alien. I can see two problems you are going to have that I avoided: I didn't start my PhD until after I had my retirement fund saved up, so my standard of living did not change. I continued in computer science, so my industry experience helped.

  7. Preparing Yourself for Grad School After Working in Industry

    In many cases, time spent working in industry was actually an asset, making it easier to complete the degree. Below, we offer a high-level overview of the application process and the value that your work experience can bring to the mix, and provide a number of tips to help you prepare for graduate school after spending time in industry.

  8. Why earning a PhD is an advantage in today's industry job market

    Isaiah Hankel. Industry employers value candidates with PhDs because they are expert innovators. Credit: Thomas Barwick/Getty. "Companies don't want to hire PhDs because they're ...

  9. Jumping Back in

    Well, now could also be the perfect time to revisit your plans for a PhD. Even before the coronavirus disruption, going back to university to do postgraduate research was more common than you might think. This post from our blog reveals Sam's experience of swapping an industry grad scheme for PhD study - and shares what he learned in the process.

  10. Take your PhD to industry

    Isaish Hankel speaks to a PhD audience. Isaiah speaks from experience — he too had to learn how to succeed in industry when he graduated. ... go back to teach classes after working 10-20 years ...

  11. career path

    It is especially hard to go from an industry position to a PhD student. Because you'll be getting paid 5-10 times less even though you'll be working at least twice as hard. And PhD is a 5-year commitment, with no guarantee of an academic job at the end of all this. Do not pursue a PhD.

  12. Navigating the Crossroads After Your PhD: Choosing Between Academia and

    Completing a PhD is a monumental achievement, but it often leads to a critical juncture: deciding between pursuing a career in academia or transitioning to industry. This decision can significantly impact your future trajectory, making it crucial to weigh various factors and make an informed choice.

  13. Experiential PhD

    The Industry PhD is a first-of-its kind research-based doctoral program for full-time master's-level employees. Designed with input from external partners, employees pursue a research-based doctoral degree while maintaining their job and conducting research at the employer site. This enables employees to acquire new skills that will help them ...

  14. Ph.D. Resume Examples and Templates for Industry and Non-Academic Jobs

    2. Outline your Ph.D. resume experience in a compelling list. When seeking an industry job with a Ph.D. resume, show you're more than just an academic. Share clear and compelling examples of how you've excelled in previous jobs you've had. Point out your value to organizations and include data where possible.

  15. PhD after 4 years of work experience

    C. Caro 445 posts. I started my PhD after 4 years of work, I did it because I'm an ecologist and ecology jobs at the time were all very temporary. I saw my PhD advertised and fell in love with the topic and still love it now - at the end. So if you think you will enjoy your PhD do it for that reason.

  16. Industry Jobs After PhD

    Finding industry jobs after PhD is a worthwhile ambition for those who have earned doctorate degrees. As more students are learning how to transition from academia to industry, it can be helpful to see how many options are still available to you outside of the university walls.It may seem daunting to move away from academia after being accustomed to it for so long.

  17. PhD Careers

    A PhD in Maths and Computing could benefit jobs in Finance, Investment or Web Development, complimenting skills in logic, problem solving and data. A PhD in the Physical Sciences demonstrates experience with software and data. This could set graduates up to work in Software Engineering, Data Science or even Sound Engineering.

  18. PhD after BTech

    PhD after BTech: Can I do PhD after BTech, Research Areas, Scope, Career Opportunities, Top International Universities for PhD ... Mathematics or relevant Engineering branches is a must, relevant industry experience, research projects are undertaken and extra-curricular activities are also preferred. While many universities adhere to the above ...

  19. How will warmer winters impact our roads?

    Manik Barman, Ph.D. "Minnesota roads experience cruel winters and warm summers — often with more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit difference between the two seasons. The large volume of snow, frigid temperatures and considerable numbers of freeze-thaw cycles bring in damages to roadway infrastructures. This year, the effects of El Niño — and ...

  20. Athletic training graduate to work with professional, pre-professional

    After graduating in May, Professional Athletic Training Student Above and Beyond Award winner Kimberly Nardi will begin working with professional and collegiate athletes at a performance-based sports complex in Georgia. ... Athletic training graduate to work with professional, pre-professional athletes Posted on: April 15, 2024; Updated on ...

  21. How we landed job interviews for professorships straight out of our PhD

    The final drafts of materials took, on average, one to two months in total to prepare and polish. The initial drafts took about 8 hours, and the research statement required a total of 16 hours ...

  22. Raquel Lee Bolleau says she's 'done' with entertainment industry after

    April 11, 2024, 3:42 PM PDT. By Daysia Tolentino. Raquel Lee Bolleau, who shared her experiences working on "The Amanda Show" as a child actor in "Quiet on Set," said she is "done ...