Post-PhD Possibilities: Discovering Academic-Adjacent and Skill-Transfer Career Paths

With far more PhDs graduating than academic positions available, we need to challenge the assumption that a PhD traditionally leads to an academic career—either as a guarantee or as a lifelong commitment. This book is comprised of interviews with those thriving in non-academic roles showcasing the many alternatives. From these interviews, I propose that non-academic roles be considered as two broad paths: academic-adjacent careers use research expertise through industry, policy, and publishing and skill-transfer careers, applying transferable abilities like critical thinking. For individuals in career transition, self-reflection and informational interviews help assess fit aligned with personal values. While finding a suitable path is disorienting initially, focusing on versatile PhD competencies reveals alignments with meaningful work beyond academia. Recognising a PhD need not lead to a faculty career opens possibilities to leverage doctoral skills in impactful new contexts.