What’s a PhD to Do?

Earning a PhD or a doctorate in any academic discipline is a difficult road. It takes commitment, focus, and a thick skin to make it through the course work, requisite exams, the dissertation defense, and ultimate publication – not to mention an average of 7 years of your life. While some aspire to work in higher education as professors, others decide that academia is not an ideal fit and forge a different path.

But the struggle for PhDs who want to go in a different career direction is as old as the ivy on the hallowed university buildings where they minted their degrees. While the basics of selling your skills in research, writing, advanced analysis, and teaching are a given – don’t ignore the personality trait that empowered you to earn the highest degree in the land in the first place. Resilience and your tremendous work ethic can be the special sauce that you use to distinguish yourself in the job market.

Think about it – you have spent 7+ years of your life becoming an expert in a very particular, often esoteric, slice of an academic discipline that may not play into your future career goals at all now. According to an article in Selloutyoursoul “a work-horse, a smart work horse, a curious person willing to put in the time to become an expert in a new industry…that is something worth a second interview.” Help prospective employers understand that you are eager to put this incredible work ethic to use in their company.

Think about your ability to break down a massive project into small steps, an excellent exercise in creativity and high-level thinking according to Selloutyoursoul. Be ready to convince the hiring manager that you are approachable and a team player. The fear for many HR managers is that with a PhD comes a big ego which will upset the existing team dynamic.  While you want to highlight your passion, drive, and ambition – it’s also important to show them that you are a good colleague and able to play in the sandbox with others.

“So don’t be a genius. Have a single purpose: to attack the study of a new industry just as you attacked your study of literature. And then actually do it.”  – says Selloutyoursoul. But remember, you also need to figure out what makes you tick, what you value, and how you can play to your strengths in a career field that makes you excited to go to work each day.

PhD holders that do not want a career in academia must focus on selling themselves and not their degree when searching for work. Don’t lead with your PhD – lead with the fact that you can be indispensable. Show your employer what you can do, not what skills you theoretically honed in academia.