phd and no job

6 . 25 . 20
Career , Leaving Academia

Have a PhD and Can’t Get a Job? Do 4 SIMPLE Things (2023)

Posted by: Chris

Updated March 4, 2023

I have a PhD and can’t get a job! What’s wrong with me?

When I finished my PhD, I jumped into a long drought of unemployment. It freaking sucked.

A family friend who heard I had left school very kindly offered me a job. The job was to be a general laborer on a construction site. I was living in my parents’ basement at the time and didn’t have any direction for my degree, and I considered it.

I listened as he gave me the description of the job: “You’ll have to clean up the equipment and make sure the signs are in place. You’d be doing a lot of independent work, putting up silt fences, manual labor, digging, stuff like that.”

I was almost in tears.

This was what it had come to. In desperation, I was considering a construction job that paid $16 an hour. I thought, surely this couldn’t be all that there is?

Tell me my story doesn’t end like this!

It didn’t, and I ultimately turned the job down and chased something better.

But, without a doubt, it was one of my points of employment rock bottom. I’d done a PhD, and it seemed like all I could do was to get a job that I could have gotten with a high-school diploma.

That hurts.

I meet a lot of PhDs who are in EXACTLY the place I was in. If you’re here right now, if you’re a PhD who can’t find a job, you know what I’m talking about. You’re unemployed with no direction. You are desperately hoping for someone to come and help you, but it feels like nobody will.

If you have a PhD and can’t get a job, it seems that your best options are things like being a laborer, waiting tables, or answering phones.

Worst of all is the feeling of being alone. It’s feeling like you CAN rebuild your life, but not knowing where to start and feeling like you have nobody to talk to.

If this is you, I’ve been in your shoes. I understand what it’s like.

Are you saying, “I have a PhD and can’t get a job?” Here’s how to fix it…

This post contains links to affiliate products, which–if you choose to purchase–pay us a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps to support our work. We only promote products we’ve used and love .

Check out my book about leaving academia– Doctoring: Building a Life After a PhD — read the first chapter for free on Amazon.

1. Get your mindset right

Yes, I feel like a self-help guru here. And I’ll get you to some more “actionable” steps below.

Here’s why I think your mindset is vital.

PhDs get beat up when they go through an advanced degree. In some cases, a person who is ironically referred to as a “mentor” shreds their confidence.

After years of being taught that they’re complete idiots in the academy, and being made to feel worthless by the death of a thousand cuts—not least of which is being paid peanuts for adjunct positions—there’s not much left.

Stepping out of academia into the “real world” and finding that your skills don’t seem to fit anywhere initially seems to confirm what you already believed about yourself: you’re worthless, not good enough to make it in academia, and have nothing to offer the real world either.

I have a PhD and can’t get a job .

Let me tell you something.

Lean in close so you can hear it.

You’re not worthless.

And, to quote Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting, it’s not your fault.

You need to light the spark in your soul again . You know, the one that once believed you were great and had amazing things to offer the world.

This isn’t a “law of attraction” thing; I’m not telling you to positive think your way to a career.

But what I am saying is that there’s no way you will do well in building a career if you believe you’re worthless and have nothing to offer.

You need to light the spark in your soul again. You know, the one that once believed you were great and had amazing things to offer the world.

2. Get clear on your skills

I want you to take a few hours, even a full day if you can, and do a deep dive on LinkedIn. It’s an amazing platform, I can’t say enough about how powerful it is for those who have a PhD and can’t get a job.

This platform alone has everything you need to change your life: the people, the connections, the wisdom, the jobs. (Do create a profile if you don’t have one— I have a guide for that here .)

But for today, I want you to research.

Go find out the types of things that people are being paid to do. I often advise people to type their skills into the search bar at the top of LinkedIn and see which people come up.

Go “creep” them and see the type of work they do. Look at their job history. Pay attention to how they talk about themselves and their work.

linkedin tips & hacks - image of the search bar

Start writing down job titles that might fit you. You NEED to figure out something you can do that people will pay for.

This might be research or writing—these are the usual suspects for PhDs.

But it might also be stakeholder relations, event management, grant writing, project management. Keep an open mind, and make a list of things that people might way you to do.

You’ve got skills. Transferable skills . And THAT’S what you’re trying to figure out. In academia, you celebrated things like publications, awards, and important mentors.

Chances are, nobody gives a crap about that outside of academia. But people will care about your skills… The more high-value skills you bring to the table, the more likely you’ll get hired!

Here are some Skills your PhD probably gave you that can help get you hired:

Researching
Presentation
Public Speaking
Grant Writing
Report Writing
Synthesizing
Critical Thinking

Pro Tip. Do try to pay attention to things you think you might love doing. There’s no sense in doing jobs because you can, at least in the long term. Start to build a vision of your future .

3. Talk to 10 people in cool roles

I talk about networking as being transformational for PhD job-hunting, and I believe it is.

But when I say networking, I don’t mean handing out business cards, or going to sketchy “networking events.”

I mean talking to 10 people. That’s it.

Over the course of the next 2 months, I want you to set this big, audacious goal.

Talk to 10 people who are doing something you find interesting. These will be the beginning of your network.

Most of us don’t have powerful networks. We need to build them from scratch.

It will take a lot of confidence to reach out to them and ask for their time, and perhaps a little bit of humility too.

I have a whole post on networking tips — but here are 8 ways to find people to talk to:

Ask a prof you work with for a recommendation. Some profs have great networks outside of the academy.
Contact the career center at your school to see if they have events or connections they could give you.
Try your school’s alumni network, which will have both local events and listings of people who might be interesting.
When you search on LinkedIn, reach out to connect to the interesting people you find. Send a note explaining that you’re a new grad trying to find your direction.
Join a LinkedIn group for PhDs. This could be the Roostervane LinkedIn group , or one of the many others dedicated to PhDs. Pro tip: look at the group members and connect with those you find interesting .
Talk to family, friends, and anybody else you already know about what they do. Ask lots of questions.
Talk to people in public! If it’s your thing. I have kids, so I often strike up conversations with other parents at the park, asking about what they do. If you want to be really strategic, go to parks in the wealthy areas of your town. Go to a dog park. Join a gym, a church, a special-interest club, or any other place you can meet humans.
Follow interesting people on Twitter, Instagram, or another social platform—especially if they’re local. See if they’d be a good fit, and message them! Tell them you love their work and you’re curious about what they do.

4. Ask those 10 people for advice on how to get hired

I made a list of informational interview questions you absolutely should ask them when you talk to them!

But one of the best would always be, “What advice do you have for someone trying to get to where you are?”

They’ll tell you instantly where to go. People in positions understand how to get there. They know where the gatekeepers are.

They’ll tell you if you need to take another course. They’ll tell you if there’s a certain person you need to talk to.

They’ll know, for example, that their company always uses a certain job bank or looks for certain keywords on their resumes.

Best of all, they might keep you in mind for future opportunities. When their employer goes looking for someone to hire, there’s a much better chance that your name will go to the top of the list.

So right now you have a PhD and can’t get a job. Can I make a prediction? I predict that if you take these steps, you will have some serious traction on your career. If you do this, it will change your life.

If you’re a PhD with no job prospects, I know that these steps will get you traction fast.

But let me tell you one more thing.

Today, the problem is that you have a PhD and can’t get a job.

Once you get that first job, I want you to think a little bigger. Don’t stumble through your life and career. Roostervane is not about getting jobs, believe it or not. It’s about building a career with purpose.

So go get a job. But never stop building a bigger vision for your life and chase that.

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I have a PhD yet haven't even got a job interview – in academia or elsewhere

I am told to ‘lower my expectations’ and seek roles in admin and retail, which I don’t want to. Do I have any hope of gaining work in academia?

Twice a week we publish problems that will feature in a forthcoming Dear Jeremy advice column in the Saturday Guardian so that readers can offer their own advice and suggestions. We then print the best of your comments alongside Jeremy’s own insights. Here is the latest dilemma – what are your thoughts?

I am 39 and have recently completed a PhD, which I undertook with the aim of developing a career as a university lecturer. My academic work has been well-respected, and I was complimented particularly on my hard-working attitude and for my writing and teaching skills. I have since applied for numerous post-doc jobs – and to related jobs outside of academia – yet have never even been invited to interview.

Whenever I have asked for feedback, I have always been told that whereas I undoubtedly have the knowledge and skills necessary to actually do the job, my age and work history very much count against me.

I spent most of my 20s and early 30s unable to work due to health challenges, and what employment I held was usually part-time, short-term and in manual or voluntary jobs unrepresentative of my abilities and aspirations.

I have approached the Jobcentre and employment brokers for help in improving my CV and self-presentation skills, and have been advised to “lower my expectations” and to pursue careers in the admin, retail or care sectors.

I really do not want to spend the next 30 years of my life in work that does not suit me. But do I have any hope of gaining work as a lecturer or in an associated field?

Do you need advice on a work issue? For Jeremy’s and readers’ help, send a brief email to [email protected] . Please note that he is unable to answer questions of a legal nature or to reply personally.

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“Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul; the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.” — Napoleon Hill, motivational author – Tweet This

Episode – 03-03-17

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In this episode, Dan Miller discusses the difficulty in finding work from two ends of a spectrum; being overeducated to not having any formal education at all. He also speaks to the listener who wants to turn their passion to help others into a career and whether it’s plausible to monetize these desires in the first place. Tune in as Dan describes what it takes to be able to give to others and why showcasing your skills and abilities can be more advantageous that showcasing your education in today’s job market.

Author: Dan Miller

To Be or Not To Be a PhD Candidate, That Is the Question

Originally published in the AWIS Magazine.

By Katie Mitzelfelt, PhD Lecturer, University of Washington Tacoma AWIS Member since 2020

Choosing whether or not to work toward a PhD, and then whether or not to finish it, can be very difficult decisions―and there are no right or wrong answers.

Obtaining a PhD is a prestigious accomplishment, and the training allows you to develop your critical-thinking and innovation skills, to conduct research into solving specialized problems, and to learn to troubleshoot when things don’t go as expected. You develop a sense of resilience and a commitment to perseverance, skills which are rewarded when that one experiment finally works and when the answer to your long-sought-after question becomes clear. However, finishing a PhD involves a lot of work, time, and stress. It is mentally, physically, and psychologically exhausting.

There are other ways to hone critical thinking and problem-solving skills and many careers that do not require a PhD such as teaching, science communications, technical writing, quality control, and technician work. Opportunities exist in industries from forensics to food science and everywhere in between.

Countering the Stigma of Perceived Failure

Often we mistakenly view a student’s decision not to pursue a PhD, or to leave a PhD program, as giving up. Many academics view non-PhDs as not smart enough or strong enough to make it. But this is simply not true. In April 2021 Niba Audrey Nirmal produced a vulnerable and inspiring video on the topic of leaving graduate school, titled 10 Stories on Leaving Grad School + Why I Left , on her YouTube channel, NotesByNiba .

In making the video, she hoped to change people’s minds by naming the stigma, shame, and guilty feelings that come with leaving a PhD program. She highlights ten stories from others who either completed their PhD programs or chose to leave, and she goes on to openly share her personal reasons for ending her own doctoral studies in plant genetics at Duke University.

The people showcased in the film share the reasons behind their respective decisions to leave or to stay, as well as heartfelt advice encouraging viewers to make the decision best for them. Participant Sara Whitlock shares, “I decided to leave [my Ph.D. program] . . . but I still had to kind of disentangle myself from that piece of my identity that was all tied up in science research, and that took a long time, but once I did, I was a lot happier.”

Another participant, Dr. Sarah Derouin, states, “Everyone is going to have an opinion about what you do with your life. They’ll have an opinion if you finish your PhD; they’ll have an opinion if you don’t finish your PhD. At the end of the day, you have to realize what is best for you . . . and then make decisions based on that, not on what you think other people will think of you.” In her film, Nirmal recommends the nonprofit organization PhD Balance as a welcoming space for learning about others’ shared experiences.

A Personal Choice

So, do you need a PhD? It depends on what you want to do in your career and in your life. It also depends on your priorities―money, family, free time, fame, advancing science, curiosity, creating cures, saving the planet, etc. (Note that what you value now may shift throughout your life. Your journey will not be a straight line: every step you take will provide an experience that will shape who you are and how you view the world.)

Your decision whether or not to pursue a PhD should be based on your specific goals. Whether or not you obtain a PhD, remember that your journey is unique. The breadth of our experiences as scientists is what yields the diverse perspectives necessary to tackle the world’s difficult problems, now and in the years ahead.

The stories below, based on my own interviews, provide examples of the personal experiences and career choices of some amazing and inspiring scientists. Some of them decided to skip further graduate studies; some chose to go the whole distance on the PhD route; and still others left their doctoral programs behind.

Mai Thao, PhD, Medical Affairs, Medtronic

After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Thao worked in a private sector lab. She shared “work was physically exhausting, with little reward. I had no autonomy; instead, I entered a production line similar to the ones that my own parents had endured to provide a living for my family.” While the studies she was working on were important, Dr. Thao felt her contributions to those studies, were minimal. She asserts, “Being naive and a bit arrogant, I thought at that time that I was clearly made for better and greater things, so I quit right in the middle of the Great Recession [2007–2009].” She then pursued a master’s degree in chemistry from California State University, Sacramento, and went on to complete her doctorate in chemistry and biochemistry at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Thao reflects, “In retrospect, I knew that having a PhD would offer me better opportunities and ones with true autonomy.”

When asked how satisfied she is with her decision to complete the doctoral program, Dr. Thao says, “I go back and forth about being satisfied with my decision . . . I was clueless about financing college and even declined multiple schools that offered me full academic scholarships. Today I slowly chip away at my financial error. On the other side, I do have a PhD and can afford to chip away at my mountain of student loan debt. I am also fortunate to be able to really live in the present, to save for the future, and to give.”

Today, Dr. Thao is a scientific resource consultant for internal partners and external key stakeholders at Medtronic. She says, “My day-to-day can range from providing evidence from the literature to supporting scientific claims for marketing purposes. My favorite part of my job is being able to add scientific value to the projects I support. It’s always so rewarding to see how the ideas of engineers and scientists materialize and then to see how the commercial team takes it to market to make a great impact on patients, and I get to see the entire process.

Tam’ra-Kay Francis, PhD, Department of Chemistry, University of Washington

Dr. Francis currently works as a postdoctoral scholar in the chemistry department at the University of Washington. Her research examines “pedagogies and other interventions in higher education that support underrepresented students in STEM. [My] efforts engage both faculty and students in the development of equity-based environments.” She is currently investigating the impact of active learning interventions in the Chemistry Department.

Dr. Francis acknowledges that deciding to pursue a doctorate is a very personal decision. “There are so many things to consider— time, finances, focus area, committee expertise and support, and next steps,” she says. “Not every job requires a PhD, so it is important to stay informed about the expertise required for a career that you are considering.”

She provides advice to prospective graduate students, telling them to do their due diligence when seeking out programs that are right for them. “When interviewing with potential advisers, don’t be afraid to ask specific questions about things that are important to your success. Ask them about their expectations (for example, their philosophies on mentoring and work-life balance) and about the types of support they provide (for example, help with research funding, mental health, and professional development).”

She also suggests reaching out to graduate students in the groups or departments you are interested in. “Ask them directly about what the culture is like and about how they are being supported.” She wants to remind students that they do have a voice and a say in their graduate career. “Your needs will change throughout graduate school, so it is important that you find advocates, both within and outside of your institution, to champion you to the finish line. It is very important that you build your network of support as early as possible,” says Dr. Francis. She credits her adviser, mentors, committee, and former supervisors as being crucial supports in her journey.

“In the first year of my doctoral program, I found an amazing community of scholars from a research interest group (CADASE) within the National Association of Research in Science Teaching. It was a great space to find mentors and build connections in a large professional organization,” said Dr. Francis. At the institutional level, Dr. Francis served as vice president of the Graduate Student Senate and was a member of the Multicultural Graduate Student Organization. For Dr. Francis, her participation in these groups and organizations contributed to her professional growth, sense of community, and success in graduate school.

Liz Goossen, MS, Senior Marketing Specialist at Adaptive Biotechnologies

Reflecting on her decision not to pursue a doctorate, Goossen acknowledges, “I spent a lot of time in graduate school researching potential career paths one could do with a PhD, [and even organized] a career day featuring a dozen speakers from across the country in a variety of scientific fields. By the end, I felt that none of these career options would be a good fit for me (or at least not a good enough fit to warrant five or more years in my program). I worried about going through all of my twenties without starting a 401(k) or having normal working hours, and [I also worried about] all of the other trade-offs there are between finishing a PhD and joining the workforce. I lived in Salt Lake City at the time, and the job market was flooded with PhDs who were overqualified for many of the available positions. By leaving [school] with a master’s, I had more options.”

When asked if she is satisfied with her decision, Goossen says she is 99% satisfied. “There are times I encounter jobs requiring a PhD that look enticing, and [that’s when] I wonder if it may have been nice to have one, but those moments are rare.”

Maureen Kennedy, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Washington Tacoma

Dr. Kennedy shares that a major factor in her decision to complete a doctorate was the financial support she received. She says, “I was able to maintain funding through research agreements and occasional teaching opportunities that I loved! This consistent funding allowed me to enjoy the freedom of pursuing my PhD on research I found very fulfilling, while also gaining valuable teaching experience. I always felt at home in an academic setting and was happy to stay there while being supported.”

Dr. Kennedy reports being very satisfied with her decision to pursue a doctorate and attributes this satisfaction to knowing that she is making “an impact, both through teaching new generations of students and through being able to continue to pursue [her] favored research topics.” She reflects on some of the positive and negative impacts of her decision: “As a PhD, I am able to direct my own research agenda with relative independence. One major trade-off is that by pursuing an academic career, my salary is likely less than I could get in the private sector with the same skills. My lifetime cumulative salary will also likely be less, due to the years living off of research and teaching stipends, rather than [benefiting from] full-time employment and salary. Also, my years spent as a research scientist funded by soft money, or periodic research grants, were often uncertain; when one grant was winding down, [I had to pursue] new grants.”

Dr. Kennedy remarks that as a tenure-track professor, she has diverse daily activities, which she finds appealing. She shares, “Some days are focused on teaching (particularly during the academic year), some days on research (particularly during the summer), and some days I am able to do both. Before the pandemic, I would come to campus several days a week, but I was also able to work from home on other days. Days are often filled with lectures and office hours, or meetings with research collaborators. I carve out times to focus on reading and writing when I can and when deadlines are approaching. It is definitely a balancing act of time management and of planning, to ensure I am able to fulfill my teaching and research commitments.”

Dr. Kennedy advises that a doctorate “is a long-term commitment. If your goal (or passion!) is a lifetime of leading independent research (with or without teaching), a PhD will help to broaden your available opportunities and will open doors for you.” She cautions that a PhD can “delay your career trajectory and salary growth,” and so she suggests that you carefully research career opportunities and requirements to see whether a doctorate makes sense for you.

Olivia Shan, BS, Restoration Coordinator at Palouse–Clearwater Environmental Institute

Shan attributes her decision not to pursue a graduate degree to cost, lack of time, and uncertainty about what to focus on. She remarks that at some point, she may decide to continue her education, but only if she receives full funding to pay for it. She says she is very satisfied with her decision to enter the workforce right after finishing her undergraduate studies. “After earning my bachelor’s, I worked as a wildland firefighter [and] did [other] jobs I found fun,” says Shan. “Not having any debt after college gave me the flexibility to do what I desired and to explore options. I am all for taking a break from academia and for actually trying out jobs before [narrowing your] focus too far. It would have been a real bummer to spend years on [graduate work I thought I was interested in pursuing] and then later to realize that [this] was not at all what I wanted to do.”

Shan shares that she “adore[s] the diversity of [her] job, and the feeling that [she] is truly helping the environment [and her] community.” She encourages others: “Follow your heart, because you can make a difference no matter your education level. It all comes down to passion, drive, and work ethic!”

Morgan Heinz, MS, Assistant Teaching Professor, University of Washington Tacoma

After completing his master’s degree, Heinz began applying to PhD programs, using the network and interests he had already developed in his previous graduate studies. He could not yet see any other paths for himself. He also wanted to teach college courses and saw the doctorate as the only way to accomplish this goal.

He called and emailed students in the lab to ask them what the environment is like. He received very candid responses and ruled out some labs as a result.

Once he started the PhD program, Heinz found that his doctoral adviser was much more hands-off than his master’s adviser had been and required an unexpected level of independence. This less-directed environment was difficult for Heinz to thrive in. He acknowledges, “I did not have the skill of looking at where the science is, looking for gaps, and seeing how I could contribute.”

These early stages of the PhD process helped him crystallize his passions. He realized that he loves learning and teaching, but he didn’t like synthesizing the literature and determining the next question to ask.

Heinz ultimately decided to take a short hiatus from the doctoral program and taught classes. This interlude reaffirmed his passion for teaching and helped him decide to leave his graduate studies behind.

When he first decided to leave the program, he felt like he was giving up, was worthless, and was a failure. Through continued reflection, he realized, “the side routes that I have taken have actually made me stronger as an instructor.”

After leaving the PhD program, Heinz participated in a community college faculty training program and was hired before even finishing it. He says that the community college allowed anyone to enroll, which was philosophically satisfying and emotionally fulfilling, enabling him to offer an education to any student who wanted it. Heinz tries to impress upon his students that there are a lot of different paths in life. He states, “I don’t have a PhD, and I am exactly where I want to be.”

If you are considering a PhD or masters program, Heinz suggests looking to see if they offer health insurance and mental health services — because graduate school can be stressful and depressing. Many programs may even pay a stipend for you to attend. Heinz also advises, “Don’t be afraid to change your mind. Draw some boundaries.”

Finally, Heinz adds, “Don’t be apologetic about the things that you’re interested in and are excited about, even when people tell you that that’s not an arena for you, because of how you look or who you are. If you’re interested in it, then that’s yours, and you can own it. You don’t need a PhD to validate that interest. You don’t need a PhD to prove your worth in that field. Life is too short to not pursue the things that excite you.”

There Are No Wrong Answers

Whatever decision you make, know that it is the right one for you in the here and now. You may grapple with disappointment or frustration along the way, but regret will not help move you forward. Be grateful for your journey and for how it helps you grow.

Listen to stories and advice, but make the choices that feel right for you. Your story is not the same as anyone else’s. What is right for them, may not be right for you. Be the author of your own life. Your story is beautiful, and you are worthy of living it.

Acknowledgments

A special thank you to Niba Audrey Nirmal, Multimedia Producer & Science Communicator, NotesByNiba, and to Brianna Barbu, Assistant Editor, C&EN, for their thoughtful edits and suggestions on this article.

Dr. Katie Mitzelfelt is currently a biology lecturer at the University of Washington Tacoma. She received her PhD in biochemistry from the University of Utah and researched cardiac regeneration as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Washington Seattle, prior to transitioning to teaching. She identifies as an educator, content designer, writer, scientist, small business owner, and mom.

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Is a Doctorate Degree Worth It?

A blue graphic with an outline of a student wearing a grad cap next to a student using her laptop researching if a doctorate degree is worth it

Know before you read At SNHU, we want to make sure you have the information you need to make decisions about your education and your future—no matter where you choose to go to school. That's why our informational articles may reference careers for which we do not offer academic programs, along with salary data for those careers. Cited projections do not guarantee actual salary or job growth.

Earning a doctorate takes time, money and discipline. Like many things worth doing, the process is challenging but also rewarding. Becoming an expert in your subject area and immersing yourself in your chosen area of study makes the process of earning a doctorate important to many people. Certain professions require or value a doctorate for promotion potential.

In fact, career advancement, love of the subject matter and personal satisfaction are three of the top reasons why Dr. Bridgitte Kiprop '23 , Dr. Jennifer Barry ’23 and Dr. Torialyn Draper Crook earned their doctorates.

For Kiprop '23, part of her motivation for earning a doctorate in International Business was setting an example for her six children.
For Barry, ’23, who earned a doctor of education degree in educational leadership, part of her motivation was to prepare for success in meeting her long-term career goal to become a university president.
And for Crook, earning her doctorate in education was a commitment that she undertook to honor her family’s legacy of valuing education.

How Difficult is Earning a Doctorate?

For Kiprop, time management was her key to success. With six children, she had to make the most of any time in the day that she could find. “If I had … five minutes, I would use the five minutes,” she said. “Other times, I was luckier (and had) two hours.”

Despite the time-management challenges of earning an advanced degree while raising her family, Kiprop feels that the process of earning that degree was a way to inspire her children to work hard to meet their own goals.

“I really hope that my children will ... know that whatever it is they feel called to do, whatever their ambitions, their goals are achievable,” she said.

To manage the challenge of advanced studies, having the right people around you as you work on your degree is essential, according to Crook. “Surround yourself with family, friends, colleagues and mentors who can provide encouragement during challenging times,” she said.

Crook stresses that everyone’s journey to earning their doctorate is unique. She recommends being prepared for the unexpected, and remaining flexible in adjusting your path as you work toward completing your degree.

How Long Does a Doctorate Take?

Students may have family commitments, health challenges or need to work full or part-time while attending school . Many students face all of these circumstances. Crook managed to complete her doctorate in 5 years, though it wasn't easy for her. She faced a significant personal health challenge and was raising two children while also attending school.

For Barry, earning her doctoral degree is part of an educational path that started with her bachelor’s degree at SNHU (formerly New Hampshire College) in 2000. She then continued her education to earn a master's degree throughout several jobs and geographic moves.

Barry views her entire educational journey as part of the process that led to meeting her ultimate goal of earning a doctorate.

What Skills Are Needed to Earn a Doctorate?

While every academic program is different, Crook finds certain skills and competencies necessary for success, regardless of field. These skills include:

Building relationships
Organizational skills
Self-motivation
Writing skills

Crook finds building relationships particularly important. While working on her degree, the strong relationship that she developed with her dissertation chairperson proved essential. She also built positive relationships with other doctoral students, which led to a strong peer support network throughout her program.

Kiprop echoes the importance of building relationships in her field as well. For her, building new relationships is a way to open your mind to new experiences and opportunities.

Find Your Program

What types of jobs can you get with a doctorate.

While a doctorate is helpful for working in leadership roles at colleges and universities, there are many opportunities for doctoral degree holders to work at the highest levels in their profession outside of higher education as well.

Some of the top professions that require a doctoral or professional degree and have a faster-than-average predicted growth rate, according to the BLS, are:

Astronomers* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in astronomy or physics)
Biochemists and biophysicists* (SNHU does not currently offer graduate degrees in biochemistry or biophysics)
Clinical and counseling psychologists* (SNHU does not currently offer doctorates in psychology, but you could start with a bachelor's in psychology , followed by a master's in psychology )
Higher education teachers and professors — particularly business, computer science and engineering teachers*

Two more examples of areas where a doctorate can help prepare you for advancement in your career are educational leadership and international business.

A doctorate in educational leadership can be a Doctor of Philosophy degree, known as a PhD, or a Doctor of Education degree, known as an EdD. The PhD in Education Leadership typically leads to higher education roles in teaching and research. The EdD in Educational Leadership , which Barry earned, typically leads to leadership and strategy roles in an education setting that may be at the higher education or secondary school level.

A PhD in International Business may include addressing a gap in an existing body of knowledge by conducting research. Kiprop, who earned her doctorate at SNHU, plans to use her degree to research entrepreneurship in small business finance.

Motivated by being from a developing country — Kenya — she has a personal interest in helping grow small businesses in similar developing areas. “I can also use that same knowledge at the New Hampshire level because the issues there perhaps are different but still … relevant,” she said.

Regardless of your program field, the process of earning a doctorate can help you explore ways of applying your newfound and existing knowledge that you may not have considered prior to starting your program.

Is it Better to Have a Master’s or Doctorate?

Both a master’s degree and a doctorate offer opportunities for career advancement. Choosing which to earn, or whether to earn both, is a highly personal decision based on your personal and professional goals and aspirations, according to Crook.

Before deciding which degree is right for you, consider your goals. Speaking with a career counselor or graduate admissions counselor to learn about career options and pathways toward earning the degree can be a helpful step toward making this decision.

In many fields, a master’s degree is enough to move forward in your career. But, earning a doctorate is an opportunity to take your career a step further, according to Crook. That step “gives one the opportunity to direct their career trajectory specifically through research and other specialized skills and knowledge,” she said.

How Valuable is a Doctorate?

A doctorate isn’t for everyone, but it can be right for you depending on your chosen field and career path.

For many people, earning a doctorate is just as important as a personal accomplishment as it is a professional one. “I (always) understood the significance of progressing in my career and staying connected to my field of higher education,” Crook said. “My doctoral journey was worthwhile as it aligned with my career goals and personal aspirations,” she said.

For Barry, the doctorate was worth it because she believes strongly in the power of education . “You see how (education) transforms people’s lives and … gives people opportunities that they didn’t see before,” she said.

She has seen many people earn degrees only for their family members to then continue in their footsteps. “I just think that generationally, (education) is creating pathways for people,” she said.

Deciding whether to pursue a doctorate is ultimately a very personal decision, but one that can lead you to build new relationships and a new knowledge base while helping you reach or exceed your career goals.

A degree can change your life. Find the SNHU doctorate degree that can best help you meet your goals.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn .

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About southern new hampshire university.

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SNHU is a nonprofit, accredited university with a mission to make high-quality education more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Founded in 1932, and online since 1995, we’ve helped countless students reach their goals with flexible, career-focused programs . Our 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH is home to over 3,000 students, and we serve over 135,000 students online. Visit our about SNHU page to learn more about our mission, accreditations, leadership team, national recognitions and awards.

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Australia has way more PhD graduates than academic jobs. Here’s how to rethink doctoral degrees

Research Officer, Victoria University

Lecturer, Monash University

Teaching Associate, Faculty of Education, Monash University, Monash University

Teaching Associate, Monash University

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The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

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This article is part of our series on big ideas for the Universities Accord . The federal government is calling for ideas to “reshape and reimagine higher education, and set it up for the next decade and beyond”. A review team is due to finish a draft report in June and a final report in December 2023.

One of the key reasons for doing a a doctoral research degree or PhD is to pursue an academic career. But this dream is becoming increasingly far-fetched, due to a decline in academic positions and a steady increase in Australians undertaking PhDs.

The number of PhD completions has been steadily growing over the past two decades, from about 4,000 to about 10,000 per year.

According to our calculations* based on the information available , the cumulative number of people in Australia with a PhD has increased from about 135,000 in 2016 to about 185,000 in 2021.

But the number of academic positions has shrunk. Australia saw a significant decrease in academic staff from 54,086 in 2016 to 46,971 in 2021 as universities cut costs during the pandemic.

As the Universities Accord review examines how our higher education system needs to work, we need to rethink who is doing a PhD and how their degrees are structured.

Why has the number of PhDs grown?

There are plenty of incentives to keep PhD candidates coming through the system. Some federal government funding to universities is based on research degree completions . PhDs are also free for domestic students.

On top of this, universities put pressure on academic staff to supervise successful PhD students. This is used as one of the criteria for promotions.

Where do PhD graduates go?

There is no official data on how many PhD graduates go on to work in academia. About 25% of PhD graduates got some employment in academia according to a small-scale survey in 2011.

Our estimates suggest this figure has not changed much as of 2021. If there are about 185,000 people with a PhD, this is four times higher than the number of available academic positions (46,971).

We also know some PhD students struggle to get work outside of academia, despite the prestigious nature of their qualifications.

The 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey found 84.7% of research degree graduates (which includes masters degrees by research as well as PhDs) were in full-time employment within six months of completing their studies. This compares with 78.5% of undergraduates.

Read more: Australian unis could not function without casual staff: it is time to treat them as 'real' employees

Where do PhDs want to work?

It is true not all PhD candidates and graduates want an academic career.

A 2019 national survey found 51% of all PhD students surveyed wanted to find a job in business or the public sector.

But here, students’ field of study makes a big difference.

Two-thirds of PhD students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and maths) were hoping to work in industry. The banking, civil engineering, mining, energy and medical/pharmaceutical sectors are the top employers of PhD graduates .

Meanwhile, two-thirds of PhD students in social sciences (including history, politics, education, sociology, psychology, economics, and anthropology) wanted to stay in academia.

Read more: Why arts degrees and other generalist programs are the future of Australian higher education

To understand how people with social sciences PhDs navigate employment, we conducted 23 in-depth interviews with doctoral graduates from five Australian universities. All interviewees graduated less than five years before the interviews.

Our research uncovered two distinct themes.

1. A stable academic job is almost impossible to find

Of the group, only one had gained a continuing academic position within five years of graduation. Thirteen were on precarious contracts (either casual or fixed-term) while three were doing a “postdoc” or research fellowship (which are also often a fixed-term contract). Six worked in either the private sector or government.

As one interviewee told us:

[PhD candidates should] put aside the assumption that […] because you’ve got a PhD, you will automatically get a job. That’s not the case. There are many many many PhDs out there who cannot find work or are working in what we call menial jobs or ‘survivor’ jobs.

Another emphasised the insecure nature of working in academia:

I’ve been working as a sessional [employed on contracts per semester] in higher education, basically full-time on a million contracts.

Some participants moved in and out of academia while holding a slim hope of finding a continuing position:

If I don’t get an academic job within one year or two years, then it’s kind of over for me […].

2. There is not enough career support or preparation

While ongoing academic jobs were very difficult to obtain, PhD graduates said they were not well-prepared for the labour market outside academia.

There is a sharp contrast between university and non-university occupations in terms of workplace cultures and employer expectations. For example, industry employers want skills needed for work rather than qualifications or publications. PhD graduates moving out of academia have had to re-train themselves.

As one participant told us:

They were less impressed by the publications. They were more interested in the skills that I got. […] So I did some online data courses [like] LinkedIn courses, and then I tried to apply for some jobs with these skills and in this direction.

Another participant said they had to hide their doctoral degree for fear of being seen as overqualified. Meanwhile, meaningful career advice was thin on the ground.

[My university] didn’t actually do anything to support me in getting my job.

Read more: 'Very few companies are open for international students': South Asian graduates say they need specific support to find jobs

How to rethink doctoral education

The diverse and insecure employment outcomes of the PhD graduates in our study strongly point to a need for universities to rethink how they educate PhD students.

Firstly, this includes offering specific career education as part of PhD programs. This may require universities to be upfront about the employment prospects for PhD graduates and research funding climate .

Career consultations from both universities’ career centres and industry experts should be offered early in PhD programs to help students make informed decisions about future options. For those who would like to pursue a traditional academic career, it is important to have ongoing career guidance from their supervisors and research offices.

Secondly, there needs to be more structured work experience. Universities should strengthen their partnerships with industry to facilitate work experience. Those seeking academic jobs also need to be provided with meaningful opportunities to work alongside academic staff in both teaching activities and research projects.

Thirdly, universities need to ensure doctoral programs better prepare students for employment possibilities inside and outside academia.

This includes opportunities to build transferable skills such as teamwork, communication, analytical skills, and leadership.

This specifically needs to include teaching students how to write and speak for different audiences beyond academia, including policymakers and the public.

This needs to include admissions

Lastly, we also need to take a hard look at PhD admissions. There is currently no limit on PhD numbers and the more admissions universities have, the more funding they will earn when students graduate.

To balance supply and demand, the government should consider quotas for funding PhD students in each field. This would also help select the most suitable PhD candidates, who are most likely to benefit from the rigours of doctoral study.

This may not be a popular move – but we have be more realistic about whether accepting more and more people into three-plus years of intense study is benefiting the students, or simply generating funds for universities.

*These figures have been adjusted for life expectancy and overseas PhD graduates returning to their home country.

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14 high-paying in-demand health-care jobs you can get without an MD or PhD

You don't have to go to med school, earn a doctorate, complete a residency halfway across the country, and rack up thousands in student debt to land a top-paying job within the health care field.

While physicians and surgeons continue to earn some of the highest salaries in the nation, and top the payroll for medical institutions, plenty of other positions require less education while paying salaries as high as $167,000 a year.

CNBC Make It analyzed occupational data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to discover which health-care jobs pay the most without requiring a doctorate. The resulting 14 roles range from helping care for newborn babies to treating communication disorders to designing artificial limbs, and some can be landed with an associate's degree.

The best part? Not only are all these jobs offering median wages of at least $69,000, they are all poised to dramatically grow over the next seven years, some by as much as 37%. That means workers in these high-demand health-care fields can look forward to keeping their well-paying gigs for a long time to come and likely expect a nice salary increase as their skills become more sought after.

Below are 14 high-paying jobs you should consider if you're interested in helping people, but aren't keen on the idea of becoming a doctor:

Nurse anesthetists

Median annual wage: $167,950 Projected job growth through 2026: 16%

These nurses provide anesthesia and related care during surgical, therapeutic, diagnostic, and obstetrical procedures. Before a procedure begins, they are responsible for reviewing a patient's current medication as well as any allergies or illnesses they might have to ensure anesthesia can be safely administered. They then give the patient anesthesia or apply a local anesthesia to numb a certain area of the body. They will remain with a patient throughout a procedure to check their health and adjust the anesthesia as necessary.

To become one of these advanced practice registered nurses, workers must earn at least a master's degree from an accredited medical program. To qualify, they'll need to have a registered nursing license before pursuing such education. Prospective nurse anesthetists must also have one year of clinical experience as a prerequisite for admission to an accredited nurse anesthetist program. Candidates typically have experience working as a registered nurse in an acute care or critical care setting.

Physician assistants

Median annual wage: $108,610 Projected job growth through 2026: 37%

Commonly called PAs, these workers assist physicians and surgeons examine, diagnose and treat patients. They may be called upon to review a patient's medical history, examine a patient, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose a patient's injury or illness, provide treatment, prescribe medication, and counsel patients about their health.The extent to which a PA must be supervised by physicians or surgeons differs from state to state, but in rural and medically underserved communities, PAs commonly function as primary care providers at clinics where a physician is present only one or two days per week.

To become a PA, you'll need a master's degree from an accredited program. It typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. All states require physician assistants to be licensed, meaning they must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination. In addition, state licensure laws mandate that a physician assistant must hold an agreement with a supervising physician since collaboration between physicians and physician assistants is required for practice.

Nurse practitioners

Median annual wage: $107,030 Projected job growth through 2026: 36%

These nurses serve as primary and specialty care providers. They often work independently or in collaboration with physicians. They assess patients to determine the best way to treat or manage a person's health issue. Many nurse practitioners specializing in caring for certain needs, such as geriatric health, pediatric health, or psychiatric and mental health.

To become one of these advanced practice registered nurses, workers must earn at least a master's degree from an accredited medical program. They must also have a registered nursing licenses before pursuing education in one of these advanced practice roles such as nurse practitioner.

Nuclear medicine technologist

Median annual wage: $76,820 Projected job growth through 2026: 10%

These health-care workers prepare radioactive drugs for patients to assist with imaging or therapeutic purposes. They operate the imaging equipment used to diagnosis and treat patients. They may also help physicians in researching the uses of radioactive drugs.

Nuclear medicine technologists typically need an associate's degree from an accredited nuclear medicine technology program. Although, some technologists become qualified if they have a degree in a related health field and complete a 12-month certificate program. They commonly need a certification in the field and some states may require a license to practice.

Speech-language pathologists

Median annual wage: $77,510 Projected job growth through 2026: 18%

Sometimes called speech therapists, these workers diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in children and adults.

Most speech-language pathologists working today hold a master's degree from an accredited program. All states regulate this role, and most, require a license. In states that do mandate licensure, pathologists need at least a master's degree from an accredited program, supervised clinical experience, and to pass an exam.

Genetic counselors

Median annual wage: $80,370 Projected job growth through 2026: 29%

Genetic counselors assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions, such as genetic disorders and birth defects by studying patients' genes through DNA testing. They provide information to other health-care providers as well as to patients concerned with developing or passing down inheritable medical conditions.

Genetic counselors typically need a master's degree in genetic counseling or genetics, as well as certification through the American Board of Genetic Counseling.

Radiation therapists

Median annual wage: $82,330 Projected job growth through 2026: 13%

Part of the health-care team called in to treat cancer, these therapists operate the machines that deliver concentrated radiation therapy to a patient's tumor. They are also responsible for explaining treatment plans to patients, determining the region of the body receiving treatment, and checking for unusual reactions.

Employers usually prefer to hire applicants with at least an associate's degree in radiation therapy, though some companies accept those who've completed a certificate program. In most states, radiation therapists must be licensed or certified. Requirements vary depending on the state but typically include passing a national certification exam.

Occupational therapists

Median annual wage: $84,270 Projected job growth through 2026: 24%

These workers help people regain or develop the skills necessary for daily living. They work with patients to complete therapeutic exercises and stretches, engage children with developmental disabilities in play activities to help with coordination or socialization, and teach patients how to use special equipment that will make tasks, such as eating, easier. They work with occupational therapists to create and implement each patient's treatment plan.

Most occupational therapists enter the occupation with a master's degree in occupational therapy.

Nurse midwives

Median annual wage: $103,770 Projected job growth through 2026: 21%

These nurses specialize in caring for women. They perform gynecological exams and provide family planning services and prenatal care. They also deliver babies; manage emergency situations during labor, such as hemorrhaging; repair lacerations; and may provide surgical assistance to physicians during cesarean births. Nurse midwives can act as primary care providers for women and newborns.

Registered nurses

Here's what it's really like to be a registered nurse

Median annual wage: $71,730 Projected job growth through 2026: 15%

These workers provide and coordinate a patient's care. They assess a patient's condition and record their observations, administer medicines and treatments, assist doctors and other health-care professionals, operate and monitor medical equipment, help perform diagnostic testing, and teach patients how to manage their illness or injuries.

There are three common paths to becoming a registered nurse: earn a bachelor's degree in nursing, earn an associate's degree in nursing, or a earn a diploma from an approved nursing program. Regardless of the education path, all registered nurses must be licensed, meaning they've graduated from an approved program and passed the National Council Licensure Examination. Some states also require that applicants pass a criminal background check to obtain their license.

Orthotists and prosthetists

Median annual wage: $69,120 Projected job growth through 2026: 22%

Orthotists and prosthetists design and fabricate medical devices, such as artificial limbs and braces, as well as and measure and fit patients for them.

To become one, workers must earn a master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics. Such programs typically take two years to complete and are followed by a residency that has been accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education. Some states require orthotists and prosthetists to be licensed.

Magnetic resonance imaging technologists

Median annual wage : $71,670 Projected job growth through 2026: 14% As their title suggests, these technologists operate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners to create diagnostic images used for determining medical diagnoses and the staging of diseases.

Many MRI technologists start out as radiologic technologists. An associate's degree is a common education requirement for this post but a few states also require a license.

Diagnostic medical sonographers

Median annual wage: $72,510 Projected job growth through 2026: 23% These health-care workers specialize in creating sonograms or ultrasounds of the body's organs and tissues using special imaging equipment. Their images help physicians assess and diagnose medical conditions as sonograms are often the first imaging tests performed when disease is suspected. Sonographers can specialize in scanning certain parts of the body such as breast tissue, the heart or the female reproductive system to track a developing baby's health.

Becoming a diagnostic medial sonographer requires at least an associate's degree in sonography. Employers prefer candidates that have a professional certification, have graduated from programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program, and have a basic life support certification.

Dental hygienists

Median annual wage: $74,820 Projected job growth through 2026: 20%

These health-care workers remove tartar, stains and plaque from a patient's teeth, check for signs of oral diseases, apply sealants and fluorides, take dental X-rays and remind you how to brush and floss correctly.

To become one, you'll need at least an associate's degree in dental hygiene as well as a license to practice. College programs for dental hygiene typically last three years, and a passing grade on clinical examinations is required for licensure in most states.

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Don't miss: The 10 highest-paying jobs in tech

Why Einstein may not have created the theory of relativity if his mom hadn't made him play the violin

About two decades ago, PhDs often chose the traditional academic career route, where one started with a postdoc and later joined as research faculty at an institution. In the past few years, this predefined route for PhDs has drastically changed course, with up to a 10% drop in the number of PhDs who hold an academic tenure-track position 1 . The deficit of academic careers and increased awareness of non-academic career paths have led more STEM PhDs to choose other careers in science. In this article, I cover some of the diverse career paths that are available to PhDs, including but not limited to jobs within industry.

Industry-based careers for scientists

Industry-based positions range from bench-based research scientists to non-bench-based positions, such as business development managers. Many PhDs work as scientists in the discovery phase, in preclinical/clinical research, or in manufacturing and quality control teams at pharmaceutical and biotech firms. PhDs are also hired in the following positions:

Data scientists: As a data scientist, one uses various data mining techniques to predict results with huge amounts of data. These positions require a background in programming. Many data science boot camps and fellowships are available to PhDs, to equip them with data mining and programming skills for these positions.
Regulatory affairs: These professionals have critical roles in the pharmaceutical industry where they ensure that the company’s product is compliant with global standards. They also work to expedite the drug development process by analyzing current market standards.
Medical affairs: Professionals in medical affairs not only educate various departments about the science behind the drug development process but also work with clients to support the launch of new products in the pharmaceutical industry.
Medical science liaisons: Commonly referred to as MSLs, they have a role similar to medical affairs professionals. Their main duty is to maintain relationships with key opinion leaders in their assigned field and ensure that their products are effectively used and backed with relevant scientific and clinical data.
Technical product and marketing specialists : Many of us interact with people in these positions during our PhD tenure. These are the specialists who come to maintain or install research equipment at research institutions. Technical specialists also conduct customer service to help troubleshoot specific products and kits used in laboratories. Most of these positions are filled by PhDs.
Business development managers and consultants: Here, PhDs are valued for their ability to work efficiently by comprehending complex strategies in business and help in decision making. These positions mainly involve planning, management, and development of innovative products or services. They also work in analyzing marketing trends using their scientific and analytical skills.

Careers for scientists beyond academic research and industry

PhDs can also transition into career paths outside academia and industry, including the ones below:

Intellectual property and legal affairs: Scientists are actively recruited in this area because PhD training enables them to understand scientific discoveries in patent law cases and to accurately analyze the intellectual rights of a product. Many dual PhD/JD degrees are offered to help scientists prep for a career in legal affairs.
Tech transfer and university incubators : PhDs can also work in technology transfer offices and university incubators where they support the growth of innovative products. Positions here often involve a combination of duties as in legal affairs plus business development manager duties.
Science policy: Here PhDs work with federal and state government offices in policy development. PhDs can prepare for a career in science policy by gaining experience through internships or fellowships that help to develop skills essential for working with policymakers.
Scientific conference organization: PhDs make excellent scientific conference organizers because they comprehend the science behind such events.
Science communication and publishing : There are numerous careers in science communications, such as science journalist/writer, journal editor, science illustrator, medical writer, etc. Many workshops , fellowships and science communication groups offer great exposure to such career paths.
Library management: Positions in library management are another career option for those who enjoy reading and organization.
Museum scientists and public outreach : Museum scientists are often STEM PhDs. Public outreach is another exciting career option for PhDs. Volunteering at a science museum near you is a good way to explore this option now.

Transitioning from working as a PhD student in an academic setting into a non-academic career can be challenging, especially if one does not know how to start the process. Once you identify your area of interest, informational interviews are a great way to start researching a career path. One of the best approaches to start working toward such non-academic career paths is by networking and finding potential mentors who can help you work your way toward your chosen career path. Various resources, career guidance networks, and organizations help PhDs transition from academia into other career paths. ASCB offers such support to scientists by offering numerous career development courses, workshops, and courses . ASCB also has periodic informational interview posts that describe diverse careers for scientists. The Committee for Postdocs and Students (COMPASS) at ASCB has planned variety of career development panels and seminars that will be offered during the 2019 ASCB|EMBO meeting in Washington, DC.

1. Katie Langin (2019). “In a first, U.S. private sector employs nearly as many Ph.D.s as schools do” Science Magazine. doi.org/10.1126/science.caredit.aax3138

About the Author:

Revolutionary Paideia

Social, political, and cultural commentary, got a ph.d. and no job huh.

Some people in Ph.D. programs try to act like they are so superior to all other students and try to use the fact that they are a Ph.D. student or Ph.D. candidate as the simple justification for why they are so accomplished. What they are failing to realize is they cannot simply rely on their Ph.D. student status or Ph.D. candidate status to secure them a job. You actually have to have authentic accomplishments while you are in graduate school before employers will really value what you have been able to accomplish. Just obtaining a Ph.D. is not enough. In down economy like the one we are experiencing, just having your Ph.D. is not going to be enough—employers are going to need to see that there is real value attached to the person who has this degree.

I contend that a person who does not obtain a job after obtaining his or her Ph.D. has to be someone who really did not deserve the degree in the first place or who has not done all that he or she can before he or she graduated to make himself or herself an attractive candidate. Don’t be sitting back while you are currently in a Ph.D. program thinking that you are simply the best thing since sliced bread and not doing the work that is necessary to obtain a job after you graduate. You should also be strongly encouraging the faculty members in your department, especially your dissertation director and dissertation committee members, to do all that they can to help you to secure a position. Do not allow them to simply give you empty rhetoric about what they are doing for you. Encourage them to give you genuine and meaningful opportunities while you are in your Ph.D. program that will empower you to be attractive to employers before and after you graduate.

Right now, I have to place the dominant blame on those who are graduating with a Ph.D. and are not able to get a job. At the end of the day, you can come up with all of the excuses you want to, but the dominant blame for your situation you have to place on yourself. I guess being called “Doctor” is not as satisfying as you thought it would be after all, huh?

Finally, don’t try to make what you are currently doing while you have no job seem to be more than it is. You have to remember your harsh social reality—you have a Ph.D. and no job.

Antonio Maurice Daniels

University of Wisconsin-Madison

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.

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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 .)

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.

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

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U.S. News Releases 2024 Best Graduate Programs Rankings

Find the top-ranked graduate schools in business, education, law, nursing and other fields.

U.S. News Ranks Best Graduate Schools

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To help prospective graduate students find a school that fits their needs, U.S. News released the 2024 rankings for multiple graduate fields.

Depending on the job or field, earning a graduate degree may lead to higher earnings, career advancement and specialized skill development.

But with several types of degrees and hundreds of graduate schools, it can be difficult to narrow down the options. To help prospective graduate students find a school that fits their needs, U.S. News released its 2024 Best Graduate Schools rankings today. They evaluate business, education, fine arts, health, law, library studies, nursing, public affairs, science, and social sciences and humanities graduate programs. Medical school and engineering rankings are not being released at this time.

A notable methodology change includes a new salary indicator based on profession in the business rankings.

Additionally, for the first time in four years, there are new rankings for a blend of doctoral and master's programs in audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, nurse midwifery and speech-language pathology. Graduate programs in nurse anesthesia and social work are also ranked for the first time since 2016 and 2022, respectively. Those and other specialty rankings are based on reputation ratings from scholars at other surveyed schools.

Read each program's specific methodology for the most detailed explanations of all the changes. The rankings are one source of information among many that prospective college students can use to inform their college decision. Below is a summary of the top-ranked schools in four major graduate program areas:

Best Law Schools

Best business schools, best nursing schools, best education schools.

Among the top 10 law schools . Yale Law School in Connecticut and California-based Stanford Law School shared the top spot again. The University of Chicago Law School in Illinois maintained its No. 3 rank, followed by a four-way tie at No. 4: Duke University School of Law in North Carolina, Harvard Law School in Massachusetts, the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and the University of Virginia School of Law .

Columbia Law School in New York ranked No. 8 again, while there was a three-way tie for No. 9: New York University School of Law , Northwestern University's Pritzker School of Law in Illinois and the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor Law School .

Looking beyond the top 10, multiple law schools moved up in the rankings. William & Mary Law School in Virginia, for instance, jumped nine spots from a tie at No. 45 to a five-way tie at No. 36.

U.S. News also ranked 13 law specialties: business/corporate, clinical training, constitutional, contracts/commercial, criminal, dispute resolution, environmental, health care, intellectual property, international, legal writing, tax and trial advocacy. (You can filter by specialty on the main ranking page .)

Meanwhile, in the part-time law school rankings – which consists of law schools with at least 20 part-time students enrolled in fall 2022 and fall 2023 – the top three stayed the same. The Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., is once again at the top while D.C.-based George Washington University Law School , now No. 3, switched places with the Fordham University School of Law in New York City, which claimed second place.

Previously ranked at No. 3 and No. 6 respectively, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and Stanford Graduate School of Business took the top spot in this year's full-time MBA program rankings . Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management and the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business moved down from their previous places in the top two to tie at No. 3.

While the top 10 mostly consists of the same schools as last year, both the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business joined those ranks this year. UC Berkeley rose from a three-way tie at No. 11 to a three-way tie at No. 7, while UVA moved up four spots from No. 14 to a tie at No. 10.

Farther down the full-time MBA rankings, there were some big changes. For example, Pitt's Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business soared 39 spots from a tie at No. 86 to a tie at No. 47.

Meanwhile, the very top of the part-time MBA rankings looks similar to last year, with the same schools in the top 5: UChicago, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business and the Anderson School of Management at the University of California—Los Angeles. But UChicago took the No. 1 spot from UC Berkeley this year.

Moving up from No. 2, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Maryland tied with Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Georgia to claim the top spot in this year's nursing master's program rankings. Duke University School of Nursing in North Carolina climbed up by one to claim the third spot.

Johns Hopkins ranked No. 1, as it did last year, in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program rankings. George Mason University School of Nursing in Virginia – which reported more graduates and resources per faculty – soared from a four-way tie at No. 39 to take the No. 2 spot. Duke tied with the University of Washington School of Nursing to round out the top three.

Duke also ranked No. 1 in all of the ranked nursing master's nursing practice specialties, including administration, family, both acute and primary care adult gerontology, and mental health.

Once again, Teachers College, Columbia University in New York was No. 1 in the graduate education schools rankings. This year, however, it tied with the University of Wisconsin—Madison School of Education , which climbed two spots.

The University of Michigan—Ann Arbor's School of Education dropped from the top position to tie with the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies at No. 3. UCLA was previously tied at No. 7.

U.S. News also ranks nine education specialties, with the College of Education at Michigan State University claiming the top spot in the following categories: curriculum and instruction, educational administration, elementary teacher education, higher education administration and secondary teacher education.

Searching for a grad school of education? Access our complete rankings of Best Graduate Schools.

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The U.S. labor market continues its hot streak, adding 303,000 jobs last month — more than expected. Many of these jobs will require a four-year degree despite a push among some employers to eliminate these requirements. On today's show, we look at the state of the job market for people without a four-year college degree.

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COMMENTS

I got my PhD and I am still unemployed. : r/PhD
r/PhD. A subreddit dedicated to PhDs. MembersOnline. •. samoooo37. I got my PhD and I am still unemployed. Post-PhD. Basically as the title says, I am a fairly recent PhD grad (May 2021) and have no job prospects and I am still unemployed. My partner just got a fantastic job offer where we will be relocating to a new state.
Have a PhD and Can't Get a Job? Do 4 SIMPLE Things (2023)
You're unemployed with no direction. You are desperately hoping for someone to come and help you, but it feels like nobody will. If you have a PhD and can't get a job, it seems that your best options are things like being a laborer, waiting tables, or answering phones. Worst of all is the feeling of being alone.
How the Ph.D. job crisis is built into the system and what can be done
The challenge of the "Ph.D. jobs crisis" is deeply structural and built into the systems of modern research universities with no simple solutions or clear consensus going forward. To push past this logjam, universities must improve communication, information and incentivization. First, institutions need to improve internal communication about ...
If You're A PhD And Do This, You'll Never Get A Job
In fact, the number of PhDs who will have a business job at or soon after graduation is below 40%. And the number of Life Sciences PhDs who will have a business job at graduation is below 20%. The truth is most PhDs will never get a job in business even though they're doing all the right things. The problem is they're doing the wrong things ...
Got my PhD almost a year ago, struggling to find a job
shocklance. Got my PhD almost a year ago, struggling to find a job. Social Science. Hey r/AskAcademia , Australian PhD graduate here. My doctorate was (broadly) in risk communication and natural hazards research. I started when I was 23 straight after undergrad and was awarded last year at 29. I worked as a sessional/casual academic during that ...
5 Career Killing Mistakes PhDs Make (#4 Is Very Common)
Mistake #4 - Being too self-entitled to create and execute a real networking strategy. "I have a PhD. I shouldn't have to network to get an industry job.". "Networking makes me ...
I have a PhD yet haven't even got a job interview
I am 39 and have recently completed a PhD, which I undertook with the aim of developing a career as a university lecturer. My academic work has been well-respected, and I was complimented ...
Are There Too Many Ph.D.s And Not Enough Jobs? : NPR
Upon graduation, he says, "Ph.D.s in general have a less than 50 percent chance of having a full-time job, and that percentage has been decreasing for about 20 years." Worse yet, as of 2011 ...
PhDs: the tortuous truth
Nature 's survey of more than 6,000 graduate students reveals the turbulent nature of doctoral research. Getting a PhD is never easy, but it's fair to say that Marina Kovačević had it ...
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 ...
Effectively preparing Ph.D.s for the future of work (opinion)
Roshni Rao and Tyler Sluder describe how experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and advanced technology can prepare Ph.D.s to thrive. As the job market evolves and becomes increasingly challenging to navigate, higher education faces a critical dilemma. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2023 highlights the urgent need for key skills including adaptability ...
I've got a PhD but no JoB
29:13 - Almost always, a PhD degree renders you a job in academia. 30:33 - Look at your affinity for language, food, and culture as a starting point for a job search. 31:05 - Let people see your value. 31:22 - Having a PhD may be a deterrent but you have the option to not include it on your resume.
People with PhDs who can't find a job: what do you do just ...
Take the PhD off your resume and don't waste time with cover letters. You can send out 20 applications in one afternoon. It's a numbers game. And I'm getting more hits with the PhD off the resume (unless the job happens to be for a PhD). Granted, I'm looking at $20-25/hour. But this will just be a temporary gig to gain experience
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.
To Be or Not To Be a PhD Candidate, That Is the Question
You develop a sense of resilience and a commitment to perseverance, skills which are rewarded when that one experiment finally works and when the answer to your long-sought-after question becomes clear. However, finishing a PhD involves a lot of work, time, and stress. It is mentally, physically, and psychologically exhausting.
Is a PhD Worth It?
The PhD in Education Leadership typically leads to higher education roles in teaching and research. The EdD in Educational Leadership, which Barry earned, typically leads to leadership and strategy roles in an education setting that may be at the higher education or secondary school level.
No job after 3 years of PhD. My options are?
Talented 8 posts. I have a PhD in molecular biology and working as an adjunct for past three years post graduation. Sent more than 100 applications. Had a few interviews, academic and non academic. I started working for a domestic violence crisis center about five months ago and have been devoting a lot of hours (since adjunct position covers ...
Alternative Careers for PhDs Outside of Academia
You can find alternative jobs for PhD scientists, writers, business experts, and more. With many of these jobs, having a PhD can help you earn higher pay and qualify for leadership positions. If you have a PhD or want to pursue one, you don't need to limit yourself to academia. Here are some options that you might pursue instead. 1.
Australia has way more PhD graduates than academic jobs. Here's how to
About 25% of PhD graduates got some employment in academia according to a small-scale survey in 2011. Our estimates suggest this figure has not changed much as of 2021. If there are about 185,000 ...
14 high-paying healthcare jobs you can get without an MD or PhD
Radiation therapists. The Washington Post | The Washington Post | Getty Images. Median annual wage: $82,330. Projected job growth through 2026: 13%. Part of the health-care team called in to treat ...
Non-Academic Career Paths for Philosophy PhDs: What Is Your Department
February 15, 2022 at 9:13 am 2. According to one recent survey, 14% of philosophy PhDs end up in non-academic employment. On top of that, there are some graduate students who leave their programs prior to obtaining their degree to pursue non-academic jobs. While the academic job market for philosophy PhDs is hard to predict, I don't know of ...
Non-academic career paths for PhDs
In the past few years, this predefined route for PhDs has drastically changed course, with up to a 10% drop in the number of PhDs who hold an academic tenure-track position 1. The deficit of academic careers and increased awareness of non-academic career paths have led more STEM PhDs to choose other careers in science.
Got a Ph.D. and No Job? Huh?
Encourage them to give you genuine and meaningful opportunities while you are in your Ph.D. program that will empower you to be attractive to employers before and after you graduate. Right now, I have to place the dominant blame on those who are graduating with a Ph.D. and are not able to get a job. At the end of the day, you can come up with ...
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 ...
U.S. News Releases 2024 Best Graduate Programs Rankings
Meanwhile, the very top of the part-time MBA rankings looks similar to last year, with the same schools in the top 5: UChicago, UC Berkeley, Northwestern, NYU's Leonard N. Stern School of Business ...
Is anyone unemployed after PhD? : r/AskAcademia
Many if not most PhDs are unable to find faculty positions. That said, PhDs tend to fare better than the general population in the job market. The unemployment rate for PhDs is now .9% whereas it is 2% for college graduates, 2.9% for Associates, 4% for high school grads, 4.8% for less than high school.
PhD No Experience Jobs, Employment
Hybrid remote in New York, NY 10022. Lexington Av/53 St. $185,000 - $275,000 a year. Full-time. Easily apply. The firm offers competitive compensation for this space (likely salary of $185,000 to $275,000, depending on background and experience ), has an elite set of….
Do I need a four-year degree?
The U.S. labor market continues its hot streak, adding 303,000 jobs last month — more than expected. Many of these jobs will require a four-year degree despite a push among some employers to ...
Several No Experience Fresh Graduate Jobs
Job Title: Sales Warrior (Several No Experience Fresh Graduate Jobs) Organisation: Tubayo. Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda. About US: Founded in 2018, Tubayo is an online travel marketplace that enables travelers to book unique homes and experiences hosted by locals in more than 10 countries in Africa. Users can access Tubayo on web or mobile ...
Assistant Director of Compliance in Emmitsburg, MD for Mount St. Mary's
The university offers a generous benefits package, including tuition remission for graduate and undergraduate classes at Mount St. Mary's University, retirement program with a match as well as a generous paid time off schedule. Competitive salary commensurate to experience. Job Requirements: Education, Experience and Skills: