can phd be considered as work experience

Press Enter to search

Does Your Experience Counts As Work Experience (+ Examples)

Not all experience is created equal — but what counts as work experience and what doesn’t? This guide will explain what experience to include on your resume and why

2 years ago   •   13 min read

Entry level position … requires 3 years of experience.

If you've ever noticed a similar phrase on a job ad and seen red, you're not alone. Most jobs — even some entry-level positions — ask for at least some experience in a similar role. The problem is, it's increasingly hard to tell what counts as 'experience' and what doesn't. Is an internship work experience? Volunteering? Hobbies? The answer, unfortunately, is yes and no.

Here's exactly what counts as work experience for your resume, what doesn't, and how to tell the difference.

What counts as work experience (and what doesn’t)

Here’s a short list of things that can — but don’t necessarily — belong on your resume:

• Volunteering
• Internships
• Hobbies and extracurricular activities
• Personal projects
• Babysitting, fast food, and other side jobs
• University coursework

So, how do you work out what counts as work experience and whether to list it on your resume? Follow this simple rule of thumb: If it's the most relevant experience you have, include it on your resume. If you have enough other experience to fill up a one-page resume, leave it off.

How has the idea of traditional work experience changed in 2024?

As we make our way through 2024, we're seeing a shift in what's stamped as 'experience'. Sure, your classic job roles still snag that title, but there's a growing club of contenders.

The modern rise in remote work, the gig economy, and digital skills have redefined the definition of traditional work experience. Virtual roles are now as valued as in-office positions, and proficiency in digital tools and online platforms can greatly enhance a resume as much as paid experience. Post-pandemic employers value adaptability and independence, and modern recruiters are far more open to accepting personal projects, freelance work, and remote learning on your resume than in previous years.

Paid vs. unpaid experience

When deciding if your experience counts as work experience for your resume, paid positions often hold more weight with recruiters than unpaid experience, as these roles typically come with tangible responsibilities and expectations.

However, unpaid roles, like internships, personal projects, and volunteer work, can be just as impactful, especially if they're industry-relevant and showcase the right skills. In both cases, it's the skills acquired, projects undertaken, and accomplishments that stand out to employers.

Does volunteering count as work experience?

Volunteering is a pretty safe bet to include on your resume. Even though it’s not paid experience, most volunteer roles usually have similar requirements to traditional workplaces — things like requiring volunteers to be committed, on time, and perform their set tasks — which makes it one of the best things to include on your resume if you don’t have a lot of paid work experience.

Here's an example:

• When to include it: If you don’t have more relevant work experience.
• When to leave it off: If you have enough paid experience to fill at least one page on your resume.

Do internships count as work experience?

Not exactly — most companies won’t count internships toward the number of years’ required, but this can depend on the company. Regardless, internships are still a great way to demonstrate accomplishments in a professional setting, especially if they’re in the same industry as the jobs you’re applying for.

• When to include it: If the internship was in your field or you can use it to demonstrate transferable skills.
• When to leave it off: If it’s been a few years since the internship(s) and you’ve racked up more experience since then.

Does research count as work experience?

Post-graduate research definitely counts as work experience. If you held a graduate research assistant position, you can list that in your regular work experience section , including the employer, dates, and relevant accomplishments.

Undergraduate research doesn’t officially count as work experience, but you can still list in on your resume. Include your involvement in research projects in a projects, education, or publications section , depending on how you choose to format your resume.

Or here's an example of including a university project on your resume:

• When to include it: If you held a graduate research position or participated in significant undergraduate research.
• When to leave it off: If you were only marginally involved in the research and it doesn’t demonstrate relevant skills or experience.

Does college count as work experience?

No. While the education section is an important part of your resume — especially if you’re still in school or have only recently graduated — it’s not the same thing as work experience. Regardless of how relevant it is, it would look naïve and out of touch to include things like coursework as part of your work experience. List these in your education section instead — if this is your most relevant experience, it can still go at the top of your resume.

• When to include it: If you graduated recently and your degree is the most relevant experience you have.
• When to leave it off: If you graduated more than a few years ago, your coursework is less relevant than more recent work experience.

Do hobbies and activities count as work experience?

Generally, no — which doesn’t mean you can never list them on your resume. Private hobbies aren’t particularly relevant to most jobs, with some exceptions (for example, if you want to use your involvement in team sports to highlight your teamwork skills). More organized activities, like involvement in extracurricular clubs and organizations, are a better way to showcase accomplishments.

• When to include it: If you can demonstrate relevant accomplishment or transferable skills.
• When to leave it off: If it’s a personal hobby without any notable accomplishments, like reading or taking long walks.

Do personal projects count as work experience?

As Work experience? Not necessarily. But as a valuable addition to your resume? Yes! Personal or educational projects can be a great way of demonstrating how you've used your hard skills in action, which is far more persuasive than simply sticking them on a skills list at the end of your resume. If you can, link directly to a GitHub or portfolio so potential employers can judge your work for themselves.

Examples of relevant personal projects for resumes:

• Website design or development : If you've built a website from scratch or revamped an existing one, this can  showcases skills in coding, design, SEO, and more.
• Writing a book or blog : Demonstrates dedication, expertise in a particular area, and writing skills.
• Creating a mobile app : Shows programming skills and problem-solving abilities.
• Art projects : If you're applying for design or creative roles, personal art projects can display creativity and attention to detail.
• Community service projects : Organizing a community event or starting a neighborhood initiative can be great for roles requiring leadership or organizational skills.

• When to include it: If you want to demonstrate relevant hard skills that you haven’t used in a traditional work environment.
• When to leave it off: If it was more of a casual hobby or it’s still unfinished — completed projects make a better impression.

Does babysitting count as work experience?

Yes! Especially if you’re still in school, part-time gigs like babysitting, retail, or food service are a great way to show that you have a good work ethic and some kind of experience.

• When to include it: If you don’t have more relevant paid work experience in your field or industry.
• When to leave it off: If it was a once-off or very occasional thing.

Does fast food count as sales experience?

Yes, if you can demonstrate relevant accomplishments. Again, use common sense when talking about part-time jobs — if a job posting calls for 5+ years’ experience as an account manager and you spent a summer as an assistant manager at a restaurant, you’ll look a bit out of touch if you try to try to claim it’s the same thing.

But if the ad simply asks for “ sales experience ,” you can absolutely list appropriate accomplishments from a part-time job.

• When to include it: If you can include hard numbers or metrics to quantify your accomplishments .
• When to leave it off: If you only spend a few months in the job — especially if it wasn't particularly recent — you might be hard-pressed to list any real accomplishments from that position.

Do short-term jobs count as work experience?

Frequent short-term or contract positions can be challenging to present effectively on a resume. To ensure short-term positions reflect positively, group similar roles or list them under a common heading like "Contract Positions" or "Freelance Engagements". Emphasize transferable skills and notable achievements, even if they were gained in a short period. Using phrases like "accelerated project completion" or "quickly adapted to diverse roles" can underscore adaptability and value in brief employment stints.

What to do if you don’t have enough experience

It's the age-old conundrum: How do you get experience if you need experience just to get a job? Here's how to bridge the gap between your experiences and the requirements of the position and how to search for an entry-level role without any experience:

Get more experience

It might sound glib, but the best thing to do if you don't have any experience is to get some. Instead of waiting around for someone to hire you, why not take advantage of the gig economy and do it yourself?

Go freelance

Engaging in freelance and gig work not only offers experience for your resume but also provides a platform to showcase your skills to future employers. Create a freelance profile on sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Reddit and advertise your services directly. It might not exactly be your dream job, but it'll get your foot in the door and allow you to list some actual work experience and gain industry-relevant skills.

Consider virtual and remote opportunities

In today's evolving job market, virtual internships are becoming more common, helping you acquire industry experience from any location. Remote projects also offer opportunities to showcase adaptability and digital proficiency and can significantly enhance your resume, especially for roles that value global perspective and competitive digital skills.

Contact recent startups

Recently funded startups are more likely to take a chance on less experienced hires, since they're an unknown quantity themselves. They often don't have strict hiring processes in place, which makes it easier to get your foot in the door. You can then use that experience as a springboard to bigger and better opportunities — or you might decide you enjoy helping to build something from the ground up.

It’s a cliché for a reason: Who you know really is more important than what you know. Reach out to people in your chosen industry on LinkedIn to ask for an informational interview , ask people you know if they have any job leads or if they can connect you with people who might, use your college’s alumni network, and reach out directly to second or even third-degree connections for advice.

Focus your search on graduate schemes

Plenty of employers offer dedicated graduate schemes to target promising entry-level candidates. If you’re in an industry where graduate schemes are common (think fields like finance, management, law, marketing, and even retail), it’s worth searching for these in addition to applying directly for jobs.

An entry-level resume template

Here’s a sample entry-level resume template that looks impressive — without including any paid work experience:

For more entry-level resume examples, check out our professional ATS resume templates .

How to write a resume with limited experience

Crafting a compelling resume with limited experience can feel daunting, but it can be done. Here are some key techniques to effectively showcase your achievements, skills, and potential, even without traditional paid experience.

List accomplishments in bullet points

No matter what you choose to include on your resume, always list at least 1-3 relevant accomplishments in bullet point format. You should start each bullet point with an action verb ( led , organized, revamped, etc.), clearly state what you did, and include the result or some sort of measurable success.

Tailor you resume to the job description

Customize your work experience for each application by:

• Analyzing the job description: Start by reading the job description thoroughly and highlighting the keywords, skills, and experience they're looking for.
• Sticking to relevant experience: If your experience a) isn't directly relevant to the job you're applying for, and b) doesn't showcase any relevant skills or accomplishments, it doesn't belong on your resume. Reorder your work experiences to showcase the most relevant positions at the top.
• Adjusting job titles (with caution): If a previous job title doesn't directly align with your application, consider tweaking the title. However, ensure that it remains truthful and is backed up by references or further details.
• Updating your resume summary: Tailor your summary to align with your intended position, and make sure to include the job title of the position you're applying for.

Highlight transferable skills

You don't need experience to highlight transferable skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Soft skills like teamwork, communication, time management , and attention to detail are in demand no matter the industry or role, so choose accomplishments that illustrate them.

Include the right keywords

To make it past modern ATS software, your resume needs to include keywords that align with the job description. As far as the ATS is concerned, it doesn't matter if those keywords reference volunteer work or paid experience, as long as they appear somewhere on your resume.

Upload your resume to the tool below to find out if you’ve included the right keywords and skills for your application. The tool also scans your resume for mistakes and gives you personalized suggestions on how to improvement.

List key technical skills

If you have hard skills — things like proficiency with specific software, programming languages, hardware, or certifications — list them directly in a skills or additional information section. To get a feel for what technical skills are required, scan the job description and browse our database of top industry-specific hard skills and keywords .

If you want to find technical skills relevant to the job you’re applying to, use our hard skills and keywords tool below — it’ll give you a list of skills to include in your skills section .

Create appropriate section titles

Listing other types of experience on your resume doesn’t mean hiding the fact that it wasn’t official work experience. Especially if you’re a recent graduate or applying for an entry-level position, hiring managers understand that you may not have a lot of paid work experience.

Instead of trying to be sneaky about it, be upfront about what kind of experience it really was and let your accomplishments speak for themselves. Some appropriate section titles to use on your resume include:

• Community Involvement
• Hobbies and Interests

Balancing honesty with a targeted resume

It's vital to find a balance between being honest about your work experience and framing it strategically to meet job requirements. Always ensure the skills and experience you claim are genuine. Over-exaggerating or stretching the truth too far can be seen as dishonest and will negatively affect your application rather than helping.

Frequently asked questions

Should i apply for a job if i don’t have the required experience.

Regardless of whether or not your experience is official work experience, Yes. Obviously, there's some common sense involved; if a senior or mid-level position is asking for 7-10 years of work experience and you have maybe one, don't apply. But if it's an entry-level position asking for 1-3 years, or a job asking for 5 years and you have a solid 3 or 4, go ahead!

Job ads often exaggerate how much experience is really needed or describe their ideal candidate when they aren’t realistically expecting to hire someone who ticks every single box. If you have a reasonable level of experience and meet most of the criteria in the job description, go ahead and apply — you won’t look silly or out of touch, and you might even land the job.

Why do job ads ask for more experience than they need?

You should think of the requirements in a job posting more as more of a wish list: In the best possible situation, this is what the ideal candidate would look like. But hiring managers understand that the perfect candidate isn’t always out there, so any reasonable recruiter is going to expect people to apply who don’t meet every single criteria. Just make sure you can tell the difference between a ‘nice to have’ and a true ‘must have,’ like basic qualifications or key skills.

How do I find out how much experience is really needed?

The job ad is the most obvious way, but it isn’t the only way. Search LinkedIn for people with the same job title and look up the company on Glassdoor. This should give you a good idea of how much experience people in that role realistically need and whether the company routinely hires candidates with fewer qualifications than they’re asking for.

Spread the word

Expert tips for highlighting analytical skills on your resume: 2024 edition, do you really need to include every job on your resume, keep reading, how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), oops what to do if there’s a mistake on your resume, getting the basics right: resume line spacing, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Should PhD students be classed as employees?

Two early-career researchers go head-to-head to argue for and against defining PhD candidates as fully-fledged university employees

Queen Mary University of London wants to change the status of its PhD students to that of employees. A current and a former PhD student argue for and against this change.

Against employee status

Tom Livermore, PhD Student at University College London, says:

While I recognise that there are advantages associated with employment, I believe that remaining a student provides significant benefits of its own and better reflects the training element of a doctorate.

The most common concern of my peers was what might happen to our pay. At present, our stipends are exempt from tax, making our reasonable, but not extravagant, earnings more comparable with other graduate salaries. Losing our student status would mean either an effective pay cut through taxation, or perhaps a compensatory increase in our funding. In this case training a PhD candidate would become more expensive; potentially meaning funding bodies would be able to support fewer PhDs , not a desirable outcome to my mind.

Both Queen Mary University of London and Eurodoc, an organisation representing European PhD students, argue that being an employee would better recognise the contribution that PhD students make to research. Perhaps I have been fortunate, but I don’t feel that my status as a student affects either the recognition or treatment that I receive. I do not feel that being a student discourages me from contributing to the scientific debate in my lab, my department or at conferences.

Aside from these more personal concerns, the loss of student status could also affect the ability of international PhD candidates to train at UK universities. Currently, PhD students are outside net migration figures and those not from the European Economic Area (EEA) are eligible for Tier 4 student visas. Becoming an employee could make it harder for non-EEA PhD scientists to come to the UK. British science benefits hugely from its international culture, it would be a shame if this was jeopardised.

Finally, I believe that a PhD is a scientific training that can be applied to any number of careers, including, but not limited to, academia. Rebranding PhD students as early-career researchers risks putting off those who don’t want to be academics and may want to apply their experience elsewhere, like in industry for example.

The benefits of remaining a student outweigh those associated with employment. If by becoming employees we risk reducing access to PhD training through fewer available places, visa restrictions or simply putting off those not destined for academia, then I fail to see the advantage.

For employee status

Jamie Gallagher, postdoc and public engagement officer at the University of Glasgow, says:

Doing a PhD looks and feels like employment, until something goes wrong. Imagine signing up to work 9–5 for four years on a fixed income but not having any legal rights to maternity/paternity leave, pensions or even sick leave. This happens routinely as this is the current situation for PhD students.

I spent four years working over 40 hours a week in a lab. I turned up every day, I wrote papers, I did experiments, I had duties and responsibilities – except I wasn’t “working” I was “studying”. That distinction is significant. I took home £1,150 a month, about the same as an administrative assistant, but I didn’t pay tax. In exchange for not paying tax on the few thousand earned above the tax free income allowance I handed over my employment rights.

During my PhD I tried to rent a flat and was told they didn’t accept students (despite being 24 with a four-year paid contract). When I tried to buy a flat I was told I didn’t have an income. Worse still, had I decided to have or adopt a baby I would have been left at the mercy of my university as to my entitlements. In the majority of cases the funders of PhD studentships recommend that PhD students are treated as employees in issues such as maternity/paternity leave, but “recommend” leaves wiggle room. “Recommend” is a get out of jail free card.

A few years ago during an event at the Royal Academy of Engineering, a woman who’d had a baby during her PhD asked the then minister for universities and science David Willetts about the protection afforded PhD students in this scenario. His answer was, in effect, that you can’t have your cake and eat it. He pointed out that as PhD students are given the generous dispensation of not paying any tax they cannot expect to get all the benefits associated with tax-paying jobs.

Some may worry that being given employment status would lead to there being fewer PhD positions available. This is based on the argument that the research councils would be forced to inflate each stipend to offset the tax deducted resulting in fewer being available. This argument has been used against almost every progressive step in employment rights. If this is a genuine concern, some of the tax income raised could be reinvested back in the research councils.

If a PhD student can write papers, present their data and work alongside academic staff, it is time to acknowledge their work as work.

Join the higher education network for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox. Follow us on Twitter @gdnhighered .

• Universities
• Early career researchers
• Higher education

Most viewed

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to secondary sidebar
• Skip to footer

career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

How to include your PhD experience on a CV

There is life after a PhD , and you will need to transition from being a research student to either a post-doctoral academic role or to a job in industry. See how to include your PhD experience on your CV.

The journey to achieving a PhD can be an intense, challenging, and exciting journey. Achieving such a high qualification after intensive and in-depth research should be extremely rewarding and something that you are proud of throughout your life. Being recognised as a Doctor and an expert in your specific field is very impressive to employers.

The ability to call yourself a Doctor at the end of it and be considered an expert in your field is a great achievement, one that you should be proud of.

If you make an application for your similar area of research, it is worth noting to go into depth as regards the topic, data analysis and results.

However, if the job for which you are applying is not entirely linked to the PhD research, it is best to list your PhD experience in your CV’s academic background section. It is worth showcasing your skills and capabilities attained by your PhD study in other areas of your CV.

While listing a PhD experience enhances your job application, it is vital to carefully analyse the job description. Recruiters examine CVs to find the relevant information and will be able to envisage your compatibility with the specific job role and responsibilities.

Benefits of Including a PhD in a job application:

There are numerous benefits of possessing a PhD  when it comes to the world of work.

• You gain problem-solving and presentation skills
• You attempt various techniques and trials which build up your resilience
• Your knowledge and expertise may entitle you to an increased salary or job role
• You may be able to cope better with criticism
• You can share new findings, theories and/or innovations
• You have experience working independently and, in a team
• Achieving a PhD will demonstrate resilience, determination, hard work, passion, effective time management and a plethora of sought-after skills

General Tips

If you are seeking a career in industry or prefer to remain in academia here are some general tips that will help all PhD graduates write a job-winning CV:

• Concisely outline your PhD research and list the discipline
• List the stage you are currently at with your PhD, such as thesis submitted, VIVA pending or completed
• Ensure you detail all academic qualifications, including any A-Level, BTEC or professional qualifications you have attained
• List publications, poster presentations or conference details you have been published in or have attended. This applies more to an academic CV than an industry CV
• List any techniques or technologies you have used within your PhD that are relevant to the role you are applying for
• Ensure you list your academic qualifications in reverse chronological order. Your PhD should be at the top of the list

Academic CV

If you are seeking a postdoc opportunity in academia, the structure of your CV will be somewhat different from that of a conventional CV. However, there are some similarities, such as:

• Name and contact details – always make sure that your name, and a contact number, email or LinkedIn profile link is at the top of your CV
• Education – when listing your PhD be sure you list the title, aim, methodologies and results concisely
• Work experience – including part-time work and any relevant volunteering you may have done
• Skills – for example, lab techniques, or other specialist skills you may have attained during your PhD study or other work
• Interests and achievements – this section should be for your extra-curricular activities
• References – you can either list two references or you can opt to write ‘references available on request’

A CV for a PhD graduate should be somewhere between 2-4 pages long, depending on how many publications you have been published in and the number of conference presentations you have completed.

Achieving a PhD will allow you to be equipped with a plethora of skills and capabilities.  Depending on your experience and the job you are applying for, you may wish to structure your CV in a way that classifies related job roles or skills together. For example, experience in:

• Administration

CV for industry

If you are seeking a job opportunity outside of academia, you will need to create a more conventional CV which should be short and to the point. Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages, always using reverse chronological order for work experience and education. The following should be included:

• Name and contact details
• Education – give your PhD at least a brief paragraph explaining what your PhD the specialism, any special techniques used, and, any transferrable skills that may be beneficial for the role you are applying for.
• Work experience – when listing your work experience, you can opt to use the reverse chronological order method or you can group your experience into themes, such as technical/scientific experience, leadership experience and industry experience
• Skills – this can include all the significant skills you have attained through your working life, not only in your academic career.
• Achievements – both extracurricular and academic achievements
• Interests – this should focus on your extracurricular activities
• References – you can either list two references or opt to write ‘references on request’.

As your most recent qualification is your PhD, it is vital to ensure it takes pride of place. However, it is important to keep it clear and concise. Present a summary of your research in a paragraph or in bullet points and include any significant subject knowledge, or innovative techniques you may have used in your study. Remember to also outline impressive achievements and outcomes clearly.

Related article:

Preparing to Change Jobs? Make sure your CV is ready too!

Share this article

Dr Denise White FRSA

Dr Denise White FRSA is a multi-award-winning intellectual disability and music expert. Having over 25 years’ experience in the field of early years, primary, post-primary, special educational needs, further and higher education, Denise is known for her innovative and creative teaching methods that transforms lives. She is an advocate for inclusive and community-based ethical learning and teaching models.

She is a passionate education advocate with the talent to develop inspiring hands-on lessons that will capture a student’s imagination and breed success.

Known as ‘The Music Doctor’, Denise is an Author at Bookhub Publishing. Her Music Doctor Series will launch in March 2019. Denise is also a Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, Mentor and Researcher.

Web: www.themusicdoctor.co.uk

Twitter: @_TheMusicDoctor

Reader Interactions

You may also like:.

15th May 2023 at 5:09 pm

If I have an incomplete PhD, 1 and a half year. Is it a good idea to include it in your cv? if the answer is yes, where should it be included?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: 17 − 6 =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

The PhD student experience – What is it really like for PhDs?

Are you curious about what it’s really like to be a PhD student, navigating the world of academia and research?

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the lesser-known aspects of the PhD journey, from the profound impact of your supervisor to the competitive environment you’ll face.

Discover the truth about the importance of publishing papers and the realities of funding and job security in academia.

We’ll also give you a glimpse into the daily life of a PhD student, and explore the highs and lows of this challenging yet rewarding experience.

So, buckle up and join us as we uncover the secrets of the PhD student experience that no one else will tell you!

The little known-facts that you need to know about the PhD experience,

This is what no one else will tell you!

What does the daily life of a PhD student look like?

Embarking on a PhD journey can be a thrilling yet demanding experience, as a doctoral student is constantly immersed in:

• academic responsibilities,
• and professional development.

From the early morning, the life of a PhD student begins with checking emails, planning the day, and setting priorities.

A typical day usually involves conducting experiments or research in the laboratory, analyzing data, and reading scientific literature to stay up-to-date with their field.

PhD students often participate in regular meetings with their supervisors, who provide guidance and advice on their research projects.

These meetings are crucial for maintaining momentum and ensuring a productive working relationship.

A typical daily schedule for a PhD student might look like this:

7:00 AM – Wake up, morning routine, breakfast

7:45 AM – Check emails, plan the day, and set priorities

8:30 AM – Arrive at the laboratory, set up experiments or research tasks

9:30 AM – Attend a class or seminar (if applicable)

11:00 AM – Conduct experiments or research in the laboratory

12:30 PM – Lunch break, socialize with fellow graduate students

1:30 PM – Analyze data and read scientific literature relevant to the research project

3:00 PM – Meeting with supervisor to discuss research progress and receive guidance

4:30 PM – Continue working on experiments, data analysis, or literature review

6:00 PM – Dinner break

8:00 PM – Draft or edit thesis, work on conference presentations or publications

10:00 PM – Wind down and engage in a hobby or leisure activity for mental health and work-life balance

11:00 PM – Bedtime routine, sleep

In addition to their primary research, many PhD students assist and mentor undergraduate students, contributing to a diverse and dynamic academic community.

Balancing the demands of coursework, research projects, and administrative responsibilities can make for long working hours, which is why it’s important for doctoral students to maintain their mental health and work-life balance.

Attending conferences, participating in social events, and engaging in professional development opportunities are important aspects of the PhD experience.

Given the commitment and dedication required, full-time PhD students often rely on funded positions to support their education and living expenses.

Despite the inherent difficulties, the experience equips students with a range of new skills and expertise, setting them on a path to contribute significantly to academia and the world beyond.

How stressful is being a PhD student?

Being a PhD student can be quite stressful due to the unique challenges and demands of the program.

It varies from person to person and the supervisor will have a huge impact on how stressful a PhD will be for a student.

Here is a case study of the highs and lows of a PhD from a PhDs student’s perspective:

This PhD student experienced frustration with experiments not working or yielding results, leading to feelings of imposter syndrome and demotivation. A lack of progress was a significant source of stress during this time, as well as comparing oneself to peers who seemed to be achieving more success.

However, there were also numerous highlights throughout the PhD experience. Attending conferences and presenting research offered opportunities to gain feedback, collaborate with others, and even travel. Engaging in scientific discussions and exploring the significance of one’s work provided a sense of purpose and satisfaction.

Furthermore, working with cutting-edge equipment, such as advanced microscopes, allowed the student to appreciate the unique and privileged nature of their research.

The pressure to produce significant contributions to one’s field and the uncertainty of achieving results within a limited time frame can induce anxiety.

For instance, many students find themselves constantly juggling various responsibilities, such as conducting experiments, analysing data, attending meetings with their supervisor, and writing their thesis or papers.

Aside from academic pressure, managing work-life balance can be difficult as well. It’s not uncommon for PhD students to work long hours, often sacrificing personal time and relationships.

The lack of a structured schedule and the need for self-motivation can add to the stress and the competitive environment in academia and the constant pursuit of funding can further exacerbate stress levels.

PhD student workloads and holidays

The life of a PhD student is often characterized by heavy workloads and limited opportunities for holidays.

In a typical PhD program, students juggle numerous responsibilities, including research projects, coursework, and professional development activities, such as attending conferences and training.

This is particularly true for funded PhD students, who are expected to adhere to strict timelines set by their supervisors and the university’s academic calendar.

In the science field, the workload can be even more demanding due to the nature of research, which often involves conducting experiments that can take months or years to complete.

This commitment means that even during holidays, PhD students may feel the need to work in order to meet deadlines, leading to burnout and stress.

Later Stage PhD ( Doctorate Candidates )

When PhD students reach the later stages of their doctorate program, they become PhDs preparing to complete their research project and thesis.

This stage comes with an intense academic workload, with high demand for researcher-level skills and scientific knowledge.

A typical day for a PhD at this stage involves conducting research, analysing data, and editing their findings to complete their thesis.

In my experience it is WRITING, WRITING and more WRITING…with a touch of editing.

There are deadlines to meet, and students may face pressure, but the reward of completing a doctorate degree is worth it.

At this point, a PhD is expected to demonstrate their ability to conduct independent research and contribute to their field of study.

The latter stages of the doctorate program offer a rigorous and rewarding challenge for students who want to pursue a career in science, education, and research.

Wrapping up – PhD and Doctoral Student experience

The PhD student experience is a complex and multifaceted journey that offers a unique blend of challenges and triumphs.

As we have explored in this blog, the road to obtaining a PhD is filled with personal growth, professional development, and numerous hurdles to overcome.

But, for those who persevere, the rewards can be immense, leading to a sense of accomplishment, increased expertise, and the potential to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

In navigating this adventure, it is essential for PhD students to maintain a healthy work-life balance and develop strong support networks to help them manage stress and maintain motivation.

The journey may be demanding, but with the right mindset and guidance, the experience can be truly transformative.

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

Thank you for visiting Academia Insider.

We are here to help you navigate Academia as painlessly as possible. We are supported by our readers and by visiting you are helping us earn a small amount through ads and affiliate revenue - Thank you!

2024 © Academia Insider

Masters Compare - Find your perfect masters course.

• Living as a Postgraduate student

Working and studying for a PhD at the same time

Share this article.

• Facebook Sharer
• Twitter Sharer
• LinkedIn Sharer

Explore other topics

• Funding a Postgraduate course
• Popular masters degree subjects
• Student Wellbeing
• Studying a Postgraduate degree
• Finding a PhD or Masters Course

Think Postgrad

Frequently asked questions.

In short, yes, you can work while studying for your PhD.

The hard part to juggle is finding the time to do both. You may find that part-time study is more flexible for you but it takes longer to complete. An excellent way to combine work and study is to get a job within the university you are studying at.

Check out other sources of support for PhD Students .

There are several benefits to both full time and part time PhD study. It can be extremely difficult to juggle a full time postgraduate position alongside working. It’s not called full-time for nothing! This is intensive but you can complete a full time PhD faster than it’s part-time equivalent.

Studying for a PhD is a big commitment, either full time for 3-4 years or part-time for generally 6-7 years. If you want, or need, to be working and studying for PhD this could have an impact on your study: here are some of the things you may find it helpful to think about before starting your PhD.

Is funding for a PhD in the UK enough to live on?

If you are fortunate enough to have full funding for your PhD, your studentship should cover both fees and living expenses and be tax-free. The stipend levels for students studying for a PhD in the UK is set by UK research councils for their own studentships, and this is followed by Universities for their own studentships. These will provide enough to live on and not to have to be working and studying for a PhD.

If you are looking for PhD Funding, you can search for your ideal studentship from the many opportunities we have listed on Postgraduate Studentships. We have a section for Charities and Trusts who are set up to support students looking to get additional financial help with their studies.

How much work is included in a Graduate Teaching Assistantship?

Some PhD studentships are called Graduate Teaching Assistantships – this means that you will be teaching for a certain number of hours in each academic year and this is part of the conditions of the studentship. It is advisable to find out exactly how this works with the University advertising the opportunity. Will you receive separate payments or is this part of the studentship? How many hours will it involve and how will that relate to your PhD? Will you receive training?

If you are considering an academic career, there may be some advantage in getting some initial experience. However you may also struggle with working and studying for a PhD at the same time.

Should I study my PhD full-time or part-time if I need to work?

If you need to work and study, it’s important to think about how you will manage that. Can you study full-time and work at the same time and if so how much work can you do? A full-time PhD is regarded as a full-time commitment. So anything other than a supplementary job for a few hours per week is challenging. Some students start with a full-time PhD and then move to studying the PhD part-time. So you would need to discuss this with your university first.

Planning to study a part-time PhD takes longer overall but it may also give you the time to do your PhD and to make the money you need. If you do decide to study part-time you may already have a job that will allow you to have flexible hours. Think also about part time work in a field that relates to your study. If you need to look for a job that will help you do your PhD, your University is likely to have temporary or part-time jobs that students can apply for on campus – most universities have a database of these jobs for students so you can find out in advance what the pay rates are and if that would be enough.

Universities also have a range of part-time jobs which may be administrative or involve working in labs. If you apply for one of these jobs, especially in your own department, it’s important to make sure you work out how you will manage this. This way, you're prepared for when you are working on your PhD and when you are working on your job.

What if I am an International Student?

If you are an international student in the UK there will be restrictions on how many hours you can work. The UK Government has made some improvements to this. There are more opportunities now to study and work in the UK .

Talking to your University about your options

Your university wants you to succeed at your PhD. It has experienced students working whilst studying and works and what doesn’t. If you are planning to work whilst studying it’s a good idea to talk to your department. These questions may form part of your application process because your Supervisor will want to make sure you have the means to conduct your research as well as support yourself.

Many students study for a PhD and work for at least part of the time and complete their PhD successfully. If you look at the options beforehand, you can plan what works best for you. This way you can get the most from your PhD whilst working at the same time.

Looking for PhD Funding? There are a wide range of study funding opportunities for intending PhD students on PostgraduateStudentships

Receive Email Updates of the latest PhD and Masters opportunities and funding from PostgraduateStudentships and MastersCompare .

• Advertisers
• Cookie Policy
• Terms and Conditions

Sorry! You need to sign up

Sign up to Postgraduate Studentships

Sign up to compare masters

Opportunity added!

Thanks for making your selection. Click below to view your list.

Course Added

Thanks for making your selection. Click below to view your comparisons.

Think Postgrad Ltd 2008-2024 Website By Parachute

Can You Count Internships as Work Experience? Yes, and here's why.

In This Guide:

Why are internships important, internships can count as work experience, depending on a few key factors.

Here's How You Can Include an Internship on an Entry-Level Resume

Three Tips to Use When Adding An Internship to Your Resume

Internships count because they provide tangible work experience to those new to a specific industry. This is especially important for those who have recently graduated from college and are looking to make a transition into the workplace.

Even those who have work experience through unpaid internships have a leg up on fresh graduates. In fact, it might be the deciding factor for a hiring manager when choosing between two equally qualified entry-level candidates for a position.

If you're interested in updating your resume and including a recent internship as part of your work experience, scroll through this article. You'll gain a ton of useful information, including:

• Why are internships important?
• How do internships count as work experience?
• How to include an internship on your resume?
• Templates and examples to follow

If you're interested in taking your resume to the next level, you should look into Enhancv's Resume Builder . It allows you to create a modern, aesthetically appealing resume, which highlights all of your major achievements.

And if you'd like to increase your chances of landing your dream job, Enhancv has a team of career experts who can help you wow prospective employers. These career counselors can help you to stand out from other applicants during the interview process.

Is your resume good enough?

Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Internships count because they let you try on a career without the pressure that would come with working in the same role as a salaried employee. Not only do you gain technical skills and relevant experience, but you also learn important soft skills, like how to manage your time and collaborate in a team.

Check out the list below to learn all of the reasons that internships matter if you're trying to land your dream job.

Test drive a career

Interested in testing the waters for a new career? Wanting to gain some hands-on experience without a long-term commitment to a company? Well, completed internships can actually help you to better refine your career goals.

An internship can give you the ability to get an entry-level position in your desired industry. It can also allow you to get your foot in the door for a prospective employer.

Work for a desired length of time

Most internship experience is confined to a specific length. Although they can fluctuate in length from a few days to more than a year, most internships fit within a defined time frame similar to a contract position. Some internships even mimic summer jobs and are set in the summer and last between three to four months. This allows full-time college students to apply for them during the time when they're out of school.

Gain experience

There's no other way to gain practical knowledge like getting hands-on experience. In fact, if you've been able to complete an internship at a well-known company, you can show that you have the ability to thrive in your industry.

Name recognition can help to turbo-charge your career. For example, if you're in the tech industry and you've completed an internship at a successful Silicon Valley firm, like Google, you may have more opportunities open to you than someone who didn’t complete an internship.

Make mistakes without pressure

One of the best things about doing an internship is that you're able to learn and grow without the pressure that an average employee would have. If you’re a fresh graduate who is new to the workforce, you’re able to make mistakes and try new things without the same stress that salaried employees may have.

Grow your network

Get your foot in the door through an internship. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) study, 53% of those in the survey were actually hired at the company where they completed their internships at.

Even if you don't get a job at that company, you still have the opportunity to grow your network. If you've worked hard and made a name for yourself during your internship, you can expect a great reference from your manager. You can also keep in touch with managers or members of the team, gaining insights about industry changes and employment opportunities.

Gain college credits

Some colleges allow you to gain academic credit by working in an internship. This can help you attain the credits that you need to graduate.

Do internships count as work experience? Yes, they do, but only for those who are new to the workforce or new to an industry.

When you're new to an industry, it can be a daunting task to fill out a one-page resume. You want your resume to be tailored to the job you're applying for, with only the most relevant experience. If you had no other experience in this field, then it might be a great idea to highlight the skills you gained during your internship.

If you're on the fence about whether an internship counts as work experience, then ask yourself these questions:

1. Did you handle relevant responsibilities to the role you're applying for?

Your experience matters, especially if you've already handled specific tasks that are directly relevant to the role that you're applying for. Even if you're applying for an entry-level role, employers would like to see that you can handle yourself in that role.

For example, if you worked as an intern in an IT department, you could list how you gained a real working knowledge of computer coding, cybersecurity, and maintaining company-wide intranets. If you were to apply for an entry-level cybersecurity analyst role, you can show that you have direct experience.

2. Do you lack practical work experience?

Imagine that you've got more than a decade of experience in your industry with several companies. If that's the case, then you may choose to take your internship off of your work experience section.

But for those who are brand new, internship programs help college students gain entry-level work experience. Also, if you’re changing careers, an internship could be exactly what you need on your resume to show that you’ve got some experience in this field.

3. Can you quantify your experiences?

Employers are always looking for ways to quantify the work that potential employees have done. Therefore, come up with ways to list real facts and figures of your achievements as an intern. For example, if you worked in a sales role as an intern, you can mention how you built rapport with ten customers, established great customer service with them, and all ten even became repeat customers as a result of your work.

By putting numbers and facts next to any of your achievements, you're giving a hiring manager the opportunity to see how exactly you can make a difference at the company.In fact, one of the ways he can prove that your internship counted as work experience and you weren't just doing "grunt" work, is by showing how you had a tangible impact on the company.

Further Reading

Here's how you can include an internship on an entry-level resume.

Whether you are an entry-level recent graduate or a seasoned professional, showing your internship experience on your resume can show the wide scope of the work that you've done. The two main areas where you could include internship experience are your objective statement and the work experience section.

Your objective statement is a good way to start

If you are a recent graduate, and are coming right out of an internship and applying for a regular position, you may wish to include your previous internship experience in your objective statement. A resume objective statement is basically an elevator pitch, a short, succinct explanation of your career goals and how you're working to reach those through your experience.

Resume objective Dedicated and committed graphic designer who is looking to practically apply the skills that she’s developed. Working in an intensive internship at XYZ Designs, a large design firm in Dallas, the applicant gained valuable information on how to use complex design software, including Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Interested in applying those skills, while also discovering new avenues for growth at ABC designs.

Here, the applicant has put the skills that she's learned through previous experience in the internship program front and center. This isn't a bad idea, especially if your most recent work experience includes your internship. As well, if you did an internship at a large, well-known company, then it might be in your best interest to put that upfront in your resume objective statement.

Including it, in your work experience

The principal place that you will want to put your internship experiences is in the 'Work Experience' section. This section lists all of your major work experiences over the last few years. As mentioned above, if you have very little practical work experience in the field that you are applying for, then your internship may be something that can tip the scales and give you the ability to present yourself well as you apply for a new job.

Work Experience Example

• • Worked closely with the sales manager, cultivating the skills to build rapport with clients, and provide them with the best customer service for their needs.
• • Work closely with the IT department, and even provided insights into the new customer relationship management software that they were integrating into the website.

All the bullet points listed above provide a practical and quantifiable experience in which any hiring manager can see the value. Showing that an internship was more than just simple work, this applicant has actually shown that they took initiative by helping them to pick customer relationship software.

1. Use proper formatting standards

Formatting is an important step in creating a resume. The most popular format for a resume is the first chronological order, meaning that the first work experience listed will be your most recent one.

Consider the font style and size

Font and style can also affect how a resume is received. For example, if you use an unfamiliar or very small font, then a hiring manager may choose to not look at your resume. Therefore, stick with a common font, like Ariel or Times New Roman, and make sure that the font is 12 points.

2. Focus on responsibilities and achievements in bullet points

It's important to include detailed information in the bullet points underneath your work experience . A good tip is to compile all of your duties and achievements in your previous role and decide which ones are worth mentioning. Those will be the ones that make up your bullet points.

3. Update your resume with new skills acquired

The best resume is an up-to-date resume, and therefore you should include any new skills acquired. This is especially true if you've gained professional experience through an internship program.

You may also list other extracurricular activities that you may have done while working as an intern. Mention any conferences, classes, or courses that you have taken to help boost your worth to your new company.

Many hiring managers would count internships as real work experience, and the reason for this is that new employees gain valuable skills throughout their internship process. There's no better way to gain hands-on experience than with an internship. Don't be afraid to include your internship experience on your resume, and make sure to provide real examples with facts and figures to back up your experience.

If you're interested in learning more about how to better represent yourself on a resume, speak with a career counselor at Enhancv. Whether you're a recent graduate or someone who has held several full-time positions, they can help to point you in the right direction as you seek to reach your career goals.

• Resume Guides

What Are Action Words Used For In A Resume

Real resume examples that stand out and get people hired, how to reply to "what sets you apart from other candidates", how to write an australian resume, 8 common interview questions for managers (with answers), how to write a great linkedin connection message [with examples].

• Create Resume
• Terms of Service
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Preferences
• Resume Examples
• Resume Templates
• AI Resume Builder
• Resume Summary Generator
• Resume Formats
• Resume Checker
• Resume Skills
• How to Write a Resume
• Modern Resume Templates
• Simple Resume Templates
• Cover Letter Builder
• Cover Letter Examples
• Cover Letter Templates
• Cover Letter Formats
• How to Write a Cover Letter
• Cover Letter Guides
• Job Interview Guides
• Job Interview Questions
• Career Resources
• Meet our customers
• Career resources
• English (UK)
• French (FR)
• German (DE)
• Spanish (ES)
• Swedish (SE)

© 2024 . All rights reserved.

Made with love by people who care.