So I got my PhD, but I want to do something different… August 23, 2010
Posted by helencurry in postgraduate.Tags: career change, graduate, MSc, PhD, postgraduate, postgraduate study
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It is a common enough situation to want a change, particularly after the stress of finishing that PhD dissertation, but where do you go from there?
I recommend treating this as your next research project. Think about the methods you can apply to find the information you need – from resoures, people and advice – can you apply those research methods here too? In that vein, here’s a reading list…
Websites
Vitae is an essential place to start as they have heaps of information and resources, including help if it is worries about family, age or disability that you feel are restricting your academic options. And if you are looking for career ideas, take a look at these reports to see what others in your position did next – What do researchers do 2009.
From our own website, The Careers Group, download these specialised information sheets on CVs and careers for PhDs. See also our general CV guide How to write a CV (pdf) which actually has an example of a CV from a post-doc moving our of academia, p.34.
For a real-life stories of career choices following your research degree, Beyond the PhD is fantastic for getting perspective.
If you are a science researcher, I really recommend the QM researchers blog - the opportunities posted there are open to all and cover a range of career ideas relevant to your expertise. There are also some good lists of links.
And another blog worth trying is Leaving Academia, giving peoples’ experiences of changing paths.
Books
Two titles spring to mind right away – both broad in scope and good for exploring your choices and motivations, as well as how to proceed.
What else you can do with a Ph.D. - Jan Secrist & Jacqueline Fitzpatrick, Sage Publications
I like this one for the depth of information and analysis – it is written well for its audience. It is particularly useful for analysing your skills and work personality – essential when you are applying to non-academic jobs. The book also covers job applications, interview skills, negotiation and evaluating job offers – it leads you through the whole process.
“So what are you going to do with that?” - Susan Basalla & Maggie Debelius, Chicago University Press
This book is a little less thorough, but its strength is in the career choice section. It is very helpful if you are unsure of whether leaving academia is the right choice, and where to go next. In particular the examples in chapter 2 from PhD students who went into a variety of careers makes for interesting reading.
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Does anyone have any other resources they’d recommend, or experiences to share?
Got a biomedical PhD but looking for a career outside the lab? April 24, 2009
Posted by tcginfo in career profiles.Tags: biomedical, career change, careers, communications, medical, Medical communications, medical writer, medicine and healthcare, pharmaceutical industry, PhD, postdoc, writer
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Heard of medical communications? It’s quite a specific topic, but I just thought I’d write a quick note on this as we just heard about a new publication from NetworkPharma’s MedComms on becoming a medical writer.
So what is the role of a medical writer in medical communications agencies? It is to use science and language to deliver education and communication programmes for the pharmaceutical industry. You get to continue using your scientific knowledge and research skills, but you escape the treadmill of grant applications and over-specialisation. It is a type of technical author or technical writer, another role that may be of interest to science graduates.
Requirements: PhD and research experience advantageous, science degree essential.
Salary: Trainee writers can start on £20-30k. In a year or two progression can be quick, and some go on to run their own company.
Still interested? Find out more reading the new publication From academic to medical writer : a guide to getting started in medical communications . It includes invaluable tips on getting through the application process and the tests you may be asked to do, as well as other insider information that could prove useful in an interview.
Other resources
- European Medical Writers Association – www.emwa.org.
- International Society for Medical Publication Professionals www.ismpp.org
- eMedCareers: UK job search www.emedcareers.co.uk/
See p.15 of the publication for more.
Doing a research degree? January 20, 2009
Posted by tcginfo in postgraduate.Tags: MPhil, MRes, PhD, podcasts, postgraduate, postgraduate study, research
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Wondering if you should do a research degree? Unsure about the applications process?
In our latest podcast, careers adviser Terry Jones answers common questions about research degrees, including:
- What is the difference between research degrees and taught postgraduate courses?
- How do I apply for a research degree?
- How do I approach potential supervisors?
- How do I decide on a project, supervisor and university?
- How can I find the right topic?
If you have any more questions, leave us a comment and I can pass them on to Terry.
And remember to sign up now for the Guardian Postgraduate Study & Training Fair 2009 tomorrow!!
Scientific proof November 27, 2008
Posted by tcginfo in careers guides, medicine and healthcare.Tags: assessment centres, career change;careers information, CVs, graduate employment, NHS, PhD, physics, science, sports science, starting salaries, teaching
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2008 university application figures showed an increase in interest in many science subjects according to the latest edition (Nov 2008) of the publication What Do Graduates Do? Apparently it seems that six months after graduation, the highest employment rate among scientists was for sports science graduates.
If you’ve just graduated with a degree or postgraduate qualification in science then you may well have already explored the vast range of jobs that are available in the sector. The latest New Scientist Graduate Special – Destination Where? includes a look at the UK’s top science hotspots as well as advice on writing your CV. On the topic of CVs, The physicist’s guide to writing your CV was one of a series of little booklets we received from the Institute of Physics. It’s one of a set of guides that are unique as they have been written to take into account the skills and abilities that someone with a physics training or background has. Other titles in the series include The physicist’s guide to assessment centres and The physicist’s guide to choosing a PhD. We’ve also had some of the handbooks for the 2009 round of recruitment for Clinical Scientists Opportunities in the NHS.
An interesting article in last Sunday’s Observer highlighted the fact that The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has revealed that formal applications for science teaching posts have reached its highest level for 13 years. Given the current financial crisis the rise is expected to continue next year as many of these applicants are coming from the City. Salaries start at around £24,000 for science teachers.Disillusioned bankers quit the City for the rewards of teaching science.
