After Your PhD
Explore Careers Outside Academia
After Your PhD is a free, comprehensive resource hub designed to support academics as they explore career options.
How Do I Start My Career Pivot?
Informational interviews allow you to learn directly from people working in roles that interest you.
Helping you understand what they do, how they got there, and what skills matter most.
Informational Interview Guide
Informational interviews play a crucial role in your career pivot. Engaging in questioning and seeking clarity defines the essence of informational interviews. Without asking questions, you cannot fully explore the world around you.
Scheduling Your First Informational Interview
Learn how to make the most out of the networking strategy by reading tips and strategies from the founder – Ryan Collins, PhD.
Books to Help You Navigate Life After Academia
Explore career development, personal growth, and professional transition books curated for PhDs and academics on the After Your PhD Amazon Storefront.
Career Guides For Pivoting Academics
Explore guides designed to help PhDs and advanced degree holders learn about career paths outside academia.
SEO Career Pivot Guide
At its most basic level, SEO is about helping users find what they’re looking for through organic search channels like Google or Bing by optimizing web assets such as a website.
Project Management Career Guide
Project management is a popular field for academics looking to transition into industry roles that value organization, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration.
See & Hear Real Stories From PhDs
1:1 Interviews with PhDs. Follow the After Your PhD Podcast on Spotify, Substack, and YouTube!
Finding a Job After Your PhD
Searching for a job after completing a PhD can feel overwhelming, especially when many roles outside academia are unfamiliar.
This section highlights job boards and resources designed for advanced degree holders
Job Board Resources
Finding the right opportunity after a PhD often requires searching beyond traditional academic channels. The job boards below feature a mix of academic, industry, nonprofit, and government roles where advanced degrees are valued.
Full PhD Resource List
Discover a curated list of career resources and support services for PhDs and academics considering a move outside academia or seeking a new career path.
Who Created After Your PhD LLC?
After Your PhD is created and run independently by Ryan Collins, PhD.
Stay Updated on Recent News & The Podcast on Substack!
Latest After Your PhD Blog Posts
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10 Best Books for Finding Your Purpose and Career Direction
One of the hardest questions to answer in your career is also one of the simplest: What do I actually want to do? For many people, career uncertainty is not just about finding a better job. It is about understanding what matters to them, what kind of life they want to build, and how their…
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What Are AI Training Jobs? A Guide for PhDs and Master’s Graduates
What Is an AI Training Job? AI training jobs involve helping improve artificial intelligence systems by providing human feedback on model outputs. Modern AI systems are trained on enormous amounts of data, but they continue to rely on human evaluation throughout their development. Companies use AI trainers to assess the quality of responses, identify factual…
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Thinking About Another Degree? Try This First
I have two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree, and a PhD. I love learning and I genuinely believe higher education has transformed my life and opened doors but I know deep down that degrees aren’t everything. If you’re considering another degree because you’re struggling to find a job, feeling stuck in your career, or unsure…
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10 Best Books for Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
One of the most surprising parts of earning a PhD is realizing that self-doubt doesn’t disappear once you graduate. In many cases, it becomes even more noticeable. Whether you’re starting your first industry job, interviewing for positions outside academia, or taking on more responsibility at work, it’s common to wonder whether you’re qualified enough or…
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Are Paid Career Services Worth It for PhDs?
Disclaimer: This article is intended to provide general guidance on paid career services. It does not explicitly endorse or oppose any specific business or organization. Many PhDs and academics explore paid career services when transitioning beyond academia. These services can include career coaching, resume reviews, interview preparation, networking support, and job search strategy sessions. For…
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SEO Career Pivot Guide
What is SEO? At its most basic level, SEO is about helping users find what they’re looking for through organic search channels like Google or Bing by optimizing web assets such as a website. For example, if someone searches for “best purple hats” and your website sells purple hats, effective SEO helps ensure your site…