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.
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.
Support After Your PhD
After Your PhD is created and run independently by Ryan Collins, PhD.
If you’ve found this free resource helpful,
you can support the continued development of the site by leaving a tip or partner with After Your PhD.
Stay Updated on Recent News & The Podcast on Substack!
Latest After Your PhD Blog Posts
-
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…
-
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…
-
The Best Analogy for Career Pivoting I’ve Ever Heard
A big part of career pivoting is reading, learning, and borrowing wisdom from others who’ve navigated change before us. I’ve shared this before on social media and even in some older Medium posts, but Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide by Christopher Caterine, PhD was one of the most formative books for me early on. I…
-
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. This guide is designed for anyone interested in project management, regardless of background or career stage. That said, it includes additional insights tailored specifically for academics navigating the shift out of academia. You’ll find…
-
Career Paths in Educational Technology
For academics seeking meaningful work beyond traditional faculty roles, educational technology offers a natural bridge between scholarly expertise and real-world impact. This field allows you to apply your strengths in research, teaching, and learning design to roles that shape how education evolves across institutions, industries, and communities. What Does a Career in Educational Technology Look…
-
Books To Build Your Business Acumen
Earning a PhD teaches you how to think critically, analyze data, and explore ideas deeply, but it doesn’t always teach you how to speak the language of business (unless you have a business degree). Whether you’re moving into industry, considering consulting, or simply want to understand how organizations operate, developing business acumen can help you…