By: Jordan Whitlock, Ph.D.
You’ve spent years becoming an expert in a specific topic, writing countless discussions, and with your defense of your PhD right around the corner, you are about to finally obtain that title you have worked tirelessly towards – Doctor! As you celebrate your accomplishments and journey with your new degree, even more opportunities and challenges present themselves. This article highlights seven key considerations that may ease your transition from your dissertation to your next career destination.
1. As with anything new, start with a plan to navigate the competitive job market! Researching industry trends, tailoring your applications, and considering alternative career paths that align with your skills is a powerful approach to your life.
Now that you have compiled a toolkit to tackle any science problem placed in front of you, those same skills can be applied to the job market. Some individuals know whether they want to stay in academia or pursue a job in industry. Additional roles for graduates exist in policy, advocacy, science education, and publishing. The first step is identifying where your career interests lie. Once you have established your sector, do your research to establish a working knowledge for the required qualifications (including soft skills) and identify potential employers.
Do you need to secure funding? Does the role in which you are interested require a CV or resume when applying? Is there anyone in your network you can use for an informational interview to gather more data points? Once you are ready to apply, diversify the number and types of applications you are submitting. You can always transition to new roles once within a company. And, if you don’t get the first couple of jobs you apply for, keep applying. If you are looking for extra help, ASHG’s Career Center is a great place to start!
2. Be prepared to shift from focused research to broader applications—whether in industry, academia, or beyond. Your ability to apply problem-solving skills across different domains will be crucial.
At the beginning of a PhD, an individual learns a little about a multitude of different topics as they familiarize themselves with a field. Over time, that vast breadth of knowledge deepens to become narrower in focus and more specific. By the time one defends, they are the world’s expert in their dissertation topic. After a PhD, unless you continue in the same research, you must shift gears and reapply those skills to learn new topics with PhD-level expertise at a faster pace.
3. Expect increased responsibilities as you move into new roles, from managing projects and budgets to leading teams and making strategic decisions.
With every new career stage comes an equally important increase in responsibilities. The time management and prioritization you used during your dissertation planning are even more important as you are expected to manage more now that you have your degree. Depending on the career you enter, your new role may require the delivery of measurable results within a set timeframe. This contrasts with the largely self-directed PhD. Furthermore, many post-PhD roles require leading teams, mentoring junior colleagues, or making key research/business decisions. You may be expected to oversee projects rather than just contribute to them.
4. Actively build your network by connecting with professionals outside your immediate research circle, attending conferences, and engaging in industry or interdisciplinary collaborations.
Your network never stops growing and should change with each career stage you enter. In addition to the peers and colleagues from your graduate school experience, your network should also include new connections with your new role. These could include potential collaborators, competitors, or other professional colleagues in your space. In addition, use your network to seek out mentorship opportunities and be ready to mentor others. The guidance you obtain from experienced professionals and your ability to support those following in your footsteps will be invaluable.
5. Continue leveling up your skills and education, whether by learning new technologies, understanding business and policy aspects of your field, or pursuing certifications that enhance your expertise.
While technical expertise is valuable, employers also expect strategic thinking, adaptability, and business acumen. You may need to learn data analysis, regulatory compliance, product development, or people management to succeed in your role. Some employers will offer to cover new certificates or classes to support this continued education. In addition, a focus on soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, in addition to technical knowledge, can ease the transition into your new career.
6. Recognize and manage imposter syndrome, knowing that self-doubt is common but does not define your capabilities.
Your PhD has equipped you with the critical thinking, adaptability, and resilience that you need for this new endeavor. Changes or uncertainty in a new environment and season of life can make one feel inadequate. Have a plan to reach out to your friends, your therapist, or your support group whenever this happens. Whenever you are in doubt, remind yourself that you are an intelligent individual who completed a whole dissertation and defended it. You got this!
7. Learn to communicate with broader audiences, translating complex research into clear and impactful messages that resonate with industry leaders, policymakers, and the general public.
In academia, your primary audience was your advisor, committee, and peers. In a new role, you may need to address executives, investors, patient communities, clinicians, or government agencies with different priorities. Your success depends on communicating science and research effectively to non-experts and aligning goals with broader organizational objectives.
–Jordan Whitlock, PhD, is a scientific coordinator at the SETBP1 Society in Birmingham, Alabama