Each year since 2021, there have been anywhere between 52,000 and 57,000 research doctoral degrees awarded in the United States. Depending on the field of study, about 10% to 30% of these new graduates will secure a college or university tenure-track position right after completing their programs. That means 70% to 90% of new PhD graduates will either need to wait for the following year’s cycle of applications for tenure-track positions or start the path toward other careers for which their PhD studies have prepared them. In fact, about half of PhD graduates find satisfying jobs outside of academia in private industry positions, in institutions of education, and other non-academic work. That means that if you keep your options open, you have a very bright future ahead of you in a job you might not have thought would be satisfying.

[Image Description: Timbuk 3 playing a snippet of their 80s hit song, The Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades] 
[Caption: You have a bright future ahead, so get your sunglasses on!]

Unlike the typical academic position, alt-ac (alternative academic) positions have hiring processes similar to those used by most companies – submit an application with references, include a cover letter and resume, and meet the hiring committee if invited for an interview. In her CV to Industry Resume workshop, Dr. Vanessa Lee from the UCR Career Center informed students about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in screening applications for keywords that fit the job description posting. If you want to get your application to the hiring committee for their review, you will need to tailor your resume (and cover letter, for that matter) to the job description of each position to which you are applying.

Here’s another tip: network! Job experts believe networking accounts for 70% to 80% of successful job hunts. Guest speaker DeNeatria Nikky Robinson, Associate Director for Career Development at Purdue University, highlighted the importance of having a professional and updated LinkedIn profile and cautioned job seekers to be aware of networking etiquette when contacting possible connections online. Don’t be afraid to connect with professionals on LinkedIn, but be respectful of their time and be sure to have a good reason for contacting them.

[Image Description: Eugene Levy as Johnny Rose on Schitt’s Creek responding with “You’re not the only one with an online presence.”]
[Pictured: Be considerate and professional when making connections on LinkedIn.]

We also invited Dr. Jay Gilberg, UCR’s Office of Technology Partnerships’ Lead I-Corps Instructor and Entrepreneur-in-Residence, and UCR alums currently in alt-ac jobs to discuss finding fulfilling careers outside academia. It was a wealth of information for those about to enter the job application cycle. Dr. Gilberg introduced the idea of entrepreneurism, which graduate students and postdocs can pursue either after working for a while or right after leaving UCR. As for the panelists, our GSRC Lead Consultant, Arlene Sagastumé (PhD student, Higher Education Admin and Policy), says it well:

“Overall, our panelists emphasized the importance of flexibility—not only within your field of study but also in considering opportunities outside academia. For example, working in industry can be a great option, ensuring that your livelihood is not entirely dependent on government funding, which can be unstable. 
“They also pointed out that a tenure-track position at a university is not the only way to conduct research, teach, and engage in community service. It is possible to find fulfilling work outside the traditional tenure-track route. 
“However, they cautioned that industry positions are not always as stable as tenure-track roles, though they can provide valuable experience across different companies, helping you find the best fit.”

In the final workshop of Career Pathways Week: Beyond Academia, Dr. Lee returned to show how the technical, professional, and management skills and experience gained during graduate school are closely aligned with the skills that employers value in non-academic career fields. Ph.D. students are often more qualified than they believe for non-academic positions that offer work-life balance, financial rewards, and job satisfaction equal to, if not more than, academic positions. You really do have more options for a rewarding career than you might think!

[Image Description: Karrueche Tran as Ivy, the social media influencer in the show Bel-Air declaring, “Damn, I love my job!”]
[Pictured: Keep your options open. You may land the job you never knew you always wanted.]