Life After PhD: What Are Your Options?

Last Updated on: 7th June 2024, 05:20 am

Congratulations, you completed your doctoral degree. It has been years in the making and now you are there. This is a time to relish what you have done and congratulate yourself. It’s also a time to consider what your next steps are. While you may have started your PhD program with future goals in mind, chances are you forgot that life after PhD existed. But now you’re here, and it’s time to consider what to do. So what are your next steps? What comes after you get your PhD?

Personal Life After PhD

I deliberately put this section first. Mostly because, while pursuing a PhD, many people forget that they can have a personal life. Now that you’ve completed your PhD, it’s time to consider what you want your life to look like. Unless you want it to look the same as it did during your PhD program, I recommend taking some time to find yourself again as a whole person, separate from your PhD program. Here are my recommendations.

Celebrate

You did it. This goal has probably been on the horizon for years. Many people think about completing a doctorate well before they enter a program. Then there is coursework and a dissertation to write. You have sacrificed a great deal to get to this point. Take some time for you now to celebrate.  

Thank those who helped you get here. Take yourself and those who were part of the journey out for a celebratory meal. Perhaps there is a trip that you have been putting off until this moment? I have seen a lot of t-shirts lately that say “Phinished.” Let your pride show.

Rest

You have been hard at work on this degree for years. Once you have celebrated, it’s time to take stock of where you are and what you want to do. It may be much different than when you entered your program.

So, take a moment to breathe. Look around you (literally and figuratively) to see what things look like now. Learn to take time to do nothing. This can be very challenging for people who have been so dedicated to the accomplishment of a goal, but it is essential if you are to have space to figure out your next steps.

Find Yourself Again

Remember how you used to like to  _______ (insert your favorite activities here)? Now you can go back and find these things again and maybe get involved in new things. No need to feel guilty any longer for taking time for yourself.

Professional Life After PhD

After you have paused to congratulate yourself and breathe a little I encourage you to jump into the possibilities that await you. Not only have you accomplished a major milestone, you have used and developed many skills to get here. Use everything that you have learned to show the world what you can do. How do you do this? Here are some of your options.

Publishing

You wrote a dissertation, let people know what you found. Make your document into at least one publication. Not only did your dissertation get you across the finish line, but it is also an asset. You worked hard to create a solid document. Make the most of it and add to your academic credibility by publishing in an academic journal.

Also, start pursuing some of the other research areas that interest you. While working on your degree you probably came across a number of interesting ideas that you had to put aside to reach your goal. Now that you have achieved your goal, you can explore. Dig into those topics that piqued your interest. Use those academic chops, flex your research muscles. Life after PhD doesn’t necessarily have to be any less academically rigorous if that’s what you enjoy.

Teaching

Teaching can be a rewarding profession. If you feel this is your calling, consider the following questions: Do you want to teach full time or part time? Would you rather teach online or in a classroom? Are you committed to one geographic location or are you able to relocate? Each area offers various opportunities.

If this is the path you want to pursue, work on creating a CV (curriculum vitae) that fits the standards of your discipline. You will also usually submit documents covering your teaching philosophy, a list of references, research agenda, and copies of teaching reviews. If you get a campus visit interview, you will most likely need to prepare a presentation about your research and may be asked to teach a class. Tip: you can base your presentation on your dissertation defense.

Remember to ask for advice from those who have been there before. Get acquainted with norms. Your professors and advisors are an excellent resource to help you prepare for this, as are my career coaching services.

To find a teaching job, take a look at the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Chronicle posts academic jobs every day. You can also check out HigherEdJobs which has jobs that may not make it to the Chronicle.

If you’re interested in teaching online, take a look at my article about where to find online professor jobs, which includes a list of online universities that are currently hiring.

Jobs Outside of Academia

There may be alternatives to teaching or working in academia. Speaking at conferences, consulting, and getting a promotion or a new job all may be options you want to pursue. Having a PhD means you are part of a small and coveted group outside of academia–use this to your advantage.

If this is the path you want to take, you will need to have a resume and to be ready to answer all kinds of questions. Take the time to update your resume after finishing your PhD, adding relevant new accomplishments and experience besides the degree itself.

Remember to highlight the unique strengths and skills that completing your PhD program demonstrates you have. Remember that you are a member of a small group of people with an exceptionally useful skill set, and a degree to prove it. You have proven your capacity to innovate, learn, work with others, and work hard. Consider what lessons you learned from your PhD program that can apply to any professional setting, and highlight those.

Life After PhD: Summary

You have been through a lot. Late nights, a few tears, lots of work, and maybe even a few laughs. Now you have finished and have completed your doctorate. Congratulate yourself and thank those who helped you.

Take a little time to savor your accomplishment and then chart a path forward. During your journey you planted many seeds, now it is time to let all of them grow. Life after PhD may be even more rewarding than you imagined.

PS. Need some help figuring out life after PhD? I offer career coaching services for postdoctoral graduates.