Doctoral education produces highly skilled researchers, writers, and critical thinkers, yet many PhD students find it difficult to translate those skills into meaningful non-academic careers. With academic positions becoming increasingly scarce and the career landscape diversifying, institutions have a growing responsibility to help PhD graduates apply their expertise in a range of professional settings.鈥
Beginning January 2027, Beyond the Academy听is a five-week听professional development program designed to help PhD students.
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How does it work?
Step 1:
Understand the landscape of non-academic careers.鈥
Step 2:
Reflect on personal values and strengths.
Step 3:
Translate academic experience into professional competencies.鈥
Step 4:
Build professional networks and online presence.鈥
Step 5:
Develop concrete strategies for career exploration and job searching.鈥
The program will be cohort-based, combining reflective exercises, practical workshops, and alumni engagement. Sessions will be held both in-person and online. It will culminate in an actionable career plan and professional online profile for each participant.鈥
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Program Schedule
Rethinking the PhD Career Narrative: Designing a Meaningful Career for PhD Students
Date: Monday, January 11, 2027
Location: 109 Atkinson
Theme: From 鈥淧lan A鈥 to 鈥淧lural Pathways鈥 Reframe success beyond the academic track. Reflect on values, motivations, and what meaningful work looks like.
Stages of Change
Date: Monday, January 18, 2027
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Theme: Understanding the process of change and its impact. Learning about the stages of change and how each stage works in relation to decisions about meaningful work.
From Applications to Connections Online Professional Identity, Networking and Storytelling
Date: Monday, January 25, 2027
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Theme: Making yourself discoverable and credible online. Building relationships, not just r茅sum茅s by networking authentically.
Career Clarity
Date: Monday, February 1, 2027
Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Theme: Seeing the possibilities without overthinking decisions and losing self-confidence.
From Exploration to Action:听 Mapping the Non-Academic Landscape & Translating Academic Skills
Date: Monday, February 8, 2027
Location: 109 Atkinson
Theme: Turning insight into strategy. Synthesize learning into an individualized career plan. Identify short-term goals, mentorship needs, and next steps.