The experience at a non-academic institution can take some getting used to. The power structure is different, tasks are much more guided and there is always some sort of goal to strive for. Gone are self-discovery and endless writing, replaced by deadlines, coffee and accountability. But there is always a regular paycheck and job security to sweeten the deal. Find out if a job in industry is right for you with advice from ex-professors and others who have made the change.

Also here are guides to finding a job in the private sector. You might think that executives would be eager to snatch up naive collegians after their disappointment from academia. In fact, many doctorates have trouble applying to jobs outside of the classroom. Finding a job that is both challenging and willing to accept an employee with little real world experience is a difficult task.

Employers want people that, first and foremost, get the job done. An ex-aspiring professor has no proven track record. They are a wild card. There is a certain amount of stigma that goes with extended learning. Some see it as a way to avoid a real job or even a marker of eccentricities not suited for office settings, even if these are exceptions to the rule. To find a job outside of academia you will have to prove your worth. The articles here are filled with suggestions to make your academic experience speak to your hireability.

Just knowing where to look can be a challenge as well. Job boards have been included to show where doctorates can find work that matches their skills. They are focused on opportunities outside the traditional realm of educated employment, but include some academic positions as well. Some focus on a specific sector while others are very broad. Check them out if you’re considering jumping ship.

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