The Non-Academic Graduate Student Job Search
Is a job outside of academia the right option for you? A graduate degree and the skills acquired in earning it can prove valuable beyond the ivory tower. As you gain transferable skills and reflect on your interests, you’ll find your master’s or doctoral degree can translate very to a wide range of industries.
It's both exciting and daunthing to think about all the new options for your career path, so we encourage you to meet early on with a Career Development Advisor. Whether you are in your first year of graduate study or ready for commencement, a Career Development Advisor can help you explore and develop your career goals, as well as implement a plan to meet them. In preparation, you may want to explore these self-guided tools.
- Imagine PhD - Resource for humanities and social science graduate students to explore career options
- My IDP - Resource for S.T.E.M. Ph.D candidates in early stages of exploring career paths outside of academic research
- LUC video guide for an effective career exploration and development process
- O*Net - career exploration by industry and job search analysis tools/salary data
Teaching courses and/or conducting research help you gain transferrable skills. In addition, interning or volunteering off-campus can add relevant experience to your resume in fields that might be new to you. You can find internship and volunteer opportunities on Handshake. Also consider applying for a micro-internship (paid projects) through the LUC Micro-Internship Program.
As part of your job search plan, you'll need to market yourself in the right way for the right opportunities. We recommend scheduling an appointment for help with networking and tips for making your resume, cover letters, and LinkedIn profile work for you. Then, you may want to follow-up with a Mock Interview for live practice talking about your skills. For more help marketing yourself, check out the following resources:
- LUC's Sample Application Materials, Guides for Interviewing and LinkedIn, and Self-Guided Mock Interview
- Networking events and opportunites to connect with employers listed in Handshake
- A list of transferable skills for Ph.D students created by the University of Michigan
For more career resources for graduate students, visit Funding for Graduate School and The Academic Job Search sections of our website.