Doing a doctorate is about making a transition. Some do it to gain a new perspective in their careers and recognition for their expertise, some are looking for new research and analytical skills, some simply for personal fulfillment, and then some do a doctorate to share their skills with the world through consulting or teaching. This article provides a few tips on making that transition a success, helping you navigate your post-doctoral journey with confidence.
Determining your path
When making career plans for after obtaining your degree, you first need to ask yourself what do you want to do with your newly recognized expertise. There are largely two broad paths for PhD graduates – academics or professional.
According to a 2019 AACSB / EDAMBA survey, 66% of doctoral graduates prefer to stay in academia. Nevertheless, the options do not stop there. You may explore a post-doc, become an adjunct or assistant professor, a lecturer, or work in research, for example. Each of these profiles need to be explored and considered as you start your search.
The expertise gained while doing a PhD or a DBA is also appreciated in industry. For those who want a more hands-on career, doctoral graduates often find careers as analysts, management consultants, policy makers in government, business developers, or as entrepreneurs.
Building your network
Building your network takes time and involves work. This is done from the Day 1 of your program. Go to conferences, give presentations, publish, meet other researchers, reach out to those with similar interests, join associations, and get to know your professors and peers.
Make an academic personal website, highlighting your achievements and your research goals. Add your CV in a simple, machine-readable format. It is important to include a high quality, professional headshot and short bio that can also be used by journalists.
Be present on LinkedIn or other social media. Join and post in groups and make sure your name and profile are easily searchable for researchers to find you or tag you. Put yourself out there and claim your expertise. You have to give much more than you get, but it will be worth it and you will have a richer network.
Searching for academic jobs
Business school rankings, such as FT or QS, can help you get to know more about the university you are exploring. Look at journals and the school’s database to see if it is research active in your domain.
Recruitment websites, such as Akadeus, include positions at all experience levels for faculty and researchers. Other common websites for listings can be found on LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed, or academicpositions.com.
Job fairs are also a great way to network and get feedback on your research from other PhDs or professors. At the EFMD job fair, for example, candidates present their job market paper to recruiters in a research presentation, followed by a Q&A session. The recruiters then schedule on-site interviews with the candidates they are interested in.
Considering geographies
Accreditation bodies, such as AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, standardize education and administrative processes, allowing Business Schools to recruit PhD graduates from all over the world. An academic position abroad could be an exciting opportunity and allow you broaden your network and career options.
Be aware that schools may have varying hiring approaches as well as differences in recruitment processes globally. American schools may recruit earlier than French, for example. However, some top-tier European schools may be aligned more with the US.
Some schools, especially in North America, will often do a preliminary interview online or at a conference and the final interview may be extended over a couple days. In France, they might expect you to come first in person. Identifying your desired region and asking the right questions will help you to adopt the appropriate strategy.
Preparing for the interview
Unfortunately, the degree alone is unlikely to get you the interview. For a research-oriented job, you will need publications. For teaching positions, you will need to demonstrate your experience. Target the positions that best fit your profile and prepare your CV and portfolio accordingly.
Consider both your short-term and long-term goals. For the interview, be prepared to discuss topics such as your teaching philosophy, your current research and ambitions, your contributions, and potential involvement at the school or in the department. Define your needs and don’t be afraid to negotiate. Ask questions – what is the teaching load? The cost of living? The type of contract? The relocation budget? The research budget and research expectations? – To give a few.
In conclusion, a doctorate from a research-active, accredited, recognized business school is essential in building an academic career, but only one of the many steps. A PhD and DBA program is more than the coursework and thesis. It is a time to explore new career paths and geographies, build your profile for the desired position, expand your network, and prepare for your future.
Grenoble Ecole de Management’s top rankings in research, triple accreditation, and rigorous research program, means that doctoral candidates graduate with a solid publication record and are highly attractive in the academic job market. To learn more about our PhD and DBA programs, visit our website or contact us: Jinnie Hinderscheit, jinnie.hinderscheit@grenoble-em.com
Learn more
Read more about the Academic Career Path in the 2022 issue of the Doctoral Knowledge Journal. Four of our DBA alumni share with us how they made an important career transition to Academia, discovering their love of teaching and research. Then six of our recent PhD graduates share their job market experience, giving advice to future graduates looking to prepare for their academic career.
- DBA
- PhD
