Research student careers: frequently asked questions
How do I get into academia as a career?
What opportunities are there for skilled retirees in part time work?
Will employers be put off by my research qualifications. Am I over qualified?
Why does a research degree not provide qualification for clinical practice?
What has research shown about employer perceptions of research graduates?
How can I explain the value of my research when I apply for jobs?
Will employers see my time studying away from the workforce as a negative?
What jobs do research graduates get?
How can I develop better networks to help me get a job?
Where can I find out about graduate positions?
Is there advice available for international students about job application processes?
How can I get a job if I don't have work experience?
How do I deal with setbacks when employers aren't interested in me?
How do I get into academia as a career?
Most academic positions involve two major roles (a) teaching and (b) research, although some position involve one without the other. We will consider how you acquire the skills and experience for each separately.
Teaching
Tutoring, lecturing and coordinating parts of curriculum all provide excellent experience for gaining later employment. Employers always ask about your previous experience so it is a good idea to keep a record of all courses you have taught including the aims and objectives of the courses, year level and key duties you performed.
Students can usually gain quite a lot of teaching experience whilst completing a research degree. You can post CVs to the casual tutoring register available in each Division and some schools. If you are interested in teaching a particular course, contact the research degree coordinator a few months before the commencement of the course to register your interest. You should promote your expertise in the field and any teaching or presenting experience you have had when you do this. It is also a good idea to let your supervisors know that you want to teach, ask them about courses that would intersect with your own research interests and expertise and ask about any useful contacts they might have.
There may be opportunities in other Universities and in TAFE that are worth looking out for. Adelaide and Flinders University often advertise for casual tutors on their job websites.
Current Jobs @ The University of Adelaide
Research
Careers in research exist both within Universities and outside in industry, business, government organisations and private consultancies.
The keys to embarking on a successful research degree are (a) publication and (b) networking. It is important to write up parts of your work as soon as they are of sufficient quality and submit them for publication. You should also attend the important conferences in your field and present your work. Ultimately your research career will depend on the quality and number of your publications and who knows you and your work.
Yu should start to network as soon as possible. Start by getting to know local people in your field, then those around Australia and the world. It is a great idea to meet people by email, blogs, websites and discussion lists. Don't be afraid to approach senior people in your field. Many very successful researchers are keen to mentor new researchers. Many students secure research positions through networks whilst they are still studying and students often take on research positions overseas. Having a world wide focus in your job search and networking activities will massively increase your career options.
Many researchers also raise their own funding through grant applications. There are many different types of grants available and researchers may be employed on industry, government or combined grants. Your chances of winning grants will depend on the quality of the application, the quality of your research up to that point and the number and quality of your publications.
The site below has excellent tips on how to build your research networks.
RESA online: Networking in the research community
What opportunities are there for skilled retirees in part time work?
Employers increasingly value the experience and attitude mature workers bring to an organisation. In addition changes to the labour market over recent years have led to increasing part time and casual employment which can be well suited to semi-retired workers. Part time and casual positions are often not advertised so people are often recruited for these positions by word of mouth. Developing strong networks in your field and being involved non paid activities such as committees and professional associations will improve your chances of finding suitable part time work.
Useful links
Paid part-time or casual work not relevant to my degree
Don't Overlook Mature Expertise (DOME)
Will employers be put off by my research qualifications. Am I over qualified?
A number of research students have reported experiencing a negative reaction from potential employers regarding their research qualifications. This has included some employers viewing the time spent researching as being out of touch with relevant industry experience, and reports of other employers feeling threatened by the applicants qualifications, or believing that they will not remain in the job.
Whilst job seekers can not control the attitudes of employers, they can seek to market themselves and their skills in the most positive light, and aim to dispel any miss-conceptions potential employers may have. This can be done by being clear about the skills and knowledge you have gained through your research, particularly those transferable skills which are relevant to the particular career you may be pursuing.
Employer quote:
"We prefer to focus on individual candidates qualities and the personal transferable skills they offer."
Fighting the Overqualified Label: 10 Tactics for a Successful Job-Search
Why does a research degree not provide qualification for clinical practice?
Research qualification can be a fantastic addition to clinical practice qualifications. Not only will you gain detailed information to assist you in applying an evidence base to your practice, but you will have the skills to effectively link future clinical practice with ongoing research.
Because clinical qualifications require study across a broad range of clinical practice (which usually include clinical placement) research degrees do not generally provide eligibility for professional registration as a clinical practitioner.
What has research shown about employer perceptions of PhD graduates?
There is an increasing awareness across a wide range of industries about the value of generic skills that a higher degree student develops. In 2005 91% of research graduates seeking full time employment were in full time work when surveyed after graduation. This compares with 72% of graduates from undergrad programs. This significant difference is representative of the value that employers place on research qualifications.
How can I explain the value of my research when I apply for jobs?
If you are applying for a job in your field of research then you may focus a considerable amount on the nature of research you have been undertaking, identifying the specific and maybe technical skills and knowledge which is relevant to the job.
If you are applying for jobs which are not directly related to your field of study then you will focus much more heavily on the transferable skills you have developed during your research. Looking at recruitment advertisements you will notice that employers rarely focus on specific technical skills in their job advertisements. Usually they focus on a broader range of skills and attributes which characterise a applicants employability. These include communication skills, team work, organisation, strategic thinking, attention to detail etc. When applying for jobs applicants should highlight the ways in which they have developed and demonstrated these skills though their research.
The development of Graduate Qualities and tools used in identifying your skills through the 'final review of progress' can be valuable tools in identifying the value of your research degree in employment.
Research as preparation for employment
Will employers see my time studying away from the workforce as a negative?
Some students report that employer has viewed the time they spent studying as a break from relevant industry experience. This experience highlights the importance of ensuring that potential employers are aware of the full range of relevant experience you have developed through your research degree regardless of the area of research you will be engaged with your sector. Hopefully you developed or maintained involvement with professional associations and a broad range of knowledge regarding "cutting edge" knowledge and practice in your field. Given that you have strong networks, involvement in a range of organisations and/or committees and have developed a host of transferable skills which are of value in any workplace your research should be viewed by employers as a major attribute! Marketing yourself in that way will make a difference.
If you are concerned about employer perceptions of your time out of the workforce you could consider developing a functional rather than chronological resume'. Which highlights your transferable skills, rather than chronology of your employment.
What jobs do research graduates get?
Check out the website below and find out about where research graduates in your field are working.
You my be interested in a few national figures from the 2005 Graduate Destination Survey.
4.4 % of PhD graduates were seeking full time work but not working in April the year after completion.
13% of PhD graduates were seeking full time employment in April the year after completion.
"What Do PhDs Do?" is a comprehensive 2004 study of PhD graduates in the UK.
Key findings of the study include:
- 3% unemployment compared to 7% for 1st degree graduates
- 48% work in the education sector
- 22% work as post doctoral researchers in Higher Education
- 17% work as teachers or lecturers
- 16% work in manufacturing
- 16% work in health and social work
How can I develop better networks to help me get a job?
The RESA Networking site provides excellent information about networking in the research community and includes a discussion list.
RESA online: Networking in the research community
Where can I find out about graduate positions?
Visit the Career Services site and register with MyCareerPlan.
The following links provide a few sources of research job advertisements. You will find research jobs advertised across a wide range of employment advertisers, so find out about the key sources of information in your field, which may include journals and professional associations.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Is there advice available for international students about job application processes?
Visit the UniSA Career Services resources for International students.
How can I get a job if I don't have work experience?
It is important to think about your study and research experiences as important experience. This includes being clear about your skills and marketing them effectively to potential employers. While there is no doubt that experience in paid employment can be an important attribute, you will have developed a wide range of skills an knowledge which can be used to successfully build your career.
Visit the web pages on:
Research as Preparation for Employment
RESA online: Networking in the research community
Overview of a job search strategy
How do I deal with setbacks when employers aren't interested in me?
Dealing with setbacks and rejection unfortunately is a usual part of job search for most people. Thinking of the job search process as a learning activity, and taking away some positives from each experience is important. Try to get as much feedback from potential employers as you can and use that feedback to inform your job search activities. That may mean working on your vitae or refining your strategy. As they say, "with each rejection your a step closer to your dream job".
Some useful links:
Overview of a job search strategy
Job-Hunt's – Turning Rejection into Opportunity
Career Journal – Rejection Is Easy When It's Your Ally