I’ve earned my PhD — what now?
Summary
Nature answers a common post-PhD crisis with practical perspective: a PhD doesn’t lock you into a single, linear academic path. Experts and recent graduates emphasise that career choices are increasingly “self-authored” — you shape work to fit life priorities rather than follow a fixed ladder. The piece highlights three themes: recognise the emotional reality of the transition, translate research skills for non-academic roles, and persistently explore opportunities and networks. Examples include a biomedical-chemistry PhD holder who moved into medical writing and research showing personal priorities often steer career choices.
Key Points
- Finishing a PhD often triggers a career identity crisis — this is common and not a failure.
- Academic careers are less linear now; many people craft “self-authored” careers combining research skills with other roles.
- Translate technical achievements into outcomes on your CV (focus on results, leadership and impact).
- Use networks, talks and alumni to discover non-academic roles — examples include medical writing, museum curation and communications.
- Perseverance matters: job-hunting is itself a full-time task; expect many applications and keep iterating your approach.
- Personal priorities (location, family, stability) often outweigh prestige when shaping long-term careers.
Why should I read this?
Feeling lost after your viva? This is the short, useful read that tells you: you’re not broken, your PhD is useful outside the ivory tower, and there are concrete first steps (rewrite the CV, join communities, try short contracts). Saves you panicking and gives a plan — quick.
Author style
Punchy: the article is direct and practical. It cuts through the doom-scroll of postdoc misery and gives realistic, actionable guidance — so if you care about keeping research in your life without sacrificing stability, read the detail.
Context and relevance
With rising living costs and short academic contracts, this guidance is timely. It reflects broader trends: diversified career paths for doctorates, increased value on transferable skills, and the need to balance research ambitions with life goals. Useful for recent PhD graduates, supervisors advising students, and career services.