Download - Exploring Careers Outside of Academia
Exploring Careers Outside of Academia
Location: POD 60Phone: (416) 979 – 5177Email: [email protected]: Mon – Thu 8:30 am – 6:30 pm/Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Career Development Workshops
Get ReadyKnow yourself and what you
want
Get SetPresent yourself with style
GOMake your move
• Discovering Your Career Passion
• The “Wow” Factor: Resumes & Cover Letters that Stand Out
• Job Search Strategies that Maximize Results
• Exploring Careers Outside of Academia
• Interview Techniques that Land the Job
• Networking On & Offline
• Grad School Application Essentials
• LinkedIn: Developing Career Connections & Effective Profiles
• Cultural Adaptation: Working in Canada
Agenda
5. Create a Personal Brand- What do I want them to know about me?
1. What Brings You Here?- Introduction
2. Major Concerns in Job Search
3. Exploring Other Areas- What other kinds of jobs are out there for me?
4. Conducting a Successful Job Search- Self Assessment- Skills Inventory- CV vs. Resume- Job search methods
What Brings You Here?
Your ordinal plan was to go into academia, but then…?You feel that the labor market is
poor.You got a PhD for its own sake and want to see what’s out there.
You have no idea what is out there and what your education can do for you.
Potential BarriersLow Labor Market Prospects Several studies have shown a rapid decline in educational funding across many
faculties One study indicated that only 50% of doctorate grads work in academia, and only
50% of them work full time
Environment You’re used to an academic environment and are not sure how to adapt to the
“outside” You’re accomplishments may be difficult to translate to employers You may not have “traditional” work history
Emotional You feel that leaving academia means leaving behind all that you have done Ironically you may feel that you may know nothing
Myths About Post-Graduate Degrees & Job Search
Adapted from an article from the University of Florida, Career Resource Centre
Myth 1: “I have no skills outside of academia”Truth: You have gained many valuable transferable skills throughout your education
These are also known as employability skills that many employers will find attractive. These are gained through your research work (both for
your papers and for the professor you had worked for), projects, committees, volunteer work, student organizations and survival work.
Some examples of these skills include: Communication skills Training/Consulting
Research skills Problem Solving and Leadership skills
Myth 2: “No one will hire me with such little work experience”Truth: You have already gained valuable work experience
What you need to remember is that you need to “speak” the language of the employers when discussing your experiences. You have many
skills and experiences to offer to employers, but you need to bridge the “meaning” of what these are so that the employer sees its value.
This means learning to say what they want to hear.
Myth 3: “I have no idea where to work” “It’s impossible to get a job” “I’m over qualified”
Truth: You are not overqualified. There are plenty of places to work, however, you just might need to think outside of the box.
Myth 4: “I can’t talk to my advisor. They want me to stay in academia”
Truth: You are not the first person to explore other options.
It is important to speak honestly with your advisors and mentors. However, you want to avoid just dropping this idea on them. It is better to approach this concern
with more of an exploratory discussion method. That way, you can get their advice and potential
leads for others who have also gone through this process.
Exploring Other AreasThere may be many other areas that you can explore outside of academia in which
your education and skills will be highly valued. Here are some sample areas:
Higher Education Administration (You may not have to leave the school environment after all!)
Teaching, Writing, Learning centres Research and Public Affairs offices Student and Academic affairs Project Management
Law Counsel Litigator License Patent Agent
Consulting Cooperate Strategy Human Resources Marketing
Government/Not-for-Profit Regulator
Researcher Policy Maker Scientist Administrative work Project Management
Finance iBanker
Financial Analyst, Advisor Business Development
Media Journalist
Writer
Industry Research & Development Medical
Pharmaceutical Engineering
Become an Entrepreneur Consultant
Do the same type of research, but now for companies
Reporter Publishing
Take a look at the resources below to find out more about these
careers
Or, professional association websites
National Occupational Classification
www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC
Working in Canada www.workingincanada.gc.ca
Career Cruising www.careercruising.com
Username: ryersoncruise
Password: 00ru01f
Ontario Job Futures www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/ojf/
O*Net http://online.onetcenter.org
Conducting A Success Job Search
The next step in your journey is to begin job search. However before we can start, there are three very important things that
need to happen first.
1. Self Assessment2. Skills Assessment3. Research the industries
and jobs
1. Self AssessmentBefore you look at the jobs, you need to look at yourself.
Most Common Question
“I don’t know what I want to do. Is there a test or something that
can tell me what career is right for me?”
NO
Objectives of Career Exploration
Self-assessment is the first step of the career planning process. It allows you to learn more about your:
• An informed career decision• Information for a strong resume• Self knowledge for interviews
• Interests • Skills • Personality • Values
• Natural talents• Work styles • Unique strengths in
relation to career fields and titles
The result is:
2. Skills/Strengths Assessment
There are many skills that you have that add value to you - and being a good researcher is just the beginning. Some examples include:
What you need to know is what you can offer an employer.
Conducting
Presentations
Public Speaking
Listening
Organization
Collaboration … and many others!
ActivityLook at the “Personal Strengths” worksheet and take a few minutes to checkmark any of the strengths you think you have. Fill out the YOU side only. Pick a strength from the list and prepare to present it to the rest of the class.
3. Research the Industries and JobsAs part of this process, you need to relearn how to present yourself in such a way that
employers find value in you. The best way to find this out is to research the key terms they use and understand their vision and point of view.
Feature vs. BenefitAn information dump of what you did and how you did it that presents YOUR academic backgrounds. This could include words, jargon and results that may mean little to the employer because it lacks relevance.
Feature:
Benefit: Demonstrating how what you did and how you did it will benefit the employer in terms that they can relate to. This again means knowing what they want, first.
Using LinkedInAmong its benefits, LinkedIn is a great source for research. There are several Groups (forums) that are dedicated to careers outside of academia that you can look into joining. The members of these particular groups are individuals who may have found themselves in a similar situation you’re currently in. These individuals may be people you’d like to connect with and/or find out about their experiences.
CV vs. ResumeIn the vast majority of cases, an employer is going to want a resume instead of your CV.
Please attend our Resume & Cover Letters that Stand Out workshop, or book an appointment to find out more detailed information. Below is a
quick summary of differences.
CV Resume
Length
Content
Use
No page limit
Emphasis on academic experience (e.g. research,
teaching, publications)
Skills, experience, education
1 or 2 pages
For academic or research positions, grad school,
fellowships, grants
For employers outside of academia or
research
Job Search MethodsSuccess in your job search will greatly depend on the method you use.
The most popular include:
1. Internet Job Search2. Networking3. Recruitment Agencies
The following slide will provide a synopsis of these methods; but for more detailed information, please attend a counselling session or attend our Job Search Strategies
and Networking On and Offline workshops.
1. Online Job SearchingBy far the most used method to look for employment. However, on a statistical level, the least effective. Although many schools will post employment opportunities online, many mid-small sized companies will not. Most current statistics state that up to 70% of jobs are not found online.
2. NetworkingStatistically, one of the least used methods. However, one of the most successful! A current survey that had been conducted, stated that up to 80% of jobs are found through networking. Part of this reason is that there is less competition, and creating a personal connection is always superior.
Informational Interviews: This is a highly effective form of networking in which you would speak directly, either in person or on the phone, to someone who is in your desired work field. This is when you can ask customized questions about your next steps.
3. Recruitment AgenciesThese are for-profit, commission based, organizations that can act as a “bridge builder” for you. They often have hidden jobs and direct contacts with employers that they can connect you with if they wish to take you on as a client.
Creating a Personal BrandBranding is very important in the current labour market. It helps set you apart and makes you memorable. When creating a brand, you need to answer a very important question -
“What do I want them to know and remember about me?”
Since you are looking at making a “jump” in your current career it is important that your brand is both focused and relevant to your goal. A brand can be both a statement and an
overall impression.
Branding ActivityPlease complete the form below.
Summary
Remember that you have accomplished a lot to get where you are right now.
There are many potential barriers, but also many myths about leaving academia. You may have to think outside of the box to
achieve your goals. It is important to know your direction, know what you have to offer and know how to get there.
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Ryerson University Career Development & Employment Centre
www.ryerson.ca/career
Contact Information:
Location: POD 60
Phone: (416) 979 – 5177
Email: [email protected]
Regular Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Friday – 8:30 am – 4:30 pminstagram.com/ryersoncareer