by Lori Mielcarek, MA and Christina J. Borbely
Teachers College, Columbia University
Today, 33% of those with a doctoral degree in psychology are working in
academia compared to 55% of psychologists in 1973. It would seem that a large
majority of us have opted for suits or at least business casual attire instead
of the scholar’s robe. One reason for this shift has been new opportunities to
apply doctorate level skills in the private sector. How do emerging
professionals find and prepare for these opportunities? As graduate students, we
are in the midst of academe and can rely on the experience of faculty advisors
and professors to “learn the ropes” of the academic career path. The
academic arena does not, however, readily offer insight into the professional
world outside the ivory tower.
An abundance of resources and options are available for graduate students who
are carving out non-academic career paths. Internet searches result in a
multitude of helpful sites, university career centers are catering to doctorate
recipients on the non-academic track, and articles on the topic appear
frequently in professional newsletters. The challenge that graduate students
face is how to sort through all the information and narrow down their options.
Students interested in life outside the ivory tower do not lack the skills or
experiences necessary for other job settings. Margaret Newhouse, assistant
director of career services for Ph.D’s at Harvard University, describes the
most obvious skills as being analytical, research competence, communication,
teaching, and discipline-related skills. Newhouse recommends that graduate
students create their own list of skills and attributes gained from their
academic, work, and extracurricular experiences. For example, Newhouse breaks
down the process of writing a dissertation into the following skills: managerial
capabilities, marshaling and organizing resources, time management, initiative,
endurance, and optimism. Teaching and supervising other students also involve a
host of valuable skills.
Since skills gained from graduate studies can be transferred to a variety of
non-academic settings, students should conduct thorough self-assessments to
narrow down their options. Self-assessment tools are available at career centers
and via the Internet. Career opportunities lie in a range of employment
settings, including non-profit organizations, foundations, research institutes,
corporations, and government agencies. A sample of potential U.S. and
international employers is listed below.
In preparation for a non-academic career, graduate students need to transform
their curriculum vitaes (CV) into resumes. Newhouse explains that while a CV
displays academic credentials and accomplishments in great detail, a resume
indicates seriousness of intent to an employer. Students may want to consider
gaining experience in the private sector to inform their professional decisions
as well as their resume. Internships and part-time or summer positions are
valuable opportunities to “learn the ropes” in a non-academic setting.
The best place for students to begin their journeys to non-academic careers
is The Chronicle of Higher Education’s website - the article “Where to Find
Information on Nonacademic Careers”, by Gabriela Montell, is a good first
step. Other valuable resources include the American Psychological Association
and The Vault. Listed below are general resources, in addition to a list of
non-academic organizations oriented towards child and adolescent development and
public policy.
Good luck with your search!
General Information
American Psychological Association: Non-Academic Careers for Scientific
Psychologists
http://www.apa.org/science/nonacad.html
and http://www.apa.org/science/nonacad_careers.html
AmoebaWeb: Psychology on the Web
A Resource for PhDs Considering Careers Beyond the University
Catholic University of America: Careers in Psychology
Chronicle of Higher Education articles:
1. Where to
Find Information on Nonacademic careers
2. Transferring
Your Skills to a Non-Academic Setting
3. From CV to
Resume
Pursuing Psychology Career Page
Vault.com articles:
1. Grad
School Reality Check
2. Life
After Grad School: It Does Exist
WORK4US: Expanded Horizons
for Graduate Students Past and Present
Child and Adolescent Development and Public Policy Agencies:
Annie E. Casey Foundation
Association for Public Policy
Analysis and Management
Center for Law and Social Policy
Children’s Defense Fund
Child Development Policy
Institute
Child Trends
Child Welfare League of America
Educational Testing Service
Foundation for Child Development
Girls Incorporated
Guide to Careers in
Child and Family Policy
National Institute
of Child Health and Human Development: Demographic and Behavioral Sciences
Branch
Search Institute
Non-profit Organizations & Foundations
Carnegie Corporation of New York
Children’s Aid Society, New
York. (see local CAS, too)
Ford Foundation
Forum for Youth Investment
Lucille Packard Foundation for Children’s
Health
Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center
NonProfit Genie
The Foundation Center
The NonProfit Times
William T. Grant Foundation
International Organizations
Child Advocacy International
Family Health International
Save the Children
United Nations Children’s Fund at UNICEF
World Health
Organization, Department of Child & Adolescent Health & Development
Jacobs Foundation
U.S. Corporations
J.P. Morgan Chase & Co
Gartner Group
