So What Are You Going to Do With That? Finding Careers Outside Academia by Susan Basalla and Maggie Debelius

The best guide to figuring out your life post-PhD written by two humanities doctorates who’ve been there, done that. Includes many profiles of fellow (former) academics who’ve transitioned to careers beyond the tenure-track.

Work Your Career: Get What You Want from Your Social Sciences or Humanities PhD by Laleen Berdhal and Jonathan Malloy

I loved the authors’ emphasis on getting clear about what you want, and the advice to reflect at each stage of the graduate school process whether continuing on is the right one. It is refreshing to read a book on graduate school that neither presumes academia is the desired career outcome nor implies it ought to be. Instead, the authors encourage readers to keep their options open and rightly point out the benefits of varied work experience, training, and professionalism to careers within and beyond the Ivory Tower.

What is Out There for Me? The Landscape of Post-PhD Career Tracks by Natalia Bielczyk

A Europe-based computational scientist turned entrepreneur, Dr. Bielczyk offers an important perspective on PhD careers, one explicitly aimed at STEM folks. The book benefits from Bileczyk’s personal experiences, extensive research — including interviews with dozens of PhDs — and includes lots of specific advice and suggestions. You can subscribe to her YouTube channel and interact with her on social media.

Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One by Jenny Blake

From the description: “What’s next? is a question we all have to ask and answer more frequently in an economy where the average job tenure is only four years, roles change constantly even within that time, and smart, motivated people find themselves hitting professional plateaus. But how do you evaluate options and move forward without getting stuck?”

What Color is Your Parachute? 2022: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success by Richard N. Bolles with Katharine Brooks

If you read only one book on how to get a job and change careers, make it this one. Bolles has an idiosyncratic writing style but his advice is spot-on.

The 2022 edition was updated by Katharine Brooks, EdD, who is the author of You Majored in What? (below). Great choice! An excellent way to bring a classic up to date, and at a time when good advice and guidance is particularly needed.

Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes by William Bridges

Think you’re taking too long figuring out what’s next? You aren’t! In the pre-modern world, the transition—a psychological process as opposed to simply a change—was understood as a crucial part of life; not so nowadays. But to successfully navigate a transition, an individual has to experience an end, go through a period of nothingness or neutrality, and finally make a new beginning. No part of the process can be skipped or sped through. There are no shortcuts. (Bridges can relate to being post-PhD or on the alt-ac track: He’s got an ivy league PhD and was an English professor until going through an important transition of his own.)

You Majored in What? Designing Your Path from College to Career by Katharine Brooks

Dr. Brooks is a long-time career educator who (as of 2020) directs the career center at Vanderbilt University. This book is aimed at a broader audience of students, but don’t let that dissuade you from checking it out. Starting from the assumption that there are plenty of useful clues in what you’ve done and who you are, and filled with great exercises to help you parse them out, the book will take you through the career exploration process and set you up for a successful job search that is based on a sound understanding of what you want to do and how to make a strong case to employers.

Designing Your New Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness—and a New Freedom—at Work by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

From the description: “Burnett and Evans show us how design thinking can transform our present job, and how it can improve our experience of work in times of disruption. All disruption is personal, write Burnett and Evans, as with the life-altering global pandemic we are living through now. Designing Your New Work Life makes clear that disruption is the new normal, that it is here to stay and that it is accelerating. And in the book’s new chapters, Burnett and Evans show us step by step, how to design our way through disruption and how to stay ahead of it—and thrive.”

Leaving Academia: A Practical Guide by Christopher L. Caterine

Dr. Christopher Caterine is a classics PhD who transitioned into a career in strategic corporate communications. One thing that’s cool about this book is just that: He’s working in the private sector. Humanities PhDs are much less commonly found in the business world compared to academics with other backgrounds, and I think that’s a shame. Chris shows us it’s possible and how you can do it too. (But it’s fine if you’re looking elsewhere.)

Higher Education Careers Beyond the Professoriate edited by Karen Cardozo, Katherine Kearns, and Shannan Palma

Leaving the professoriate doesn’t necessarily mean leaving higher education! This collection of 23 personal essays explores the experiences of PhDs working in universities and colleges outside traditional faculty roles. Contributors discuss careers in administration, student affairs, faculty development, libraries, and other areas, as well as questions of professional identity, institutional culture, and work-life balance. A useful resource for PhDs interested in staying in higher education while pursuing a different kind of career.

Note: The book is available as a free, open-access PDF or EPUB through Purdue University Press.

Voices of the Field: Pathways in Public Ethnomusicology edited by Leon F. Garcia Corona and Kathleen Wiens

A friend of mine contributed a chapter to this. From the description: “These essays capture years of experience of fourteen scholars who have simultaneously navigated the worlds within and outside of academia, sharing valuable lessons often missing in ethnomusicological training. Power and organizational structures, marketing, content management and production are among the themes explored as an extension and re-evaluation of what constitutes the field of/in ethnomusicology. Many of the authors in this volume share how to successfully acquire funding for a project, while others illustrate how to navigate non-academic workplaces, and yet others share perspectives on reconciling business-like mindsets with humanistic goals.”

A Degree in Futility by M.P. Fedunkiw

I started to read this novel one day and just couldn’t stop until I finished. So many feelings! The main character defends her dissertation (history of science, U of T) at the beginning of the book, and the story ends a few years later. Fedunkiw has drawn on her own post-PhD experiences to write this wonderful book about a group of three friends navigating life, love, and work in and out of academia. Do read it.

Succeeding Outside the Academy: Career Paths beyond the Humanities, Social Sciences, and STEM, edited by Joseph Fruscione and Kelly J. Baker

Edited volume of contributions, primarily from women in humanities and social science fields. From the description: “Their accounts afford readers a firsthand view of what it takes to transition from professor to professional. They also give plenty of practical advice, along with hard-won insights into what making a move beyond the academy might entail—emotionally, intellectually, and, not least, financially. Imparting what they wish they’d known during their PhDs, these writers aim to spare those who follow in their uncertain footsteps. Together their essays point the way out of the ‘tenure track or bust’ mindset and toward a world of different but no less rewarding possibilities.”

The Portable PhD: Taking Your Psychology Career Beyond Academia by Patrick Gallagher and Ashleigh Gallagher

From the description: “Each chapter in this book offers tips and key terms for navigating various kinds of employment, as well as simple action steps for communicating your talents to hiring managers. Your ability to conduct research, to understand statistics and perform data analysis, and to perform technical or scientific writing are all highly valuable skills, as are the insights into human nature you’ve gained from your psychology studies, and your ability to think innovatively and work cooperatively in a variety of contexts.”

Turning Science into Things People Need by David M. Giltner

From the description: “In this book, ten respected scientists who have built successful careers in industry reveal new insights into how they made the transition from research scientist to industrial scientist or successful entrepreneur, serving as a guide to other scientists seeking to pursue a similar path. From the student preparing to transition into work in industry, to the scientist who is already working for a company, this book will show you how to sell your strengths and lead confidently.”

Coming to My Senses: A Story of Perfume, Pleasure, and an Unlikely Bride by Alyssa Harad

An English PhDs lovely memoir of discovering the wonders of perfume and embracing who she really is. A story of how one intellectual got back in touch with her feelings, a crucial step on the road to post-PhD happiness and fulfillment. Read an excerpt over at the Chronicle.

The Reimagined PhD: Navigating 21st Century Humanities Education by Leanne M. Horinko, Jordan M. Reed, James M. Van Wyck

This text appeals to both individual PhDs and graduate students figuring out their own pathway forward and faculty members and other university staff working to improve programs and professional development offerings at their campuses. I’m glad to see it out! (I was at the 2016 conference that inspired this book.)

The Entrepreneurial Scholar: A New Mindset for Success in Academia and Beyond by Ilana M. Horwitz

What if you approached your academic career with an entrepreneurial mindset? Dr. Ilana Horwitz encourages scholars to think creatively about what they know, who they know, and the opportunities they can create for themselves. Drawing on interviews and her own experiences, she offers strategies for building relationships, finding resources, sharing ideas, and making an impact. This isn’t just a book about leaving academia: it’s about recognizing and creating possibilities wherever your career takes you.

Scaling the Ivory Tower: Your Academic Job Search Workbook by Hillary Hutchinson and Mary Beth Averill

Two long-time academic coaches wrote this fantastic guide and workbook for the academic job market. They take you step-by-step through the process of understanding how hiring works — and how it works differently for specific types of positions and kinds of institutions, getting sorted for your search, where to find job ads and other crucial information, staying organized, creating all your materials, prepping for interviews, and other considerations. The book also takes a clear-eyed view of academia and it’s challenges for job seekers, both in the US and around the world. This book is an essential companion to your academic job search.

Buying the e-book version? Download and print the worksheets.

Non-Academic Careers for Quantitative Social Scientists: A Practical Guide to Maximizing Your Skills and Opportunities edited by Author(s) Natalie Jackson

This collection brings together perspectives from quantitative social scientists who’ve pursued careers beyond academia. Contributors share their experiences working in different sectors, discuss how they’ve used their research and analytical skills, and offer practical insights into navigating nonacademic careers. Especially relevant for PhDs in the social sciences who want to understand what their career options might look like in practice.

If you’re at an institution, check whether you have free access to the ebook through Springer.

The Professor Is In: The Essential Guide to Turning Your PhD Into a Job by Karen Kelsky

Dr. Kelsky is dedicated to telling the truth about the academic job market. This book expands on and collects in one place her huge archive of advice and information for PhDs — particularly those aiming for tenure-track positions at US universities. There is advice and resources for “leaving the cult” (part X), a section heading that gives you a sense of where she’s coming from! Academic is its own beast, and its idiosyncracies and unwritten, untold norms and rules belie claims of meritocracy. If you’re going to aim for a tenure-track position, make sure you know what you’re going into and how to increase your chances of success where positions are scarce.

Brag: The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It by Peggy Klaus

In my experience, PhDs are excellent at not tooting their own horns, for lots of reasons, good and less-good. Here’s how you can talk about yourself appropriately in hopes of moving forward in your career. Great book.

Going Alt-Ac: A Guide to Alternative Academic Careers by Kathryn E. Linder, Kevin Kelly, and Thomas J. Tobin

If you’re doing or have a doctorate and want to be meaningfully employed in or around higher education, you must read this book – and do what it says. It’s full of clear, practical advice and example jobs where PhDs excel. I was impressed with the depth of knowledge and wide-ranging, thoughtful advice presented, useful for career explorers and seasoned professionals both (and everyone in between). It it’s been a while since you’ve taken a long, hard look at your professional situation, this book will help you revisit your goals and provide smart strategies to move your career forward in just the right way for you.

Hustles for Humanists: Build a Business with Purpose by Erica Machulak

Thinking about working for yourself? Dr. Erica Machulak, a humanities PhD and entrepreneur, offers a practical guide to turning your knowledge and skills into meaningful, paid work. The book walks readers through identifying what they have to offer, finding clients, setting prices, and building a business that reflects their values. Especially useful for humanities scholars curious about consulting, freelancing, or entrepreneurship, whether as a side project or a new career direction.

Academia and the World Beyond, volumes 1 and 2, by Christopher R. Madan

What do PhDs actually do after graduating? These two collections feature 53 interviews with PhDs working in a variety of careers. Volume 1, Navigating Life after a PhD, includes people working both inside and outside academia, while Volume 2, A PhD Is Not a Commitment to Academia, focuses exclusively on nonacademic careers. Together, they offer firsthand perspectives on different professional paths, career transitions, and ways of putting doctoral training to use. Particularly useful for PhDs looking for real examples of what’s possible.

Chasing Chickens: When Life After Higher Education Doesn’t Go the Way You Planned by Rachel Neff

From the description: “So, you have your PhD, the academic world’s your oyster, but teaching jobs, it turns out, are as rare as pearls. Take it from someone who’s been there: your disappointment, approached from a different angle, becomes opportunity. Marshaling hard-earned wisdom tempered with a gentle wit, Rachel Neff brings her own experiences to bear on the problems facing so many frustrated exiles from the groves of academe: how to turn ‘This wasn’t the plan!’ into ‘Why not?’”

Navigating the Path to Industry: A Hiring Manager’s Advice for Academics Looking for a Job in Industry by M.R. Nelson

Melanie Nelson’s useful guide is aimed at STEM PhDs who already know where they’re headed. She earned a PhD in the biosciences and has worked as a hiring manager in industry for over a decade.

Navigating the P.I.V.O.T.: A Handbook for PhDs and Academics Looking to Thrive in Careers Beyond the Ivory Tower by Gertrude Nonterah

Dr. Gertrude Nonterah offers a practical guide for PhDs and academics exploring careers beyond academia. Drawing on her own career transition and interviews with more than 100 PhDs, she shares strategies for identifying career possibilities, communicating transferable skills, networking, developing a professional portfolio, and building a sustainable career. The book covers both the practical and mindset challenges of career change, with advice for PhDs who want to take a more proactive approach to their professional futures.

The Unruly PhD: Doubts, Detours, Departures, and Other Success Stories by Rebecca Peabody

A collection of first-hand accounts and interviews with people who’ve travelled in, through, and beyond graduate school. Read my review here.

Navigating Careers Beyond Academia: A Practical Handbook for Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers by Holly Prescott

Dr. Holly Prescott offers a practical, research-informed guide to exploring and building a career beyond academia. Drawing on career development research and the experiences of former researchers across disciplines, she addresses both the emotional and practical challenges of career transitions. The book includes strategies for identifying your priorities, exploring career options, communicating your skills to employers, and navigating the job search. Especially useful for PhDs and postdocs looking for a structured approach to figuring out what’s next.

The Freelance Academic: Reclaim Your Career, Creativity, and Mental Health by Katie Rose Guest Pryal

Read this book! Katie Pryal provides helpful advice for getting started with the practical stuff, as well as grounding yourself in the reality of the gig economy. It’s particularly good for arts and humanities PhDs and similar academically-focused folks who think business isn’t for them. Take it from Dr. Pryal (and me): You can do this.

StrengthsFinder 2.0: Discover Your CliftonStrengths by Tom Rath

Take this one out of your local library to read the descriptions and learn about the concept of (work) strengths. If you want to take the assessment, you can purchase the book outright or do that on Gallup’s website. If you’re newer to the world of work beyond the academy, this book and the description of strengths will give you all kinds of useful words and phrases to use to understand what you enjoy, what you bring to a workplace, and effectively communicate all that to potential employers and professional colleagues. Embracing strengths will give you a positive, forward-looking way of approaching career building, and it can change your life for the better.

Putting the Humanities PhD to Work: Thriving In and Beyond the Classroom by Katina L. Rogers

From the introduction: “This book invites readers to consider ways that humanities graduate training can open unexpected doors that lead to meaningful careers with significant public impact, while also suggesting that an expanded understanding of scholarly success can foster more equitable and inclusive systems in and around the academy.” Good. Do read this one if you’re currently a student or if your work has anything to do with advising students or creating and maintaining the graduate training ecosystem within and beyond institutions.

Flourish: A Visionary New Understanding of Happiness and Well-being by Martin E.P. Seligman

An update to his bestselling book Authentic Happiness (also worth reading), this introduced me to the concept of PERMA: that to flourish in life and work, you need to consider and evaluate how frequently you experience have positive emotions (P), feel engaged (E), have positive relationships (R), feel what you’re doing is meaningful (M), and have a sense of accomplishment (A). This isn’t about careers specifically, but it might help you reframe what counts as success in your work life, and that’s particularly crucial for career changers.

Next Gen PhD: A Guide to Career Paths in Science by Melanie V. Sinche

From the description: “Next Gen PhD provides a frank and up-to-date assessment of the current career landscape facing science PhDs. Nonfaculty careers once considered Plan B are now preferred by the majority of degree holders, says Melanie Sinche. An upper-level science degree is a prized asset in the eyes of many employers, and a majority of science PhDs build rewarding careers both inside and outside the university. A certified career counselor with extensive experience working with graduate students and postdocs, Sinche offers step-by-step guidance through the career development process: identifying personal strengths and interests, building work experience and effective networks, assembling job applications, and learning tactics for interviewing and negotiating—all the essentials for making a successful career transition.”

The Cliff Walk: A Memoir of a Job Lost and a Life Found by Don J. Snyder

A marvelous memoir written by a former tenure-track professor at Colgate University who was suddenly let go. This is the story of his journey through unemployment. You will relate. What’s neat is to look up what he does now — but do read the book before you do!

Beyond Academia: Stories and Strategies for PhDs Making the Leap to Industry by Matteo Tardelli

This book takes readers through a 4-step process to reflect on what they want, explore job options, apply for roles, and conduct job interviews and negotiate offers. This is Dr. Tardelli’s second book for PhDs moving to non-academic careers; his first one is partly a memoir about his own journey: The Salmon Leap for PhDs (2020).

Bringing Linguistics to Work: A Story Listening, Story Finding, and Story Telling Approach to Your Career by Anna Marie Trester

My friend and colleagues Dr. Anna Marie Trester is the expert on careers for linguists, and more broadly is a great resource for thinking creatively and expansively about the value of your social sciences and humanities education to the wider world of work and career development. Check out her website for more offerings, CareerLinguist.com.

Building a Career Outside Academia: A Guide for Doctoral Students in the Behavioral and Social Sciences edited by Jennifer Brown Urban and Miriam R. Linver

From the description: “This career guide examines the rewarding opportunities that await social and behavioral science doctorates in nonacademic sectors, including government, consulting, think tanks, for-profit corporations, and nonprofit associations. Chapters offers tips for leveraging support from mentors, conducting job searches, marketing your degree and skill set, networking, and preparing for interviews. This expert guidance will help you decide what career is the best fit for you.”

The Academic Job Search Handbook by Julia Miller Vick, Jennifer S. Furlong, and Rosanne Lurie

Pick this one up for trustworthy job market advice and info — the first edition was published in 1992! — and the dozens of sample cover letters, CVs, and statements of various kinds. It covers an array of fields, from professionally-oriented doctorates to STEM and humanities. This book is a beast, and might be overwhelming. Tackle it bit by bit and keep it as a reference as you gear up for the job market, prepare and submit applications, and move along the hiring process toward negotiation and acceptance.

Options for Success: A PhD’s Guide to Navigating Career Transitions and Thriving in Your Next Professional Chapter by Fatimah Williams

Dr. Fatimah Williams offers a comprehensive, practical guide for PhDs exploring careers beyond academia. The book covers the whole transition process, from rethinking academic expectations and identifying possibilities to networking, creating job application materials, interviewing, and starting a new role. With exercises, examples, and advice for managing the emotional challenges of a career change, it’s a useful resource for PhDs at different stages of their journey.