Where will you
Empowering PhDs to build impactful careers & engaged lives,
Our Vision
Our research shows that PhDs define career success as doing work that has a positive impact on society, keeps them intellectually engaged and inspired, and connects them to people and projects that matter to them. This kind of career and life can be found within academia, and far beyond it. And that’s why PhDs work everywhere, across all industries and sectors, contributing their talents and skills to benefit society.
Whether you aspire to work on the tenure track or are changing careers entirely after years of academic study, we’re here to help you. We have resources to support individuals and partner with institutions to help PhDs and grad students land jobs in: Industry, Non-Profit, Higher Education Administration, Faculty, and the Private Sector.
Our Resources
Free Career Events
Every month, Beyond the Professoriate hosts free webinars and how-to seminars on launching your post-PhD career. Topics range from careers for PhDs to networking, job search strategies, graduate school success, and more. Presenters include Beyond the Professoriate co-founders Maren and Jen, as well as PhD guest presenters from diverse career backgrounds.
Click below to learn more about our upcoming events and register.
Fundamentals of the Job Search Course
This course is for grad students and PhDs who want to leverage their education into fulfilling careers beyond the professoriate. In 8 weeks, we’ll walk you through our 4-step job search process and teach you how to you launch your next great career. If you’re ready to start exploring your career options and to learn proven job search strategies, let us help you take the uncertainty out of your job search.
The Online Career Hub for PhDs
Are you ready to start your next great career? Join our Community to connect with like-minded PhDs who are searching for, and launching, post-PhD careers in academia or beyond the professoriate. We help members reach their goals, and succeed in their new careers, by providing accountability, connection with like-minded PhDs, and exclusive access to advice by experts.
Aurora, e-learning by Beyond the Professoriate
Aurora is available as an annual subscription to universities and professional organizations. Students access on-demand videos to explore career options and learn strategies for career success. With over 70 hours of on-demand videos and featuring over 150 PhDs, Aurora is a one-of-a-kind resource.
Application Document Coaching & Editing
Our professional coaches will help you define and articulate your unique value, and design application packages that make you stand out. We can help you navigate the academic job market, or transition to careers beyond the professoriate.
On Campus Workshops
Workshops are designed to empower students with the information and strategies they need to make informed career choices and use up-to-date job search strategies to find their next great career. We provide a range of workshops on exploring career options and preparing for career success beyond the professoriate.
Career Advice by PhDs, For PhDs
Our blog is strategy-oriented, featuring articles written by PhDs working beyond the professoriate. Transition Q&As profile PhDs who have successfully transitioned to exciting careers outside of academia. Recaps of our live webinars allow readers to catch up on what they’ve missed and learn tips and strategies from PhDs who are experts in their field.
Previous
Next
About Beyond the Professoriate
Beyond the Professoriate is a public benefit corporation with a mission to empower PhDs to build impactful careers and engaged lives, wherever smart people are needed. To do this, we provide career education and professional development to graduate students and PhDs in humanities, social sciences and STEM disciplines. We have services for individuals, and partner with institutions to support their efforts in preparing the next generation of PhDs for careers in academia and beyond. Learn more about our organization.
Our programming features PhDs with successful careers who share their unique expertise and experiences to support graduate students in their job search and future employment. Beyond the Professoriate is career advice by PhDs, for PhDs.
Co-founders L. Maren Wood, PhD (history, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Jennifer Polk, PhD (history, University of Toronto) possess first-hand knowledge of the challenges PhDs encounter when they leave academia for careers beyond the professoriate. Maren and Jen have dedicated their careers to helping graduate students and PhDs find success outside of academia.
Beyond the Professoriate runs a blog series for University Affairs and publishes in Inside Higher Ed.
Connect with Jen and Maren on Twitter and LinkedIn, and join them in the Beyond the Professoriate Community.
Meet Our Team
Learn More About Our Founders
PhD Career Interview with Beyond the Professoriate Co-Founder & CEO L. Maren Wood, PhD. Maren earned her PhD in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
PhD Career Interview with Beyond the Professoriate Co-Founder Jennifer Polk, PhD. Jennifer earned her PhD in History from the University of Toronto.