Empowering PhDs to build impactful careers & engaged lives, wherever smart people are needed.
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
The Online Career Hub for PhDs
Our community platform is for all graduate students and PhDs, regardless of your current career path. Join our community and gain access to the mentoring, tools, and support you need to be successful in your job search. We provide resources for PhDs on the academic job market and for those interested in, transitioning to, or already working in, non-faculty careers.
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.
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.
Webinars for Career Success
Every month, Beyond the Professoriate hosts webinars to help our Community Members explore career options and learn job search strategies. We have made many of these past webinars available to rent by non-members.
For grad students and PhDs interested in non-faculty careers, we have videos to help you explore career options and learn job search strategies. Those on the academic job market can access videos on writing a winning CV and cover letter, prepare a teaching statement, and acing interviews.
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.
On Campus Workshops
Bring co-founders L. Maren Wood, PhD, or Jennifer Polk, PhD to your campus.
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.
Seminars for Faculty, Staff & Senior Leadership
Our Research & Innovation series features presentations by faculty, senior leadership and administrators, as well as researchers from academic professional associations. Presenters share their research about career pathways for PhDs, and discuss innovative programs on their campuses that support graduate student career diversity.
Get Involved
Every month, Beyond the Professoriate interviews PhDs about their careers in academia and beyond. We also host two annual online career conferences to help PhDs prepare for success in professional careers, or on the academic job market. We also publish blog posts authored by PhDs on a variety of topics related to careers, graduate school success, and more.
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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 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.