EMPOWERING PHDS TO BUILD MEANINGFUL CAREERS

AURORA

BY BEYOND THE PROFESSORIATE

For Individuals
For Institutions

AURORA is the only online professional development training platform for graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and PhDs that helps them successfully transition into academic or nonacademic careers. This research-driven platform is informed by nearly a decade of experience supporting PhDs to launch new careers with their skills and training.

Trusted by over 30 institutions (and growing), Aurora helps grad students and PhDs leverage their education into meaningful careers, whether in academia or beyond the professoriate.

What's new at Beyond Prof?

Open to Individuals

You can now access our institutional e-learning platform as an individual subscriber.

Job Search the Smart Way

Get tips and strategies for embarking on the next great phase of your career with confidence.

New Fall Events

Register for the latest free how-to seminars and career conversations.

Here's how AURORA can support your goals

Unique Curriculum: Research driven and proven to support PhDs in exploring meaningful careers — in academia and beyond.

Two Programs of Study: Academic Careers Pathway and Professional Careers Pathway.

One-of-a-kind Video Library: A space where student can watch interviews with 150+ PhDs working in all career sectors.

Complement On-Campus Resources: Digital, self-paced courses are available 24/7 for the busy student, postdoc, and faculty member.

For Individuals
For Institutions

Learn what Beyond the Professoriate resources can do for you.

AURORA

AURORA gives students the skills, strategy, AND CONFIDENCE they need for a successful career in academia or beyond.

For Individuals >      For Institutions >

WORKSHOPS

Introducing new workshops in the Fall of 2021. Bring Dr. Wood and Beyond the Professoriate programming to your campus.

Learn More >

Individual Support

Access the mentorship and advising you need by working with Dr. L Maren Wood and our team of independent coaches supporting careers in academia and beyond.

Learn More About Our Advising >

Free Resources

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers. Browse our blog for research articles, tips, and strategies for launching your career — in academia or beyond.

Browse the Blog >     View Free Events >

Our alumni are the real heroes.

After many years in academia I'm starting a new industry job tomorrow! I just wanted to send a thank-you for your and Beyond the Professoriate's help to get there.

I've attended a few of your webinars, talked to you on the phone, I did informational interviews and I worked on my resume with Briget. Without these steps, I don't think I would have had the courage and the right tools to actually leave academia.
Laura
Associate Director at a pharmaceutical company
I wanted to drop a quick note of thanks to the BtP team. After attending the virtual conference this spring, I felt like I had the perspective I needed to move from humanities scholarship into the "regular world".

I finished the fall term as a contingent faculty member, but have started the new year in a writing and research position with an executive search firm. I am massively grateful for the perspectve I gained through BtP. Thanks, all.
Peter
Content Marketing Manager
My journey from a scared, anxious, imposter-syndrome-ridden visiting faculty member to a much more confident enthusiastic user experience research would not have been possible without Maren’s expert advice and recommendations; supportive but honest feedback; tailored training on translating my skills and experiences into industry language and documents…. and much, much more.

Thanks to Maren, I've found a job and career field in which I'm constantly challenged ad learning, I'm more fairly compensated, and I'm empowered by the plethora of professional opportunities.

If you're considering careers outside academia, I can't imagine anyone better suited to coach and equip you for that transition than Maren.
Michelle
UX Researcher
I have been following Beyond the Professoriate and attending seminars lately as my PhD is nearing the end. Thank you very much for sharing your experience and for setting up such a great initiative. I find it really helpful and encouraging. I am still undecided whether I will pursue a career in Academia but I am confident that there are plenty of options for me out there. Thanks to Beyond the Professoriate I am gathering a lot of information... and creating amazing connections.
Gianmarco
PhD Candidate
Hi Maren, I just wanted to send you a quick message with a big thank you very much for organizing Beyond the Professoriate!

Before I learned about your company I was a sad and disappointed PhD holder -- now and after following your advice (buying courses, attending webinars) for a year I am finally employed outside of academia and I feel very good about it because I;ve met so many other PhDs (just as you said) and I feel like I am doing useful and valuable work.

I will continue following your organization... but for now, I thank you very much and I should say that what you do does help people like me!
Victoria
Data Analyst
Among many PhD advisors, the old-school thought that we have to get an academic job after a PhD/postdoc still exists. This leaves many PhD students who don't want to stay in academia, myself included, unsure about how to navigate through the transition. While researching on how to transition from academia to industry, I stumbled upon Beyond the Professoriate and Aurora.

Suffice to say, I was blown away by the comprehensive contents on professional development offered on your platform. The topics covered are spot-on and relevant... I wish I knew about Beyond the Professoriate early on in my graduate career. I think the tools and webinars offered by Aurora are very helpful for many, whether it is a junior graduate student who wants to learn more about time management, or a senior PhD who wants to careers.
Aurora subscriber
Aurora Student Subscriber
I discovered Beyond Prof back in April 2020 when I was finishing another unsuccessful year on the academic job market and the pandemic had shifted any prospect of a TT job from bad to worse. I was absolutely heartbroken and my dream of becoming a university professor was rapidly turning into a waking nightmare.

During this difficult time, Beyond Prof's content and community provided so much solace. Moreover, they gave me the hope and courage to eventually pursue a different path. After more than a year of soul searching and job searching, I'm so excited to say that I've finally accepted a FT position as a content manager for an ed tech company!

...So thank you, Maren, for all the work that you and the team do!! It really is life-changing for so many PhDs like me.
Ashley
Content Manager

Read more on the blog

About Beyond the Professoriate

Beyond the Professoriate’s mission is 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. Learn more about our organization, and meet our team here.

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