Non-Academic Careers
More and more people are choosing careers outside of academia following their graduate career. There is a larger variety of jobs available, and academia and the outside world are becoming less mutually exclusive. For some people it can be harder to get over the idea of leaving the academic setting.
If you think you and your advisor may have different ideas about your future and you’re not sure how to break the news to them, this article by Larry Lab-Rat may be helpful, Breaking it to your mentor: Announcing Alternative Career Plans
Some other helpful websites:
PhDFusion
Moving to a non-academic career
Sellout, a resource for PhDs considering careers beyond the university
Four steps to succeeding outside the ivory tower
How to plan for a career before you have one
The one year plan
There are also a number of books available at The Career Center.
Self-Assessment
Identifying interests, skills, values, and personal preferences is an important component of the career development process. This process helps to identify what it is that is important to you with regard to both your career and your lifestyle, and provides important information to have on hand when making a decision about your future career. A career center counselor may integrate the use of career assessments to help facilitate this process of self-exploration.
Know thyself by Sandra Yin explores the benefits to self-assessment and some of the tools used. One of the most important things to remember is to be honest, you’re only trying to fool yourself!
The Career Center utilizes two online assessment tools: the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator. Make an appointment if you are interested in taking these instruments. Results will be interpreted in a follow-up appointment with a counselor.
Additional online self-assessment tests:
Focus – a web based career exploration and self assessment system. Begin by assessing your current career planning status activities, and then move on to explore interests, values, skills and personality. Research occupations that match your self assessments! The database includes detailed information on 1200+ careers. Personalized feedback is provided as you research careers. You will have access to an account that will summarize and store your results. To log on, click on the link to create a new account and use the Keycode provided to create your own username and password.
Keirsey Temperament Sorter – determines whether you are an introvert or an extrovert
Typefocus – interprets your personality and how it relates to careers
The career key – measures your abilities, values, interests, & personality to identify promising jobs.