Panel focuses on careers for PhD students outside of academia | Student Life - The Hub at Johns Hopkins

Philosophy PhD graduates discuss the paths they took to develop their careers and share tips on navigating the job market, writes Saralyn Cruickshank, Web Producer at Johns Hopkins University.

Photo: courtesy of IndypendenZ at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A PhD carries significant gravitas, signaling academic achievement and intellectual prestige.

But as a group of former philosophy PhD graduates attested during a panel discussion Thursday, a variety of additional activities and skills can be essential in pursuing jobs after graduation.

The Non-academic Career Panel Discussion—held in the Mattin Center and hosted by the Department of Philosophy and Nancy Kass, vice provost for graduate and professional education—brought together PhD students in humanities fields to discuss career paths outside of academia, and how a background in the humanities can help these students excel in other fields.

"PhD programs have always prepared students to be critical thinkers and to break new ground in their fields of study," said Kass. "But they've also traditionally trained students to enter the academy. In the 21st century, we must adapt to make sure our students learn about, and are prepared for, a range of career paths and are provided the opportunities they need to be able to thrive. We're thrilled to collaborate with the Department of Philosophy to put this panel together."

Speaking on the panel were four philosophy PhD graduates who hold fulfilling professional positions outside of the university setting...

The students in the audience—who were in various stages of their graduate studies, including several who had already begun writing their dissertations—said they were glad to have such a candid discussion about their future careers.
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Source: The Hub at Johns Hopkins