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How to set long-term career plans after a phd: 13 actionable tips  .

If you’ve just gotten your PhD, or even if you’re still working on it, now is a great time to think about your long-term career plans after a PhD. How will gaining a PhD fit within your career plan?

If you have long-term career goals in research, a PhD will obviously help prepare you for your future career since you will be participating in research as you pursue your PhD.

Table of Contents

Long-Term Career Plans After a PhD

When making long-term career plans, you should try to project at least the next five years. You may even want to go out ten years if you have big career goals. As Antoine de Sanit-Exupery once said, “ A goal without a plan is just a wish .”

Even if you don’t need a PhD for your desired career, you may find that your after-PhD salary will be high enough to justify the additional education. 

The Conversation  used data from a  national survey  to determine that those students who planned to get more education than necessary for their careers ended up earning 7% more than those who planned to get just the right amount of education for the job.

Tips for Long-Term Career Plans After a PhD

According to Alan Lakein, “ Failing to plan is planning to fail .” So, to be successful, you must plan. Here are some actionable tips to help you plan your long-term career.

1. Plan to change jobs quickly

You’ll likely start your career at the bottom of the ladder–in an entry-level position. The sooner you can move on from that entry-level position, the faster your salary will increase.

Try not to stay longer than a year or two in your first job and two to three years in successive jobs in order to maximize your after-PhD salary.

2. Plan to network your way to a better job

Build a strong LinkedIn profile and update it regularly. Engage with your contacts, especially those who work in companies you’d like to work for.

Having a contact on the inside can give you a huge boost when you’re looking for a new job.

3. Set a big career goal

Remember that “No one has ever achieved greatness without dreams ( Roy Bennett ).” Set a big goal and visualize yourself achieving it. Make this goal the culmination of your 5- or 10-year plan.

4. Consider industry jobs after your PhD

When making your long-term career plans after a PhD, think about the industry you want to be in at the end and try to start out in that industry.

You will be gaining industry experience as well as job experience, which will increase your chances of landing your dream job in the end.

5. Find an advisor or mentor

Check with your school to see if they offer academic advising or mentorship. Find an advisor or mentor who works well with you and ask them for help in planning your career.

6. Evaluate your network

Every year, evaluate your network to see where it is strong and where it is weak. Are there certain companies you want to work for where you have no contacts? If so, try to make contact with influential people within those companies.

7. Set up informational interviews

Informational interviews are interviews with an employee of a company you think you’d like to work for. These interviews give you a chance to learn more about the culture of the organization and determine whether you might be a good fit.

8. Join professional organizations

Often, you can use these memberships as networking tools to help you find and meet contacts within the industry. You may even be able to find local peers you can meet up with and form real-life friendships.

9. Attend conferences

Attending conferences for your industry or profession is a good way to meet new people and expand your network. Be sure to take plenty of business cards and exchange cards with everyone you meet.

Make an effort to follow up afterward by sending an email or DM to tell them you’re glad you had a chance to meet them at the event. If they include social media URLs on their cards, be sure to follow them there.

10. Attend networking events

You may find these through your university or through a professional organization.

Everyone who attends a networking event seeks to make new connections, so you’re in the right place for trying to find peers who work in your industry in a similar position, or even those who may be in a position to make hiring decisions.

11. Create a resume

Make sure to include any relevant experiences you’ve had, even if you haven’t worked at a job before.

Try to craft your resume so that it is targeted toward a specific position. As you gain work experience through the years, update your resume to add your most recent work experience.

12. Get a part-time job during school

If possible, get a job during school so that you’ll have some work experience to put on your resume when you’re ready to look for an entry-level job in your field.

Even working at McDonald’s part-time shows future employers that you have a goo d work ethic .

13. Avoid unpaid work

Unless it’s all you can find, avoid unpaid internships. Accepting these positions shows employers that you are willing to work for free, so they can get away with a lowball salary offer. If you feel that you must work for free to gain experience, volunteer for an organization you care deeply about.

PhD Career Plan Example

Here is an example career plan to give you an idea of what your long-term career plan after a PhD should look like.

Year One: Work an entry-level job for one year. Toward the end of the year, start looking for a position that is at least one step up from your current position:

Years Two and Three: Work in one job for two years. Toward the end of the second year at this new job, start looking for another job that is a step or two up the career ladder.

Years Four and Five: Work this new job for two years. Near the end of the second year, start looking for your next job. Try to get one step away from your ten-year career goal if possible.

Years Six, Seven, and Eight: Work in a job that is one step away from your ten-year career goal. Toward the end of year eight, start applying for the job you’ve been working toward.

Year Nine: Start working your dream job.

The above plan gives you nine years to reach your ten-year goal, but it may take a little longer than planned to find each new job. In that case, you’ll still be right on track to reach your 10-year goal in 10 years.

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Jenny Palmer

Founder of Eggcellentwork.com. With over 20 years of experience in HR and various roles in corporate world, Jenny shares tips and advice to help professionals advance in their careers. Her blog is a go-to resource for anyone looking to improve their skills, land their dream job, or make a career change.

Further Reading...

“I Turned Down A Job Offer And Regret It”: Here’s What You Should Do

What To Do When You Discover Your Job Is Being Advertised For More Money?

Is Engineering a Bad Career? 4 Reasons Why People Are Leaving the Field

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Career Failure at 40: How to Pick Yourself Up and Start Again

All you need to know about career objectives on PhD resumes

When you apply for an academic job, you may wonder whether or not to include a career objective on your resume. This post answers common questions about career objectives on academic CVs, and helps you to create your own career objective for a PhD application.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase using the links below at  no additional cost to you.  I only recommend products or services that I truly believe can benefit my audience. As always, my opinions are my own.

What is a career objective on a resume?

Do i need a career objective on a phd resume, how do i develop an eye-catching career objective for my phd resume, characteristics of memorable career objectives for phd resumes, things to avoid in career objectives for phd resumes, example career objectives for phd applications.

A career objective on a resume is a short statement that summarises who you are, and your most relevant experience. Additionally, it often contains a short description of what you are looking for, or why you are suitable for a specific job.

Typical resume objectives sound like this:

Career objectives are a popular element on CVs in many sectors. They can help applicants to stand out. And they can help potential employers to assess quickly whether the applicant’s profile fits to the open job position without skimming through the whole CV.

Anyone applying to an academic job knows that things generally work slightly differently in academia. Resume objectives often sound very business-like. This begs the question: Are career objectives expected on academic CVs?

The short answer is: no, not necessarily.

A career objective can be useful on a resume, for instance for a PhD application. However, academic CVs are usually not expected to have a career objective.

The reason is simple: Academic CVs differ quite a lot from conventional CVs. Standard academic CVs typically don’t include a career objective.

Ultimately, the choice is yours: If you think a career objective will benefit your application, go ahead and include one. For instance, if you apply for a PhD position, you may not have a lot of information (such as publications) to fill an academic CV. In that case, you can go for a more conventional format and include a career objective.

If you opt the conventional format, make sure to consider some professional academic resume examples and build the sections accordingly. These samples can help you create different sections and display the essential skills in each.

However, be cautious: Some websites offer ‘attractive career objectives for PhD resume ideas’. If you critically assess the provided suggestions, you will realize that the authors of these career objective ideas have no idea about academia. Instead, they just propose standard career objectives for non-academic jobs.

Let’s assume that you took some time to consider whether or not to include a career objective on your CV. Even though you know that it is not 100% necessary, you decided to include one. What’s next?

There are a few steps to developing an eye-catching career objective for your PhD resume. Let’s assume that you are applying to a PhD position. Ask yourself the following questions:

• Step 1: Why do I want to do a PhD?
• Step 2: Why do I want to get that specific PhD position?
• Step 3: What background, skills or interests make you the right candidate for the position?
• Step 4: What are you looking to get out of the position and what can you contribute?

Take notes while you answer these questions. This is the ‘material’ that you can use to develop your career objective.

Note that career objectives are extremely short. One sentence. Maximum two! So you may not be able to include all the information.

Instead, highlight aspects that you believe make you stand out from the crowd. Emphasise the one or two facts that you want to be remembered for.

Not only the content matters for a good career objective for a PhD resume, but also the way you write it. There are a few guidelines that can help you to bring your career objective to the next level:

• Keep your career objective short and to the point.
• Write in present tense, not in past tense.
• Include information that cannot easily be found elsewhere in your CV, such as your motivation.
• Be specific about your skills or accomplishments.
• Tailor your career objective to the job description.

Writing a memorable career objective for a PhD resume takes time and effort. Similar to motivation letters, it is immediately visible if applicants did not adjust their career objectives to the specific job they are applying to.

Therefore, if you decide to include a career objective on your PhD resume, make sure you do it properly! Otherwise, leaving it out is the better option.

Too often, applicants don’t put enough effort into their career objectives. Some of the most common mistakes can be avoided with the following rules:

• Don’t write a whole paragraph of text. No one is going to read it!
• Don’t use complicated words and concepts.
• Don’t state the obvious, such as your name or your full degree. This information can be easily found in other parts of your CV.
• Don’t be too generic. You need to provide evidence if you are making bold claims.
• Don’t use the same career objective for all your applications.

If you follow these rules, you are on the safe side.

The following three resume objectives for a PhD application can help you to develop your own. These example resume objectives are just there to inspire you.

As explained above, you should never just copy someone else’s career objective . Instead, each resume objective should be tailored to your unique situation and the job that you are applying to.

Good luck with your application!

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Home / Graduate Student Career Resources / Resources / PhD Students

PhD Student Career Planning Timeline

No matter where you are in your doctoral degree, you can start preparing to find a career or job after graduation. See our guided timeline below for some ideas about how to prepare. You can also use our checklists to help you prepare for your job search.

Explore Our PhD Timeline:

• Years One-Two
• Years Three-Four + 

Years One-Two:  

Build Your Network

• Create a LinkedIn Profile and update it regularly.
• If you don’t already have an advisor, find an advisor who fits your academic interests and personal mentoring style. Ask them to connect you with other faculty or staff members who might be of interest to you.
• Evaluate your network using our Building and Evaluating Your Personal Network worksheet or on your own. Identify where your network is strong and make a plan to strengthen your network where it is weak.
• Conduct informational interviews with relevant companies and/or positions.
• If applicable, join professional organizations to expand your network.
• If applicable, attend professional conferences to learn more about your field and to network.
• Introduce yourself and get to know other graduate students and faculty in your department and around campus.
• Attend networking events on campus and throughout your own personal network (such as your undergraduate alma mater, conferences, industry events, professional associations,etc).

Plan for Success

• Create a long-term timeline that spans the entirety of your projected PhD degree (approximately 5-7 years depending on your department and personal schedule) that outlines your goals and deadlines for completing your degree. 
• Familiarize yourself with your department’s cycle of regular deadlines, research & travel grants, and fellowships and grants.
• Explore the Career Center website to learn about informational interviews, networking, and other pertinent information for job seekers.
• Draft a Master List of your past experiences for fodder to make your Resume.
• If you have a CV, convert it into a resume . Explore making several resumes for several types of positions.
• Do some self-reflection and research to determine possible companies or organizations of interest or desirable career paths or positions. Ask yourself what kind of lifestyle, locations, and career you’d like to have. Determine what steps you can take now to work towards these goals.

Gain Experience and Transferable Skills

• Research and apply for summer internships, jobs, and/or volunteer work to explore and hone your transferable skills.
• Visit the Career Center to identify transferable skills and help with your application materials for summer opportunities.
• Consider taking on a leadership role on campus through the Graduate Student Association , the Graduate Student Commons , or in a low-impact departmental or campus committee .
• Consider participating in the Graduate Division’s Graduate Student Leadership Certificate Program .
• If possible, do an internship, volunteer work, or hold a part-time job while you earn your degree to expand your network and skills.

Years Three-Four + :

• Update your LinkedIn Profile regularly.
• Continue to conduct informational interviews if necessary.
• Continue to attend networking events on campus and throughout your own personal network (such as your undergraduate alma mater, conferences, industry events, professional associations,etc).
• Adjust and update your long-term PhD completion timeline with appropriate goals and deadlines.
• Make drafts of cover letters and resumes for job applications.
• Ask trusted colleagues or mentors to critique your materials.
• Submit your documents to this form for a critique of your application materials.
• Monitor your desired job field to anticipate any developments and stay involved in contemporary conversations.
• Look at the current job market for the industries or positions you’re interested in and assess what skills you possess and where you could improve your skills to make your future applications stronger.
• When necessary, contact potential letter recommenders and/or references to meet with them, update them on your goals, and provide an updated resume.
• Continue to self-reflect on the progress you’ve made and your future goals and desired lifestyle. Ask yourself there are any adjustments you want to make and how you can make those adjustments.
• Visit the Career Center to identify transferable skills, get help writing your application materials for jobs and/or summer opportunities.

Final Year:

• Update your LinkedIn profile regularly.
• Continue to attend networking events on campus and throughout your own personal network (such as your undergraduate alma mater, conferences, industry events, professional associations, etc).
• If applicable, attend job fairs and networking events geared towards job seekers meeting recruiters.
• Create business cards to bring with you to job fairs or to give out when requested.
• Alert your network to let them know you are on the job market.
• Create a calendar with job application deadlines.
• Apply to jobs.
• Adjust and update your long-term PhD completion timeline with goals and deadlines.
• Balance your time between job seeking activities and finishing your dissertation.
• Visit the Career Center to practice interviewing.
• Visit the Career Center to have a Career Coach critique your application materials.
• Learn about negotiating a job offer .
• Learn about job salaries in your field.
• Bring your resume , business cards, research employers in advance, and attend job fairs on campus or elsewhere.
• Contact recommendation letter writers and/or references to keep them appraised of your progress.
• Research and apply for summer internships, jobs, and/or volunteer work to explore and hone your transferable skills if you haven’t secured a job or if your job doesn’t start until the fall.

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Grad School Career Goals Statement: Your Guide

Including 2 sample statements.

A grad school career goals statement is often part of applying for graduate school programs. Students wondering how to get into grad school can push their application ahead with a great career goals statement. Many students state their future career ambitions without elaborating on their answers, and their career goals statement falls short. In this blog, our grad school essay tutors reveal why you need a career goals statement, what to include, what to leave out, and a step-by-step process to help you craft your own.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 15 min read

Why do i need to include a career goals statement in my grad school application.

When applying to any graduate school program, the application process will more than likely include a career goals statement. These are sometimes called a grad school personal statement, statement of purpose or statement of intent . Not every school admissions application will ask you to write a career goals statement, but a variation of the career goals statement or personal statement is requested when applying for MBA programs. It’s a good idea to write a career goals statement anyway, because writing down your career ambitions can be a powerful personal tool as well. Putting your career goals in writing can help you to visualize the steps you’ll need to take to reach your goal, measure your progress and keep you accountable in pursuing your stated professional goals. Admissions committees ask for career goals statements to get an in-depth look at your personal and professional history, and what career aspirations you have. Committees are looking for key information in your career goals statement, including: what long and short-term career goals you have, how the program you’re applying to will help you achieve them and what you’ve already accomplished in your field. Bottom line, they want to know if you’re the type of student and working professional they want to add to their graduate program. Reading graduate school statement of purpose examples and tips for success can help inspire you as you draft your own career goals statement. Or, you can consider seeking extra help from a graduate school admissions consultant , who can teach you how to improve your statement writing skills, among other skills.

A well-written grad school career goals statement can help push your application to the top.

The important information you need to include in your career goals statement, regardless of what grad school program you’re applying to, is your short and long-term career goals, why you’re applying to study at the graduate level, how the chosen program will help you achieve your goals, and what you’ve already accomplished in your chosen professional field. All of this information will give your grad school admissions committee a detailed look at who you are, what you want to do in your career and why you’ve chosen a specific program to achieve it. The details you include with this information should convince the committee that you are worthy of a spot in a competitive graduate school program. Your career goals statement is also your chance to prove to the admissions board that you have not only a goal, but the drive and commitment to realize it.

Want help with other areas of your grad application as well? Check out this video:

Your grad school career goals statement should include the key information admissions committees want to know about you, as well as the qualities and format of a well-written personal statement. We’ll expand on these more below.

Short and long-term career goals

While you may have a primary reason for applying to a graduate school program, the admissions committee will want the details of your short and long-term career goals. Your short-term career goals would be what you want to accomplish in the months after graduation, or maybe even while you are studying. Are you looking to change career paths? Switch industries? Maybe your goal is to specialize your professional skillset, and your undergraduate degree is in too general a field of study. Regardless of your reasons, tell the admissions team what you want to accomplish following your graduation in the short-term, as well as the long-term goals you have for your career. If you want to enter a new professional field, what position do you want to reach in the long-term? What professional goals do you want to accomplish? What companies will you be looking to apply to?

Be as specific as you possibly can about your goals. Don’t just say you want to be a manager—write about why you want to be a manager in your professional field.

A good rule of thumb is to include SMART goals in your statement. SMART is an acronym which means specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Basically, be as specific about your goals as you can be, make them relevant and realistic to your field of study or work and your experience, and state when exactly you want to achieve them. Short term career goals might include earning a promotion you’ve had your eye on at your company, or getting a position at a particular company or in a specific field of interest to you after graduation. Long term career goals might be more vague, such as reaching a certain salary bracket or they may be ultra-specific, like starting your own business venture in your chosen field by 2025.

There are many reasons to study at the graduate level. Maybe you’re seeking to expand your professional skills or you’re looking at applying to a high-level position that requires a graduate degree. You might want to take more courses in a specific field of interest in your industry. Or you’re looking at an MBA, so you can hone your skills in management and business operations. In short, you need a better reason for applying than just earning another degree. Share the primary reason you’re applying for a rigorous graduate program, and why you feel further schooling will benefit you.

Why you chose this graduate school program

Schools want to know the reason why you chose their program in particular. Point to the courses, school values or specialties that drew you to the program. If the school of your choice is known for its excellent MBA program, for example, mention this. If a school values innovative thinking like you, elaborate on this point. Pick a school that you feel fits you best, and research the curriculum of the program you hope to attend. If you can’t give an answer as to why you chose a program, it’s less likely that you’ll be chosen to attend. Examine the specific reasons why you’re applying. Did you take a business class as an undergrad that sparked an interest in the technology industry? Was there a professor or professional experience that inspired you to start your own business? As an intern, did you discover a love for the work done by your current company? These details will give the admissions board a clear picture of your motivations.

How this program will help you achieve your goals

Related to the above answer, admissions boards will ask why you chose their graduate program and how it will help you achieve your career goals in the short and long-term. Highlight your earlier points here, strengthening them by connecting your goals to your reasons for applying. If you’re applying to a graduate program because a second degree will give you the skills and experience to move up in your chosen career, write about how the school’s focus on management and leadership will help mold you into a business leader. Or how the program’s internship opportunities will open doors for you in a new industry you’re hoping to break into. It’s best to be as specific as possible, and point to the main benefits the graduate school program will have on your career prospects and future goals.

Consider also what you can contribute to the school’s graduate program. Research the graduate school’s recent work or accolades and draw a connection between the work and your own recent accomplishments. If the school publishes heavily in scientific journals or pursues cutting-edge research in technology, highlight any articles you’ve had published, or mention any positions you’ve held in advancing technology industries. 

Interested in some tips that can help get you into grad school? This infographic is for you:

When writing your grad school career goals statement, it’s important not only that the content be full of personal details, but that the structure and format be strong, too. Once you’re able to answer the career goals statement prompt and include all the above information, you want to structure it in the short essay format, make sure your writing is clear, detailed, and confident. You’ll also add in an intriguing personal narrative, which helps improve the ‘flow’ and carry your readers through your writing seamlessly. You can read samples of college essays for inspiration, but the admissions committee wants to hear about you, personally and professionally. They’re expecting a well-structured, well-written document that gives them an insightful look into a prospective future student: you.

These elements are the bones of your career goals statement, while your detailed content—your actual answers—is the meat.

Short essay format

For short essay format, you’ll need a clear introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Typically, these statements are one page long, and no more than two pages long. Some programs will specify a word count or ask for a statement of no more than a few sentences. Whatever the length, it’s important to include as much detailed information as you can.

For the introduction, grab your readers’ attention from the get-go with an intriguing topic sentence. For a career goals statement, this can be a challenge, so start with your answer to the question: what are your future career goals?

In your body paragraphs, expand on your goals. State how you will achieve them, and why you’ve chosen to study at the graduate level at your chosen school. Finally, state your timeline. Share when exactly you want to achieve your short and long-term goals. For example, your short-term goals might be 3-6 months. Your long-term goals might be 5, 10 or even 20 years from now. There is no hard rule about what is short-term and long-term, but be explicit in what these mean to you and your career goals.

In your conclusion, dive into how your chosen program will help you achieve your stated goals, and deliver your closing arguments for why you should be selected to attend the program.

Clarity and detail

Details will be the elements the admissions committee will remember best. They help set your career goals statement apart from the thousands of others they will receive each year. Details help make your statement more unique. But clear writing and well-structured sentences will make your details shine. So don’t forget the most important final step: proofreading. Read and re-read your statement to ensure it is clear, concise and free of errors. Reading aloud helps to be able to hear if your narrative flows smoothly and with clarity.

Use a confident tone of voice when writing your career goals statement. Don’t say you’d like to apply to hopefully be a manager. Say you will be a manager. You will be a leader. Write like your future career goals are a foregone conclusion if you obtain your graduate’s degree. If you are accepted—and you will be, as you are a perfect candidate—you will achieve your goals exactly as you’ve outlined in your career goals statement.

Personal narrative

Your grad school career goals statement is a detailed rundown of your professional ambitions, but it is also a look at you, personally. Tie your statement together with a compelling personal narrative to make it stand out, get noticed and connect your personal motivations to your professional goals. You want the reader to see the connection between your personal experiences and professional ambitions. So, if your goal is to enter a new professional field, share a personal anecdote about the passion you have for your field: when did it start? Where did your interest come from? If your aim is to improve your managerial skills, write about your personal or professional experiences where you demonstrated the qualities of a good leader or went above and beyond for your team.

Mistakes to avoid when drafting your grad school career goals statement

It goes without saying, but don\u2019t submit the first draft of your career goals statement with your graduate school application. Proofread your work after writing. Ask someone else to proofread it for you as well in case they catch something you missed. Revise your work in a second draft, and proofread it again, before you submit your statement. ","label":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft","title":"Don\u2019t submit your first draft"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

Step by step instructions on writing a career goals statement

When writing an effective grad school career goals statement, it can help to follow a step-by-step process, especially if writing is not your strength.

Start with brainstorming your ideas. Write them down or make a list. Outline your answers to the questions admissions committees want to know. Ask yourself questions about your career aspirations and why you’ve chosen to apply to a graduate program. Once you have the answers to these questions, write them down and keep them handy as a reference for yourself.

Next, research the schools and graduate programs you’ll be applying for, based on your interests, eligibility and personal needs. Have a look at the programs they offer and what kind of coursework they offer. Does the coursework fit with your stated career goals? What skills will you gain from them that will help you achieve your goals? Jot down some of your answers to include in your career goals statement.

Once you have your notes complete, draft the outline of your answers and structure them into the short essay format. Decide what you will include in your introduction, your body paragraphs and your conclusion. Using your outline as a guide, type out your first draft, checking your notes to make sure you’ve included all the details you need.

If you can, ask for feedback from another set of eyes or ask someone to review your first draft. Read it aloud a few times to see how it sounds, if it flows well and if all the information you need is included. Once you have your feedback, from yourself and others, revise and create your second draft. Repeat the revision process if you need and be sure to proofread your work. Ask a friend to proofread your statement as well to ensure your essay is free of errors and is as polished as it can be.

Sample graduate school career goals statements to inspire your own

Below are two samples of graduate school career goals statements to help guide you in crafting your own.

Statement 1

My future career goals are entrepreneurial in nature, as I want to combine my passion for cycling with my interest in business administration. I chose to further my studies at the graduate level because of my goal to pursue my own start-up venture. My aim is to start my own company providing affordable, durable carbon fibre mountain bikes to cycling enthusiasts. As a cycling enthusiast myself, I understand the benefits a carbon fibre bicycle can bring, and I want to make it a more attainable and affordable option for cyclists like me. To be a successful business owner, I know it is imperative that I develop my management and organizational skills at the graduate level.

[University] is well-known for its superb MBA program, and I decided to apply for this program because I believe it will instill in me the necessary skills to succeed in a highly competitive business realm. [University’s] focus on developing forward-thinking, innovative leaders who excel in their chosen fields appeals greatly to me. I consider myself a creative, innovative thinker, and I know my business requires individuals who can look to the future of cycling and provide solutions now.

My short-term goals include starting this business venture soon after graduation. Having this degree will check the box of having a business leader with well-developed skills and the tools and resources to launch this business idea. My long-term goal is to provide cyclists like myself with durable, affordable carbon fibre mountain bikes and to reinvigorate interest in the sport in my region. Developing and providing carbon fibre bicycles to mountain cyclists will make the sport more accessible to more people. Carbon fibre bicycles are more adaptable, lightweight, and maneuverable on rough terrain, and they are extremely hardy and durable, so they will last riders for years to come. Making them as affordable as possible will also ensure they are accessible to as many different people as possible. Interest in the sport has waned in my area, but there is a small group of dedicated and passionate fans, and one of my goals is to utilize this group and my growing business to reignite passion for this challenging and adventurous sport. The advancements in technology in recent years will help propel me towards this goal, but a business degree at the graduate level will provide me with the crucial professional skills and experience needed to succeed.

My professional experience working in a cycling shop will also complement my goals and my future as an entrepreneurial business leader. For the past 5 years, I’ve worked as a manager at Cranky Cycling, a retail bicycle and repair shop in my area. As a manager, I’ve been introduced to the operational side of the business and have earned plenty of customer service experience. As manager, I’ve been responsible not only for employee management, scheduling, customer order and financial statements, I’ve been able to get to know every aspect of the business operations. From the repair side of things, I’ve been responsible for overseeing all repairs and advising customers on the ins and outs of bicycle care and maintenance. I also keep up to date on the latest developments in the cycling world, and often implement the knowledge I gain in the day-to-day running of the business.

I know these are small aspects of being a business owner, but I believe my extensive experience and expertise in the field are an excellent foundation for my future career goals. The key missing piece will be furthering my education and complementing this foundation with the professional skill development I will need in the future. 

Since my undergraduate studies, I have developed a passion for environmental sciences, and sustainable energy policy-making especially. At [University] I studied environmental sciences with a minor in political science and government policy. A graduate degree in environmental sciences will provide me with the background, knowledge and essential skillset I need to succeed in my career in sustainable energy management. While my undergraduate degree in environmental sciences has given me a solid foundation to work from, I am eager to expand my learning in fields such as environmental technology and government policy. A background in these subjects is necessary for me to achieve my goal of working at a high level in my chosen company [Company].

[Company] provides sustainable solar energy systems to its customers, and frequently collaborates with municipal and regional government bodies, private corporations and organizations to provide alternative energy needs. [Company] is also at the forefront of exploring emerging technology in solar energy and is a huge advocate for the possibilities of what can be achieved using solar energy. The company’s values and goals align well with my own, as I believe the future of energy in our region lies in utilizing solar power and its emerging technology. I think if more of our local companies were able to make the switch to solar more efficiently, they would choose to do so. Part of [Company’s] mission is to make the switch to solar more comfortable, affordable and easy.

After graduation, it is my goal to be hired at this company for a full-time, permanent position. I have previously interned at this company for one year and have gained a good understanding of company operations. As an intern, I helped educate on the benefits of solar power, how our company helps organizations to make the switch and municipal bylaws and policies about installing and using solar power in the region. My hope is to grow with this company long-term, achieving a higher-ranking position within its corporate structure and eventually being promoted to VP of operations. I believe here I would be able to make the most impact and be a positive advocate for the adoption of renewable solar energy systems in my community.

With a graduate degree in environmental sciences from [University], I know I will be able to achieve a higher position at my chosen company, and be armed with the experience and professional skillset I need to truly transform my community. With the knowledge I will gain from this degree, and the passion and experience I will contribute, I can share my vision of a solar-powered future with my community and fellow businesses.

Want to learn some tips that can help you survive grad school once you get there? Take a look at this video:

While writing a career goals statement may be a challenge, a good one can greatly increase your chances of admission to your chosen grad school program. Reading grad school career goals statement samples, asking for someone to review your statement and proofreading will all help you in creating a great statement for your grad school application. You might also look for extra help from a grad school admissions consultant when crafting your career goals statement.

A grad school career goals statement is a document that tells a grad school admissions committee what your short and long-term career goals are, why you are applying to the program and how the program will help you achieve your career goals.

A grad school career goals statement is usually one page long, but no more than two pages.

A good grad school career goals statement includes your detailed short and long-term goals, your reason for studying at the graduate level, why you’ve chosen a specific grad school program, and how this program will contribute to you achieving your goals.

Graduate schools want to learn more about who you are and what you want to achieve in your career. More importantly, they want to know how the program will contribute to you achieving your goals. This information will help them determine if you are a good fit for their program.

A good grad school career goals statement will outline your career ambitions, your motivations for applying to grad school and convince the admissions committee that you are an ideal candidate for your chosen program.

Don’t use the same career goals statement for every program you apply to, don’t use cliches or information that isn’t relevant to your career goals and your purpose in applying for grad school, and don’t submit a draft you haven’t proofread.

Yes. A career goals statement is sometimes called a statement of purpose, personal statement or statement of intent, as the general purpose of all these are the same.

SMART is an acronym which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Your career goals should follow these criteria. Describe your goals in your statement as specifically as possible, make sure they are relevant, measurable and achievable in your chosen field of work, and state when exactly you want to achieve these goals by.

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PhD Interview Questions and Answers (13 Questions + Answers)

Most PhD applications include an interview. This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail.

This article lists some of the most common PhD interview questions along with their answers. The goal is to help you prepare for a PhD interview and pass with flying colors.

1) How did you develop this proposal?

When responding to this question, demonstrate your thought process, research skills, and the evolution of your ideas. Let's choose the subject of "Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning" as an example.

Sample answer:

"My proposal on 'Renewable Energy Integration in Urban Planning' originated from my undergraduate thesis on sustainable cities. Intrigued by the potential of renewable energy in urban environments, I conducted a literature review to identify gaps in current research. This review highlighted a lack of comprehensive strategies for integrating renewable technologies at a city-wide level. I then consulted with experts in urban planning and renewable energy, which provided practical insights into the challenges and opportunities in this field. I designed a methodology that combines spatial analysis with energy modeling to explore optimal renewable energy integration in urban landscapes. This proposal represents an amalgamation of academic research, expert consultation, and innovative methodology development."

This answer is effective because it mentions a literature review demonstrates the ability to conduct thorough research and identify gaps in existing knowledge.

2) Why do you wish to pursue a PhD?

For this question, it's important to articulate your passion for the subject, your long-term career goals, and how the PhD program aligns with these aspects.

Let's choose the subject of "Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare" for this example.

"I am passionate about leveraging technology to improve healthcare outcomes, and pursuing a PhD in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare aligns perfectly with this passion. During my Master's, I was fascinated by the potential of AI to revolutionize diagnostic processes and personalized medicine. I believe a PhD will provide me with the deep technical knowledge and research skills necessary to contribute significantly to this field. My goal is to develop AI systems that enhance medical diagnostics, ultimately improving patient care and treatment efficiency. This PhD program, known for its pioneering research in AI and strong healthcare collaborations, is the ideal environment for me to develop these innovations and achieve my career aspirations in healthcare technology."

This is a great answer because you clearly state that the PhD will provide the necessary skills and knowledge, indicating a clear understanding of the purpose of the program.

3) Why do you think you are the right candidate for this PhD program?

Discuss how your research interests align with the program's strengths and the faculty's expertise. Explain how the program's resources, courses, and research opportunities can help you achieve your academic and career goals.

"I am deeply passionate about environmental science, particularly in the area of sustainable urban development. This passion was ignited during my master's program in Environmental Studies at XYZ University, where I completed a thesis on urban green spaces and their impact on city microclimates. This research not only honed my skills in data analysis and GIS mapping but also highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. I am drawn to your PhD program at ABC University because of its innovative research on sustainable urban planning and the renowned work of Professor Jane Smith in this field. Her research aligns with my interest in integrating green infrastructure into urban planning to mitigate climate change effects. My perseverance, attention to detail, and ability to synthesize complex data make me an ideal candidate for this challenging program. Pursuing this PhD is integral to my goal of becoming an environmental consultant, where I plan to develop strategies for cities to reduce their environmental footprint."

This response is effective because it mentions particular aspects of your experience and the program, avoiding generic statements. It also outlines how the PhD fits into your career path.

4) What do you plan to do after you have completed your PhD?

Be specific about the type of career you aspire to, whether it's in academia, industry, research, etc. Explain how the PhD will equip you with the skills and knowledge for your chosen career path.

"After completing my PhD in Computational Neuroscience, I plan to pursue a career in academia as a university professor. My doctoral research on neural network modeling will provide a strong foundation for teaching and conducting further research in this area. I aim to develop innovative courses that bridge computer science and neuroscience, addressing the growing demand for interdisciplinary knowledge in these fields. Additionally, I intend to continue my research on applying machine learning techniques to understand brain function, which has potential implications for developing new treatments for neurological disorders. This academic pathway allows me to contribute significantly to both education and research in Computational Neuroscience."

This is a great answer because it connects the PhD research directly to future career plans.

It also articulates how your work can impact both academia and the broader field of Computational Neuroscience.

5) Why have you chosen this specific PhD program?

Mention specific aspects of the program that attracted you, such as the curriculum, research facilities, faculty expertise, or reputation.

Explain how the program aligns with your research interests or academic background.

"I chose the PhD program in Artificial Intelligence at MIT because of its cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approach, which perfectly aligns with my academic background in computer science and my passion for machine learning. The program's emphasis on both theoretical foundations and practical applications in AI is particularly appealing. Additionally, the opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], whose work in [specific area, e.g., neural networks or AI ethics] has deeply influenced my own research interests, is a significant draw. This program is an ideal fit for me to further develop my skills and contribute to the field of AI, ultimately aiming for a career in AI research and development in the tech industry."

This answer connects your background and goals to the program's offerings.

Including a specific professor's name shows detailed knowledge about the program and faculty.

6) What impact would you like your PhD project to have?

When answering this question, convey both the academic significance and the potential real-world applications of your research. Let's choose a project focused on developing eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles for this example.

"My PhD project aims to develop new eco-friendly battery technologies for electric vehicles (EVs), addressing both the environmental impact of battery production and the efficiency of energy storage. I hope my research will contribute to the academic field by advancing our understanding of sustainable materials for energy storage, potentially leading to publications and patents. Beyond academia, I envision this project significantly impacting the EV industry by providing a more sustainable and efficient battery alternative. This innovation could play a crucial role in reducing the carbon footprint of transportation and supporting global efforts towards a greener future. Ultimately, I aspire for my work to not only advance scientific knowledge but also drive real-world changes in how we approach energy sustainability in transportation."

This is an excellent answer because it connects the project to larger environmental goals and societal benefits. It also reflects a forward-thinking approach, demonstrating your understanding of the project's potential long-term implications.

7) What difficulties would you expect to encounter during this project?

It's important to demonstrate awareness of potential challenges and convey a proactive mindset toward problem-solving. Let's choose a project focused on the development of a novel AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases for this example.

"In developing an AI-driven diagnostic tool for early detection of neurological diseases, I anticipate several challenges. Firstly, the accuracy and reliability of the tool depend heavily on the quality and diversity of the data used for training the AI algorithms. Obtaining a comprehensive dataset that adequately represents the population can be difficult due to privacy concerns and data availability. Secondly, ensuring the AI model's interpretability to be clinically useful while maintaining high performance is another challenge, given the complexity of neurological diseases. To address these, I plan to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, including data privacy experts and neurologists, to source and utilize data ethically and effectively. I also intend to continuously refine the AI model, focusing on both its predictive accuracy and clinical applicability. These challenges, while significant, present valuable opportunities for innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration."

This response is effective because it clearly outlines realistic challenges specific to the AI diagnostic tool project. It also presents a proactive approach to overcoming these challenges, showing problem-solving skills.

8) How will you fund this project?

When answering this question, show that you've thought about the financial aspects of your research and are aware of funding sources that are available and applicable to your project. 

"I have identified multiple funding sources to support my renewable energy research project at Stanford University. Firstly, I plan to apply for the DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program, which offers substantial support for projects focusing on sustainable energy. My proposal for this grant is already in progress, highlighting how my project aligns with the DOE's priorities in advancing clean energy technologies. Additionally, I'm exploring departmental fellowships at Stanford, particularly those aimed at renewable energy research. I am also keen on establishing industry partnerships, given the project's relevance to current energy challenges and the potential for collaborative funding and technological exchange. Last but not least, I will seek conference grants to present my research findings, which can lead to further academic collaborations and additional funding opportunities."

Notice how this answer mentions funding sources that align with the renewable energy focus of the project and the resources available at Stanford University.

9) Tell us about a time you experienced a setback

Focus on a situation relevant to your academic or research experience. Let's use a real-world example where a research experiment failed due to unexpected variables.

"During my Master’s thesis on the effects of soil composition on plant growth, I faced a major setback. My initial experiments, which involved growing plants in different soil types, failed to produce consistent results due to unanticipated environmental variations in the greenhouse. This was disheartening, especially as the deadline approached. However, I responded by reassessing my experimental setup. I consulted with my supervisor and decided to control more variables, such as humidity and temperature. I also refined my data collection methods to include more frequent soil and plant measurements. These adjustments led to more reliable results, and I successfully completed my thesis. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability in research and reinforced the value of meticulous experimental design."

This is a great answer because it shows how you’ve encountered and overcame a specific problem, demonstrating resilience and adaptability.

10) What are your strengths and weaknesses?

When answering this question, it's important to present a balanced view of yourself, showing self-awareness and a commitment to personal development. Choose strengths that are relevant to a PhD program and weaknesses that you're actively working to improve.

"One of my key strengths is my analytical thinking, which I demonstrated during my Master's project where I developed a novel algorithm for data analysis. This required me to not only understand complex theories but also apply them creatively to solve real-world problems. As for weaknesses, I sometimes struggle with overcommitment, taking on too many projects at once. This occasionally led to stress during my undergraduate studies. However, I am actively working on this by improving my time management skills and learning to prioritize tasks more effectively. I've started using project management tools and setting clear boundaries, which has already shown improvements in my workflow and stress levels."

This answer maintains a good balance between strengths and weaknesses. It also shows self-awareness, demonstrating a proactive approach to personal development.

11) Why have you chosen to study for a PhD at this university?

Mention specific aspects of the PhD program that attracted you. Explain how your research interests align with the work being done at the university.

"I am drawn to the PhD program in Astrophysics at Caltech due to its outstanding reputation in space research and the unparalleled resources available at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory. My research interest lies in the study of exoplanets, and Caltech's active projects in this area, such as the Zwicky Transient Facility, align perfectly with my academic goals. The opportunity to work under the guidance of Professor [Name], known for pioneering work in exoplanetary atmospheres, is particularly exciting. Additionally, Caltech's collaborative environment and emphasis on interdisciplinary research are conducive to my professional growth, providing a platform to engage with experts from various fields in astrophysics."

This response directly connects your research interests with ongoing projects and facilities at Caltech. It also shows you’ve done your research on faculty members and their work.

12) What can you bring to this research group?

Focus on your unique skills, experiences, and perspectives that will contribute to the research group's success. Let's choose the field of Biomedical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University for this example.

"As a prospective member of the Biomedical Engineering research group at Johns Hopkins University, I bring a unique combination of skills and experiences. My expertise in microfluidics, honed during my Master’s research, aligns well with the group’s focus on developing lab-on-a-chip devices for medical diagnostics. I have also co-authored two papers in this field, demonstrating my ability to contribute to high-impact research. Additionally, my experience in a start-up environment, where I worked on developing portable diagnostic tools, has equipped me with a practical understanding of translating research into applications. I thrive in collaborative settings, often bringing interdisciplinary insights that foster innovative problem-solving. I am excited about the prospect of contributing to the group’s ongoing projects and introducing fresh perspectives to advance our understanding and application of biomedical technology."

This response shows your relevant expertise, ability to work in a team, and the unique perspectives you can offer, positioning you as a valuable addition to the research group.

13) Do you have any questions for us?

Asking good questions demonstrates your motivation. It also shows that you’ve given some genuine consideration to the project and/or program you’re applying to.

Some questions you can ask the interviewer include:

• What will the supervision arrangements be for the project?
• What kind of training and skills sessions are offered as part of the PhD program?
• How many other PhD students has this supervisor seen to completion?
• Are there any major developments or partnerships planned for the department?
• Are there likely to be any changes to the funding arrangements for the project?
• What opportunities will I have for presenting my research?

Remember: you’re a good student, with lots of potential. You’re considering at least three years of hard work with this university. You need to know that you’ll get on with your supervisor, that your work will be appreciated and that there are good prospects for your project.

What to wear to a PhD interview

Wear formal attire for a PhD interview. Your best bet is to wear a suit. A navy blue suit is the best and most versatile option. No matter your gender, a suit is always very professional.

For men, wear a suit with a tie, dress shirt, and dress shoes. For women, wear a suit (pantsuit or skirt suit) with a blouse, or conservative dress, and closed-toe shoes.

When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. The goal is to make a professional impression and feel confident, without your attire distracting from the conversation.

What to expect from a PhD interview

At its core, a PhD interview will consist of questions that allow your potential supervisors to get to know you better and have an understanding of what you’d like to study, why you’ve chosen your field of study, and whether you’d be a good fit for the PhD program.

You should expect general questions to help the interviewer get a sense of your likes and dislikes, and your overall personality.

Next, expect questions about your personal motivations for studying a PhD. Your interviewer will also be interested in any relevant experience you have to qualify you to study this PhD.

In the next section, expect questions about your PhD project. You should be prepared to discuss your project idea in detail and demonstrate to the interviewer that you are the ideal candidate.

Last but not least, the interviewer will discuss your future ambitions and give you an opportunity to ask questions. Remember that this interview goes both ways.

It’s important to ask the interviewer relevant questions to show your engagement and the serious consideration you are giving their program.

You are preparing to spend several years of your life at this school. Think about what is important to you and what would make or break your decision to attend this university.

Prepare a list of questions ahead of the interview.

Understanding the interviewer’s point of view

During a PhD interview, interviewers are typically looking for a range of traits that indicate whether you are well-suited for the rigors of a doctoral program and a research career.

These traits include:

Intellectual Curiosity and Passion: A strong enthusiasm for the subject area and a desire to contribute to and expand knowledge in the field.

Research Skills and Experience: Demonstrable skills in conducting research, including designing experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting results. Prior research experience relevant to the PhD topic is often a plus.

Resilience and Perseverance: The capacity to handle setbacks and challenges, which are common in research, and to persist in the face of difficulties.

Collaboration and Teamwork: Although PhD research can be quite independent, the ability to work well with others, including advisors, faculty, and other students, is crucial.

Self-Motivation and Independence: The drive to work independently, manage one's own project, and stay motivated over the long term.

Fit with the Program: Alignment of the candidate’s research interests and goals with the strengths and focus of the PhD program and faculty.

These traits not only indicate your readiness for a PhD program but also your potential to contribute meaningfully to their field of study and succeed in a research-oriented career.

Related posts:

• University Interview Questions (16 Questions + Answers)
• Project Manager Interview Questions (14 Specific Questions + Answers)
• Strength-Based Interview Questions (21 Questions + Answers)
• Engineering Interview Questions (15 Questions + Answers)
• Business Analyst Interview Questions (17 Questions + Answers)

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Career paths after a PhD

Research Retold

Have you completed your PhD? Congratulations! This is a great achievement. You are part of the world’s 1% of the population with a PhD (Coldron, 2022).

If not, maybe, you are thinking about doing a PhD and are considering if it is the right step for you. If you are looking into your future career, asking yourself what you want to do afterwards is important.

So… what happens after a PhD? What could your next adventure be? Would you like to stay in academia? Would you like to try other paths?

Although the most common direction for PhD graduates is academia, it is not the only one.

• Only 30% of PhD graduates end up in academia three years on ( HEPI, 2020 )
• Other graduates transition into industry, the public or charity sectors, education or become entrepreneurs ( University of Toronto, 2016 ).

It is up to your interests and the opportunities you take to make your talents shine.

In this blog, we touch on three paths: a postdoc , working in industry and becoming an entrepreneur . Consider these options if the next stage of your career is still unclear.

Career paths after a PhD :

What is a postdoc .

The most common milestone in an academic career after a PhD is doing a postdoc. This is a period in which you are expected to manage your own career development.

In what sense? Well, you should be proactive and take steps to become an independent researcher ( KU Leuven, 2022 ). This includes:

• setting up and managing a research project to achieve certain objectives
• sharing your expertise with others through teaching, supervising and outreach activities
• taking part in effective collaborations

Research During a postdoc you can develop the skills to design, develop, implement and adapt an extensive research project. This can be a project proposed by you or you can support an existing project or research group. The project can be small or large-scale, in which case you will also gain coordination skills.

Networking You are encouraged to create and extend a network of researchers and industrial partners. A way to do this is by participating in (international) multi-stakeholder projects or research stays abroad. Besides travelling, staying abroad can enhance your professional profile and enrich the scientific community you are part of. Other tasks you should be mindful of, if you choose to stay in academia, are writing papers as well as editing and submitting grant or funding applications.

Teaching The teaching requirements during the postdoc will vary depending on the institution you are working at. In some cases, teaching is not compulsory. In other cases, you are expected to teach a certain number of hours and balance it with your research time. Whichever the case, it is always advisable to carry out some teaching, grading or tutoring; this will enhance your CV, build up your experience and reinforce your knowledge.

Existing support As a postdoc, you should get support from a senior academic who will play the role of “host” and offer guidance. Be mindful of who you choose to work with. Is that person an expert in your field of interest? Are they interested in your project? Are you interested in their project or research group? Are your working styles compatible? As in the case of the PhD, having a good relationship with your supervisor can boost your research and even your career.

Is a Postdoc for you?

Go for it if you want to stay in academia and if you want to become an independent scientist.

How do you know if you want to be a scientist? Well, getting involved in academia can occur in different ways. For example, some people use the PhD or the postdoc as means to advance their career since they can move to different countries and meet different networks where they find better opportunities. In other situations, good students working closely with a professor or research group can be offered the opportunity to stay for longer projects doing a postdoc.

Alternatively, there are people who have always wanted to do research. In this case, a postdoc might be the best course of action since it allows you to consolidate your research skills and gain more experience. Just remember that a postdoc is for a short period of time, usually a couple of years, and afterwards, you might be competing for funding often. If financial stability is a priority for you, consider your options carefully.

During the postdoc, you become aware of your capabilities and you realise how you can employ the skills you learned during the PhD for a personal project. “

Dr Jonathan J Huerta y Munive, Postdoc at the University of Copenhagen

Working in Industry

What are the options for a PhD graduate in the industry?

Positions for PhDs in the industry largely depend on the field of the PhD, and what skills and interests you cultivated. For example, PhDs in arts and humanities can be a good fit for the publishing industry, digital marketing, NGOs, charities or civil services. Moreover, STEM PhDs can find a place in pharmaceuticals, data science, consultancy, industrial chemistry, aeronautics, finance, or even software engineering, among others ( Bennett, 2022 ).

Is a path in industry for you?

The industry has a faster pace and is a different environment than academia. If you want a change of lifestyle, then working in industry might be for you. Another advantage is that in industry, contracts tend to be longer than a postdoc, which provides more financial stability.

How can I transition to industry?

If you want to make the change from academia to the industry you must focus on your strengths. During the PhD, you gained many skills that are highly transferable to the industry. Here are some of the top transferable skills you gain from a PhD ( Lantsoght, 2022 ):

• Writing: After writing a thesis (and possibly journal papers or even blogs), your writing skills have been trained to be clear and concise. This comes in handy when reporting to someone, managing a team or for written communication in general.
• Presenting: If during the PhD you presented your research to many audiences, you now have practice in translating complex information and insights into accessible language and format. Use this skill to express your thoughts clearly according to your audience and influence others, for example when building relationships with stakeholders.
• Visualising information: Depending on your research, it is likely that you employed different visualisation techniques for your thesis and presentations. This experience to create and use clear visualisations is useful for reporting, presenting and management.
• Time management: During the PhD, you learn to manage your time and prioritise tasks. You become capable of organising yourself and meeting deadlines. This is very useful for project management and supervising.
• Analytical thinking : Being able to critically analyse a situation and solve complex problems is crucial in research, but also in businesses. Comparing solutions, deciding the best course of action and being able to see the big picture can provide a competitive edge to organisations.
• Autonomy: During the PhD, you learn to be independent and proactive. You do not need someone to tell you what to do next or to give you a set to-do list. Many organisations appreciate it if you do not require a lot of supervision.
• Teamwork: Depending on the nature of your research project, you might have come across teams that required your collaboration. For example, PhDs working in a laboratory or research group need to adapt to different opinions and working habits. These collaborations make you open-minded towards others and capable of creating productive relationships.
• Resilience: The PhD is full of challenges (the lab equipment is not working, the participants of your study are not complying with the activities, your code does not run, your draft is rejected… you name it). As you overcome them, you persist in achieving your goals. Being able to recover from setbacks and coming up with new solutions is useful for business development.

These skills are valued by commercial employers and organisations who look for skilled staff (including the public and charitable sectors). They also set you apart from bachelor’s and master’s students, so make sure you take advantage of them.

Additionally, be mindful of your interests and look for matching positions. Research your potential employers and think about what they are looking for. Is this something you have or need to develop? Do the daily activities appeal to you? Do you like the working culture? You can find useful information about companies on LinkedIn, so we recommend you create and maintain your profile. Here are some tips for optimising your LinkedIn profile .

Entrepreneurship

Self-employed PhD

As a PhD graduate, you become an expert in your field. It might not feel that way since you also become more aware of all you ignore. Yet, you still have more knowledge than most people. You can use this knowledge as a consultant within an organisation or independently. Alternatively, you can create your own business. It can be totally unrelated to your PhD or it can be the result of your research.

Creating a science spin-off company

It might be the case that your PhD research project can be employed to create new technology/drugs/methodologies with potential for commercialisation. In this case, creating a spin-off company might be something you can become interested in. Here is a list of 44 examples of spin-off companies in case you are looking for inspiration.

Is entrepreneurship for you?

Having a PhD does not necessarily mean you have an entrepreneurial profile. Although resilience, patience and the ability to work in teams are traits you can develop, entrepreneurs have to go the extra mile to influence and inspire others, while raising money and building trust and relationships ( Domayne-Hayman, 2020 ). If this is something you enjoy, then it can be a good path for you.

Things to consider

If you are thinking about creating a spin-off company from your research, consider the following points ( Domayne-Hayman, 2020 ):

• Is your idea fit to work in the real world? How can you make it appropriate for fulfilling a market need? Remember to get feedback from potential users in the early stages.
• How are you going to protect your idea? This will help you reassure investors that they will have a competitive advantage.
• Is there any support at your institution for startups? Many universities have hubs or incubation centres.
• Do you have any intellectual property obligations towards your institution? There are many cases in which the University has the intellectual property of research carried out within its boundaries. Revise your conditions.
• Who will be your team? What is your leadership style? Make sure you are compatible with your team.
• Who will fund your enterprise? Do research on the available kinds of investment (from venture capital to angel investors and supporting programmes at your institution)

In summary:

What do you think? Are any of these three options appealing to you? What do you want to do after your PhD? Let us know in the comments!

Many thanks to our Research Communicator, Phebe Bonilla, for writing this blog post.

• Bennett, Mark (2022) Non-Academic Careers – Jobs for PhD Graduates . Consulted 20th June 2022.
• Coldron, Alice (2022) How Rare (or Common) is it to have a PhD? Consulted 20th June 2022
• Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) (2020) New report shows 67% of PhD students want a career in academic research but only 30% stay in academia three years on . Consulted 21st June 2022.
• KU Leuven (2022) Charter of the postdoctoral researcher and the senior academic host . Consulted 16th June 2022.
• Lantsoght, Eva (2022) Transferable skills from your PhD . Consulted 20th June.
• University of Toronto (2016) 10,000 PhDs Project , School of Graduate Studies. Consulted 21st June 2022.
• Domayne-Hayman, Barbara (2020) The four pillars of a successful science spin-off company , Nature. Career column. Consulted 21st June 2022.
• 44 firms highlighted in The Spinoff Prize 2020 , Nature . Consulted 21st June 2022.

The Savvy Scientist

Experiences of a London PhD student and beyond

Beyond the PhD: my current and future plans

I’ve finished my PhD! Despite the virus, in March I had the viva and submitted my corrections. Which means that as of this month ( specifically April 1st !) it’s all finished and the certificate should be in the post. In case you missed it, here is my recap detailing the rather strange end to my PhD.

I’ve hinted in the past that I planned to take a 1-2 year break to travel after finishing the PhD. Unsurprisingly, this is now on hold for the moment.

In this post I’ll cover what I’m doing instead and set this in the context of my longer term aspirations which I’ve never discussed here before.

My long term career plans

At the heart of it, I want to be able to do a job that I enjoy, working for causes that I feel passionate about. This doesn’t sound very unusual, I’d hope most people set out to do fulfilling work that they enjoy. Sadly in my experience many people get sidetracked by money or feel unable to make bold career moves.

Absolutely central to having so much freedom is to have a savings safety net. Over the past few years I’ve gradually built up my savings and lowered my expenses (2019 report here ).

In the short term having savings means I can afford to support myself without immediately seeking out another job. In the long term this affords me the option to move around, take lower-paid jobs I care about, take risks and try different things or even take voluntary (unpaid) positions to build up experience.

Read more about financial freedom here or the Mr. Money Mustache blog which takes it even further.

One of the things which appeals to me most about financial freedom is being able to afford to work part time at your main job if you choose. This could provide you with a good amount of time each week to concentrate on other projects you feel strongly about, even potentially building up a “portfolio career”.

It would be great to be able to continue spending time helping students on this website, whilst at the same time picking up a few other projects which can help in other fields.

What I care about

I care about two main things: people and the planet. I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing in 10 years time, but I know that I’m passionate about these two main causes and want to play my part in making the world a better place. That sounds very non-committal, but this means that I have some scope to try out a huge range of different fields.

Potential fields of work

Fields on my radar which I’ve been considering going into include:

• Coral reef restoration (full post here )
• Economic sustainability / Green banking
• Urban food growing
• Fighting human exploitation
• Reforestation
• Lab grown meat production
• Fighting exploitation of natural resources
• All things “levelling the playing field” such as fighting racial or sexual discrimination
• Personal finance empowerment
• Or simply carrying on in the field of my PhD: regenerative medicine

A pretty diverse list! They’re all tied together by the central idea of trying to help make the world a better place.

How could I help?

You may have noticed that the list above doesn’t actually state jobs, they’re fields or aims.

Of course it’d be no good me saying I want to fight exploitation in court: I’m not a lawyer!

There are other ways to get involved though, in the case of fighting exploitation that could be:

• Using novel methods to track and/or stop it close to the source ( this for example )
• Uncovering and analysing data to assess prevalence and focus resources
• Raising awareness and public support by reporting as a journalist (shoutout to Ronan Farrow ) or filmmaker
• Even introducing policy: though please stop me from pursuing politics!

I don’t believe that people should have to “stay in their lane” and stick to the profession they trained in: sometimes tackling a problem from a new angle can help. You probably have some complimentary skills from another discipline which could be applied.

I believe that having a passion for something is likely reason enough to spend your time on it. If you care about a cause there is a way to apply your enthusiasm to help.

Where could I work?

Academia – there are no shortage of research groups working on things I care about. In the short term doing a postdoc somewhere could be a handy way to see another part of the world and build my skills while contributing to the field.

Business – I feel like I could have very fulfilling careers working in a huge range of companies, ranging from eco-web search company Ecosia , ethical banking company Triodos through to fighting sexual exploitation with Thorn .

Social enterprise / Charity – Corals for Conservation (group I helped in Fiji), Migrateful , 38 Degrees or a whole host of other charities and social enterprises could make for interesting work.

How about starting my own company?

I’m not at all opposed to starting my own company or social enterprise if there is a niche not currently being well served. At the moment though the idea of raising funding and being responsible for salaries (especially with an impending financial downturn!) doesn’t sound at all fun to me.

Potentially starting with lifestyle business (which are much more modest) currently sounds more appealing to dip my toes in and is something I’m considering.

So as you can see, I’m not 100% set on staying on academia, but that is not to say the PhD wasn’t worth doing.

Will my PhD be useful?

Unlike other PhD students, who may have a very focussed aim of becoming an academic afterwards (see the piece with one such PhD student here ), I’m not sure whether academia is right for me long term.

I don’t dislike the idea, but I’m certainly much less sold on it than I was at the start. I’ve seen how competitive funding applications are even once you’ve “made it” and I am all too aware of how slow the pace of progress is.

I may end up going in to careers where having a PhD isn’t necessary but I know that it will have been useful. All the points in this post about why I decided to do a PhD still hold true, I enjoyed the research which is enough. For my own personal growth it has been fantastic, I learned new skills, gained confidence and frankly now won’t be stuck wondering if I should have done one.

Additionally, many of the fields I’m considering are both science-orientated and technical. Having a PhD will be a fantastic asset in practically every role for the fields I’m interested in.

There is no doubt that for better or worse simply having a PhD is useful and points towards technical competence, even if you’re switching fields.

Why I’m not staying on in the research group

Before recent events, I’d said to my supervisor that I wasn’t interested in staying on in the research group. This was for a few reasons:

• I wanted to take a career break and go travelling.
• I felt satisfied with where I’d finished my work. It’s not like staying on for another year or two would have drastically progressed my PhD work.
• I knew I didn’t want to stay in London long term. I’d like to be able settle down and buy a home at some point and don’t really fancy getting locked in to a 25 year mortgage paying £400,000 or more for a small apartment.
• As shown by the list above, I’m interested in a diverse range of fields. Almost all of them are either more impactful (in my opinion), or help a wider range of people, than my PhD work. I don’t think I’d be satisfied if I don’t at least spend a bit of time trying to help with some of them.

Further to this, I knew that if I stayed in the group as a postdoc it would then be all too tempting to apply for fellowships or lecturer positions and never end up going travelling.

Why would I make myself voluntarily unemployed?

A few main reasons:

• I was expecting to take a break after my PhD and don’t want to go straight in to something
• So that I can take a low-risk chance on new ideas
• I’m not anxious in my ability to find a job
• I don’t need the money
• I want to be able to carry on with my travel plans immediately once things settle down

Of course I don’t know exactly how long the current situation will last for, but I’m in the extremely fortunate position (savings, low rent and no social pressure) to be under no obligation to need a job for the sake of making money.

I’ve shared this article before but it’s worth sharing again. Disregarding the slight irony that some people may see getting a PhD as a big fat badge itself, the main point to take away from that article is that ambitious people should feel able to take risks. That’s one of main reasons I feel so strongly about financial freedom and I am so thankful to be in a position where I don’t have to have a job to make ends meet.

What about gaps on my CV?

I’m not in the least bit worried about not being employed at the moment. In addition to the positive reasons above for why I’m taking a break, I’m not sure if I’ll ever be working in a conventional workplace where taking a break may count against me.

Plus these are really unusual times, I think recruiters will look on this period very differently to usual, a lot of people are being disrupted.

Part of the reason I’m beginning a series from now on to share my monthly plans is to track what I’m up to, ensuring I’m accountable for the new things I want to learn.

I could always point potential employers here if it needed any justification, I’d expect most employers to respect this. If an employer takes issue with me taking some time off, learning new skills and evaluating what I want to do with my life then I probably don’t want to work for them.

Short term plans: how I’m spending to my time now

Now that I’m not able to travel, I’ve temporarily moved in with my girlfriend and her family. Besides a few weeks of casual employment to work on papers I haven’t tried to get reemployed by the university since the lockdown.

Instead what I want to do with my time here in the UK before travelling is:

• Take a break
• Improve my skills
• Develop this website further
• Finish off a few papers (at my own pace)
• Consider new ideas, projects or opportunities

Taking a break most definitely involves baking:

We just made a double-batch of @thehappypear oat cookies and can confirm that they're very tasty! 🍪😁 https://t.co/7ubmbGP9C4 pic.twitter.com/BdPpR0NMpi — Jeff Clark (@savvy_scientist) April 12, 2020

Improving my skills

There are some skills I fancy dedicating some time to because of one of the following reasons:

• May help in future jobs
• They sound fun
• Could be useful in life
• I’m intrigued and simply fancy learning for the joy of it

Currently this list of skills includes:

• Creating visual content: painting, animation (Blender) and videos
• Coding: Python, making apps and getting an introduction to machine learning
• Baking bread
• Statistics for large datasets

I started learning handstands just before COVID-19 but this is currently on hold because I’m scared of breaking myself and needing to go to hospital! I’d love to learn backflips but yeah no, I’m not risking them at the moment!

We live in an amazing time where new skills in practically every domain can be learned for free online. I want to make good use of this myself, starting now.

Maybe some of these will be useful in the future, maybe not, but I want to spend some time trying them out and now seems like a good time.

Further to this, the barriers to getting involved, sharing your ideas or starting a new business are becoming obsolete.

You can start a YouTube channel with just your phone or self-publish a book with minimal upfront costs. Medium, WordPress and Twitter make sharing your thoughts simpler than ever. I’m looking at ways to expand my reach whilst learning new skills with these tools.

The Savvy Scientist website

I started this website to target the “levelling the playing field” goal: making information about PhDs more widely available, sharing my experiences with people who might not have immediate access to people who’ve gone through the process.

Neither of my parents went to university, so I’ve personally benefitted from reading about other peoples’ experiences online – both at undergraduate level and postgraduate. It would be fantastic if I in turn could pass on my knowledge and help the next generation of scientists.

I didn’t post here as frequently during my PhD as I would have liked, and I’d like to change this going forwards. Traffic is building every month and the feedback I’ve received on the small amount of content I have here has been very useful.

As well as hopefully giving an insight in to PhDs, the website is a good outlet for tracking my own ideas and thoughts whilst hopefully improving my writing.

I’m playing with the idea of making videos to compliment the written content. Video content is becoming more and more popular so could help reach a larger audience plus video production is one of the skills I’d like to learn anyway.

Staying Accountable

Going forwards I plan to share a monthly update on what I’m up to. This will outline my goals for the next month and reflect on my progress from the month before.

Update: The first of my monthly updates is now live here .

This should help to keep me focussed on my long term goals and give a nice diary to be able to look back on to track progress. I fear that if I don’t set a plan, before I know it it’ll be autumn and all I’ll have done is watch every Bon Appetite video!

You don’t need to have finished your PhD to plan for the future! Where do you wan t your career to go and what steps can you take to get there?

I hope this post has inspired you to think about what you want to do with your career or inspired you to try learning a few new skills. I’ll keep you updated on my progress. You can subscribe here:

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4 Comments on “Beyond the PhD: my current and future plans”

Congratulations on your PhD in generative medicine! I have always been told that there is no “best path” to leadership.

I wanted to get a PhD myself, but is not the PhD a personal journey?

I find many people, myself included, that often confuse the PhD as something you do for a research supervisor at some institution. Ludicrous, right?

A PhD is something I discover for myself, to place my own grain of sand in the corpus of science that exists today! Agreed?

Count me as a follower of yours 🙂 Maybe we can publish a paper together one day on economics sustainability / green banking 😀

Thank you, Salma!

I agree that a PhD is a personal journey of which each person’s path is different and over which you are able to add to scientific knowledge. As PhD students we are certainly in fortunate positions to be able spend our time learning about subjects which interest us.

You are in fact the second person in a day to mention sustainable banking: I didn’t know that there would be much interest so now see that there could be an appetite for some further content. I’m always open for collaborations or to hear new ideas: feel free to contact me via the About page if you want to discuss any ideas in further depth.

Best wishes

Congrats on you Ph D and I wish you good luck in whatever path you choose 🙂

I got my Ph D 14 years ago and believe me I’m still unsure about what to do next. I guess I’m focusing more on the journey rather than the destination…. and not worrying so much about “holes” in my CV…

I, a little bit like you, also felt that academia wasn’t for me since teaching wasn’t my thing and besides I wouldn’t do research on the stuff I like but rather the stuff that gets financed. During these 14 years I run 2 companies (1 of which I’m running at the moment – no employees) I’ve taken regular jobs and consultancy work. I’ve had some interesting projects on the side, I published some papers (on my own pace – it felt so good – do not miss the “publish-or-perish” mentality at uni) and also published a book.

At the moment, I’m running my company and consulting at the same time (lucky enough to survive the COVID-19 wave of resignations) I’m also leaning towards social/lifestyle enterprise and a balanced happy life where I feel I have enough money and can still evolve as a scientist and a human being.

I think the financial freedom (as in FIRE – not sure if you refer to that) is quite hard to achieve and requires a lot of sacrifice with an insecure outcome (a downturn like COVID-19 or 2008-crises will eat up your capital). In my opinion the best way is to live a balanced life with no excess (frugal if you want to put it in those terms) that you feel you get what you want out of your life, of course invest the money you don’t use, and have not one source of income but a few (that you hopefully enjoy doing)…. like income from a book or maybe a patent or 2. Giving Udemy courses and of course consulting…

I think what I’m trying to say. Live your life on your own terms and don’t worry too much about your CV or what other people think you should do. Live a balanced life, there is no fun in putting a lot of effort/money on the side and sacrificing your present for a future you don’t even know how it will look like (or even that you’d be around to live it).

Thanks very much for your comment!

We do sound pretty similar with a very well aligned view on life, I can only hope to follow your lead. You said it great here: “a balanced happy life where I feel I have enough money and can still evolve as a scientist and a human being”.

I agree with all that you’ve said about money. In terms of financial freedom, I consciously didn’t brand what I meant as FIRE because my plan isn’t to have a huge savings pot as recommended in FIRE (~25 years expenses, around £250,000 for me). Instead I’ve got a more modest amount of savings which wouldn’t sustain me indefinitely but is enough to grant me full autonomy. This takes away any worry of needing to stay in a job I might not like, or of being put off a job because the salary wouldn’t otherwise cover the expenses of a flashy lifestyle, or anything else which may detract from living life on my own terms. As an aside: by being frugal with the day to day things kind of ironically means that I can afford to do more extravagant memorable experiences which typical people may not even consider. For example earlier this morning I was exploring the possibility to learn to paraglide: I can thankfully afford to do it no problem and we only have limited time on earth so I’d much rather spend my money (and time) doing interesting things I enjoy! Oh and in terms of downturns eating up capital, this is why I always keep a decent chunk of savings as cash, it serves two benefits: 1) not requiring me to begrudgingly sell assets when they’re worth less because I’m desperate for cash 2) I can continue investing during the downturn effectively getting more for my money. I definitely ought to write more about my approach to savings and investments, there have been others who have discussed this with me recently too.

I really like the sound of your income sources! I expect more and more people to be diversifying their income sources which opens up a lot of interesting possibilities to live a more balanced life.

Thanks again for such an insightful comment. We should stay in touch. Feel free to contact me at any time.

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Home » 57+ Attractive Career Objective for PhD Resume Ideas

57+ Attractive Career Objective for PhD Resume Ideas

Do you have a creative career objective for PhD resume, but also want to pursue your Ph.D.? This blog will guide you through the process of identifying what is most important for you and how to set realistic goals. It’s important to remember that this path may not always be straightforward. But with some research on your desired topic area, commitment to your goal, and an open mind about the best way forward, it can be achieved!

One of the primary goals for doctoral students is to obtain a position in academia after completing their degree. This may be in the form of the tenure track, research or teaching assistant positions, or other academic roles such as department/university administrator.

A career objective for PhD resume would be something like “Seeking a tenure track position as an assistant professor at an academic institution.” To stand out from the crowd. Consider adding some information about yourself or your research that is relevant to the job description of the positions you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a position as a research assistant. You might want to say something like “Seeking a full-time or part-time research assistantship position at an academic institution focusing on brain imaging and Alzheimer’s disease.”

career objective for PhD resume helps to show that you are serious about your research interests and not just trying to get any position for the sake of getting a Ph.D. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the person reading your CV or cover letter may not be familiar with your field or publication record. So it is up to you to convince them that you are qualified for the job!

Table of Contents

5 Tips to Write Good Resume Objective

it is very important that you choose your career goal when writing your CV and cover letter to reflect the goal you are trying to reach. These 5 tips will help you to choose or write the best career objective for Ph.D. resume

• Keep it short, simple and focused.
• It should be around three or four sentences long.
• Stay positive.
• Use the present tense when possible.
• Focus on your academic skills rather than research experience, which is more important in an industry setting.

Sample career objective for PhD Application

In addition, you should always be keeping up with the latest publications from individuals working in your desired field so that you can drop their names into your CV or cover letter when appropriate. If you are able to fit in a sentence about how you collaborated with the researcher in question, even better.

This approach of focusing your career objective for Ph.D. resume on the position you are applying for shows that you have not just done research in general. But that you have a more specific focus and are interested in certain types of positions due to your skills or interests.

• PhD student looking for a position in scientific publishing that will allow me to keep up with current research in the field of X.
• I am a young, creative, and enthusiastic scientist with experience in both academic and industrial settings. Seeking to use my strong technical skills with an emphasis on pharmacology to contribute to your organization’s success.
• Seeking an assistant professor position that will allow me to focus on developing new treatments for X.
• Working as a researcher in hydrology at [company] has given me the experience and tools necessary to contribute to your firm.
• I am interested in using my creativity and passion for design with my background in multimedia and web development to help improve your organization’s image.
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Objective for PhD Resume

The objective should immediately follow the personal information section at the top of the resume. Majority of resumes have a brief objective. However, it is not necessary to have one even if you are going to use other parts such as skills and previous jobs. It is advisable to keep the objective focused and specific to the job for which you are applying.

• I am seeking employment which will allow me to use my business administration, marketing and communication skills with an emphasis on social media and user experience design.
• Have extensive international experience in customer service and sales, as well as experience with social media platforms. Aspire to use my knowledge of the principles and practices of customer service within an organization. Where I can facilitate positive interaction between customers and employees.
• I am seeking a position that allows me to utilize my educational background in biology along with my communication expertise to work as a medical writer and/or editor.
• To utilize my education and experience in business administration to contribute to an organization’s goal of providing the best customer service possible to their customers for mutual success.
• Looking a position within the nonprofit sector, using my education, leadership skills. And ability to facilitate positive change for an organization that is aligned with my values.

CV Objective for PhD Resume

The objective for a Ph.D. resume occurs at the top of the document in bold-faced type. This statement will vary depending on your career goals. But should always be written to highlight what you are looking for in your next position or field of employment.

The objective may include an introductory sentence briefly explaining why you are applying to the particular job. So here are some examples to give you idea that how you can plot your skills in a career objective for Ph.D. resume.

• I have interested in a career where I can utilize my marketing and communication skills to promote products and services that will make the world a more sustainable place.
• I would like to pursue a career within operations management. Which utilizes my business and organizational skills, as well as my analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Seeking a career opportunity that would utilize my multidisciplinary background in the fields of finance, economics, technology, engineering, energy and environment.
• I am seeking a challenging position within Sales & Marketing or Management. Where I can utilize my analytical abilities to excel at problem solving and decision-making. I’m currently exploring opportunities with corporations as well as smaller scale startups with fast-paced growth.

Career Objective for PhD Application

The objective is not an extensive overview of your education or employment history. But should include only the most pertinent information. When writing this section, be sure to list specific career goals; for example, do not write “Rather than work as a science teacher.

I would like a job at a large corporation” because the objective should always be focus on what you hope to achieve rather than your current situation. Below are few examples to give you idea

• To utilize the experience I have gained working with international organizations towards gaining a position. Where I can apply my education and training in an entry level capacity.
• I am seeking a position within the nonprofit sector. Using my education, leadership skills and ability to facilitate positive change for an organization that is align with my values.
• Pursuing an entry-level position in manufacturing or production management. I aspire to use my knowledge of industrial processes, technologies and materials within a company. Specializes in the production of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology products or medical devices.
• Have worked in various areas of customer service for over 10 years . Would like further develop my communication, interpersonal and organizational skills for a position in the field of customer service.
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CV Objective for PhD Application

When writing your objective it should demonstrate that you have researched the topic before applying and are familiar with current literature on the topic. Make sure you have a good understanding of what is currently known about the topic. Then explain how you will add to this knowledge through original research. You should explain how your degree will help you obtain the skills necessary for the position. Such as computer and statistical experience, etc. Below are few ideas

• I am seeking an entrepreneurial role within the travel industry. Where I can utilize my customer care and international relations skills. My previous roles with high-growth startups have provided me with valuable knowledge in this area.
• I have interest in exploring the corporate finance field. Where I can use my strong analytical abilities to make informed business decisions
• Seeking a research position that will allow me to build on my extensive knowledge and experiences in the fields of pharmaceutical and clinical research.
• Developing custom software applications to enhance the day-to-day operations within an organization

Objective in CV for PhD Application

Your career goal should be in line with the position you want to apply for i.e. If you are applying for a teaching assistantship, focus on that. If you are applying for a research assistantship then focus much more heavily on your research interests. And how it benefits the research of the laboratory to which you are applying. Following are some examples

• PhD candidate seeking a research-based position in the field of biomedical engineering. Focused on improving efficiency and productivity for organizations through implementation of new technology.
• Seeking to contribute my experience in research, computer science, project management, software development, and technical support.
• I seek an assistant professor position that will allow me to leverage my background in hydrology and water resources.
• I would like to use my extensive research and publications in X field to contribute to your company.
• Research-based PhD graduate with the goal of contributing my expertise in cancer biology, gene therapy, and cell culture techniques.
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If you’re looking for career advice, we hope the career objective for PhD resume we shared has been helpful. Comment below and let us know if any of these tips have helped you in your job search or what type of help you need with your resume writing process. We are happy to assist! With this article, we hope to have given you some ideas for your resume. If there are any other points you would like us to cover.

Or if you have any questions about what should be included in a career objective for PhD resume. Please comment below and share! We’ll do our best to provide more advice on the subject of resumes that will help get your career started off on the right foot.

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career development

7 Meaningful Answers to "What are Your Career Aspirations?" in an Interview

Learn the best approaches to answer interview questions about your career aspirations. We provide example answers and explain what makes them meaningful.

Together Team

Published on 

August 9, 2023

Updated on 

Time to Read

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“What are your career aspirations?”

This has to be one of the most commonly asked questions in interviews besides the standard questions about the candidate’s professional background, skills, and experience.

"Career aspirations" refer to an individual's long-term professional goals and ambitions, encompassing the desired achievements and personal growth they seek throughout their journey.

Interviewers inquire about your professional aspirations to gain insights into your long-term motivations, passion, and alignment with the company's vision, helping them assess if your goals and the organization's objectives are in sync. 

The key to providing meaningful answers is to be genuine and demonstrate a clear connection between your career aspirations and the value you can bring to the organization. Tailor your responses to the specific job and company, and let your passion for personal and professional growth shine through.

7 examples of answers about career aspirations

When asked about your career aspirations, a meaningful answer that goes beyond personal growth will help you differentiate yourself from other interviewees. Here are seven meaningful answers that can make a lasting impression on interviewers:

1. Pursuing continuous learning and skill development 

Example: "My career aspirations are centered around constant growth and skill enhancement. I am committed to staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in the industry. In the coming year, I plan to pursue specialized certifications and attend industry conferences to learn from experts . By continuously improving my skills, I aim to bring innovative strategies to the table and contribute to the company's success in reaching new audiences."

While the above example is a generalized statement on continuous learning , you can improve it by naming specific skills and certifications that you mean to acquire.

2. Making a positive impact on society and the environment

Example: "Beyond personal career goals, I am passionate about creating a positive impact on society and the environment through my work. I aspire to work for a company with a strong commitment to sustainability. I envision aligning my career with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and actively participating in corporate social responsibility initiatives. I find immense fulfillment in contributing to a greener and more sustainable future, and I believe that my dedication to these causes will resonate with the organization's values and mission."

The above answer will help you showcase your interest in contributing to a larger purpose by making a difference in the world. Make it your own by discussing any volunteer work you are involved in to emphasize your commitment to meaningful impact.

3. Becoming a thought leader and influencer in the industry

Example: "My ultimate career aspiration is to become a thought leader and influencer in my field. I plan to publish research papers, contribute to open-source projects, and participate in conferences to share my knowledge. Additionally, I aspire to become an active member of industry forums and engage in public speaking opportunities to promote advancements in the industry. By becoming a recognized authority, I can position the company as a leader in our space."

Turn the above example into a highly specific answer by mentioning your area of expertise and your topic of research. Give examples of other thought leaders in your industry and how they helped establish their organizations as leaders in their space.

4. Embracing leadership opportunities

Example: "As a seasoned manager, my career aspiration is to take on more significant leadership roles and contribute to the growth of the organization's talent. I envision leading cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative work culture, and mentoring emerging managers . A company can grow and succeed faster when the more experienced members of the team empower and guide others."

Communicate your interest in taking on leadership roles and guiding others to success. Make the above example your own by discussing your leadership style and how you plan to inspire and motivate team members.

5. Driving innovation and advancement within the company 

Example: "Innovation drives me, and I am passionate about leveraging technology to push the boundaries of what's possible. My career aspiration is to lead the research and development team, where I can spearhead new product ideas and create groundbreaking solutions. I envision fostering an innovation-focused culture within the organization, where employees are encouraged to experiment and think outside the box. By introducing disruptive products to the market, we can elevate the company's position and stay ahead of the competition."

To be more specific with the answer, talk about your ideas for improving processes or developing new products or services for the company.

6. Cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment 

Example: "My biggest career aspiration revolves around creating an inclusive and diverse work environment. I envision implementing diversity training programs, establishing mentorship opportunities for underrepresented groups, and ensuring that all employees feel valued and respected. By fostering a workplace that celebrates differences, we can boost employee morale, creativity, and ultimately contribute to the company's overall success."

In your answer, discuss strategies for promoting inclusivity and building a diverse team. Emphasize the positive impact of diversity on organizational performance and innovation.

7. Becoming a mentor and guiding others to success

Example: "One of my most significant career aspirations is to take on a mentorship role within the organization. Throughout my career journey, I have benefited greatly from the guidance and support of mentors who have helped me develop both professionally and personally. I aspire to pay it forward by becoming a mentor to junior colleagues and assisting them in their career growth. By sharing my knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned, I hope to inspire and empower others to reach their full potential and contribute to a more dynamic and skilled workforce within the company."

Mentorship can have a profound impact on individual development and team cohesion. By showcasing your willingness to mentor and uplift others, you demonstrate not only a commitment to your own growth but also a dedication to fostering a supportive and collaborative work culture within the organization.

How to answer questions on career aspirations during an interview

When answering the question about career aspirations, demonstrate your alignment with the company's values and showcase your enthusiasm for personal and organizational growth. To ace this critical aspect of the interview, consider the following tips:

Read about the company’s vision and mission, and the job role

When asked about your career aspirations, connect your goals with the company's mission. Search the company's website and annual reports to understand their core values and long-term objectives. Read the job description carefully, because it will also have details about how the role you are interviewing for contributes to the overall picture. 

You will be able to give better answers if you know what the company stands for and how you will potentially fit in and add value. For instance, instead of saying, "I want to improve my leadership skills," say, "I aspire to become a leader who can drive the organization towards achieving its mission of sustainable environmental practices."

Speak with a “We” mindset

Avoid phrases that focus solely on personal gain. Most employers look for a team-oriented and collaborative mindset in their employees. By focusing on how you can contribute to the collective success of the organization and its goals, you will show the interviewers that you are a team player.

Instead of saying, "I want to be making $150,000 in two years," say that "I aim to contribute to the success of the team by utilizing my skills to achieve higher growth."

Be specific and realistic about your goals

Instead of providing vague statements like, "I want to be successful," be specific about your aspirations, such as "I aspire to take on a managerial role within the next three years, leading cross-functional teams and driving innovative projects."

Being specific and realistic about your goals during an interview shows that you have a clear understanding of your career path and have thoughtfully considered your aspirations. It also indicates that you are pragmatic and grounded, making you a more credible candidate who can set achievable targets and work diligently towards them, increasing your chances of being seen as a reliable and valuable asset to the organization.

Show enthusiasm and passion for your career path

Demonstrate your excitement for your chosen career path by saying, "I am genuinely passionate about (let’s say) marketing, and I look forward to creating impactful campaigns that can connect with customers on a deeper level and drive brand loyalty."

Employers value candidates who are enthusiastic about their work as they are more likely to be motivated, proactive, and willing to go the extra mile to excel in their role.

Common pitfalls to avoid when answering questions about career aspirations

By effectively communicating your career aspirations during an interview, you can leave a lasting impression on potential employers. However, candidates should steer clear of the following two common pitfalls:

1. Using cliches and vague responses

Using cliches and providing vague responses can make your answer sound insincere and lacking in authenticity. Vague statements like "I want to make a difference" or "I want to be successful" don't provide meaningful insights into your actual goals and may come across as generic.

Instead of saying, "I want to be a leader who inspires others," be more specific by saying, "My career aspiration is to become a compassionate and influential team leader, empowering my team members to achieve their goals and foster a collaborative work environment."

2. Being too modest or self-deprecating

While it's essential to strike a balance between confidence and humility, being overly modest or self-deprecating may undermine your credibility and hinder your chances of making a strong impression. It's crucial to showcase your strengths and aspirations with conviction without sounding arrogant.

Instead of downplaying your accomplishments with statements like, "I was just lucky to receive that award," own your achievements and say, "I am proud of the hard work and dedication that led to receiving the award, and it motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my career."

Strike the right balance between authentic and impressive 

When answering questions about your career aspirations, honesty in your responses is essential, as it reflects your genuine motivations and long-term goals.

Strike a balance between authenticity and alignment, and let your enthusiasm for your career path shine through. By articulating your aspirations with clarity and conviction, you present yourself as a proactive and dedicated candidate, poised to make a significant impact within the organization. Your ability to combine honesty and alignment is the key to leaving a strong impression and increasing your chances of securing the opportunity that aligns perfectly with your career aspirations.

Want to grow in your career and achieve your career aspirations? Learn from those who have walked the path before you. Find mentors that will teach you how to navigate the ups and downs of your career and make the right moves to achieve your goals.

Dive deeper into the topic in our mentees guide

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Create an Academic CV or Resume for Your MS/MBA/PhD

Are you confused about how to write a good CV? Not clear about the difference between a CV and a Resume ? To begin with, a well-written CV will help your application stand out among thousand of other MS or MBA aspirants. It adds value to your profile and highlights your academic achievements comprehensively.

Read more about the guidelines for preparing your CV and Resume to pursue a degree overseas. 

What is a CV?

The Curriculum Vitae, commonly called the CV or Resume, is integral to a student's application. While in India, the two are used interchangeably , in most other countries, a few differences exist. A Resume is usually shorter and is a brief of one's accomplishments, while a CV is a far more detailed report of one's activities.

Note - Some universities in the US and most in Australia require students to submit a resume, while most European and US universities require students to submit a CV.

Guidelines for Preparing a CV

Create a more detailed CV with your work experience and education qualifications; the length could vary from 2-6 pages. Furthermore, your CV will contain information like your academic background; research or teaching experience; accomplishments, recognition, awards and honours; presentations and publications; internships and project work; certifications; professional qualifications and work experience.

• The order of topics in a CV format is flexible.
• Arrange sections to highlight strengths for the position you are seeking.
• Elaborate on accomplishments and skills within categories.
• List items within each category chronologically, with the most recent appearing first.
• Include additional headings when appropriate to reflect certifications, workshops, seminars, publications, etc.
• Present information in an easily accessible and attractive style.
• Use language and acronyms recognized in your field.
• Avoid using bold, italics, lines or graphics in your CV. To emphasize a word or title, you can ensure that all the letters in the word or title are in upper case.
• When sending your CV via email, state your objectives and career interests in the first few lines so that your target audience is sufficiently interested in your email to read your entire CV. You may attach your CV as a PDF file or cut and paste the CV content into the email message's text, making it easier to read on a mobile phone.
• Highlight your desire to study independently, which is a highly valued quality in the eyes of admission officers.

Skeleton of a CV

Click to Download FREE CV Template

The Curriculum Vitae, commonly called the CV, or the resume, is an integral part of a student’s application. While in India, the two are used interchangeably, in most other countries, there are a few differences between a CV and a resume. A resume is usually shorter and is a brief of one’s accomplishments, while a CV is a far more detailed report of one’s activities. Some universities in the US and most in Australia require students to submit a resume, while a majority of European and US universities require students to submit a CV.

What is a Resume?

Resumes are 1-2 page summaries of your work experience, education qualifications, skills and achievements .

Chances are universities requesting resumes would spend around 1-2 minutes scanning your resume to get a brief idea of your profile. To cater to this expectation, your resume needs to be concise with sufficient white space to allow comfortable reading.

Guidelines for Preparing a Resume

• Do not exceed two pages.
• Re-evaluate your experience. Consequently, think creatively about how your academic experience can be translated into the necessary skills for a non-academic environment.
• Consider mentioning skills such as project management, leadership, teamwork, effective communication, and meeting deadlines.
• Choose action verbs to describe your experience. Practical examples of how to tell your experience would be: "Responsible for handling 50+ client calls per day …", "Exceeded sales goal by 7% …" or "Trained 5 junior team members on compliance procedures …". This not only tells the reader about your experiences but highlights the outcome of each experience.
• Listing your experiences in descending order, with the latest knowledge on top, makes the most sense, as the admission committee would want to see your most recent qualifications first.
• Include a well-written objective; state the type of position and work setting you seek, your skills or abilities, and your long-term goals.
• Ensure that your resume supports your objective.
• Emphasize skills and accomplishments.
• List some relevant presentations, publications, and papers, but not all of them.
• Tailor your resume to the role you are seeking. First, look at the job description and highlight the experience and skills that seem essential. Then, look at your resume with fresh eyes, and consider how you can better incorporate the skills you've noticed in the job description.
• Create several versions of your resume: a hard copy (ready to print and hand out to your network or interviewers), a version that can be scanned (limit the italics and other word processing treatments), and a plain text version (a plain text file or Text-Only document that can be copied and pasted into online applications).
• Have someone proofread it.

Skeleton of a Resume

Name | Phone | Email Address

STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE  

Describe clearly and succinctly in one sentence why you are applying for the position, summarizing the type of position you are seeking, where you want to work, and what aspect of the field you are interested in.

Employers use summary statements to weed out the clueless from the savvy. Here are some examples that strike the right balance between breadth and specifics:

• Seeking a challenging position as a computer programmer, incorporating skills in artificial intelligence, machine learning and data mining
• Desire a role in a management-consulting organization requiring outstanding verbal, analytical, and teamwork skills
• Looking for a position as an analytical chemist in a semiconductor manufacturing company specializing in transmission electron microscopy

QUALIFICATION AND SUMMARY  

In 2-3 bullet points, describe your most important capabilities that, usually include the essential skills for the job you are applying to, years of experience, credentials or areas of specialization.

EDUCATION  

Mention in reverse chronological order the Name of the institution (PhD, master's, bachelor's), location of institution and year of graduation, department or significant and academic honours (i.e., distinction), and any professional certificates or accreditation or minors.

Don't mention the titles of your theses (that might go into work experience but only if applicable), the Name of your adviser, or your GPA (if it is requested, often along with GRE/SAT scores; list it/them separately), and your high school's Name.

WORK EXPERIENCE  

List three to five internships or jobs that highlight the skill set that is most desirable to the employer, highlighting how you made a difference by citing specifics and using quantifiable measures of what you did. For example, don't just say you TA'd a lab section; tell employers that you "taught introductory laboratory chemistry to 23 students.

You should use action verbs in active past or present tense. For example, rather than saying, "I was responsible for the operation, maintenance, student training, and certification of users for x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, 1992-1995," say, "I maintained and operated x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. I trained and certified 44 students over 3 years."

If you are just out of college with little work experience, you can write about Something particularly notable in college. For example, I was the technical director of a theatre on campus.

To write your experiences, follow this format: Job title | Name of the organization | Location (city, state) of the organization, and year of employment (nobody cares about months)

OTHER EXPERIENCES  

Something which is not covered already. For example, computer skills and foreign-language skills can be included here.

WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE  

Your hobbies, Date of birth, marital status, number of children you have, and salary requirements.

While this is optional, including some excellent references can help your case. Mention the person's full Name, job title, place of employment, relationship to you, complete address, phone number, and email address

Resumes are 1-2 page summaries of your work experience, education qualifications, skills and achievements.

Chances are universities requesting resumes would spend around 1-2 minutes scanning through your resume to get a brief idea of what your profile is like. To cater to this expectation, your resume needs to be concise with sufficient white space to allow comfortable reading.

When to use a CV?

Create CV with a more detailed version of your work experience and education qualifications, the length could vary from 2-6 pages. Your CV will contain information like your academic background; research or teaching experience; accomplishments, recognition, awards and honors; presentations and publications; internships and project work; certifications; professional qualifications and work experience.

• Re-evaluate your experience. Think creatively about how your academic experience can be translated into the necessary skills for a non-academic environment.
• Choose action verbs to describe your experience. Effective examples of how to describe your experience would be: “Responsible for handling 50+ client calls per day …”, “Exceeded sales goal by 7% …” or “Trained 5 junior team members on compliance procedures …”. This not only tells the reader about your experiences but clearly highlights the outcome of each experience.
• Listing your experiences in descending order, with the latest experience on top, makes the most sense as the admission committee would want to see your most recent qualifications first.
• Include a well-written objective; state the type of position and work setting you are seeking, skills or abilities you possess, and long-term goals.
• List some of your relevant presentations, publications, and papers, but not all of them.
• Tailor your resume to the role you are seeking. First look at the description of the job and highlight the experience and skills that seem important. Then, look at your resume with fresh eyes, and consider how you can better incorporate the skills you’ve noticed in the job description.
• List items within each category chronologically, the most recent appearing first.
• Avoid using bold, italics, lines or graphics in your CV. In order to emphasize a word or title, you can ensure that all the letters in the word or title are in upper case.
• When sending your CV via email, state your objectives and career interests in the first few lines so that your target audience is sufficiently interested in your email to read your entire CV. You may attach your CV as a PDF file or cut-and-paste the CV content into the text of the email message, which makes it easier to read on a mobile phone.

NAME Phone | Email Address

STATEMENT OF PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE Describe clearly and succinctly in one sentence why you are applying for the position, summarizing the type of position you are seeking, where you want to work, and what aspect of the field you are interested in.

• Desire a position in a management-consulting organization requiring outstanding verbal, analytical, and teamwork skills
• Looking for a position as an analytical chemist in a semiconductor manufacturing company, specializing in transmission electron microscopy

QUALIFICATION AND SUMMARY In 2-3 bullet points, describe your most important qualifications that usually include the most important skills for the job you are applying to, years of experience, credentials or areas of specialization.

EDUCATION Mention in reverse chronological order Name of institution (PhD, master’s, bachelor’s), location of institution and year of graduation, department or major and academic honors (i.e., distinction), and any professional certificates or accreditation or minors.

Don’t mention the titles of your theses (that might go in work experience but only if applicable), the name of your adviser, your GPA (if it is requested, often along with GRE/SAT scores; list it/them separately), and your high school’s name.

WORK EXPERIENCE List three to five internships or jobs that highlight the skill set that is most desirable to the employer, highlighting how you made a difference by citing specifics and using quantifiable measures of what you did. For example, don’t just say you TA’d a lab section; tell employers that you “taught introductory laboratory chemistry to 23 students.

You should use action verbs in active past or present tense. For example, rather than saying “I was responsible for the operation, maintenance, student training, and certification of users for x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, 1992-1995,” say “I maintained and operated x-ray fluorescence spectrometer. I trained and certified 44 students over 3 years.”

If you are just out of college with little work experience, you can write about something particularly notable in college. For example, I was the technical director of a theater on campus.

OTHER EXPERIENCES Something which is not covered already. For example, computer skills and foreign-language skills can be included here.

WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE Your hobbies, date of birth, your marital status, the number of children you have, and salary requirements.

REFERENCES While this is optional, including some great references can really help your case. Mention the person’s full name, job title, place of employment, relationship to you, full address, phone number, and e-mail address

NAME Phone | Email Indian Institute of Science | Bangalore, India

EDUCATION Date | MS, University Name Date | B.Tech. University Name

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE Date | Graduate Student, Indian Institute of Science Accomplishments, Thesis, Experiments, Publications

Date | Undergraduate Student, Bangalore University Accomplishments, Thesis, Experiments

TEACHING EXPERIENCE Date | Teaching Assistant, Indian Institute of Science Course taught, advising, mentoring

GRANTS / AWARDS

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

PUBLICATIONS Your name, author2, author2 Date | Title of the article, journal Write in chronological order, but if the most recent is not relevant, use a subheading such as “Relevant publications”. Other subheadings could include “Peer reviewed”, “In Progress”, and “Conference Proceedings”.

CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS

REFERENCES Include at least two academic referees who have given you permission to be included in your CV.

CV Template

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