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Going from academic to non-academic sector, vent and thoughts?
I usually lurk on this board, but I am in a weird job spot right now and I would like some feedback.
I'm finishing up a PhD in political science - actually, I'm done with school, but some crazy things happened in my program (it was directly unrelated to me) and so I can't graduate until March. I currently have a p/t student job on-campus that I absolutely hate - I hate it more and more every day. It's not a particularly hard job, but it's incredibly boring, and I feel like I'm doing a lot of work in the job, and while my superiors note that, others with less experience and worse performance are being promoted above me (there's a lot of cronyism at my job), and I kind of feel used. Also, because of getting married back in August, H and I moved about a half-hour away from campus and it's becoming somewhat of a burden to make the drive, particularly because I don't make much on that job. I really want to quit, but I am not in a financial position to do so, especially since H recently lost his job.
I've been looking for a full-time job for a year now, as I anticipated exactly the situation I'm in, but to no avail. I am looking to get into market research, since my academic background is in survey research and others in my field tend to go in that direction if they go non-academic (but unfortunately not people in my school cohort or anyone I've ever personally interacted with).
Because I am getting a PhD, I could teach, but that would involve me moving out of town. H and I have a house that is completely paid for, and his grandmother who raised him, and is now older and infirm, lives not too far from here. So picking up and leaving is out of the question. There are a lot of market research companies here, though.
I know it's a lot of background, but it leads up to questions I have for anyone that can answer.
How do I explain my school situation - that I'm "done," it won't conflict, and I have time to work - especially for positions that do not require a PhD? In the interviews I have had so far, interviewers seem squeamish because they think I'm still taking classes or doing research. I'm not. And, waiting until I'm done on paper isn't an option due to H's unemployment and my underemployment.
Also, if there are any market research/marketing people on here, how do you break into the field? I'm in a weird position to where I have a lot of schooling (a lot of it in applied statistics and opinion research principles) and a lot of work experience, but not a lot of full-time experience and no specific experience in marketing.
And finally, is there some other kind of non-academic field I might be more suited for without having to go right back to school?
I'm super frustrated and feeling really hopeless right now :-(. Any feedback is welcome.
Re: Going from academic to non-academic sector, vent and thoughts?
I went the traditional TT route, so take that for what it's worth, but in a similar field. However, my friends who got their PhDs and didn't want to go into academia are currently working for either governmental or non-governmental organizations as researchers. For example, one woman works for the State Dept. of Ed. She does the statistical analysis for the state in terms of all of their programming and then writes and presents reports based on her analyses. Another works for a research hospital. The medical staff run experiments and she analyzes their findings. Have you tried searching for "research" or "analyst" positions outside of market research? As a political scientist, are their any policy positions you'd be interested in working for locally?
As far as how to explain that you're not really "in school" any more, how about listing it on your resume like this:
PhD, University, Expected March 2012
Course work completed 4/2008
Candidacy exams completed 6/2010
Dissertation defense date scheduled for 3/2012
Not sure why you're upset that others are getting promoted over you. The way you word it, it seems people see your job as a temp, PT gig, and the thought of a promotion wouldn't even cross their mind.
I'd address in the CL that you're done. That you completed your coursework as of X date, but your degree won't be conferred until March. But be prepared for people to be a bit confused, so you'll have to explain it somehow. And I might look at recruiters so you can explain the situation and they can sell you properly.
No market research/marketing experience here, sorry. I know that a lot of pharma companies use them, or contract out to them, so that may be an angle for you.
No idea on other non-academic fields. I might look into seeing a career counselor where you currently work and see if they can help you with some options.
GL and let us know how it goes.
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I would address the coursework both in cover letter and on your resume. Just make it clear you've completed your schooling and are waiting for your formal conferral of degree.
I am in market research. I started in academia in evaluation and public policy research, moved into client-side market research (ie I worked for a company that was not a MR firm, and did the research in-house) and then moved to the supplier side MR more recently.
You'll just want to play up your research experience - it really translates well. There's a bit of a learning curve with marketing speak, but any reasonably intelligent person could pick that up quickly. And really, the work is still the same.
I'm in Market Research (my undergraduate degree was in government and psychology, and I did masters work in survey methodology as well). When I was first starting out, I found using SPSS, STATA, etc. as search terms in job ads was very useful. You have really valuable statistical skills, searching for those terms is the best way to find firms that can use them. Also make sure you're highlighting those in your resume and other materials--a PhD in political science doesn't sound like the right match for Market Research, until you consider all that statistical background.
Are you on quirks.com? That's a great job search resource for the Market Research industry.
Also assuming you're into politics, do you have any contacts on political campaigns? The money wouldn't be great, but the experience could be--particularly if you can get involved with one of the national campaigns. They are always looking for people who can work with big datasets for voter targeting, etc.
Find me here instead!
Dr. Loretta - to give some background, I've been at my current position for about 2 1/2 years. It's a position that is typically for undergrads, and it's technically a short-term (a few years at most) position for almost everyone that works there, even those who started out doing what I do and then got promoted to positions above me. There's also a great deal of turnover due to the nature of the job. But it's not really a "temp" position in the traditional sense of the word.
I took the position to begin with to get more hands-on work experience on the research side of public opinion, since most of my experience thus far has been teaching. I've done well enough to where I'm the go-to person for any special, more precise, and time-sensitive projects they have, and I've been that person for some time. I've also trained people to do my job, and my trainees have typically gone on to do quite well. But I've seen people who haven't been at my job for even half as long as me all of a sudden get promoted - as in I come in one day and they're supervising me. And it's been happening more lately. It feels like I hit a ceiling. That's what's most frustrating about the situation.
As for the other advice that you and other PPs have given, I really appreciate it all and will look to apply it, thanks so much for all of your insight.