For the next few weeks, we will be hearing from DRS Member Prof. Emmanuel Tsekleves, Convenor of the Design Research Society Special Interest Group in Global Health, on his advice for PhD students and early career researchers. These posts will cover everything from writing, networking, finding a mentor, getting a job, applying for a research job, self-care and wellbeing and more. You can find the first post in the series here. Watch this space for more articles from Prof. Tsekleves, and if you have ideas for a series like this, or want to share your voice with the DRS community, get in touch at editor@designresearchsociety.org.
The 9 Hidden Struggles in Securing your First Academic Job and How to Overcome Them
University completely failed in teaching me how to land my first academic job as a PhD student.
So, I spent years navigating the hidden struggles and securing my own job.
Now, I'm sharing my hard-earned insights on these struggles and how you can overcome them. Here they are:
Struggle 1: Insufficient Mentorship
Finding mentors who can guide you through the academic job market is crucial.
Unfortunately, universities often fall short in providing adequate mentorship.
How to overcome struggle 1:
- Seek established academics in your field whose work resonates with you
- Stay in touch, seek their advice & update them on your progress
- Create a mentorship network: Cultivate relationships with many mentors to gain diverse perspectives & insights
Struggle 2: Lack of Networking Opportunities
University often overlooks the importance of building connections.
But in academia, networking is key.
How to overcome struggle 2:
- Be proactive: Seek out networking events, both online and offline.
- Leverage social media: Connect with academics in your field on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn.
- Collaborate: Seek opportunities to collaborate on projects with other researchers.
Struggle 3: Publishing Challenges
Publishing is the lifeblood of academia, yet navigating the publishing process can be daunting.
Universities often provide limited guidance on learning how to write and publish paper effectively to increase your visibility and credibility.
How to overcome struggle 3:
- Choose the right journals: Target reputable journals that align with your research area
- Seek feedback: Share your work with mentors, peers or writing groups
- Adapt & resubmit: If rejected revise based on reviewers' feedback and try again.
Struggle 4: Limited Teaching Experience
Teaching experience is vital for academic job applications, yet many universities prioritise research over teaching.
PhD studies do not automatically offer teaching opportunities as part of the programme.
How to overcome struggle 4:
- Approach professors: Express interest in assisting with teaching or grading
- Look for community programs that provide teaching experiences
- Document your experience: Keep a teaching portfolio to showcase your skills, lesson plans, student feedback.
Struggle 5: Job Market Competition
The academic job market is highly competitive, and universities often fail to adequately prepare students for this reality.
Supervisors do not show how to develop a strategic approach to job applications and enhance your marketable skills.
How to overcome struggle 5:
- Tailor your application materials to the specific needs of each institution
- Emphasise skills gained through teaching, research & collaborations
- Build a strong online presence: showcase your work & engage with academic community on social media.
Struggle 6: Insufficient guidance on crafting a compelling CV and cover letter
A well-crafted CV and Cover Letter is a key step in landing a job.
However, most institutions do not offer personalised support on how to develop these and align them with the job you are applying.
How to overcome struggle 6:
- Seek feedback from professors or mentors on your application materials, preferably those sitting in hiring committees
- Study successful CVs and cover letters in your field for inspiration
- Highlight your unique contributions and why you are a good fit for the position.
Struggle 7: Lack of interview preparation
Interviews are crucial for landing an academic job and they are very challenging.
Knowing how the hiring process works gives you an advantage.
Universities do not prepare PhD graduates for how to do well at a panel interview.
How to overcome struggle 7:
- Research the institution's mission & values
- Focus on what you will offer, not what you will gain
- Practice answering questions with a mentor or peer
- Highlight your ability to contribute to the academic community beyond your specific role.
Struggle 8: Limited knowledge about negotiation and contracts
Negotiating terms and conditions can significantly impact your job satisfaction.
No one prepares you for this or teaches you how to effectively negotiate your salary and contract terms and benefits.
How to overcome struggle 8:
- Identify your priorities and non-negotiables
- Practice negotiation scenarios to build confidence.
- Research salary ranges and benefits in your field and location
- Seek advice from trusted mentors who have experience in contract negotiation.
Struggle 9: Work-Life Balance
The academic world often demands long hours and neglects the importance of work-life balance.
No one teaches you how to prioritise your well-being, set boundaries, and cultivate a healthy lifestyle.
How to overcome struggle 9:
- Establish boundaries: Define clear working hours & allocate time for personal activities
- Schedule regular breaks & vacations to recharge and avoid burnout
- Connect with peers, join support groups, and seek professional help when needed.
Summary
There are several hidden struggles in securing an academic job as a PhD student:
1) Insufficient Mentorship
2) Networking
3) Publishing Challenges
4) Limited Teaching experience
5) Market competition
6) Crafting CV & CL
7) Interview prep
8) Negotiating salary & terms
9) Work-Life Balance
However, following the advice and practical tips above you can overcome these and land your dream job in academia.
Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:
- Get a free actionable daily tip on how to secure a tenure-track job in academic by following me on Twitterand LinkedIn.
- Join for free The Academic Insider Newsletter. Every Saturday morning, you will get ONE actionable tip on how to secure a tenure-track job in academia, in less than 4 minutes.