Career Resource Center

Academic vs. Industry Careers

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Choosing a career path requires much time and committment. Explore your interests, goals and preferences and weigh your options.

The career decision-making process begins with Self Assessment, which is the first step in the career decision-making process and requires that you ask yourself some pretty tough questions. It requires time, commitment and honesty. Get insight through self-directed work, conversations with friends and family or by speaking to a career counselor. As you explore your skills, values and interests, you will gain a greater awareness of who you are and what you hope for in life.

Begin by asking yourself the following questions:

General Questions

• What are your most important values (link to values card sort) for your life and work?
• How do you want your work to intersect with or compliment your personal life goals?
• Given what you currently know about academic and non-academic work, which seems to create a better fit with your desired life-work goals?
• What are the skills or areas of expertise in which you excel? To what extent are these attributes applicable to academic and non-academic work?
• In making the decision to pursue academic or non-academic work, what are some of your most pressing concerns?
• What beliefs do you hold about academic vs. non-academic positions in regard to finances, status, ability, professional relationships, etc.?
• Are these beliefs enhancing or creating obstacles to career decision-making?
• If your beliefs are getting in the way of career decision-making, is there another perspective that might shed light on the decision? (You may want to share your beliefs with friends and/or colleagues and get their perspectives.)
• What other information or experience do you need to gain in order to decide whether an academic or non-academic position best suits your needs?

Questions Related to Academic Positions

• To what extent do you enjoy research, teaching, and service?
• Which of these three areas would you like to focus upon most heavily?
• Which styles or methodologies to you enjoy using when engaging in research, teaching, and/or service?
• What aspects of your personality get in the way of your success in an academic setting?
• What aspects of your personality are complimented by the demands of an academic position?
• Overall, do you enjoy the work you are currently engaged in as a graduate student?
• If not, how would you like to change what you do to make it more enjoyable?
• Will you be able to make these changes within the academic setting?
• Are the changes you desire critical to ensuring your satisfaction with an academic career?
• What elements must be present in order for you to be satisfied in your career?
• Why did you come to graduate school in the first place? To what extent is that purpose being served?

Questions Related to Non-Academic Positions

• Aside from your academic discipline, what do you enjoy doing?
• What type of work would you like to pursue outside of academia?
• What do you need to know in order to answer the above question?
• How much non-academic work-related experience have you gained (either prior to entering graduate school or during your graduate program)?
• If you have not gained non-academic work-related experience, what aspect of your educational experience can be applied toward a job in industry?
• If you went into industry, what would you miss the most about academic life?
• If not, how would you like to change what you do to make it more enjoyable?
• Will your friends, family, and colleagues support you if you were to leave academia?
• How important is the support of others to your own well-being?
• What elements would need to be present in a non-academic position in order to make it appealing to you?

Information Interviewing

The best way to learn more about the requirements, benefits and challenges of a position is by networking with professionals in that field. Ask questions about an occupation, a company or necessary skill sets in an information interview. For more information, visit the Information Interview pages.

Expanding Your Career Options

There are many career opportunities in private industry, government and nonprofit organizations. Identify your skill sets and preferences and identify an industry/career that fits your needs using self assessments. Here are a few options.

Refer to the Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information about any of these careers or explore options for your major at the What Can I do with a Major in...? link on MyPlan.com. 

Getting Experience

Once you’ve narrowed down your career options, get practical experience in the field. If you are pursuing a career in a research-intensive university setting, the teaching and research experiences will prepare you for your future career. An academic career in a teaching-centered college/university or non-academic setting may require additional experience. Participate in one of the following activities before graduating:

• Adjunct Teaching at a 2-year or 4-year college.
• Completing formal internships or co-ops.
• Securing part-time or volunteer work in your area of interest.
• Gaining related experience through participation in student organizations or committees.
• Audit related classes in another college.
•  Register for related workshops at the local, state or national level.