You Finished the PhD: Now What?

After my PhD, I thought I’d made it. I was wrong.

You spend years becoming an expert in your project. You sacrifice weekends, social life, even sleep, thinking: Once I finish this PhD, things will get better.

But here's the truth no one tells you: the day after you graduate can feel more confusing than the day you started.

I’ve lived it. I’ve watched others live it. And if you’re reading this the odds are, you’re either living it too, or bracing for it.

Let’s talk about what happens after the finish line.

1. You expect fireworks. You get silence.

No more milestones. No more supervisors. No more structure. After years of being told what’s next, you suddenly have complete freedom. And that freedom? It can feel like falling into the deep end with no idea how to swim.

Some of us expected clarity to arrive the moment we submitted. Instead, it was replaced by a terrifying question: Now what?

But that question isn’t a dead end. It’s an opportunity to redefine your direction. Take it one step at a time, and trust that clarity will come with the action you take.

2. You thought the PhD was your ticket. It isn’t.

Many assume employers would line up to hire someone with a doctorate. But a PhD doesn’t automatically open doors. You still need to prove you can do the job, not just write about it.

The key here is building connections and proving your real-world value. Network, gain practical experience, and show that you can deliver. Your PhD might not open doors, but your actions will unlock them.

That often means networking harder, gaining experience fast, and here’s the kicker, competing with people who don’t have a PhD but do have 5+ years in the industry. Ouch.

But remember: You bring a unique set of skills. Focus on what makes you stand out, and leverage your PhD experience to carve a niche that gives you an edge.

3. Academia? It's not the safe bet you imagined.

I get it. Staying in academia feels like the obvious choice. But the reality? Low pay, short-term contracts, relentless pressure to publish, and limited positions. The key here is to stay adaptable and open-minded. It’s about finding the balance between your academic passion and a sustainable career. There are ways to bridge both worlds.

While you're agonising over whether to chase a tenure-track role or call it quits, your friends in industry are stacking pensions and stability. The financial wake-up call hurts. But think of it this way: it’s a chance to reassess your priorities and create a strategy that works for you. Look beyond the pain and into what comes next.

After years scraping by on a stipend, many assume a real job means real money. But a lot of academic roles pay surprisingly little. And breaking into industry? You might be starting at entry level again despite your doctorate.

That sting? It’s temporary. You’ve got the skills so now focus on showing the world what you can bring to the table, even if it’s a new beginning. It stings to realise that some undergrads are earning more than you, just because they picked a more “employable” degree. But you’ve got a PhD for a reason: it means you’re skilled in critical thinking, problem solving, and adapting. Use that to find the right opportunity, and remember: It’s about how you position yourself.

4. Your PhD skills don’t always translate

Outside the ivory tower, no one cares how many citations you have. Employers want to know: Can you manage projects? Work in teams? Solve real-world problems?

Here’s the action plan: Learn to speak the language of industry. Translate your PhD experience into tangible skills, and you’ll open doors you never thought possible. You’ll need to repackage your experience. That 80,000-word thesis? It taught you more than you realise but you just need to learn how to sell it differently.

5. Identity crisis

For years, “PhD candidate” was who you were. Losing that title can leave you feeling disoriented. But here’s the good news, it’s also a blank canvas.

You get to decide what’s next. Innovator. Strategist. Consultant. The world is your oyster.

6. Imposter syndrome? It doesn’t vanish.

Even with a doctorate, walking into a new space be it postdoc, industry, policy, consulting, can make you feel like a fraud again. Truth is, everyone is figuring it out as they go. You belong, even when your brain says otherwise.

Remember, you’re not alone in this. Everyone faces imposter syndrome at some point. The trick is to acknowledge it and keep moving forward anyway.

Final Thoughts

Post-PhD life isn’t a meritocracy. Who you know often matters just as much as what you know. Networking isn't optional, it's survival. You need community, mentorship, strategy.

The PhD was never the end goal. It was just the beginning. Now, take charge of your next chapter, and make it count. You’re equipped with everything you need to succeed. You just need to keep pushing forward.

Questions to think about

• What does your ideal career look like, and how can you start building the bridge from where you are now to where you want to be?

• What steps can you take today to reframe your PhD experience into a story that highlights your transferable skills for your next opportunity

If this blog sounded like your inner monologue, I want to hear your story. I offer free 15-min calls to help PhDs figure out what’s next. Click here to book your consultation!

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