Life after your PhDLife after your PhD

Ron CulleyRon Culley

Outline of DiscussionOutline of Discussion

BackgroundBackground Life Beyond AcademiaLife Beyond Academia First StepsFirst Steps Work ExperiencesWork Experiences Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

BackgroundBackground

1995-1999: Undergrad @ Strathclyde Uni1995-1999: Undergrad @ Strathclyde Uni 1999-2000: Travelled1999-2000: Travelled 2000-2004: PhD @ Glasgow Uni2000-2004: PhD @ Glasgow Uni SAAS GrantSAAS Grant Political philosophy, Dept. Politics (Mike Political philosophy, Dept. Politics (Mike

Lessnoff)Lessnoff)

Preparing for life outside academiaPreparing for life outside academia

Decided against academiaDecided against academia Diversified my work experienceDiversified my work experience

Childline; tutoring; wider access; EFLChildline; tutoring; wider access; EFL

Evidenced added value of PhD to prospective Evidenced added value of PhD to prospective employersemployers

First StepsFirst Steps

Variously applied to work for: Variously applied to work for: Civil Service Fast StreamCivil Service Fast Stream Information Commissioner Information Commissioner OxfamOxfam

Scottish Refugee CouncilScottish Refugee Council

Economic Development Economic Development

COSLACOSLA

What do we do?What do we do? Who works for COSLA? Who works for COSLA? How do we influence?How do we influence? Why do our members need COSLA?Why do our members need COSLA? Where do we operate?Where do we operate?

COSLACOSLA

Personal Progression:Personal Progression: Policy Officer (2006)Policy Officer (2006) Policy Manager (2007)Policy Manager (2007) Head of Health and Social Care ( 2008)Head of Health and Social Care ( 2008)

What does a PhD buy you?What does a PhD buy you?

Authority?Authority? Fast Track?Fast Track? Money?Money? Kudos? Kudos?

Marketable skillsMarketable skills

Intellectual Curiosity Intellectual Curiosity Analytical CapacityAnalytical Capacity Organisational Skills:Organisational Skills:

Planning and executionPlanning and execution Autonomous workingAutonomous working

Communication Skills:Communication Skills: Debate and argumentDebate and argument Reports and the written wordReports and the written word

Reflections on workReflections on work

Know what you wantKnow what you want Academia or not?Academia or not? Desk job or people job?Desk job or people job? Money, location, sector, etc.Money, location, sector, etc.

Skills Gap Skills Gap DemonstrateDemonstrate added value; don’t rely on title added value; don’t rely on title

QuestionsQuestions

ron@cosla.gov.uk