A non-academic path is a perfectly valid option after completing a PhD. Yet, throughout the doctoral journey, a quiet assumption often lingers: that the “real” destination is academia. The script tends to be familiar – a postdoc, a lectureship, a tenure-track position – as if years of research, writing and intellectual labour were all leading toward a single, predetermined end point.
But what if that assumption is too narrow?
This question was at the heart of the third session of the IMISCOE PhD Academy, held on 8 April 2026. Organised by Martha Munezhi and Thais França from the IMISCOE PhD Training Committee, the two-hour session entitled, Non-Academic Career Development, created space for an open and honest conversation about life after the PhD, and the many directions it can take.
What made the session particularly compelling was the opportunity to hear from speakers who have pursued non-linear, non-academic careers and built meaningful work beyond the university. Alongside these reflections, participants also took part in a practical workshop focused on crafting a non-academic CV.
We were delighted to welcome Maria Shaidrova, a long-standing member of the IMISCOE community and former Chair of the PhD Network. After completing her PhD on representation in migration studies, she went on to found the OPORA Foundation – an organisation dedicated to social innovation and community support, producing evidence-based research that informs and strengthens policymaking.
We also heard from Marco Mogiani, who holds a PhD in Development Studies from SOAS, University of London. He currently works as a researcher at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and serves as an external lecturer at the University of Vienna’s Department of Development Studies.
Shaidrova and Mogiani’s message was both simple and powerful: leaving academia is not a “second-best” option. It is often a deliberate and rewarding choice.
But how does one make that transition in practice?
To address this, Martha Munezhi (Executive Director of Bridging Divides) led a hands-on workshop on developing a non-academic CV. While the traditional academic CV may span several pages, it can obscure rather than highlight the skills that matter most outside academia. Martha guided participants through the key principles of effective CV writing, offering practical “dos and don’ts” and providing individual feedback on submitted drafts.
By the end of the session, what initially seemed opaque had become far clearer. Participants left with a stronger sense of how to translate years of rigorous research into concise, results-oriented profiles that resonate with employers in policy, industry and the social sector.
One of the key takeaways from the session was that a PhD does not only produce knowledge – it produces people with highly transferable skills. Doctoral researchers learn to manage complex, long-term projects, work under pressure, communicate ideas clearly, construct persuasive arguments, navigate uncertainty and think critically when it matters most. These are not narrowly academic abilities; they are precisely the skills sought after by policy organisations, NGOs, international institutions, and research-oriented organisations.
And yet, many doctoral programmes continue to train students as though academia were the only destination. As a result, when PhD researchers begin to explore alternative career paths, they often struggle to recognise their own strengths or to articulate them in ways that resonate beyond academic circles.
It is important to emphasise that the aim of this workshop was not to steer PhD researchers away from academic careers, nor to position non-academic paths as an alternative of necessity. Rather, it was designed to broaden perspectives – to encourage participants to think more expansively about how their expertise might connect to a range of sectors and opportunities. By engaging in practical exercises, such as developing a CV tailored to non-academic roles, the session sought to equip doctoral researchers with the tools to begin preparing for multiple possible futures. In doing so, it opened up space for informed choice, allowing participants to navigate their careers with greater confidence, awareness and flexibility.