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Where would you go as a world-class expert in your field? For those studying graduate research degrees, this is more than just a hypothetical – it’s a very real question.
While graduate research degrees can and do lead to careers in academia, the opportunities don’t stop there. Equipping you with a colourful palette of academic skills, deep subject knowledge and a network of like-minded researchers, a graduate research degree opens up a world of opportunities. Whether you envision contributing directly at an academic level, or taking your finely-honed expertise into industry, it’s all up to you.
There are so many directions you can go with a graduate research degree in hand. With the guidance of Deakin’s Associate Professor of Researcher Development (EMCR), Tseen Khoo, we explore the various pathways available to students with graduate research degrees.
Graduate research degrees usually focus on a very specific topic, diving deep into a niche area and contributing to the field’s academic knowledge. On the other hand, the skills developed while completing a graduate research degreeare often broad and highly transferable. As Khoo explains, something many graduate research degree students take away from the experience is the ability to navigate not having all the answers – in the beginning, at least.
‘The big [skill] that people underestimate is learning how to sit with uncertainty and work through it,’ Khoo says. ‘Research is fundamentally about not knowing the answer yet and training yourself to think rigorously anyway.’
Khoo also says that graduate research degrees build ‘deep analytical skills, the ability to synthesise massive amounts of complex information, and high level communication skills,’ as you transition into the role of a self-led researcher.
‘You’re leading an independent project for years, and often presenting and writing at a global standard,’ says Khoo.
The problem for research degree graduates isn’t a lack of employability – it’s figuring out where to invest those skills. Deciding whether to commit to academia or another work sector can be a bit of a career conundrum, but Khoo says it’s best to start thinking about it sooner rather than later.
‘Start early by paying attention to what parts of the research process you enjoy and find satisfying,’ Khoo says. ‘Do you love the fieldwork? The writing? The analysis? The presenting or networking? These are all useful career signals. Talk to people who are in roles you find fascinating or desirable; informational interviews are gold, and Deakin has excellent support units to help with these kinds of career conversations and activities. Treat the years of the degree as an exploration period.’
With that in mind, let’s explore careers for PhD graduates both inside and outside of academia.
Graduate research degrees like a PhD could be a direct path to academic careers as a lecturer, postdoctoral research fellow or teaching fellow. This is a logical path, given that as a graduate researcher, you’re already engaging so closely with your chosen field, contributing to academic literature, and often working alongside established academics. But, as Khoo says, budding professional academics will still need to focus on building career-ready skills during their research degree program.
‘You’re building a publication record, learning how to position an argument in a scholarly field, creating new knowledge, and developing professional connections that can last your whole career,’ says Khoo. ‘The supervisor relationship matters a lot here. It’s how you’re socialised into how the academy works and being part of a researcher community. Conferences, peer review, reading groups, and teaching opportunities are all part of it. Being a positive member of the researcher community is what academic hiring committees want to see.’
Transitioning from a graduate research degree into professional academia makes sense. But, with a sought-after skillset in tow, Khoo says that most PhD career pathways actually lead to other sectors.
‘Employers in consulting, government, industry, the not-for-profit sector all want people who can think creatively and systematically, interrogate evidence, and communicate clearly to diverse audiences,’ Khoo says. ‘A research degree signals intellectual maturity and a person who has been trained in integrity. It says you can take on a complex, ambiguous problem and see it through.’
So, what sorts of PhD careers outside of academia should graduates look for? Highly skilled careers like those in medicine are common but, as Khoo explains, data and research-driven jobs, in particular, are keen to utilise the high-level skills of research graduates.
‘Policy and research teams in many areas are hungry for people who understand the power of good data and evidence, and who know how to communicate these ideas or findings to influence debates,’ Khoo says. ‘One of the key things that graduate researchers gain during their degree and its experiences is adaptability, so they can be flexible and proactive in their thinking about careers.’
A graduate degree will naturally direct your academic skills into a specific area of research – but you’ll still need to explore career opportunities after your PhD. Khoo recommends getting involved in as much as possible during your studies;take advantage of placements, networking and development opportunities.
‘Take every chance to develop your connections and networks,’ Khoo says. ‘Go to conferences even when it feels intimidating; stretching yourself with new experiences is valuable. Industry placements or collaborative projects can furnish you with extended networks and strong workplace knowledge. Get involved! Find communities outside your immediate research group like graduate researcher associations, interdisciplinary reading groups, digital communities and interest groups. Your connections are long-term assets – create them early and often!’
Khoo also says that it’s important to be clear about your goals right from the very start of your graduate research degree. Be honest with yourself about why you want to study at the graduate research level, and funnel that passion into your studies and a career beyond. After all, there are some serious career opportunities ahead for those with the drive and desire to reach them.
‘If [you’re studying] purely because you’re not sure what else to do, that’s a tough foundation for a multi-year commitment,’ says Khoo. ‘But if you have genuine intellectual curiosity about a problem, and you’re comfortable with ambiguity and self-direction – go for it. And go in knowing that the degree will change you in ways you can’t fully anticipate. The skills, the resilience, the way you learn to think – those compound over a lifetime. A graduate research degree is a serious investment of time and energy and, for the right person, it’s one of the best ones you can make.’
Associate Professor of Researcher Development
Deakin University
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