Connecting Your Past and Future: #PhDCareer Mini-Conference at Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
NMAH, The American Historical Association, The Organization of American Historians, and the National Council on Public History sponsored a one-day mini-conference on October 30, 2015, for history PhDs seeking careers outside of academia.
What to do with a history degree? Follow #PhDCareer & @amhsitcurator for discussion of non-academic history careers. pic.twitter.com/Jk4rxrzsyk
— National Museum of American History (@amhistorymuseum) October 30, 2015
Be sure to follow the tweetstream for our mini-con at @amhistorymuseum about what to do with a history PhD at #PhDCareer
— NCPH (@ncph) October 30, 2015
Today is all about #PhDCareer and jobs outside the academy #withaphd #altac
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660080313943609344
#phdcareer getting underway! Excited to be here and join the conversation. #AHACareerDiversity
— Emily Swafford (@elswafford) October 30, 2015
Step 1: The foundational attitude adjustment – think of yourself as a historian, not a professor without a job #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Non-academia is not a Plan B. It's my goal! #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
People are underserved in history – make a job out of filling that need #PhDCareer #twitterstorians #publichistory
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
The first panel, “Life After the PhD,” featured Damion Thomas, curator at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Beatrice Gurwitz, Assistant Director of the National Humanities Alliance, and Daniel Gifford, manager of Museum Advisory Committees at the National Museum of American History.
Damion Thomas of @NMAAHC: “My goal is to be excellent where I am” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660090138870067200
Getting a PhD not just writing and teaching-also working independently, being organized, problem solving, communicating clearly. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Beatrice Gurwitz: “Working and looking for jobs in a certain place can focus your network and deepen your connections” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Gurwitz: I enjoy not being tethered to a specific topic #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Dan Gifford: “The dissertation process provided presentation opportunities & certain skills that help in the job market” #PhdCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660093874879246336
#phdcareer panelists making point that you should network in the way that suits you best–online, digital, in-person. You choose!
— Emily Swafford (@elswafford) October 30, 2015
Damion Thomas – be flexible with your identity and don't be afraid to let others help you shape your identity #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Important to demonstrate all your work in a succinct way. Make your connections up front. Don't make them dig for it! #phdcareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Thomas: I use my book as a weapon. Ppl are impressed when you say you wrote a book #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660097235481423872
@HistorySue Good point. I think being aware of the audience you are applying to is also key. Large institution? Small museum? #PhDCareer
— Will Stoutamire (@wstoutamire) October 30, 2015
Overall advice from the panelists: diversify your resume, articulate your strengths & recognize your skill set, be flexible #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
.@pechorin33 Insinuate yourself into non-academic workplaces – volunteer if necessary to learn admin, management, policy, social skills
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Speakers in the second panel, “Finding Your Post PhD Direction” were Jon Enriquez, Director of Research and Policy Analysis at the Maryland Higher Education Commission, Robert Ehrenreich, Director of University Programs at the U.S. Holocaust Museum, Catherine Cardno, web editor at Civil Engineering, and Emily Swafford, Manager of Academic Affairs with the American Historical Association.
Emily Swafford (@elswafford): “I use my graduate training all the time” – collaboration, communication & advocating for history #PhdCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Hone your writing skills for different audiences. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Digital humanities is growing, and jobs for us may not yet exist. #PhDCareer look into multidisciplinary ideas.
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Ehrenreich: “A PhD skill good in multiple markets: assimilate information quickly in a field that's not your own & articulate it” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660120455349739525
Robert Ehrenreich of @HolocaustMuseum states that your dissertation adviser is not always your mentor. Keep your eyes open #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Talk to alumni who are doing jobs you find interesting to see how they got to where they are.#PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Don't forget to connect with your academic peers. #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Cardno: Hard to let go of what I SHOULD want to do and go with what I REALLY want to do & let things happen organically #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Cardno: Taking small jobs while in grad school is good b/c it allows you the opp. to do trial&error of what you like #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Making your own opportunities doesn't mean "try harder." You are capable. Others can help-ask for it! #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Enriquez: “Know different writing methods: academic vs. real world writing = comprehensive vs. distilled” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Key to finding a career outside academia – diversify your resume #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660116314451812352
Panelists agree: Give yourself time to find direction – risk taking a detour. Don’t panic about following a rigid timeline #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Swafford: The arch only comes apparent once you have reached the goal. It will come #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Robert Ehrenreich – PhD is not in vain no matter where you end up #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Cardno: Adding 'PhD' to my sig. line in my email – as a woman – made a world of difference in my work experience #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Your first job post-PhD is not your last or defining job – careers are not a conveyor belt #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
I see this a lot. MT @raylizlee: Some folks in academia think of career as conveyer belt. Outside academia, not so. -Enriquez #PhDCareer
— Susan Ferentinos (@HistorySue) October 30, 2015
The third panel discussed “Marketing Yourself/Telling Your Story” with Chris McNickle, former Global Head of Institutional Business with Fidelity International, Mary McPartland, Collections Manager of Historic Documentation Programs with the National Park Service, Michelle McClellan, Assistant Professor at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and Joan Zenzen, independent historian.
McNickle: “The training I have as a historian is how I approach problem solving. Both require critical thinking, research skills” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Chris McNickle – internships incredibly important for both the intern and the employer #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Don't just seek advertised internships. See if orgs are open to having an intern #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Michelle McClellan – still in course work? Take classes outside your discipline to increase your skill set. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/rozsro/status/660154025413885952
https://twitter.com/Karmuna/status/660155774493188096
Joan Zenzen – fit in volunteer work to diversify your skill set. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Zenzen: Skills acquired through volunteering can become paid skills #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Lexi Lord – volunteer to be on committees within professional organizations. They provide skills you can add to your resume. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660153202952785920
McClellan: “The field of history is in transition: social media, blogging, new forms of collaboration are worthwhile” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/rozsro/status/660162895347609600
McPartland: Provide examples. Before position A, I didn't know this skill. I learned it and was able to apply it. #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
McPartland: “Translate from academic speak: a PhD shows ability to complete multi-year project & adapt when things go awry” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Michelle McClellan of UM Ann Arbor: If you are on a trad. track and seeking non-ac work, there are things you need to unlearn. #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660143773880463360
https://twitter.com/raylizlee/status/660145733543272450
Zenzen: “Tailor your networking – create a reliable resource of knowledge & talk to people that work in fields that interest you” #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
During informational interviews ask "what is the biggest problem your org faces?" Think about how your skills can solve it. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Q: Any advice on navigating USA Jobs? A: Very important to structure application for it – not usual academic one #PhdCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
State-level conferences are a good idea for networking for jobs. #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Find ways to get your name out there – join organizations & committees, network, write, give presentations on your work #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
The final session of the day spoke to "Making the Transition Into a New Career" with panelists Katja Zelljadt, Director of Challenge Grants at the National Endowment for the Humanities, Kelly Morrow, Senior Research Associate at Angel and Morgan Consulting, Sejal Patel, Senior Health Policy Analysis at Mitre Corporation, and Chris Nehls, consultant at Democracy Fund.
A recurring reason why PhDs choose the public sector: they enjoy working with other people as a team #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Morrow: I like working on a team. Academia can be isolating #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Zelljadt: Being a TA session leader is a great management exp. You are the first among equals, guiding students in convo #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Zelljadt: Translate from academic speak: “TA-ing teaches management skills” – guide groups & discussion, bring ideas to clarity #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Morrow: Googled historical consultants and contacted them for informational interviews. One turned into a job #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Doing an informational interview? Prepare, take notes, don't talk too much about your research, & don't ask for a job! #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Zelljadt: If you attend a program you like, find out who sponsors it and see if they have job opening. Follow the money #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Zelljadt: Footnotes are a way to get to the bottom of things in research and in job search. #PhDCareer
— Courtney C. Hobson (@CuppaCourtney) October 30, 2015
Get your institution to radically transform the PhD with @NEHgov help #PhDCareer https://t.co/vnU7qX8wvL
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Patel: “Don’t undermine the value of PhDs & historians” – communicate information clearly & broaden perspectives to non-academics #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Prepare for informational interviews: have questions and rehearse, know the person and their position, take notes #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Serendipity is good. Don't turn a job down if you find it interesting. Don't worry if it doesn't "fit." #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
During informational interviews ask "what is the biggest problem your org faces?" Think about how your skills can solve it. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Informational interviews "more matchmaking than dating"-Zelljadt #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Morrow says leave informational interviews with three names to follow up w #phdcareer
— Dr. G (@gilletgr) October 30, 2015
Informational interviews-don't talk too much about your research. Ask questions. Take notes. Be excited! #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Panelists say: LinkedIn – a useful tool for looking into professional fields, learning jargon, & exploring new people & companies #PhDCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
Be a human being, add details to your resume. #PhDCareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Don't ever say "I don't know anything about that." #phdcareer
— Anne Ladyem McDivitt, PhD (@anneladyem) October 30, 2015
Katja Zellijadt – don't neglect your family for your job. #phdcareer
— Organization of American Historians (@The_OAH) October 30, 2015
Panel agrees how to find jobs: Use informational interviews to ask people about what they do – sharing ideas & making connections #PhdCareer
— Katherine Ott (@amhistcurator) October 30, 2015
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