To ask if you did a Humanities PhD & now have a decent-paying job outside the academy: what is it and how did you do it?

[Help19376]

Hi all

I'll finish my PhD next year and there are absolutely sod all jobs in my field unless you can be geographically mobile and take a series of short-term contracts. Which I am not and can't.

One option would be to move into an academia-adjacent role that I have a couple of zero-hours contracts for atm and have developed good relations with hiring managers. However the top end of the starting salary is 33k and I'm going through a financially ruinous divorce which means my priorities have shifted to earning as much as possible in whatever role I need to take provided I don't absolutely hate it

I've been advised so far to look into research-based roles and third sector stuff but I wondered if anyonr had been in a similar situation and had advice?

Tia!

Have you looked into research consultancies/agencies? Ecorys, Kantar, NatCen, Ipsos? Or a research department in an NGO?

Have you looked into research consultancies/agencies? Ecorys, Kantar, NatCen, Ipsos?

I did this. I started on a grad salary though. However I climbed very quickly, and am now on very good money.

Oooh looking them up as I type!!

What's your PhD in btw?

@TheKeatingFive modern languages/philosophy/religious studies

Interesting, I know someone who did a similar combination and she's now working in policy for the Catholic Church 😆. Not sure if that appeals.

Anyway, lots of these types of companies value a PhD, just don't be afraid to start at the bottom. If it's a good fit for you you'll fly up the ranks.