Does PhD Count As Work Experience? 

Sometimes, you may wonder if study experience, such as a PhD can translate into the professional world. Does PhD count as work experience?

PhD is often counted as work experience. PhD graduates are valued for their ability to be analytical, innovate, and work in teams. These skills are often honed during their days studying for their PhD.

In this post, we explore various perspectives, from academia to industry, shedding light on how a doctoral degree can be perceived by employers.

Does PhD Count As Work Experience? 

Short answer, yes, PhD is often counted as work experience. However, when you delve deeper into the question, there are times when a PhD is not considered for work experience.

Take Jane, a recent PhD graduate in computational biology, keen on making her mark in Silicon Valley’s R&D departments.

Jane’s LinkedIn profile sparkles with her publications and the experimental problems she’s solved, mirroring the responsibility and insight you’d expect from someone with years of work experience in industry.

Another example would be John, who spent 4 years completing his thesis in a lab, aiming to become a research scientist.

His CV is a testament to the rigorous work, akin to any industry job experience, with bullet points highlighting his ability to communicate complex scientific ideas and manage undergraduate students in the lab.

For both, the PhD experience is more than just an academic endeavor; it’s a job in itself. Employers, especially in science and tech fields, recognize this.

This is because the skills required to complete a PhD are usually transferable to industry roles, such as:

• problem-solving
• project management, and
• teamwork.

However, not every industry values PhD experience the same. In more traditional fields, PhD may be considered as a ‘sabbatical’, which means the time spent studying is not considered for work experience. 

With such employers, you may need to orient your resume to highlight how their PhD research is relevant to the job opportunity they’re offering. This means portraying those years of dedication not just as academic pursuit but as job experience that has equipped them with a unique set of skills.

It’s about showing potential employers that you don’t just want to apply your knowledge exclusively with other PhDs, but are ready to enter and contribute to the broader job market.

Why Is A PhD Study Counts As Work Experience? 

PhD is increasingly recognized for the rigorous work experience it provides, especially by employers who appreciate such qualifications. Here’s why:

PhD Study Is A Full-Time Job, In Most Cases

PhD graduate has typically invested 4 to 6 years in specialized research, akin to a full-time job. This period is not just about expanding academic horizons but also about developing:

• a work ethic,
• resilience, and
• the ability to navigate complex problems. 

In labs and libraries, PhD students act much like project managers, overseeing experiments, managing data, and driving their research forward.

Developing Communication Skills

Communication is key in both academia and industry. Throughout their PhD journey, candidates must articulate their findings, often translating complex concepts for diverse audiences.

This skill is gold in any job, particularly when you need to explain intricate project details to stakeholders or clients. If you can communicate about abstract, complicated PhD-level study concepts to others, you should be able to communicate and explain things in many workplaces.

Working As A Team Player

Collaboration is another critical aspect. PhD students frequently work in teams, coordinating with other:

• researchers,
• undergraduates, and
• professors.

This experience is directly transferable to industry environments where teamwork and leadership are invaluable.

Ability To Research & Innovate

PhD work often leads to publications, a testament to the candidate’s ability to generate, execute, and communicate novel ideas.

This aspect is particularly appealing to R&D departments and innovative industries looking for fresh insights.

Strong Analytical Skills

The analytical skills honed during a PhD are unparalleled. From computational tasks to experimental designs, PhD graduates bring a level of critical thinking and problem-solving prowess that industries, especially in STEM fields, find indispensable.

So, when you spot a PhD on a resume or LinkedIn profile, know that it represents years of work experience packed with relevant skills, from project management to problem-solving, all crucial for a wide array of industry roles.

How To Best Include PhD In Your CV?

Incorporating your PhD into your CV can be a game-changer, especially when you’re eyeing positions that value deep expertise and research skills. However, you do not want to be too much of a show-off with it, as it can turn on potential employers. 

Here are five tips to help you showcase your PhD effectively in your CV:

Headline

Start with a strong headline that captures your PhD specialization and the value you bring to potential employers.

Consider something like this: “PhD in Computational Biology with 5+ Years of Research Experience in Genomic Analysis.”

Professional Experience, Not Just Academic Credential

Under your education section, detail your PhD not just as an academic credential but as a professional experience.

Highlight your dissertation topic and briefly describe your research’s significance and the skills it helped you hone, such as experimental design or data analysis.

What Did You Do And Learned When In PhD?

Bullet points are your friends when listing the responsibilities and achievements of your PhD years. Portray these experiences as job roles, emphasizing tasks that align with industry work. These could include:

• managing lab teams,
• leading projects, or
• developing new methodologies.

Mention Publications & Innovations

Don’t shy away from mentioning publications, especially if you’re aiming for R&D positions or roles in science and technology.

Each publication demonstrates your ability to generate new knowledge and communicate complex ideas, critical skills in many fields.

Translate Academic Skills Into Industry Language

Translate academic skills into industry language. For example, “supervised undergraduates in the lab” can be reframed as “managed cross-functional teams in high-stakes projects.”

This helps hiring managers understand the relevance of your PhD experience to the job opportunity.

By treating your PhD as both an educational achievement and a pivotal career experience, you can craft a CV that resonates with both academia and industry, making you a compelling candidate for a variety of roles.

Can You Use Your PhD Supervisor As A Reference In Your CV?

Using your PhD supervisor as a reference on your CV can be a strategic move, especially when you’re stepping into the job market.

Your supervisor, having closely monitored your progress over the years, can provide a detailed account of your capabilities, work ethic, and contributions to your field.

For PhD graduates eyeing roles in academia or research-intensive industries, a supervisor’s endorsement is invaluable. Just like a manager or a CEO, they can speak to your ability to: 

• conduct rigorous research,
• manage complex projects, and
• contribute novel insights.

In fields like science and technology, where the intricacies of your work might not be immediately apparent to those outside your specialization, having someone who can articulate your contributions clearly can set you apart.

Your supervisor can also attest to your ability to:

• work effectively within a team,
• lead projects, and
• mentor juniors.

This perspective can reassure employers that you possess not just technical expertise but also the soft skills necessary for success in dynamic work settings.

However, it’s essential to ensure your supervisor can provide a positive and comprehensive reference. A lukewarm endorsement might raise red flags for potential employers.

Thus, before listing them, have a candid conversation with your supervisor about your job aspirations and the qualities you’d like them to highlight.

This preparation ensures they are ready to portray you in the best light when contacted, making your transition from academia to industry smoother.

It Is A Strength To Be A PhD Graduate In Your CV

In most cases, a PhD does hold significant weight as work experience, especially in roles where specialized knowledge and research skills are paramount.

The journey of obtaining a PhD equips candidates with a unique blend of analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills, highly valued across various sectors.

Ultimately, how a PhD is perceived varies by industry, making it essential for graduates to articulate the transferable skills and experiences gained during their doctoral studies to potential employers effectively.