Introduction
If you also feel like the world has been changing way too quickly recently, and that you might need to pivot a bit to keep up, this section is for you.
Successfully navigating a pivot might require a bit of skillset development, and understanding specifically what you need to have on your resume to bridge the gap is critical.
In this section, you will:
- Determine what skills you need to learn to get where you want to be
- Design a project to showcase those skills
Exercise: Building Your Transition Blueprint
Exercise Components:
- Experience Gap Analysis & Bridging PlanÂ
Identify key gaps in your experience and create a strategic plan to address them.Â
Upload your current CV and use this prompt with your chosen LLM:
I want to transition from my PhD in [field] to a role as [target position]. Please consider my uploaded CV and analyze these 3 job descriptions from my target field: [Paste job description 1] [Paste job description 2] [Paste job description 3] For each key requirement or qualification: 1. Identify what aspect of my academic background partially satisfies this requirement 2. Assess what specific gaps remain 3. Suggest practical, time-efficient ways to bridge these gaps, such as: - Specific micro-credentials or courses (preferably under 20 hours) - Weekend or evening projects that demonstrate the skill - Volunteer opportunities that build relevant experience - Professional association activities that signal commitment 4. Recommend how to quantify success in each bridging activity
External Resources:
- Imagine PhD: Career exploration and planning tool designed specifically for PhD students in humanities and social sciences
- myIDP: Science-focused individual development plan tool for STEM PhDs
- The Professor Is In: Resources for post-academic job searches and transitions
- Versatile PhD: Community platform with resources and examples of successful PhD transitions