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Are you uncertain about your career path after completing your thesis? Are you wondering how you can apply the knowledge and transferable skills you've gained to your next job? Or are you considering a career in a different field to your doctoral studies? Don't worry, many members of the France chapter have faced the same questions before attending this panel discussion.
On June 13, the MCAA France Chapter, in collaboration with the Maison de l'Île-deFrance in Paris, organised the conference "Careers after a PhD thesis in Social and Human Sciences (SHS)". Following the success of the previous event, which focused on the career development of people with STEM doctoral degrees, the France Chapter wanted to provide a similar opportunity for PhDs in the social sciences and humanities.
The conference was held at the Maison de l'Île-de-France, within the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris, a campus renowned for its vibrant community of doctoral students, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows. This setting allowed the Chapter to bring five speakers directly to their target audience. Out of thirty registered participants, a significant number attended the event, which was chaired and moderated by Maria Clotilde CAMBONI, the Events Manager of the France Chapter.
Hazal AtayATAY, currently a consultant at the World Health Organization in the Prevention of Unsafe Abortion Unit, completed her PhD at Science Po Paris as an INSPIRE Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) Fellow. After her thesis, she sought employment that offered flexibility between academic and the industrial environments. Social engagement and teamwork were her top priorities in this new job.
Olivier Burtin, is now an Associate Professor (maître de conférences) of American History and Civilisation at the Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens, France. After earning his PhD at Princeton and gaining further experiences in the US, he leveraged an MSCA postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Munich to return to Europe, eventually settling in his native France. The postdoctoral experience can be isolating and detrimental to mental health, which is why he sought a longterm academia position. Working in academia can sometimes be challenging, but he values the dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment it offers.
Jürgen Finger is the Director of the Department of Contemporary History and the Publications Department of the German Historical Institute in Paris. After working in Augsburg and Munich, he first arrived in France as a DAAD Prime Fellow at the Centre d’Histoire de Sciences Po, funded by a MSCA Cofund, and then he decided to stay in Paris. Studying European history in both Germany and France has made him openminded and adaptable to different cultures and approaches. The biggest challenge in his academic journey was the uncertainty of short-term contracts.
Acil Abdul Hadi is an Assistant Professor of International Human Resource Management at ICN Business School. After earning a master in management from ESCP Business School, she worked for 6 years at L’Oréal, one of the biggest beauty companies worldwide. Building on this solid management experience, she transitioned to academia, pursuing her PhD at the University of Toulouse Capitole, as part of an MSCA research project on the global mobility of employees (GLOMO). The MSCA program enhanced her teaching and writing skills and allowed her to collaborate with other fellows across Europe on similar topics. After this positive experience, she is eager to continue her career in Academia.
Jane Elisabeth Wilhelm is a certified professional translator and literary translator. She was an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute du Monde Anglophone, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle. She has worked at several universities in Canada and Switzerland, and as a certified professional translator and communication consultant for international and non-governmental organizations. Her advice to future generations, based on her experience, is to navigate between worlds, create connections, attend conference, and engage with colleagues.
In general, to enhance employment opportunities, researchers should focus on developing distinct transferable skills tailored to both industry and academia. For industry, skills such as project management, data analysis, and effective communication are crucial. Researchers should also cultivate adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities to navigate diverse, fast-paced environments. Conversely, for academia, researchers should emphasize academic writing, grant proposal preparation, and teaching skills. Critical thinking and the ability to conduct independent research are essential, along with networking and collaboration skills to build partnerships and secure funding. Researchers who excel in mentoring and public speaking can also stand out, contributing to academic discourse and influencing future scholars. Developing these specialized skill sets for each sector can significantly improve a researcher's employability and career trajectory.
These examples of former MSCA fellows highlight the variety of career paths available to those with a PhD in the social and human sciences. The speakers demonstrated how one can navigate between different sectors – such as transitioning from academia to international organizations or from the corporate world to academia – and take advantage of international mobility opportunities, including using the MSCA programs to move to another country or to return to one's home country.
The speakers' presentations were followed by a question-and-answer session, where audience raised practical questions about funding, and other relevant topics. The discussion continued during the drinks reception that followed. The MCAA France Chapter hopes that this event will be valuable in helping SHS PhDs and PhD fellows discover and pursue their unique paths to success.
Giulia Rizzo
Chair of the MCAA France Chapter
Maria Clotilde Camboni
Events manager of the MCAA France Chapter
france.chapter@mariecuriealumni.eu
