Most graduates are looking to continue their career in academia and work either at the university or at a research intuition. Or else they try to get a job in a well-known big company. However, it is worth it to consider some alternative career paths. As a jobseeker, you want to consider some often overlooked employers for scientist. Expand the scope of your job hunt, if some of these alternatives resonate with you.
Staffing agencies are overlooked employers for scientists
Nowadays, staffing agencies are hiring academics. Signing up with one of those companies is a common way to start an industry career for scientists. Still, staffing agencies belong to the much-overlooked employers for scientists.
Working for a staffing agency as a scientist has its pros and cons. Besides, most academics are not aware of the ins and outs of signing up with a staffing agency. Read this blogpost to learn about some facts about staffing agencies that most scientists are not aware of .
Startup companies offer a variety of careers for scientists
Small startup companies are overlooked employers for scientists. The big companies in an industry put lots of advertisement and public relation effort into attracting new employees. On the other hand, fresh graduates are not well aware of all the small startup companies. Thus, jobseekers might disregard the opportunities small startups have to offer. Due to the lower profile of startup companies, the competition for open positions is also less fierce.
Read also this blogpost why you should start your career in a startup company. Likewise, you want to be aware of the disadvantages of working for a startup company.
The army is an overlooked place to work for scientists
Yes, you read right. The army can be an attractive employer for scientists, engineers, or doctors. Do not let the conservative image of the armed forces deter you. Many army facilities conduct innovative research. Even more work on interesting development projects.
You do not even have to join the armed forces permanently to work there. Civilians can fill some scientist openings. This makes the army an interesting employer for those who are willing to adjust to a slightly different company culture.
NGOs are often overlooked employers for scientists
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are sometimes overlooked as potential employers. This is because they concentrate their PR efforts on fundraising and promoting their goal. NGOs usually do not go to great length to court new employees. Their PR is rather focused on their respective aim.
All that said, skilled professionals can have fulfilling careers with fair pay. If your values happen to align with the NGO’s goals your will enjoy your job even more.
Be your own employer
You are yourself an overlooked employer. You do not have to have the groundbreaking idea or make a world changing invention. Neither do you need to start a company. You could work as a freelancer instead.
Consider what other freelancers in your field are doing. Could you offer a similar service? Depending on your field of expertise, relevant connections, and self-motivation, this could be a great option.
Work for a government agency as a civil servant
Government agencies are not notorious for being great employers for scientist. Yet, they offer several interesting career paths for academics.
Working as a civil servant is a great opportunity to make a real difference in your respective field. You might collect and analyze data to support political decisions. You might work with the public to put guidelines in place for the general population. Alternatively, you might contribute to policymaking, and thus shaping the world of tomorrow.
Schools offer employment for scientist who like to teach
Schools are overlooked but attractive employers for scientists. Possibly, you went to university and trained to be a scientist. At the time, you did not aim to become a teacher. Maybe, you discovered your passion for teaching only during your Master, PhD, or even Postdoc phase. You enjoyed teaching undergraduate courses and supervising students.
Good news, in many countries you can still become a teacher. Science teachers are often in demand. Depending where you live, and the level you want to teach, you might have to get some extra qualification. But this is not always the case. Looking into this possibility is well worth it.