Friday, May 9, 2025 at 8:00 AM until 1:30 PM
About the Symposium
The PhD Symposium: Pathways Beyond Academia is a half-day professional development experience designed for PhD students ready to explore rewarding careers outside the university setting. Join us for a dynamic mix of real-world insights, practical workshops, and meaningful connections with alumni and career experts.
This first annual event celebrates innovation and encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Who Should Attend
- PhD Students
- Graduate Faculty & Advisors
- Prospective PhD Candidates
- UA Alumni
Schedule at a Glance
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:30 AM | Check-in & Light Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 9:00 AM | Opening Remarks |
| 9:00 – 10:00 AM | Keynote: “Finding a Job for the Life You Want” Dr. Stacy Hartman |
| 10:00 – 10:15 AM | Break & Networking |
| 10:15 – 11:15AM | Breakout Sessions / Faculty Session |
| 11:15 – 11:30AM | Break & Networking |
| 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Alumni Panel: “From PhD to Industry – Lessons from the Field” |
| 12:30 – 1:15 PM | Lunch |
| 1:15 – 1:30 PM | Closing Remarks |
Session Descriptions
Keynote Address – “Finding a Job for the Life You Want”
Speaker: Dr. Stacy Hartman, Career Coach & Expert in Graduate Career Development.
Dr. Hartman shares strategies for aligning your career with your values and goals, offering guidance on navigating the transition from academia to fulfilling professional paths.
Breakout Sessions
Choose one session – all sessions will be recorded and shared with attendees.
Non-Academic Job Search Strategies
This session offers practical guidance for PhD students ready to explore opportunities beyond the academy. Participants will learn how to identify reputable job boards and platforms, build a compelling application toolkit, and approach interviews and networking with confidence. Ideal for those navigating their first non-academic job search.
Leadership & Management Careers for PhDs
Designed for PhDs considering roles such as project manager, consultant, or team lead, this session helps participants translate their academic expertise into professional leadership language. Attendees will explore the expectations of various industries, how to position themselves for growth, and what it takes to succeed in management-focused career paths.
Faculty Sessions
(Closed Session)This session invites faculty and graduate program administrators to engage in a thoughtful discussion on how academic departments can evolve to better support the full range of career paths pursued by PhD students. The conversation will focus on practical approaches to revising curricula and fostering a more inclusive departmental culture—one that values and prepares students for both academic and non-academic careers.
Alumni Panel – “From PhD to Industry – Lessons from the Field”
Join UA PhD alumni as they discuss their professional journeys, debunk myths about non-academic work, and offer actionable insights for building meaningful careers beyond the academy.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Tierney Jenkins, Director of Programming, at tjenkins2@ua.edu.