Transitioning To Careers Beyond Academia: Lessons from Seongjin Park

I have often wondered, “How does one end up leaving academia after graduate school, and how do they adapt to their new role?” In academia, the pursuit of knowledge and the advancement of research are career aspirations for many graduate students. The journey through higher education often begins with a desire to contribute to scholarly discourse, mentor future generations, and make a lasting impact in one's field. However, many graduate students choose to explore careers beyond academia. These individuals embark on paths that leverage their academic backgrounds while venturing into roles that offer unique challenges and opportunities for growth. One such individual is University of Arizona alumni Seongjin Park who works at the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the world's largest private educational testing and assessment organization. 

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Shifting Perspectives and Exploring New Horizons

Seongjin Park earned his Master’s in Human Language Technology (HLT) in 2019 and his Ph.D. in Linguistics in 2021 from the University of Arizona. He currently works at ETS as a Research Scientist in Natural Language Processing. Seongjin graciously accepted my invitation to discuss his transition and his insights and experiences for those considering career paths beyond academia.

Seongjin's initial career goals were deeply rooted in the academic tradition of teaching, scholarship, mentoring, and outreach. However, as his education progressed, Seongjin underwent a transformative shift in perspective. He began to explore other practical applications of his research interests and discovered that he could also make meaningful contributions to society outside the realm of academia. Seongjin reflects: “This shift in focus, coupled with a desire for new challenges, led me to explore new opportunities. Academia was not the only route to achieve my goals, I realized that I could pursue a fulfilling career in industry while still making significant contributions to my field." This realization marked a pivotal moment in his journey, prompting him to explore opportunities that aligned with his evolving interests and aspirations.

Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Academic Skills in Industry

For academics contemplating a move into industry, Seongjin offers valuable advice from his own experience. He emphasizes the importance of highlighting transferable skills developed in academia, such as research, data analysis, and communication. Networking with industry professionals, seeking mentorship, and exploring professional development opportunities can also facilitate a smoother transition. "I positioned myself as a phonetician with expertise in natural language processing and speech technology, capable of collaborating with individuals from diverse backgrounds," Seongjin explains. By showcasing the value of his unique skill set, Seongjin was able to successfully navigate the transition process and find fulfillment in his new role. Such a transition is not unique to Seongjin’s case, as graduate school provides a rich environment for acquiring a diverse set of skills and experiences that are transferable to roles in business, nonprofits, consulting, and government. I decided to take a brief look into some of these skills and opportunities they provide outside academia, and here is what I found:

1. Research Skills: Graduate students develop strong research skills through conducting independent research projects, literature reviews, and experimental design. This ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data is invaluable in industries where evidence-based decision-making is essential. Here are just a few examples of roles that require this skill: 

• Market research analyst
• Research coordinator
• Policy analyst

2. Analytical Thinking: Graduate education fosters critical thinking and analytical reasoning skills, enabling individuals to approach problems with a systematic and logical mindset. This is particularly valuable in industries that require problem-solving and decision-making based on complex datasets or scenarios. Examples of roles where this skill is relevant include:

• Operations Research Analyst
• Data Analyst
• Financial Analyst

3. Communication Skills: Graduate students engage in various forms of communication, including writing research papers, presenting findings at conferences, and teaching. Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, are highly sought after, as they facilitate collaboration, convey complex ideas to diverse audiences, and drive successful outcomes. Examples of roles where this skill is applicable include:

• Communications Specialist
• Content Writer/Editor
• Technical Writer

4. Project Management: Managing research projects, meeting deadlines, and juggling multiple responsibilities are common experiences in graduate school. These project management skills are valuable in many roles, especially those where individuals are tasked with overseeing projects, coordinating team efforts, and ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget. This skill can be used in roles such as:

• Project Manager
• Operations Manager
• Event Coordinator

5. Collaboration and Teamwork: Graduate education frequently involves collaboration with peers, advisors, and interdisciplinary teams. Learning to work effectively in team settings, navigate diverse perspectives, and leverage collective expertise is crucial in industries where collaboration across departments or functional areas is essential for success. Examples of roles where this skill is used include:

• Human Resources Specialist
• Marketing Coordinator
• Software Development Team Lead

6. Adaptability and Resilience: Graduate school can be demanding and unpredictable, requiring individuals to adapt to new challenges, setbacks, and changes in direction. Developing resilience and the ability to thrive in dynamic environments are highly beneficial in positions where agility and flexibility are needed. Examples of roles where this skill is valued include:

• Crisis Management Specialist
• Sales Operations Analyst
• Business Development Associate

7. Technical Expertise: Graduate education provides students with technical skills and domain knowledge relevant to their area of expertise. These technical proficiencies can range from programming languages and statistical analysis to laboratory techniques and software tools. Your technical expertise may not always line up with the role you pursue, but it can provide you a unique way to ask questions and solve problems that can be a valuable asset. Some examples of roles that require technical expertise are:

• Web Developer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Cybersecurity Analyst

8. Problem-solving: Graduate education fosters problem-solving skills by challenging individuals to tackle complex questions, devise innovative solutions, and overcome obstacles. These problem-solving abilities are highly transferable to roles that require identifying and addressing challenges or optimizing processes for efficiency and effectiveness. Here are some roles where this skill can be employed:

• Supply Chain Manager
• Legal Analyst
• Quality Assurance Engineer

Overall, the skills and experiences obtained in graduate school provide a solid foundation for success in the modern workforce by equipping individuals with a diverse toolkit of abilities. 

An Unexpected Challenge

Transitioning beyond academia did not come without its fair share of challenges. Of those, Seongjin talked about the faster pace of decision-making and project timelines expected of him in his new role. “Initially, this difference was challenging for me as I was unfamiliar with such dynamics. However, I believe I successfully addressed this challenge by leveraging my organizational skills, learning to prioritize tasks effectively, and adapting to new priorities as they arose.” Especially helpful was having a good support system of colleagues who had walked a similar path. “I am grateful for the support and guidance provided by my colleagues at ETS, which was instrumental in overcoming this hurdle.”

Balancing Priorities and Finding Fulfillment

Transitioning from academia to industry has afforded Seongjin a new perspective on work-life balance. While academia and some industry positions often demand long hours and a flexible schedule, the structured environment of the corporate world Seongjin is in better suites him in achieving his desired balance between work and personal life. He can now completely plug off work after hours and over the weekends and is not expected to engage in research or writing outside the office. Despite the challenges and uncertainties that come with any career transition, Seongjin remains grateful for the opportunities that his new role at ETS has presented. "One of the most rewarding aspects of my role has been witnessing the real-world impact of the capabilities I developed," Seongjin reflects. He finds fulfillment in knowing that his efforts are directly contributing to language learning paths.

A Journey of Discovery and Growth

Seongjin's journey from academia to industry serves as an example of the endless possibilities that await those willing to explore new horizons. While the path less traveled may present its own set of challenges, it also offers opportunities for personal and professional growth. As graduate students contemplate their own career trajectories, Seongjin's story is a reminder that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to success. Whether in academia or industry, the key lies in embracing change, leveraging one's strengths, and pursuing opportunities that align with one's passions and aspirations.