Outside the Box Career Paths Post-PhD With Sara Thompson

Beyond the Thesis With Papa PhD

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Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Thesis with Papa PhD, the podcast that explores unconventional career paths for PhD graduates.!

In today’s episode, titled “Outside-the-Box Career Paths Post-PhD,” our host David Mendes sits down with Sara Thompson, a seasoned public speaking coach and nonprofit professional. During the conversationm, Sara shares her inspiring journey from academia to the nonprofit sector, shedding light on the challenges and transitions faced by PhD holders when academic roles are limited.

Sara’s story is a testament to the power of transferable skills and the importance of expanding your network beyond the academic bubble. From her initial aim to enter arts administration to discovering her role at Habitat for Humanity through a serendipitous meeting, Sara illustrates how unexpected connections can lead to rewarding career opportunities. Together, David and Sara delve into strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome, the value of viewing your PhD as versatile training, and the crucial role of presentation skills in career development.

Whether you’re considering a career shift or looking for inspiration on how to use your advanced degree in new ways, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice. Tune in to hear how Sara’s experiences can help you rethink your career trajectory and embrace new possibilities. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and join the conversation on LinkedIn and YouTube. Now, let’s go beyond the thesis!

Sara Thompson has a decade of professional experience working with others to help them reach their public speaking goals. While completing her Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland, she realized that academia wasn’t the right path for her and started exploring other options of what she could do with her doctoral training.

While at Maryland, she taught her department’s oral communication course and soon discovered that helping people find their voices was her passion. It wasn’t long before she began her private consulting practice. After completing her PhD, she spent 5 years working in the nonprofit field while coaching and consulting on the side. In November of 2023, she went all in on That Presentation Coach, and has been self-employed ever since.

Sara has taught hundreds of people of all ages and from fields as varied as business, law, academia, the sciences, information technology, medicine, and the humanities. No matter what your background or public speaking experience is, she can help.

What we covered in the interview:

• Uncovering Hidden Opportunities: Sara emphasized the importance of expanding your network beyond the academic circle. Believe it or not, a casual conversation about dog walking led to a pivotal job opportunity for her.

• Focusing on Transferable Skills: Whether it’s research, critical thinking, or public speaking, the skills you develop during your PhD are incredibly valuable in various industries. Sarah’s journey to nonprofit management and public speaking consulting is a testament to this!

• Embracing the Journey and Self-Belief: The transition from academia can be challenging, and imposter syndrome is real. However, adopting the “yes and” mindset from improvisation can lead to unexpected and rewarding opportunities.

🔗See the resources section below for Sara’s links!

This episode’s resources:

• Website | ThatPresentationCoach.com
• Instagram | @thatpresentationcoach

Thank you, Sara Thompson!

If you enjoyed this conversation with Sara, let her know by clicking the link below and leaving her a message on Linkedin:

Send Sara a message on Linkedin!

Click here to share your key take-away from this interview with David!

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Aditi Paul – Figuring out immigration during graduate school

Anca Bodzer –From PhD to Project Management

Andrew Ceperley – Building Fulfilling Academia Adjacent Careers

Paulina Cossette – From Faculty to Editing