By Gayle Scroggs, Ph.D., Editor

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You're near completion of your doctoral journey. What's next for your career?

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Given the realities of the academic job market, you want to do everything possible to stack the deck in your favor. Some graduates may already be aiming for a role in administration or outside academia.

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Whatever your goal, strategic planning will increase your chances for success. Setting aside time each week for positive steps forward can help reduce anxiety as you approach the deadline.

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Throughout your education, advisors have helped you navigate the complexities of academia. For a successful transition from student status to professional, you can also benefit from trusted advisors who know the way. While you remain the CEO of your life and thus responsible for your choices, a personal board of directors can be invaluable as you design the path.

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Why You Need a Personal Board of Directors

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While a corporate board of directors guides a company, your personal BOD focuses on your personal and professional development. This group of trusted mentors and advisors can offer guidance, feedback, and support to help you make informed career decisions.

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By conferring with individuals from various backgrounds rather than relying on a single mentor, you gain access to a wide range of perspectives and expertise. Consider the multiple benefits, including these:

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• Varied Perspectives: Diverse viewpoints can illuminate opportunities and risks you might otherwise overlook.

• Networking: Board members can introduce you to valuable contacts, facilitating job opportunities and professional growth.

• Accountability: Regular check-ins with your board help you stay focused and motivated, ensuring you remain on track to achieve your career goals.

• Emotional Support: Navigating the transition from academia to the job market can be stressful, and a support system can provide the encouragement you need.

 

Steps for Building Your Personal Board of Directors

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As you consider creating your BOD, keep in mind that you can start slowly and go at your own pace. You could start with one, adding additional members as the need and opportunity arise. The composition might change as your career focus changes.

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1. Identify Potential Members

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What kind of career expertise and experience would you value in your board members? Who has the needed expertise, experience, and willingness to invest time in your development? Consider mentors, colleagues, alumni, and professionals from your field or the industry you wish to enter.

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Look for individuals who are genuinely invested in your success and can provide constructive feedback. If your path academic, at conferences, pay close attention when your research and style resonate with others, even peers. These are potential members.

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If you are focused on a nonacademic path, who among your acquaintances is already working in your field of interest? My client Elaine, hoping to move into a public policy position, sought out a state official at a professional meeting for conversations about her relevant research. "Given his experience, he's ideal for giving me strategic advice on career moves," she explained.

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2. Reach Out and Build Relationships

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When you have identified a potential member, reach out to them and express your interest in establishing a professional relationship. Clearly articulate your goals and how you believe they can assist you.

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Expanding your network expands your opportunities, as Amy, an art history grad student discovered. "Reaching out to different kinds of people allowed me to identify and evaluate more alternative career paths," she reported.

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Developing a robust relationship requires time, so it is important to be patient and proactive. Over time, you will be better positioned to assess their willingness to join your board. Before formally inviting them to serve on your board, ensure that a sense of rapport and trust has been established.

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While you should appreciate those who agree to serve, keep in mind that your directors also stand to gain. It allows them to give back, share their expertise, and shape the next generation of professionals.

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Furthermore, it enhances their own leadership and coaching skills, broadens their network, and can be personally fulfilling to see someone succeed through their guidance. Leaving a legacy can be very motivating.

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3. Define Roles and Expectations

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You benefit most when everyone has clear roles and expectations. This ensures that everyone understands their responsibilities and how they can best support you.

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Clear expectations help manage the time and effort invested by both you and your board members. Keep the ties warm by regularly updating them on your progress. As you seek their feedback on your career plans and job search strategies, show respect and appreciation for their time and ideas. After each conversation, send a brief thank you and mention your follow-up plans.

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4. Stay Connected

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Whether you opt for regular check-ins or a more informal schedule, stay connected with your board members. Your meetings, whether formal or informal, provide opportunities to discuss your progress, challenges, and any necessary adjustments to your career strategy.

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You might get together at their office, over lunch, or by Zoom, depending on circumstances and individual preferences. In any case, consistent interactions keep you accountable and motivated.

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Consider setting specific goals for each meeting and preparing an agenda to maintain focus and productivity. If something urgent arises requiring immediate input, go ahead and ask one or more for an ad-hoc meeting.

 

Keeping in touch with your cohort has benefits they can offer especially relevant details of their work and job satisfaction. After Ellery, a humanities ABD and gifted teacher, started checking in with recent grads from his department, he started seriously considering teaching at a private or public school.

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5. Be Open to Feedback

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Receiving honest feedback is one of the most valuable aspects of having a personal board of directors. You will benefit most by being receptive to their suggestions and willing to adapt your plans based on their advice.

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Remember, their aim is to help you succeed. Approach their feedback with an open mind and a readiness to make necessary changes, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

 

Additional Best Practices for Your BOD

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Although personal BODs were nonexistent in my graduate school days, my role as a faculty member and coach has allowed me to mentor and observe many graduate students as they transition from academia. Here are ideas that might work for you:

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Don't wait until you are in the home stretch to work on your career. Connect early with peers, faculty, and professionals inside and outside your institution. As your career goals become clear, seek out those whose interests align with your dream job.

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Arrive at meetings prepared with your relevant list of hopes and needs. For example, many students have asked me to review cover letters and resumes—and I took great satisfaction in providing such assistance. Plan to take notes.

 

Whenever possible, aim to meet in person or via video call, with an email thank you. Dress appropriately and use a professional background for Zoom meetings. (Please no messy desks or unmade beds!)

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If you get a job offer and need to respond quickly, feel free to call one or more of your directors if you want to review it with someone. Also, don't be embarrassed to mention job applications or interviews that don't lead to an offer. Everyone goes through it, and your directors can provide moral support.

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Your transition from student to professional will likely involve uncertainty and challenges. With the guidance and support from a personal board of directors, you will make it through. By following the above steps, you can create a robust support system that will help you achieve your immediate career goals and make informed decisions about your future.

 

Even if you choose not to develop a formal BOD, you might still consider creating your own circle of support.

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You've already demonstrated remarkable grit working on your dissertation. Now leverage it to create a successful, fulfilling career path. Once you settle into your new role, remember to pass it forward.

 

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P.S. Could you use someone in your corner? Click here for a free consultation with a positive psychology dissertation coach. Invest in your success—you're worth it.

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Get your free valuable e-book of proven strategies for overcoming dissertation hurdles here.

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Above Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY