Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #AltAc
Most recents (24)
Last year I left a tt social work faculty position at an R1 to work as a UXR in social impact & equity @Meta. I got laid off Wed. Would I do it again? Yep, here's why.
(1) foremost, it vastly accelerated my learning, growth, and skillet. I've been building expertise at the socialwork/tech intersection for years and now I understand internal workings in big tech.
(2) it broke me free from the idea that tt r1 is the holy grail. Academics are overworked & underpaid. There's so much limiting ego involvement for many of us, by design. We are our work. Now I know balance is possible and that I am not my labor though my labor has value.
Many PhDs have told me how worried they are about transitioning out of academia, especially given all the layoffs in big tech.
"What if I got a job, only to be laid off?"
Here's the thing: if I were laid off from Meta today, I wouldn't regret leaving academia for one second. 1/
"What if I got a job, only to be laid off?"
Here's the thing: if I were laid off from Meta today, I wouldn't regret leaving academia for one second. 1/
First, I will say this again, big tech is not the only #altac career path.
I think the size of my account has given some people the wrong impression about alt-ac careers. I am truly sorry about this!
Layoffs at a few big tech companies don't speak for the entire job market. 2/
I think the size of my account has given some people the wrong impression about alt-ac careers. I am truly sorry about this!
Layoffs at a few big tech companies don't speak for the entire job market. 2/
So if you want to leave academia now, you should still leave.
Yes, it will be harder to break into UXR because the market is saturated. But if you love research, you can find research positions available at smaller companies, non-profits, government agencies, & think tanks. 3/
Yes, it will be harder to break into UXR because the market is saturated. But if you love research, you can find research positions available at smaller companies, non-profits, government agencies, & think tanks. 3/
Strong second.
I loved working with terrific editors @monkeycageblog, including @ejgraff @ErikVoeten @henryfarrell @vanessa_lide @ProfSaunders @segoddard and others, who helped make my academic and policy commentary legible to a wider audience.
11 hits of gratitude. Threadš
I loved working with terrific editors @monkeycageblog, including @ejgraff @ErikVoeten @henryfarrell @vanessa_lide @ProfSaunders @segoddard and others, who helped make my academic and policy commentary legible to a wider audience.
11 hits of gratitude. Threadš
When I had just defended my dissertation and was on the job market, @ErikVoeten encouraged me to try to develop some of my arguments around #ISDS for a policy audience. It ended up becoming a section of my book Judge Knot.
washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cā¦
washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cā¦
A year later, I was able to continue that line of work and analysis by looking at how trade rules were upending North American energy markets.
washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-caā¦
washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-caā¦
Academics: the results of your research are less relevant to getting an #AltAc job than the skills you used to obtain them!
Here's a š§µ on transferable skills translated into corporatespeak, including resume bullet points that describe my own academic career:
Here's a š§µ on transferable skills translated into corporatespeak, including resume bullet points that describe my own academic career:
1. Experimental design, data analysis:
Quant and qual methods, exp design, and other variations on this theme are by far the most common answer I get from former academics re: what skills from grad school are most useful in their new career. E.g. for my dissertation work:
Quant and qual methods, exp design, and other variations on this theme are by far the most common answer I get from former academics re: what skills from grad school are most useful in their new career. E.g. for my dissertation work:
"Designed and conducted 15 behavioral experiments and tested 500+ participants to study the structure and meaning of complex questions in English; wrote design documents and guidelines; analyzed the results using linear and logistic mixed effects models in R."
Considering a move out of academia, but don't know where to start?
Before you dig into my recommended resources (at the end of this thread), the first, hardest, & most important step is believing that it's okay to pursue an #altac career.
Truly. I promise that it's okay. 1/
Before you dig into my recommended resources (at the end of this thread), the first, hardest, & most important step is believing that it's okay to pursue an #altac career.
Truly. I promise that it's okay. 1/
It's so easy to feel like you're a failure. And it's easy for some academics to judge a career choice that they have never made & don't understand.
Believe me. I've been called a "sell-out", "soulless", & "anti-academic". I lack "passion." I "couldn't handle" academia. 2/
Believe me. I've been called a "sell-out", "soulless", & "anti-academic". I lack "passion." I "couldn't handle" academia. 2/
Meh. The name-calling used to bother me, quite a lot actually, but it doesn't anymore. Because they're wrong.
First, check my CV š„ I crushed it in academia by every measure. I'm not a failure, far from it. I'm a successful, passionate, multi award-winning researcher. 3/
First, check my CV š„ I crushed it in academia by every measure. I'm not a failure, far from it. I'm a successful, passionate, multi award-winning researcher. 3/
Maybe it's time for a reintroduction š¤
Last December, I decided to leave my prestigious post-doc fellowship & successful academic research program in order to pursue a UX career.
It's been one year since I made that choice. My only regret is not leaving academia sooner. 1/
Last December, I decided to leave my prestigious post-doc fellowship & successful academic research program in order to pursue a UX career.
It's been one year since I made that choice. My only regret is not leaving academia sooner. 1/
When I decided to leave academia, I was deeply unhappy. But I was also terrified that I wouldn't like any other career.
I had conducted research on infant emotion perception for 10+ years. How could I possibly conduct research on anything else? It was my *passion*. 2/
I had conducted research on infant emotion perception for 10+ years. How could I possibly conduct research on anything else? It was my *passion*. 2/
I have been a UX Researcher for seven months now. And it's everything I've wanted in a career.
My research topic (new AR/VR tech) is fascinating. I spend all day conducting research. I learn so much from my coworkers - all of whom are incredibly bright & talented. 3/
My research topic (new AR/VR tech) is fascinating. I spend all day conducting research. I learn so much from my coworkers - all of whom are incredibly bright & talented. 3/
Things PhDs can do *besides* an internship to get context on industry roles available to you. A š§µ: (1/n)
Internet research / perusing job listings. This is my least favorite because it's cold and intimidating. But you can get a rough sense of what's out there by scanning published opportunities. (2/n)
Attend a job panel discussion or career fair. Hear folks talk about their roles to get a sense for what appeals to you. This is better than job listing "research" because you'll get a more realistic sense of what roles are like by hearing from people who work in them. (3/n)
āWhat kind of teaching-focused jobs exist outside of academia?ā
I LOVED teaching as an academic and itās the only thing I miss about being in the academy (Iām in a research-focused role).
If you prefer teaching to research, hereās some #AltAc jobs to consider:
I LOVED teaching as an academic and itās the only thing I miss about being in the academy (Iām in a research-focused role).
If you prefer teaching to research, hereās some #AltAc jobs to consider:
1. Instructional Design
This role is like all of the prep work of teaching without the in-classroom element!
As an ID, I wrote content for online trainings. I truly enjoyed this role.
Storytelling is HUGE for this role, as is the ability to simplify complex concepts.
This role is like all of the prep work of teaching without the in-classroom element!
As an ID, I wrote content for online trainings. I truly enjoyed this role.
Storytelling is HUGE for this role, as is the ability to simplify complex concepts.
2. Curriculum Design / Instructional Coordinator
A little bigger picture than Instructional design, this role works with teachers, clients, or organizations to develop educational programs.
Curriculum designers may also create resources or educational content.
A little bigger picture than Instructional design, this role works with teachers, clients, or organizations to develop educational programs.
Curriculum designers may also create resources or educational content.
Hello linguists and other social scientists outside academia! I am collecting as many diverse titles of #AltAc jobs as I can find. Please share yours! Bonus if you have a link to a job ad with a description of this job, or if you can add a brief description of your own
Extra bonus for any other titles you can think of.
Context: I am teaching a Careers for Linguists workshop, and creating detailed course notes that I plan to share with the ling community later.
Retweets welcome!
Context: I am teaching a Careers for Linguists workshop, and creating detailed course notes that I plan to share with the ling community later.
Retweets welcome!
Here, feel free to add to this google doc: docs.google.com/document/d/1msā¦
How do I decide whether to "stay" or "leave" academia? I'm asked this all the time.
I always encourage folx to explore #altac careers, but each decision is quite personal.
Here are five questions to consider if you're trying to answer this same question: 1/
#AltAcChats
I always encourage folx to explore #altac careers, but each decision is quite personal.
Here are five questions to consider if you're trying to answer this same question: 1/
#AltAcChats
1. How much $ do I need (or want) to make?
This can be a touchy subject, but you will make considerably more $ outside of academia. Do you have student loans or family members to support? Do you want to buy a house or travel? A higher salary will help you do these things. 2/
This can be a touchy subject, but you will make considerably more $ outside of academia. Do you have student loans or family members to support? Do you want to buy a house or travel? A higher salary will help you do these things. 2/
2. Where do I (not) want to live?
You will have far more flexibility in where you live outside of academia (with remote work, your choices are unlimited!). And if certain places are hostile to you due to your race, gender, or sexual orientation, you can avoid them easily. 3/
You will have far more flexibility in where you live outside of academia (with remote work, your choices are unlimited!). And if certain places are hostile to you due to your race, gender, or sexual orientation, you can avoid them easily. 3/
Are you a PhD who is curious about #altac jobs but doesn't want to go into big tech?
Here are 5 places to find diverse jobs in mission-oriented organizations šš¼
Here are 5 places to find diverse jobs in mission-oriented organizations šš¼
The Social Impact Job Board posts a variety of jobs that are with social impact oriented companies and organizations.
Bonus: salary transparency is required for every job posted!
wordsparkconsulting.com/social-impact-ā¦
Bonus: salary transparency is required for every job posted!
wordsparkconsulting.com/social-impact-ā¦
Interested in working for think tanks?
The @onthinktanks has a job board for you filled with think tank jobs!
onthinktanks.org/jobs/
The @onthinktanks has a job board for you filled with think tank jobs!
onthinktanks.org/jobs/
When I was deciding whether to change careers, what helped me most was finding my core values.
What values are most important in your life? Are you making decisions based on these values?
Hereās how you can determine your core values & make any big life decision:
1/
What values are most important in your life? Are you making decisions based on these values?
Hereās how you can determine your core values & make any big life decision:
1/
First, brainstorm your values. You can even rank order them.
If you donāt know where to start, look at a list. Think about which ones resonate with you.
What makes you feel happiest & most fulfilled? If people said, āyouāre such a X personā, would that be validating?
2/
If you donāt know where to start, look at a list. Think about which ones resonate with you.
What makes you feel happiest & most fulfilled? If people said, āyouāre such a X personā, would that be validating?
2/
My top core values are:
1. Growth, both personal & professional
2. Openness, to people & experiences
3. Kindness, to myself & others
I also resonate with honesty, bravery, calmness, ambition, creativity, brilliance, fun, & diversity.
There are no right or wrong answers!
3/
1. Growth, both personal & professional
2. Openness, to people & experiences
3. Kindness, to myself & others
I also resonate with honesty, bravery, calmness, ambition, creativity, brilliance, fun, & diversity.
There are no right or wrong answers!
3/
I donāt want to disappoint, so hereās my āintense and completely unhinged retaliatory tweet.ā
If you like your academic job, you can stay in academia. Thatās okay. You can mute/block me too š
With that said, I feel pretty sad that this is how some people perceive me... 1/
If you like your academic job, you can stay in academia. Thatās okay. You can mute/block me too š
With that said, I feel pretty sad that this is how some people perceive me... 1/
It hurts when people call me āanti-academic.ā I spent a decade of my life in academia. I dreamed of being a professor.
I sacrificed so much. I worked so hard. Just look at my CV. I did everything I could.
But academia isnāt a meritocracy. It wasnāt enough. 2/
I sacrificed so much. I worked so hard. Just look at my CV. I did everything I could.
But academia isnāt a meritocracy. It wasnāt enough. 2/
A fourth year of a post-doc or an #altac job. Those were my choices in January 2022. I chose the latter. And Iām happy now.
My first job wasnāt at a FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google). All my interviews were still between $95k-$120k - twice my post-doc salary. 3/
My first job wasnāt at a FAANG (Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google). All my interviews were still between $95k-$120k - twice my post-doc salary. 3/
A lot of chatter about UX on here lately. I personally love my job, but it might not be a great fit for some folks transitioning out of the academia. Here are some potential challenges with UX for academics making the transition. Thread / š§µ
1. A quick timeline. The typical timeline for most research projects is 4-6 weeks. Thatās from study idea to communicating recommendations to your product team. There isnāt time to think about every intricacy of your research over several months.
2. Thrash thrash trash. Product teams can change quickly. People leave the company, or as I just experienced, a reorg that changed my research direction and my team overall. That means letting go of research that may no longer align with team strategy.
Letās talk LinkedIn!
I know a lot of you might be hesitant to use this platform (it can get annoying)
But it actually IS useful for finding an #AltAc job. And itās not that big of a time investment.
So hereās my top 10 LinkedIn tips:
I know a lot of you might be hesitant to use this platform (it can get annoying)
But it actually IS useful for finding an #AltAc job. And itās not that big of a time investment.
So hereās my top 10 LinkedIn tips:
1. Build that network
Try to get at least 300 connections.
The algorithm relies a lot on your network so youāre missing out a lot without connections.
Itās ok to connect to non-work people too (but more work-related connections will be better for your algorithm).
Try to get at least 300 connections.
The algorithm relies a lot on your network so youāre missing out a lot without connections.
Itās ok to connect to non-work people too (but more work-related connections will be better for your algorithm).
2. Follow companies
Following companies you like is an easy way to signal to recruiters that youāre interested and to stay up-to-date on job ads.
Plus the algorithm can help you find other similar companies that you may not have known about!
Following companies you like is an easy way to signal to recruiters that youāre interested and to stay up-to-date on job ads.
Plus the algorithm can help you find other similar companies that you may not have known about!
Since May, Iāve talked with over 100 phds in (unpaid!) DMs & zoom chats about āleavingā academia.
Hereās what Iāve learned about the state of academia, moving to #altac, & why profs should expect the post-doc shortage to continue for the foreseeable future. 1/
#AltAcChats
Hereās what Iāve learned about the state of academia, moving to #altac, & why profs should expect the post-doc shortage to continue for the foreseeable future. 1/
#AltAcChats
1. Many phds have been hurt by toxic advisors.
The scale of this problem is worse than you can imagine. It ranges from coercion to āstayā in academia to outright bullying. Iāve counseled many talented phds who are rightfully very angry and bitter towards academia.
2/
The scale of this problem is worse than you can imagine. It ranges from coercion to āstayā in academia to outright bullying. Iāve counseled many talented phds who are rightfully very angry and bitter towards academia.
2/
2. PhDs want to leave, but feel ātrappedā in academia.
Many phds feel that they have no transferable skills & no knowledge on how to apply for #altac jobs. They donāt know how to get started in their search or what jobs are out there. Their training has failed them here.
3/
Many phds feel that they have no transferable skills & no knowledge on how to apply for #altac jobs. They donāt know how to get started in their search or what jobs are out there. Their training has failed them here.
3/
About a year ago I started the process of transitioning to the #AltAc world!
Hereās a rough sketch of the steps I took and when, which I hope could help others organize their own transition. āŗļø
I took initial steps at the end of Sept, and started my FT role in early March
1/16
Hereās a rough sketch of the steps I took and when, which I hope could help others organize their own transition. āŗļø
I took initial steps at the end of Sept, and started my FT role in early March
1/16
End of September: Start Building Out LinkedIn network
I updated my neglected LinkedIn profile just to reflect my current role.
But my first task was LinkedIn networking . I sent connection requests to EVERYONE I knew, both from work and non-work contextsā¦
2/
I updated my neglected LinkedIn profile just to reflect my current role.
But my first task was LinkedIn networking . I sent connection requests to EVERYONE I knew, both from work and non-work contextsā¦
2/
I actually maxed out the number of connection requests I was permitted to make most weeks.
Itās useful to have a good # of connections on LinkedIn. It impacts your algorithm and searchability and it helps increase prospective employeesā confidence that youāre a real person
3/
Itās useful to have a good # of connections on LinkedIn. It impacts your algorithm and searchability and it helps increase prospective employeesā confidence that youāre a real person
3/
After 2+ yrs working in fed gov't and frequently using evidence to support policy implementation, aš§µw observations & ideas on fostering closer ties between research supply & demand and on #altac careers more generally:
People: I'm so impressed by the mission-driven and genuinely kind public servants I met working in govt. Retaining this talent, attracting new people with innovative & diverse approaches, and adjusting staffing to meet contemporary challenges is a šchallenge facing govt (1/n)
People: Do you want to make the best friends of your life, while working on interesting topics and having the chance to use what you know from research to improve policy & have real world impact? Seriously, try out a career in fed govt! (2/n)
Social scientists leaving academia are flocking to UX researchāthis is a great field! But itās also pretty competitive to get an entry-level role bc of this popularity.
Also consider Marketing research or Consumer Insightsāthis is what I do. Let me tell you about it!
š§µ 1/10
Also consider Marketing research or Consumer Insightsāthis is what I do. Let me tell you about it!
š§µ 1/10
As a marketing researcher, I design surveys to gather perspective from our clients, experts in the field, or consumers about our products or related concepts.
I interpret the data to glean insights related to our products to support my companyās marketing and sales teams.
2/10
I interpret the data to glean insights related to our products to support my companyās marketing and sales teams.
2/10
To develop useful surveys and craft meaningful insights, I have to know a lot about the current market and the productsāincluding what clients like or dislike about current product models and where we plan to innovate.
This means my role requires lots of collaboration!
3/10
This means my role requires lots of collaboration!
3/10
A solid resume is necessary to getting an #altac job. But Iāve seen so many resumes from academics that donāt understand the assignment.
You canāt just list all your experience. You need to quantify it.
Hereās how to get started (youāll want to save this tweet š): #AltAcChats
You canāt just list all your experience. You need to quantify it.
Hereās how to get started (youāll want to save this tweet š): #AltAcChats
Companies want to see that you can deliver āvalueā - that you will improve their business.
I never used to think about my experience in terms of āvalueā or āamount of services deliveredā. It felt weird to me. But this is the language of business that you need in a resume. 2/
I never used to think about my experience in terms of āvalueā or āamount of services deliveredā. It felt weird to me. But this is the language of business that you need in a resume. 2/
So for a first exercise, try to quantify your experience. Think about:
- # of participants tested
- # of hours using a method
- # of students taught (or # of hours teaching or # money paid for your course)
- # of grant money received
- # of researchers managed
Examples:
3/
- # of participants tested
- # of hours using a method
- # of students taught (or # of hours teaching or # money paid for your course)
- # of grant money received
- # of researchers managed
Examples:
3/
A year ago, I went on the academic job market for the first (and last) time. It was a process that pushed my anxiety to its limit. Iām so glad I never have to do it again.
Here are a few things I wish I had really internalized before I applied: 1/
Here are a few things I wish I had really internalized before I applied: 1/
1. Academia is not a meritocracy.
Your CV may be amazing, but that doesnāt matter. You may get shortlisted, but then you are subject to the whims of a hiring committee. Who knows what they will care about in any given year! Donāt ever get your hopes up about a job. 2/
Your CV may be amazing, but that doesnāt matter. You may get shortlisted, but then you are subject to the whims of a hiring committee. Who knows what they will care about in any given year! Donāt ever get your hopes up about a job. 2/
2. If youāre geographically restricted, you probably wonāt get an offer.
Since hiring decisions are random (& biased), you need to apply to as many places as possible. Not willing to live in >50% of states cause youāre a queer person with a uterus? Guess you wonāt be a prof! 3/
Since hiring decisions are random (& biased), you need to apply to as many places as possible. Not willing to live in >50% of states cause youāre a queer person with a uterus? Guess you wonāt be a prof! 3/
Aspirations for academics: a š§µ(1/4)
1. May your heart be bigger than your h-index
2. May you peer review others' work the way you wish to be peer reviewed (the Golden Rule/don't be Reviewer 2)
3. May you never forget what it's like to be a struggling grad student (or postdoc)
1. May your heart be bigger than your h-index
2. May you peer review others' work the way you wish to be peer reviewed (the Golden Rule/don't be Reviewer 2)
3. May you never forget what it's like to be a struggling grad student (or postdoc)
Aspirations for academics: (2/4)
4. May you go on vacation
5. May you read for pleasure
6. May you disentangle your worth from your research productivity
7. May you set boundaries
8. May you explore #altac jobs without guilt
9. May you have hobbies & time to do nothing
4. May you go on vacation
5. May you read for pleasure
6. May you disentangle your worth from your research productivity
7. May you set boundaries
8. May you explore #altac jobs without guilt
9. May you have hobbies & time to do nothing
Aspirations for academics: (3/4)
10. May you be the type of collaborator you'd want to collaborate with
11. May you turn off email notifications on your phone
12. May you remember WHY you do your work
13. May you always allow the world to amaze/surprise/inspire new Qs in you
10. May you be the type of collaborator you'd want to collaborate with
11. May you turn off email notifications on your phone
12. May you remember WHY you do your work
13. May you always allow the world to amaze/surprise/inspire new Qs in you
Academia to industry in 5 steps:
1. LinkedIn profile with research methods+software keywords
2. Search for your universities
3. Add alums/folks in firms
4. DM, start conversations
5. Find a job ad for their workplace and ask for referral
#altac
1. LinkedIn profile with research methods+software keywords
2. Search for your universities
3. Add alums/folks in firms
4. DM, start conversations
5. Find a job ad for their workplace and ask for referral
#altac
1. Find (e.g) tech research scientists with backgrounds similar to yours and make your profile mimic theirs. Keywords: Stata, R, programming, data science, AI, teaching, economics, etc.
2. Search for universities youāve worked in as faculty as well as your PhD, MA, predoc and BA universities as well as cities you might want to live in.
Have you sent networking messages, only to be met with silence? I receive messages every day from folx about UX - I try to respond to everyone, but itās hard.
Here are some tips to make sure that your messages are read & receive a response: 1/
#AltAcChats @AltAcChats
Here are some tips to make sure that your messages are read & receive a response: 1/
#AltAcChats @AltAcChats
1) Understand that people are busy.
I get 5+ messages daily - Iād love to have 30min zoom chats with everyone, but I canāt (I have a full time job & I donāt work nights or weekends).
If you can ask your questions in a message, thatās a much lower barrier for a response! 2/
I get 5+ messages daily - Iād love to have 30min zoom chats with everyone, but I canāt (I have a full time job & I donāt work nights or weekends).
If you can ask your questions in a message, thatās a much lower barrier for a response! 2/
2) Ask specific questions.
āCan you tell me about your UX job?ā is really vague. What do you want to know?
What information will tell you whether this job is a good fit for you? Do you want to know about the interview, or how this job differs from academia? Be specific! 3/
āCan you tell me about your UX job?ā is really vague. What do you want to know?
What information will tell you whether this job is a good fit for you? Do you want to know about the interview, or how this job differs from academia? Be specific! 3/
