There are a lot of experts out there – academics and professionals alike – writing about the importance of developing transferable skills that will help students market their degrees. For instance, Jobs on Toast is a website dedicated to helping grad students find jobs outside of academia. The collective focus on translating academic skills into non-academic employment stems from widespread recognition that the academic job market is a tough nut to crack. But while it makes good sense to consider how your education can be applied to different contexts, there are some experts out there who think it’s still possible to make a career out of academic work.

Frank F. Furstenberg is one such expert. In November, Serena Golden of InsideHigherEd reviewed Furstenberg’s book, Behind the Academic Curtain: How to Find Success and Happiness With a Ph.D., and shared the highlights of her interview with the author. Among the topics of discussion, Golden and Furstenberg discuss the benefits of the “postdoc” research position:

Q: What are the most important factors in deciding whether to do a postdoc?

A: In the sciences and social sciences, post-docs are a common stage after completion of the doctorate. Almost all scientists and a substantial minority of social scientists move from grad school to a postdoc. Working with a mentor in a different department provides an opportunity to build on work done during graduate school, get papers out for publication, and widen social contacts within the discipline. Picking a postdoc in which you will have an able and engaged mentor who puts your interests first is highly desirable. Making that happen means doing some careful assessment of how previous postdocs have done in the places that you are considering. Don’t be shy about asking for this information!

Read more: http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2013/11/20/new-book-how-navigate-entire-academic-career#ixzz2sPUFfyg0
Inside Higher Ed