The document discusses life after completing a dissertation. It begins by noting the upcoming dissertation defense date and encourages thinking about future plans. It then provides statistics on doctorate degrees awarded in Finland, noting competition is high with many doctors on the market. Employment prospects for doctors are discussed, with industry being a common path that may lead to responsibilities over the long term. Academia is also an option but is very competitive with little funding. Other options include working for polytechnics or government research institutes. The document stresses the importance of carefully considering long-term career plans and options after completing a dissertation.

1. Life After Dissertation

2. Sooner than you think...
• The big day!
Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Science in Technology to be presented
with due permission of the Department of Blablabla for public examination and
debate in Auditorium XXX at XXX University on the XXXth of January, 200X, at 12
o'clock noon
• Don’t forget to thank Geta btw...
• But then, when you wake up (hangover?) the day after....
to avoid the tormenting question ”Oh boy, what am I going to
do now?”
Bottom line is:
Don’t wait the last minute to think about your future!

3. First, some numbers...
•
Number of Doctorates in Finland
2004-2006
835
886
•
•
•
Other fields
2509
~20% of PhD in Natural sciences
~20% of PhD in Engineering
Likely to be many Doctors in your field on the market
Competition is tough...
Is there room for everybody?
Natural
sciences

4. (Un)Employment of Doctors
Source: ministry of education (2004)
You are unilkely to be jobless!

5. So, what to do?
•
Industry
– Most common route, PhD degree may give you access (on the long term) to jobs with
reponsibilities
– Own company?
•
Academy
– For highly motivated people, if research rocks your world
•
Polytechnics
– If you feel like you are a born-teacher, research might also be possible
•
Other government organizations (research institutes...)
– Sort of bridge between academic and insdustry world, less freedom than in academy but
closer to real products
Think carefully (long term), make your pick!

6. Academic Career
•
Steps in academic career:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Master of Science (MSc), but you passed this one already
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Senior Researcher (Academy Research Fellow?)
Professor
What you should know…career in academia is one of the most
competitive fields you can choose to work in
– Why?! Must do great research with little funding, few positions and
opportunities
•
To succeed in academia, you have to really want the job and you are not
in it for the money!

7. Academic Career
•
Steps in academic career:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Master of Science (MSc), but you passed this one already
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Senior Researcher (Academy Research Fellow?)
Professor
What you should know…career in academia is one of the most
competitive fields you can choose to work in
– Why?! Must do great research with little funding, few positions and
opportunities
•
To succeed in academia, you have to really want the job and you are not
in it for the money!

8. Academic Career
•
Steps in academic career:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Master of Science (MSc), but you passed this one already
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Senior Researcher (Academy Research Fellow?)
Professor
What you should know…career in academia is one of the most
competitive fields you can choose to work in
– Why?! Must do great research with little funding, few positions and
opportunities
•
To succeed in academia, you have to really want the job and you are not
in it for the money!

9. Academic Career
•
Steps in academic career:
–
–
–
–
–
•
Master of Science (MSc), but you passed this one already
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Postdoctoral Researcher
Senior Researcher (Academy Research Fellow?)
Professor
What you should know…career in academia is one of the most
competitive fields you can choose to work in
– Why?! Must do great research with little funding, few positions and
opportunities
•
To succeed in academia, you have to really want the job and you are not
in it for the money!

10. Sources
•
•
•
http://www.paperomatic.com/dissertations/
http://history.virginia.edu/user/312
http://www.ccalmr.ogi.edu/user/buenowat