The experimental PhD: What comes next?

1. The experimental PhD:What comes next?

2. About me • Started grad school at the U of O in 1999 with Prof. Stelmack • Would make extra money by being an item writer for Assessment Strategies Inc. (ASI) • Became quite knowledgeable about casino slot attendants, taxi drivers, kitchen helpers and housekeeping room attendants • Started working at ASI in 2003 on a contract basis while I finished my PhD • Defended my thesis and started working full time at ASI in 2004

3. About ASI • Located in Ottawa • Approximately 25 employees • Develops and administers licensing exams for a range of occupations including: • Registered nurses • Medical radiation technologists • Speech language pathologists • Occupational therapists • Registered safety professionals

4. Typical work tasks • As a test consultant, there are three primary work tasks: • Facilitation – Training groups of subject matter experts (e.g., nurses) to write high-quality multiple choice questions and facilitating the question review. • Statistics – Evaluating the performance of exam items and overall test statistics. Some advanced statistics including item response theory and statistical equating. • Project management – Managing project budgets, deliverables, timelines and deadlines. Also involves client management and relations.

5. Why are psychology PhDs in demand? • ASI employs a large number of psychology graduates in a number of positions. They come from: • Industrial/organizational psychology • Neuroscience • Psychometrics and statistics • Social or clinical psychology • All of these people “fell into” their job at ASI but now enjoy the work

6. Why are psychology PhDs in demand? Some interesting facts • In the private sector, there is no distinction made between clinical and experimental PhDs • The primary area of research (along with who your thesis supervisor is) is often of little consequence • The job market is all about transferability of skills

7. Why are psychology PhDs in demand? • For most employers, the hiring motto is “smart people figure it out” • Psychology graduates are especially in demand because: • Working knowledge of statistics • Report writing abilities • Ability to read research articles critically • Experience with research and conferences • For U of O grads, often bilingual

8. Why are psychology PhDs in demand? • However, there are other “soft skills” that make psychology graduates marketable: • People skills • Oral communication (group dynamics, presentations) • Teamwork abilities • Ability to handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines • Perseverence and discipline

9. Why are psychology PhDs in demand? Some areas where psychology graduates initially struggle: • You are no longer the expert. There is a lot to learn • Dealing with the nuances of client management – the research may be clear but there are other considerations • Managing budgets and workplans • Dealing with an “office environment” and internal company politics

10. Benefits to working as a consultant • Most of these benefits will also apply to working in the public sector (e.g., federal civil service) • There may be some differences across companies • Some consultants also choose to be independent contractors (bathrobe consultants) • When interviewing for a job, it will be important for you to see if these benefits apply at your workplace

11. Benefits to working as a consultant • The salary and benefits are usually pretty good • Salaries tend to be slightly higher in the private sector • Consultants usually start off at around $60,000 • Salary increases are usually based on performance rather than entitlement • Most places of work also offer a competitive benefits package that also includes a retirement pension

12. Benefits to working as a consultant • Work-life balance is a HUGE benefit • Most workplaces have 35-40 hour work weeks • With most employers, overtime is infrequent and discouraged • Also very little weekend work • In the testing industry, there is often a small amount of travel within Canada and occasionally in the US for conferences • The bottom line: You can have a life again!!!

13. Benefits to working as a consultant • Variety of work • The variety of the work you do keeps a job interesting and challenging • One day, you can be performing a statistical analysis. The next day, you are leading a group of experts to write exam items • There are also various internal committees and projects you can be involved with • There is always something to learn

14. Benefits to working as a consultant • You don’t have to give up on academic interests and research • Teaching is a big part of the job – Especially being able to explain complex concepts to non-experts • Most companies perform applied research • Most companies also support participation in industry groups and conferences • Many part-time professors also work in the private sector and can bring applied experience to the classroom

15. Some tips when finding a job • A full-time job is a major decision. As a result, be picky about where you work • The job interview should be a two-way discussion • There should be a fit between your working style and personality, and the style of the organization • If research is important to you, discuss this in advance and get a firm commitment • Salary is negotiable in the private sector. They will usually give you a lower offer • Sometimes, a signing bonus is available or moving expenses could be covered. Ask about these.

16. Thank You Chris Beauchamp Senior Consultant Assessment Strategies Inc. cbeaucha@asinc.ca