For private sector and public bodies do a google search. E.g I'm in education but I'd still check places like exam boards such as City and Guilds and AQA, charities that work with children like Barnardos and the Childrens Trust, Gov departments like OFSTED and Dept for Education, professional bodies like the Institute for Learning etc. Whatever your area there will be a diverse range of employers, find their website, click their 'jobs' tab and see what opportunities they have in the area you think you might be interested in. If it's health research there are loads of different bodies and charities that contribute to research and policy debate.

Additionally, check sources you used in your PhD or sources quoted by others in your PhD in your references. Find who published the report/document then check their website for jobs or contact details for a speculative application as they are obviously research active.

Ha ha, that's good MeaninginLife, made me chuckle. I'm careers guidance qualified but my expertise is careers guidance for young people. It's difficult to say not knowing the ins and outs of what you are doing. Your Uni should have a careers guidance service who you can make an appointment with. They will go through in detail what you are doing in your PhD and track transferable employable skills and peresonal qualities. There will be many. This will need to then be tailored to whatever jobs you are applying for. Have one generic CV that you can adapt (from your list of employable skills) this CV will be very different to your 'academic' CV, which you will also need to make. :-) If you are very worried about not having recent job experience is there room in your PhD packed life for a few hours paid/unpaid/vounteering work here and there just to keep your hand in, even around your uni or assisting in your department?

Hi Satchi, how diverse is your job pospect pool? Are you only applying to Universities? Universities are only a small source of research, are you applying to public bodies and private organisations too? E.g Government departments, public bodies, NHS, charitable trusts, private companies. There is so much research and policy development that goes on outside of University, start thinking outside of the box.

Teaching is always an option. The Open University often have teaching posts or what about looking at teaching in FE or even compulsory Ed. The salary range and opportunity for advancement in secondary teaching can far outstrip most Uni posts. Lots of teaching courses will give generous bursary depending on your quals, whilst 'teach first' will actually pay you a wage to do your cert. As you said you've done some teaching if you joined a recruitment agency I bet they could get you some FE teaching work. Lots of FE colleges have undergrads these days.

If applying for non-academic or 'foot in the door' jobs you could also 'omit' some of your quals from job applications and re-word your Phd to be more like a student research position, highlighting your employable skills over your academic achievements.

Good luck

Thanks Satchi. Imposter syndrome already in full flow ha ha.

I've got on a GTRA. It's worded as a 'maintenance payment'. 6/7 hours per week I will be assisting the department. How does this work for tax, is it taxable income? Just trying to get my finances in good order before the Sept start. Thanks in advance.

After a tense wait...I've got a studentship for Sept at a great University. Excited and wondering what the hell I've let myself in for all at the same time. But I'm not afraid of failure so i'll be open to giving it my best shot. Anyone else starting in Sept or waiting to hear?

The education sector I'm in usually involves ringing up and them suggesting a 'tour' of the establishment with time for you to ask some questions. If they have provided a telephonoe number and a name it could suggest they expect an informal chat where, they may well invite you in. If it is an email addess then they probably want a brief outline of experience and your interest in the post, followed again by some questions from you that you have about expected duties/application timescale etc.

This is very common inthe world of education. Even teachng assistant jobs in schools encourage 'informal enquiries'. It shows them you are a firm candidate. Jobs I have previously applied for where I have made an enquiry has usually led to a visit to the employer to have a look around and ask questions before you decide on applying. It's just another tool they can use to shortlist candidates. Good luck.

Damn the English language, lol. I concur with the sentence structure with the nonsignificant. :-)

I can't tell you if you should stay or go but do not stay if it's just for guilt that will not bring peace with yourself and family. Have you spoken to your family, are you sure they will stop contact with you? Could the university accomodation arrange a chaperone e.g room sharing with a likeminded student, would your family feel happier with that? Could you speak to the University and ask them what other students have done in similar situations (I assume they come across this quite regularly) and if they have any guidance/support etc they might have some literature to give your family that they can read through that will bring assurances about what your life there will be like? Is there a muslim student group who can give you advice about the transition and how to approach things with your family?

No, it's still very early days. I've had my interview for scholarship a week or so ago but they are still finalising decisions and it could be a few weeks still as some staff are away at the minute. Things can take time getting everyone together to look over applicants etc. Good luck.

Statistically, moving house is one of the most stressfull life events you will ever do plus phds are stressful and expensive. Whilst you may feel you have more opportunity to travel living away from home, could you honestly cope with being cut off from family and your community? Which would have the most negative impact on you completing your Phd, not going to conferences or missing your family? Living at home has its benefits too. You could get your Phd behind you before making another dramatic life change? I hope I don't sound too negative but from someone who has over 20 years work experience behind me I can see that prospects of a new career are exciting but and this is a big but, no career is ever more fulfilling than having a great family bond :-) If you really feel the need to break away from family then that's fine too but just be prepared that change isn't always good, although it could be fantastic. It is a dilema. Good luck with your choice.

Pineapple, well done on getting those corrections done and enjoy your graduation. As for the department, I sympathise, I had this at work. Myself and a colleague passed our professional practice certs at roughly the same time. He'd been there just 12 months and got a present, cards, champagne etc. I had been there 8 years and wasn't even acknowledged! It's onwards and upwards for you Dr Pineapple, soon all this will be a distant memory as you start your new career. :-)

Awe thanks Satchi. I've been with the same employer for over a decade now so haven't had an interview situation for a very long time and although teaching interview skills is part of my job it's sometimes difficult to act on your own advice! Hopefully I'll be posting back some time next week with good news. I hope so anyway.

Anyone? it's Friday so I don't have lots of time. Thanks :-)