Pathfinder Career Narratives is an ongoing series tracking the career choices and experiences of doctoral graduates. You can see all of the posts in the series here. You can find all the Pathfinder resources and opportunities here. Today’s blog is written by Dr Charmaine Lim, InFrame Community Knowledge Analyst at the University of Glasgow. You can find Dr Lim on LinkedIn and learn more about InFrame here.
Name: Charmaine Lim
Doctorate subject area and year of completion: Anthropology and Sociology, 2019
Role and employer: InFrame Community Knowledge Analyst, University of Glasgow
Approximate salary bracket for this type of role: Grade 7
From PhD to University of Glasgow – the what
I knew during my PhD that academia wasn’t my ultimate goal. I couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but it was a mix of internal and external factors. The academic environment, with its frequent restructuring and administrative changes, felt uncertain. I worried about the challenges facing early career researchers like myself.
Prior to graduating from the PhD in 2019, I’d gained some experience through tutoring and a public sector internship. Unfortunately, my tutoring contract wasn’t renewed due to budget cuts. At that time, the public sector didn’t seem like the right fit, so I decided to explore other options.
A chance encounter led to my first, paid non-academic role. A fellow PhD graduate mentioned that their firm was hiring, and I seized the opportunity. I was initially hired for a short-term contract as a Research Officer at a boutique consulting firm. This role provided a valuable opportunity to broaden my skillset and work on diverse projects. One of my career highlights was developing a set of standardised policies and standards to improve equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) outcomes for the residential and non-residential workforce of a global mining company.
After two years, I was ready for a new challenge. I applied for an Information and Research Coordinator position in the public sector, drawn to the research focus and the opportunity to contribute to training and workforce development. This period coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to increased investment in vocational education and training. I enjoyed applying my research and analytical skills to policy development. I later advanced to a Principal Policy and Strategy Officer role, focusing on community and social wellbeing.
In 2024, the UK government’s decision to increase the age limit for Australian Youth Mobility Visas, coupled with changes to research culture, piqued my interest. I applied for a CKA role within the InFrame project and was delighted to be offered the position. I’m excited to call Glasgow my new home!
From PhD to University of Glasgow – the why
It’s funny how life works out, isn’t it? My journey to the University of Glasgow feels a bit like coming full circle, both figuratively and literally (a 20-hour flight, no less!). I always wanted to do the classic post-PhD move abroad, but then COVID-19 had other plans. I’d also become more interested in the concept of financial stability. Luckily, I was able to continue working remotely, and living in a relatively isolated city like Perth helped. I also timed my home purchase well, buying a house just as rent prices were starting to soar. The non-academic pathway offered the permanency and job security that made this possible.
My experience outside academia also helped me realise that the PhD need not be viewed so narrowly as a pathway to tenure track. My time outside academia opened my eyes to the broader applications of my PhD. I realised that my skills and interests could contribute to real-world change, such as informing policy development, project management, and team-based work. This was a refreshing change from the often solitary nature of academic research.
On a deeper level, I’ve always been drawn to positive change and the concepts and ideas around culture, social transformation and belonging (which I explored in my PhD thesis). During my PhD, I volunteered at conferences, social events, and served as a postgraduate representative. I continued these connections after graduation through a grassroots group, and I realised that the academic culture often felt a bit off for early career researchers. I wanted to create a culture for myself and my peers that is inclusive. When I heard about InFrame, with its multi-institutional focus, commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and drive to disrupt the status quo, I jumped at the chance. I saw an opportunity to address these issues and fulfil my dream of living and working abroad. I’m incredibly grateful for this chance.
From PhD to [insert job title here] – the how
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to making that first career move. I’ve done my fair share of research and networking, and I’ve learnt that a bit of luck and self-awareness go a long way. It’s OK if your interests and goals change over time. For example, I started with a public sector internship and eventually returned to the sector.
Here are a few things I’ve learnt along the way:
- Don’t be afraid to explore. If you’re curious about a particular industry, field, or role, don’t hesitate to reach out to people, attend events, or have a coffee chat. These connections can help get you deeper into your ‘why’ and lead you to your ‘what’.
- Treat your career development like research. Immerse yourself in the field. Read articles, listen to podcasts, and explore books. Stay up-to-date on industry trends and emerging opportunities. Some of my favourites are:
- Sort your career out (book)
- Money money money (podcast)
- Anxious Achiever (podcast)
- Play the long game. A significant factor in my decision to not pursue the academic career path was the desire for financial stability. I realised that the short-term contracts and uncertain future of academia didn’t align with my long-term goals. Working on the EDI project for a global mining company made me more aware of the importance of financial wellness. Diversifying my career path helped me achieve financial security.
- Prioritise your values. For me, this meant seeking opportunities that aligned with my passion for positive change and social impact. I was drawn to roles that allowed me to contribute to building better communities and fostering positive cultures.
Acknowledgement: This blog post can be viewed as an example of ‘collegiality in action’, as I finalised the draft with the support of Charlotte Bonner-Evans, Dr Joulie Axelithioti and Zain Ul Abidin. I also acknowledge the use of Google Gemini as a tool to proofread the final version of this work
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