The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) had the pleasure of starting their PhD Pathways Series in the Humanities and Social Sciences with an exceptional panel of Yale PhD alumni who have successfully transitioned into various roles in the tech sector. The event, titled Tech Needs Humanists and Social Scientists, included the following speakers:
Sara Bastomski, who earned her PhD in Sociology from Yale in 2017. She now works as a UX Researcher at Meta, employing her social science training to shape user-centered design and improve digital experiences.
Will Watson, who earned his PhD in Musicology from Yale in 2020, where his research focused on late-medieval European vernacular song, the history of notation, the digital humanities, and critical data studies. He now works as a Lead Data Scientist at BlueLabs, leveraging data to drive decision-making and social impact.
Andy Zhang, who earned his PhD in Linguistics from Yale in 2021, focusing on how systematic individual-level variability in language use emerges from systematic individual-level variability in neurocognitive systems. He is now a Product Manager at Google, working at the intersection of AI/machine learning/data science.
The panelists delved into the paths that led them from academia into tech, the doctoral skills that they leveraged in their new careers, and advice and practical insights they would give to current students who wish to pursue a similar trajectory. In this blog post, we share the main take-aways from this talk:
- PhDs transitioning to tech should focus on communicating their analytical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as their technical abilities. Although knowledge of the latter is important, the former are what distinguishes Humanities and Social Sciences PhDs and can serve as their comparative advantage. Communication skills can often be more important than technical skills for PhDs entering tech.
- Networking early and building relationships is crucial for successful industry transitions. Informational interviews are a good way to learn about the job culture at specific firms and establish links.
- The ability to translate complex academic work into clear, impact-focused language is highly valued in tech. Think about your research and about how to persuade people outside of academia why it matters.
- Internships during PhD programs can provide valuable industry exposure and potential pathways to full-time positions.
- Resume and cover letter preparation should focus on translating academic accomplishments into business impact and highlighting skills which will be valuable for the specific role and company you are applying to.
- Once in the application process, prepare thoughtful, specific questions for interviewers that demonstrate interest in the role.
This panel highlighted the importance of leveraging the problem-solving and communicational abilities that distinguish PhDs in the Humanities and Social Sciences for transitioning into Tech, as well as early networking and preparation. A heartfelt thank you to our panelists who shared their stories and advice and helped make this event a success!
In our next events, we will be delving into other sectors to explore the vast opportunities available to PhDs and postdocs.
