The experimental PhD: What comes next?

About me Started grad school at the U of O in 1999 with Prof. Stelmack 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) 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 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 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 Defended my thesis and started working full time at ASI in 2004

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

Typical work tasks As a test consultant, there are three primary work tasks: As a test consultant, there are three primary work tasks: 1. Facilitation – Training groups of subject matter experts (e.g., nurses) to write high-quality multiple choice questions and facilitating the question review. 2. Statistics – Evaluating the performance of exam items and overall test statistics. Some advanced statistics including item response theory and statistical equating. 3. Project management – Managing project budgets, deliverables, timelines and deadlines. Also involves client management and relations.

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

Why are psychology PhDs in demand? Some interesting facts In the private sector, there is no distinction made between clinical and experimental PhDs 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 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 The job market is all about transferability of skills

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

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

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 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 Dealing with the nuances of client management – the research may be clear but there are other considerations Managing budgets and workplans Managing budgets and workplans Dealing with an “office environment” and internal company politics Dealing with an “office environment” and internal company politics

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

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

Benefits to working as a consultant Work-life balance is a HUGE benefit Work-life balance is a HUGE benefit Most workplaces have hour work weeks Most workplaces have hour work weeks With most employers, overtime is infrequent and discouraged With most employers, overtime is infrequent and discouraged Also very little weekend work 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 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!!! The bottom line: You can have a life again!!!

Benefits to working as a consultant Variety of work Variety of work The variety of the work you do keeps a job interesting and challenging 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 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 are also various internal committees and projects you can be involved with There is always something to learn There is always something to learn

Benefits to working as a consultant You don’t have to give up on academic interests and research 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 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 perform applied research Most companies also support participation in industry groups and conferences 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 Many part-time professors also work in the private sector and can bring applied experience to the classroom

Some tips when finding a job A full-time job is a major decision. As a result, be picky about where you work 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 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 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 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 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. Sometimes, a signing bonus is available or moving expenses could be covered. Ask about these.

Thank You Chris Beauchamp Senior Consultant Assessment Strategies Inc.