Taking the initiative to do side projects alongside my PhD proved highly valuable in my job interviews, helping me stand out from a pool of candidates who also possessed a prestigious PhD. It highlights the point that you often need a bit of something extra to get ahead of the curve (even at PhD level!). Even one high-quality side project will be really beneficial to you.
Idea 1 - Additional publications will boost your academic CV
In many academic roles, publications will be under the microscope. How many articles have you published? Have you published anything noteworthy? Where did you publish it? Which research groups have you been part of?
Completing additional research projects outside of your PhD can be a good way to quickly double or triple your publications list. On these additional projects, you can play a smaller role in comparison to your PhD studies, but still have your name on a paper. Even if you are the fourth or fifth author, it is still a publication, and evidence of your ability to contribute to published research.
Be tactical when considering additional research projects. Aim to work with recognised research groups with a good publication record, and look to collaborate with institutions where you aspire to work in the future. Start off on LinkedIn or via email to introduce yourself to academics. Send your CV and show an interest in contributing to future projects. Outline your passion for the research topic, and explicitly state your strengths (e.g. statistics, writing, laboratory skills) to demonstrate what a valuable contribution you would be to their team.
Note: Avoid trying to pad out your academic CV with minimal contributions to multiple papers. It is better to have three publications where you significantly contributed, than ten papers consisting of the bare minimum on poorly-designed studies. Don’t get greedy for publications and drop your standards!
Idea 2 - Guest lectures can open more doors
Lecturing at your own institution as a PhD student is your bread and butter, but there’s a good chance you may not end up working there after your PhD. Therefore you should offer your services to other universities to showcase your talents and build a network of potential employers for the future.
I always saw guest lectures as a positive in many ways during my PhD. As an international student in Germany and Australia, returning to the UK to deliver guest lectures put me back in the ‘shop window’ for future roles, and allowed me to build connections with people I still work with several years on. These lectures were often the most fun, as they were more informal, and the one-off nature took the pressure off performing (if it didn’t go well, I wouldn’t have to see them again anyway!).
Remember that guest lectures don’t always have to be academic. You can provide insights into your career journey, or speak on a general topic where you can show expertise and passion. Multiple guest lectures at various institutions suggests to future employers that you have good initiative to make teaching opportunities happen, and that you are comfortable to discuss a wider range of topics.
Idea 3 - An online presence can enhance your credibility and reputation
As previously mentioned, many people in your chosen career destination may also have a PhD, meaning you will need other strings to your bow if you want to stand out from your competitors. Outside of the traditional research and teaching commitments, there are now increasingly more ways to create digital content which gives you another layer.
Examples of this include your own website, a podcast, a social media account, or even a YouTube channel. After my PhD, I created an Instagram account and YouTube channel which were dedicated to student employability in Sport and Exercise Science. Whilst niche (I hit around 2000 subscribers on my YouTube channel), including these experiences on my CV proved useful for future applications both in teaching and student employability roles. Sometimes I would even be annoyed that they received more attention than my PhD!
An online presence is a way for you to project your personality and passion for a topic. Imagine an employer searching for you on Google and the first thing they see is a podcast full of discussions around a research topic pertinent to the job you have applied for? What an excellent first impression!
Enjoy the process of creating content and see how quickly you pick up new skills and confidence in your field. Do not become bogged down by the number of views or likes your content attracts – just focus on creating something you are proud of. An interview panel will ask how your online presence has developed relevant skills and been useful to other people. They will likely not ask how many likes your last Instagram reel got!
Short-Term Sacrifices to Consider:
1. Many side projects are unpaid
Side projects can be a sacrifice of your time, so be wary of how much time goes into them and how much it is draining your batteries. Guest lectures are often covered with a fee and expenses, but research and online-based commitments typically come without remuneration (unless you become a TikTok star).
I created over 200 YouTube videos and did not receive a penny. I did it for the love of creating content, to learn new skills, and to boost my employability in the student careers sector. This paid off and allowed me to transition from academia to my current role as a PhD Placements Manager. Without my side projects, I don’t think this would have happened.
A good piece of advice is to start looking at post-PhD job advertisements now. Take note of the essential and desirable criteria in each advertisement and ask yourself which side projects you could complete to boost your chances of future employment. If there is a clear reason for your side project, you are likely to remain motivated and complete these projects to a high standard.
2. Side projects take up time as well!
Additional teaching and research duties added a lot to my plate during my PhD. Creating Instagram posts and engaging with followers cut into my evenings and weekends. The same went for planning, creating, editing, and uploading YouTube videos.
Before committing to a side project, look at your upcoming schedule and PhD status. If you have more than one side project in mind, considering periodising the process. Consider the following simplified example:
- PhD year 1: Create a TikTok account dedicated to a relevant professional topic.
- PhD year 2: Engage in a couple of collaborative research projects.
- PhD year 3: Use the knowledge gained over two years to take up more teaching opportunities. This could be at your institution or consist of guest lectures elsewhere.
Use quieter periods in your PhD to focus on a side project and learn as much as you can about the process before getting started. For example, learning about editing YouTube videos at the start of my journey made the process a lot smoother.
Try not to focus on 3 or 4 side projects at a time. This could result in burnout and prove counterproductive for your development. It is better to have one excellent side project than five mediocre ones which are impacted by your fatigue and low motivation.
Final Thoughts
A PhD is an incredible accomplishment, but an incredible accomplishment achieved by a lot of people in the same field as you. Therefore, the job market is likely to be competitive, meaning you need something to make you stand out.
Side projects are a great way to gain further experience, develop new skills, boost your reputation, and build contacts which could result in future employment opportunities. They can be a sacrifice at the time, but this is a short-term sacrifice which can make navigating the job market less stressful in the not-too-distant future.
Make the sacrifices now and be smart with your choices. Seek side projects that align with gaps in your skills, relevance to future career options, and the audience you want to influence. Always have your PhD in mind and make a conscious decision on whether the time is right to take on a side project. The PhD is a long journey, so you will find time to engage in one potentially life-changing endeavour!
