Opportunities in the Tech Industry for Academics in 2023
Trends in tech, top companies and 6 roles for in Tech industry
👋 Hi, this is Aditya with a weekly issue of the PhD to Industry Newsletter - where academics get free guides, interview notes, and articles to start or level up a career in industry in less than 5 mins a week.
To get access to all previous issues including guides, templates articles, subscribe:
Hi Readers,
In this week’s issue, I cover trends in tech industry, top companies in Tech for PhDs and 6 roles in Tech that compliment PhDs skillsets.
The PhD and academic skills, knowledge, and mindset are highly valued in the tech industry and many other industries outside academia. But,
I often hear so many academics state they do not know what options they have outside academia for them.
So, today, I will break down trends and opportunities in ‘Tech’ industry for PhDs and will cover other industries like Life Science, Consulting, Non-Profit and Government in the coming series.
Lets dive in:
The ‘Tech’ Industry:
‘Tech’ industry is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of companies and organizations that develop, produce, and sell technology products and services. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and new technologies are emerging all the time. This makes it a dynamic and exciting place to work, but it can also be challenging to keep up with the latest trends.
Yes, recent layoffs in Tech industry have created some uncertainty and perhaps many are shying away from pursuing a career in tech. But careers last decades, so for those who may find tech as exciting industry, please continue to pursue opportunities, or at the very least use a downturn in market today to hone your skills, network and leverage to break into tech.
It’s important to ‘zoom out’ and see how rapidly tech is growing as a field. This may help one truly appreciate the potential trajectory into the future and inevitable opportunities in this field that will happen in the next decade and beyond.
“In the next decade, we will experience more progress than in the last 100 years”
Peter Diamandis
Cofounder of Singularity University
Figure 1. Trends in Technology Report.1 Credit: McKinsey.
If you are a PhD or academic with a strong interest in technology, the tech industry may be a great place for you to work. The good news is that PhDs very well aligned skill sets, many of which are in high demand in tech industry. So I will cover a common question next:
What opportunities do I have in Tech as an academic/PhD?
There are 100s of roles, academics can pursue in tech, but here are the top 6 roles and why PhDs may be a good fit for these roles:
1. Data Scientist
PhDs have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to conduct research and experiments, and experience with data analysis tools and methodologies. It makes them great fit for Data Science roles.
2. Software Developer
PhDs with programming skills and experience in software development methodologies are well-suited for this role, as they have experience in designing and implementing complex algorithms and systems.
3. Instructional Designer
PhDs with knowledge of instructional design principles and/or the ability to design and implement effective educational programs, experience with pedagogical approaches and learning technologies, and strong research and data analysis skills are great fits for this role.
4. User Experience Researcher
PhDs usually have data analysis skills and for those with design thinking backgrounds and experience in conducting rigorous research and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data sets, a UXR role is well suited.
5. Machine Learning Engineer
PhDs with strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the ability to design and implement machine learning algorithms, experience with cloud computing, and experience with data analysis and modeling are great fits for this role.
6. Product Manager
PhDs with strategic thinking, empathy, communication, and collaboration skills are well-suited for this role, as they have experience in conducting and analyzing research, designing experiments, and working effectively in team environments.
Next, let’s look at some companies that hire for such roles.
What companies should I explore?
Again, there are 100s, but here are the top companies that have historically been great fit for PhDs:
Microsoft
Intel
IBM
Google
Meta
Tesla
NVDIA
Amazon
Palantir
Apple
I plan to make the full map available in the next newsletter, so please subscribe to receive it in the coming emails.
Note, in addition to these large tech companies, there are 100s of smaller tech companies that may be better fit for some.
A full list of Top 50 companies in Tech and Information can be found here.
Happy exploring!
Summary
The tech industry is a dynamic and exciting field with immense potential for growth and innovation in the coming years/decades. For PhDs and academics with an interest in technology, the industry offers numerous opportunities to apply their skills and knowledge in rewarding careers, including Data Science, User Experience Research, Product Management, Machine Learning Engineering and Software Development.
Drop any questions or comments you have below.
https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/Business%20Functions/McKinsey%20Digital/Our%20Insights/The%20top%20trends%20in%20tech%20final/Tech-Trends-Exec-Summary