Derrick Rancourt

Non-academic mentors, especially those familiar with the culture of academia, can offer empathy, validation and healthy perspectives. (Brooke Cagle/Unsplash)

PhD students can benefit from non‑academic mentors’ outside perspectives

The realities of the job market mean most PhD students no longer work alongside people whose professional paths they will follow. Universities must do more to support non-academic mentorships.
Explicitly teaching graduate students project management - a skill set they typically learn through trial and error - could mean better research and employability. (Shutterstock)

How universities can really help PhD grads get jobs

Graduate students have much to offer the non-academic workforce based on critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Universities need to help them articulate these skills for employers.

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