Your least-favorite uncle has probably called you overeducated and unemployable. In order to see through the fog that sometimes surrounds us in grad school, you first have to abandon some myths about postacademic careers and replace them with questions that will help you think about your skills and your potential in a more positive and productive way. Five Myths About Postacademic Careers 1. No one would hire me. I have no useful skills.
Academics do suffer the disadvantage of being misunderstood by most employers.
Few people will recognize at a glance that your research and teaching skills can be an asset to their bottom line. You must figure out how your experience can benefit their company the burden is on you. Figure out what the analogies are in your line of work, and then you can persuade others. People who work in the business world are stupid and boring. If all your friends and associates are academics, you may think this statement is true.