What do I do after earning my PhD? Many PhD holders still struggle with this question after spending many years in Kenyan universities. The culmination of a PhD odyssey represents not a termination but a gateway to an array of career prospects and directions.
Historically, a PhD was perceived as a precursor to an academic career. However, these prospects have broadened considerably.
Several salient career routes have emerged, including affiliations with academia and research institutions, where graduates nourish their zeal for research and pedagogy by engaging in scholarly publications instructional roles, and grooming forthcoming scholars.
Others choose careers in the public sector, contributing to policymaking and sculpting national developmental blueprints. The burgeoning Kenyan economic milieu, brimming with entrepreneurial ventures and technological innovations, also attracts PhD holders, particularly those from the STEM domains, who assume leadership roles in R&D divisions or provide consultancy.
Additionally, numerous PhD recipients align with NGOs, addressing societal and economic quandaries or synergising with reputable global entities like the UN.
Some intrepid graduates even develop their research and innovative endeavours into entrepreneurial undertakings, birthing startups, or proffering specialised services.
There's an escalating appreciation for the competencies PhD holders introduce, encompassing comprehensive research methodologies, analytical prowess, or adept problem-solving techniques.
Those whose research resonates with Kenya's Vision 2030 developmental paradigm invariably find themselves helming pivotal national assignments.
Moreover, global affiliations, fellowships, and intercultural programmes have emerged as pivotal drivers, amplifying the global opportunities accessible to Kenyan PhD graduates.
Yet, the academic path is not devoid of impediments. Some confront the quandary of reconciling their academic competencies with the demands of the job marketplace. A disproportionate aspiration for academic affiliations also engenders intense competition for the limited available academic roles, occasionally relegating candidates to temporary or suboptimal positions.
Transitioning from an academic milieu to a corporate ecosystem also presents challenges, with many having to acclimate swiftly to corporate dynamics.
Macroeconomic deterrents such as constrained research funding or fiscal recessions can further constrain prospects. While Reflecting on their journeys, many PhD graduates have been sharing their gratification derived from affiliating with an NGO, transmuting their research insights into tangible conservation initiatives. Conversely, others recount the challenges and eventual gratification of transitioning to a consultancy capacity in the corporate world.
Several strategies can be implemented to foster a robust post-PhD ecosystem. These include comprehensive career counselling initiatives, promotion of academia-industry partnerships facilitating hands-on exposure to industry requirements, programs focusing on honing versatile skills beyond the academic realm, and platforms augmenting networking opportunities, such as seminars and workshops.
The post-PhD trajectory is as intricate and dynamic as the research process itself. This journey is interwoven with dreams, opportunities, triumphs, and hurdles for Kenyan doctorates. By astutely discerning this landscape, stakeholders can architect mechanisms and frameworks, ensuring that Kenya's intellectual luminaries secure gratifying career paths and leave indelible imprints on the nation's socioeconomic advancements and global prominence.
The writer is a lecturer at Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) and a Post-Doctoral Researcher at UmeÃ¥ University, Sweden.Â
