I’ve joked before that PowerPoint helped me land my current medical communications job.
People laugh. But I’m only half-joking.
When I saw the job description for my role, two things stood out:
- PhD in Immunology
- Ability to create and edit PowerPoint presentations
So I applied.
Was I hired for those things alone? No.
But it always reminds me that when you have a Ph.D., you don’t need extra certifications or, what I recently read are called “micro-credentials” to get ahead.
Yes, they can help. As I study job descriptions, I’m seeing companies including more and more of them.
But here’s the thing: getting another credential, another certificate, or even another degree is not the answer.
You have more than enough knowledge and skill to get your first or next job outside academia.
Now learning to reframe and communicate them?
That’s the real micro-credential you should pay attention to before you spend more money on another credential. Focus on that and you’ll increase your odds of winning.
If that bit of it still confuses you, I created the PhD Skills Translator to help. You can try it here.
Have a great week.
Dr. Gertrude Nonterah