Will spent several years at Lancaster University, as a senior researcher and associate lecturer before deciding to move out of academia. His journey out of academia wasn’t straightforward - Will applied for a number of roles before he was successful and stressed that perseverance and resilience is needed. Whilst completing his PhD he did a four-month internship as a Policy Advisor which gave him valuable experience when applying for a permanent role at DCMS some years later.

At the panel, Will shared some honest advice: ‘don’t wait for the perfect job or one that matches your PhD exactly’. Instead, focus on getting your foot in the door—once you’re in, opportunities open, especially in larger organisations. He also stressed the importance of tailoring your CV for different roles.

Although Will misses sometimes the creativity of academic research, he enjoys the faster pace and the swifter outputs in his current role. Interestingly, he feels his PhD is more valued outside academia, where it’s seen as something more distinctive.

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