Using professors as non-academic references.

[JDHistory14]

Hi everyone!

 

I recently graduated with my M.A in History, after going straight from undergraduate to graduate school.  I plan to apply to PhD programs eventually (5 years from now at the latest), but in the meantime I plan on taking a step away from academia and getting some experience elsewhere.  Right now, I'm considering applying to a research job with a state government agency.  The job's application asks for references of people who are familiar with your work as a researcher.  At this point, my professors are the only people who meet this criteria.

 

I'm a bit apprehensive about using my professors as references for a non-academic job, fearing that they will no longer see me as a future PhD student/Professor.

 

Does anyone else have experience with this?  Or does anyone simply have thoughts?

 

Thanks a lot!

[bobbilly]

I have taken some time off between the MA and PhD as well.  Given that I spent six years getting the BA and MA, it made sense that some of my references for job hunting would have to come from former profs, especially since I also TA'd.  Most of my profs were fine with it, especially because they knew I just wanted a breather, and a time to get some real world experience for awhile and make use of some of my earning potential.  Only one professor had a negative view and thought I was wasting my time and his.  I would recommend you do one thing, which I always did, if you are going to ask for references: send them the job information so they know how to help sell your strengths and be honest about your weaknesses.  And keep them in the loop about these prospects and your plans on continuing your education if that's what you are going to do.  Good luck to you!

[lzs]

When I applied for a non-academic job (albeit a university staff job) earlier this year, both my references were professors: one was my advisor (I graduated last year but we were and are still in touch), and one was not my teacher or advisor but my employer.

Was it a good idea? Well, I got the job, I love the job, and I still have good relationships with both of my references. Did I feel self-conscious about discussing non-academic jobs with my advisor? Yeah, but I sucked it up because I knew he'd go to bat for me and I really wanted the job and jeez, it's a perfectly good job, it's not like I was applying to work for the KKK or something. (I even told him I felt weird about it and he was totally nice about my being weird about it.) I'm sure it's harder when it's your graduate advisor (I only have an undergrad degree, so this was my undergrad advisor), but at least you're applying for a research job -- your academic work and relationships are totally relevant.