Chicken or egg: A challenge for job seekers

Ana Pereira Roders

Having worked in academia for almost two decades, I often witness the struggles of young professionals, freshly graduated, dreamy and hopeful, entering the working world, either in academia or practice. However, sometimes, they get entangled in endless interviews where they are not hired because they lack experience. Still, without being hired, they can never start again experience — a typical chicken and egg dilemma.

The same can happen when you switch from academia to practice and vice versa. But, in those cases, you may be perceived as overqualified (or underqualified) for your mismatching track record. Especially in disciplines where academia and practice still have a too big gap to bridge, as in architecture and urban planning, such a step in your professional life can be extra challenging. However, keep strong and don't give up. I am sure you will soon find a place to work and progress in your career.

Here are some tips you might find helpful:

Entering academia

There are two ways to enter academia. The first is to apply for an open position, like any other job, which might be funded by the targeted faculty or by an external institution, often temporary. The second is to create your position, funded by an external institution. Those could be institutions that offer research scholarships. But, they could also be companies and governmental institutions that seek answers to a problem that they gladly see solved. Even if the second requires much more energy and resilience (like when a salesperson aims to sell a fridge to an Esquimo), the chances you can keep being yourself and pursue your dreams are far higher, so it might be worthwhile investing in it. I did. The open vacancy can be a "match made in heaven", but I seldom saw it happening throughout my professional life. More often than not, you need to reach a compromise, and when both parties are cooperative, the common ground becomes your field (or playground). So, please ensure you do your homework and study your future team very well before applying (to the limit of not being yet called a stalker, but close). Test your ideas thoroughly during the interviews to capture their reactions. Be proactive. It is your future. Communication is vital in academia, both in research and education. So, if possible, ensure you publish before applying, using your student work or practice projects so you can evidence your qualities in academic knowledge, skills and attitude. In this way, you will also be setting the direction.

Entering practice

Do not work for free for anyone other than yourself! So, if someone in practice proposes that to you, think twice. There are other ways. With the development of the internet and social media, that gap in your curricula before entering the world of practice can be easily covered by activities you do on your own to help others - start with neighbours, friends and family. Your work can be disseminated via Linkedin or via a personal website (which on a very basic level, can be created for free and in just one day). Imagine yourself in 5 years and what you wish to be doing professionally. Then, invest time in creating examples to showcase it. But remember also to estimate the time and resources needed to achieve it. In this way, you not only enrich your portfolio, but the content of your interviews. If you come from academia, make sure the gained knowledge, skills and attitude are understood as a unique asset (and not as a liability) in your job application. Not all practices appreciate academic experience, but that also helps you filter them, and find the ones that do. Trust me, on the long term, these are the ones that often keep helping you to develop professionally. They are lucky to have you! The more academia and practice is bridged, the more we can learn from each other and help our fields evolve.

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