Program Director Works to Produce Geospatial Intelligence

Name: Nathanael Bassett (he/him)

PhD: Communication / Media Studies, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2020

What was your main area of research?

I studied the experiences of people who opted out or did not otherwise participate as expected in common socio-technical systems - “Luddites”, those “off-the-grid” and others who were disconnected from status quo means of social and technological connectivity.

What is your current job?

I am a Program Director for T-REX in St. Louis, Missouri.

I manage a program on behalf of the federal government intended to produce original open-source geospatial intelligence, similar to an academic journal with a specific industry and professional focus on research and intelligence.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

I really appreciate the position’s work-life balance.

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Project management and ethnographic analysis

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

I applied my skills in anthropological research methods to understand the professional landscape I became involved with, which helped me identify value and avoid risk in strategic planning.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

LinkedIn and a lot of luck.

PhD graduate ➡️ Adjunct ➡️ Unemployed ➡️ Technical Writer ➡️ Junior Communications Role ➡️ This Job

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

Identify a target industry, build social connections, interact with professionals in that space during workforce development events and opportunities, and volunteer in some capacity to demonstrate your competence as a professional.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

COVID happened and my interviews turned into hiring freezes. I also had family obligations that emerged and interfered with the tenure track search and potential job hop across the country.

What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Do not underestimate the immaterial value of critical thinking skills and other theoretical frameworks which can be difficult to quantify in a monetary return on investment. These things make you a stronger, more capable thinker.

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

Watch out for employers who would take advantage of you, know your worth but also be humble and willing to try things you think may be below your abilities. You will likely be underemployed to make ends meet until you find an ideal fit.