Side job

Earning money outside the academic world while a PhD student.
Judith Werner
Freie Autorin

Dr. Judith Werner hat in Regensburg und Verona Philosophie, Politik- und Literaturwissenschaften studiert. Während der Promotion arbeitete sie als Kulturjournalistin; 2018 ist ihre Doktorarbeit über Martin Heidegger erschienen. Mittlerweile ist Judith Chefdramaturgin am Stadttheater Ingolstadt.

A side job outside academia is particularly suitable for PhD students who can organise their time freely. There are many possibilities. The most obvious thing is to start with your own specialised knowledge. For example, someone pursuing a PhD in geography could work for a tourism company. Teachers could earn extra money as private tutors or in social-welfare associations. The range of jobs also depends on where you live and where you are doing your PhD. For those studying journalism, say, there are of course more opportunities in large cities than in rural areas. On the other hand, even the opposite of specialist side jobs can work. Activities that are more demanding physically or socially than intellectually can provide a welcome balance. But you should not be too tired to think when you have to work on your thesis again the next day.