Guiding Developmental Scientists Beyond Academia: Reflections from SRCD 2025

In her reflection from the 2025 Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting, Omni’s Senior Research Manager Dr. Alana Anderson shares her journey from academia into a practice-based research career and offers guidance for other developmental scientists exploring similar transitions. Speaking on a panel titled Guiding Developmental Scientists Beyond Academia, she and fellow panelists discussed their career paths, the factors that led them to pursue non-academic roles, and how their training continues to shape their impact in new contexts. Dr. Anderson emphasizes how her background in prevention science and developmental theory—paired with a desire for more immediate, community-level impact—led her to Omni, where she now directs evaluation and research projects focused on behavioral health, family services, and community well-being.

The panel sparked thoughtful discussion among attendees, many of whom were graduate students or early-career scholars considering what comes next. Common questions included how to identify transferable skills, what job level to apply for, and how to assess qualifications for roles outside familiar academic environments. Panelists underscored that PhD training provides a valuable skill set that includes analytical reasoning, communication, project management, and mentorship and that translates well into consulting, evaluation, philanthropy, and policy spaces. These skills, while developed in academic settings, are just as critical in applied roles that prioritize collaboration, responsiveness, and real-world impact.

Dr. Anderson offered several key pieces of advice for those exploring non-academic careers:

• Say yes to diverse experiences during grad school, even if they fall outside your dissertation focus.
• Reflect on the kind of work environment that energizes you—whether it’s community-facing, collaborative, or fast-paced.
• Recognize the broad value of your PhD training; your critical thinking and communication skills are in high demand.
• Identify your strengths and gaps—then build on them intentionally.
• Remember, there is no single “right” path, and career changes can lead to unexpected and deeply fulfilling outcomes.

Ultimately: career shifts are normal, exploration is valid, and developmental scientists have much to offer in spaces beyond academia.