Many people assume that earning a Ph.D. guarantees an easy path to employment. My experience says otherwise.
When I decided to leave my university position in Jakarta, I sent out countless job applications. The result? Not a single offer. That period of rejection taught me one of the most valuable lessons of my career.
At first, I thought the problem was networking—whether I had the right connections or not. But then, I put myself in the employer’s shoes. Sure, my CV looked impressive. But what was my actual value to the company? What real contributions could I bring? If that wasn’t clear, why would anyone hire me? It was that simple.
I noticed a stark difference when I applied for positions at international universities. This time, I knew exactly what I had to offer. I could articulate how my expertise in neuroleadership could add value to the institution. That clarity made all the difference. Whether you’re a doctor, a Ph.D. holder, or any professional, if you can’t demonstrate the impact of your skills, rejection is almost guaranteed.
Looking back, I used to believe that companies would need me simply because of my credentials. But the truth? They don’t. Organizations don’t hire degrees; they hire solutions. Understanding their problems and how to solve them is the real key.
An academic degree is just one thing—not everything. What truly matters is what you can bring to the table.
