Building your academic legacy while pursuing a PhD

Starting a PhD or postdoctoral program is one of the most important decisions you can make, one that greatly affects your academic and professional life as an individual. So it's not just about getting that coveted degree; keep in mind that you are building an identity that is often not given the consideration it deserves.

In our increasingly hyperconnected world, we have access to immediate knowledge through digital platforms and academic institutions. The goal, or next step, is to connect with yourself, with your research and professional reputation, which is just as important as your publications. This will enable you to stand out and position yourself as a valuable reference in your field of study.

It is a statistically proven fact that 78% of students obtain better opportunities for international collaboration and greater professional media exposure when they develop a recurring strategy for their personal brand, according to the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS, 2023).

Define what you want to achieve and how you will communicate it

If you are thinking about taking the plunge into the world of doctoral studies, you need to consider several things, such as: What do I want to communicate as a researcher? What concepts will be associated with my name in the academic world? How will my research contribute to society?

Once you have answered these questions, you will be on your way to building a solid and coherent narrative, qualities that every professional over the age of 35, like yourself, should have. The brand that represents you is something that is built within you long before your thesis or the idea for it in general.

For this reason, it is extremely important that you check your profiles on various professional academic sites and platforms, such as LinkedIn, ResearchGate, ORCID, or perhaps Google Scholar. All of these should be completely optimized, as they will reflect your career trajectory. Not only that, but you will also realize that they will be the face of your ongoing research. According to studies, a researcher with an updated profile on at least three platforms is 46% more likely to be seen than one who does not.

In addition to this, it may also be relevant to write a short biographical summary or cover letter for your meetings with future collaborators, thesis supervisors, and evaluators, to whom you will offer a sample of your essence and interests.

In the middle of your doctoral studies, continue your activity but maintain consistency.

Daring to start a PhD while juggling important responsibilities such as family and work is no easy task. However, dedicating a few hours each month to strengthening your academic skills could make a real difference to you and your career.

1. It's all about strategy, including sharing your progress
Although it may be tempting to show your progress, you must also draw the line when it comes to confidentiality. If your research has not been officially polished, this protocol also applies to reflections or preliminary results. Alternatives to this may include the dissemination of scientific articles that are directly related to the topic you are working on in your research, which should be adapted for a non-specialist audience. This is yet another step that contributes to strengthening your academic essence in this medium.

2. Always keep your contacts safe; they are your valuable academic network:
What is known today as networking is truly vital in your postdoctoral studies. All of your colleagues with whom you have connections, a professor, even a collaborator if you wish, with whom you could develop future projects and, why not, joint publications; there is a whole world of possibilities that can only be accessed through a network of contacts.

3. Your image also matters; look good and be a consistent professional.
Each of your actions or comments contributes to the big puzzle that is your reputation. To take care of it as much as possible, avoid personal or political content in your academic work, whether on platforms or in person. Remember that ideally, your image should represent authority, clarity, and, of course, expertise.

Problems will be part of your daily life, so stay motivated and don't stop being authentic.

Throughout this journey, you will have many experiences, some positive and others not so much, which will surely be surprising. In fact, several students report feeling isolated, exhausted, and tired, as well as having doubts about how practical their research is in terms of usefulness.

As negative as all this may sound, you must remember that your academic brand can also be a space for emotional refuge. Documenting your progress, sharing what you have learned, and connecting with other researchers like yourself will be the perfect catalyst for you to see the value of your work again.

54% of doctoral students who manage and take care of their digital presence feel a greater sense of accomplishment and find meaning in their career path. This result was obtained from surveys conducted by The Journal of Doctoral Research (2024).

It's all about striking a balance, so you can find equilibrium while showing your more human side without losing your professionalism. However, it's vital that you learn to recognize adversity without playing the victim, and especially that whenever you achieve something, you're able to share it with humility.

After graduation, don't stop consolidating and expanding your academic brand.
In case it's not obvious to you, having your doctoral degree in your hands is not the end of this journey; it's the beginning of something new, a continuation of your work, your consolidation, and your purpose. Only now, the challenge is to maintain your presence as consistently as possible, always striving to project yourself as a professional in your field. Once this process is complete, keep the following in mind.

1. Make your research known and share what you know:
The more available your thesis is, the better it will be for you to showcase it, whether you do so in institutional repositories, databases, or by sharing links to view your articles or book chapters; any form of dissemination is good, especially if it involves specialized media. Remember that this act can become the butterfly effect of the doctorate.

2. Always keep your contacts safe, they are your valuable academic network:
What is known today as networking is really vital in your postdoctoral studies. All your colleagues with whom you have links, a professor, even a collaborator if you wish, with whom you could develop future projects and, why not, joint publications, there is a whole world of possibilities that can only be accessed through a network of contacts.

3. You should be openly involved in international conferences and projects.
If you cannot participate in academic events in person, you can do so virtually. It is these participations that increase your credibility as a professional and the visibility of your work. Additionally, being involved offers you the opportunity to transfer your doctoral knowledge to mentoring students who, like you once did, are just starting out on this path. In your case, it will greatly enrich your profile and allow you to do your part to collaborate with the scientific community.

Rather than a path to follow or discard, the benefits of these practices are a fact backed by the European University Association (EUA, 2023). They claim that approximately 72% of doctors who maintain online academic activity within the first two years after graduation manage to improve their job or funding opportunities.

Build your academic brand and leave a lasting legacy

One step at a time: This is how a doctorate is built. The concept and everything that an academic brand represents should not be tied to simply writing a thesis or obtaining degrees, not because these are not great achievements, but because they are. It is something deeper and more rewarding. An indelible professional footprint that is strengthened with every publication, collaboration, and contribution you make to knowledge. Becoming a trustworthy and respected person within your field.

Don't forget that a doctorate, like many things in life, is a transitional stage, but your academic brand is a legacy. One that can only be built through consistency, vision, and perseverance.