Can we break the Shannon capacity?

How can a PhD in experimental/quantitative psychology break into an industry in a professional capacity?

• I have a PhD in social psychology with a focus on experimental methods and quantitative analysis.  Academia is too slow/incremental for me and I'd like to transition to a field in industry that utilizes my skills: advanced statistical analyses, experimental/correlational research design and analysis, written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work independently or collaboratively. I also collaborated on a startup (http://tutormybrain.comutormybrain) where I gained business sense and entrepreneurial skills. I have been applying for market research and user experience research jobs for about 2 months with extremely few responses.  It seems that as a PhD, I'm "over qualified" in terms of education, but simultaneously "under qualified" in terms of work experience. I recently moved to San Francisco, where I don't have a network of connections I can utilize. How can I break into industry? Should I get an unpaid internship? Do more networking? Are there other kinds of positions that I'm qualified for which I've been overlooking?

• Answer:

  Have you tried consultancies were you could package your knowledge in a more appealing way? Knowledge management  and organizational consultancies could be interesting. At least the quantitative side of your expertise should work for them. Might be one of the few places in the private sector were a PHD is allowed and appreciated since it adds credibility to the firm when important projects are handled by PHD. It should be a large enough consultancy firm were you can start to build a network and bring on clients on your own after a while. Talk to the engagement managers of larger firms regarding potential and possibilities. Since this is not a job you can apply for per se, but its a personal recruitment that they want you as a person on board. Hence, for this you need to talk to those who are responsible way before. Think of what you have to offer to them and what it can generate in extra revenue. Good luck