Changing Careers

Mandy
Kendrick

Out of grad school and into the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture

As I finished typing up my Ph.D. dissertation in the spring of 2009, I began exploring non-academic job prospects.  My boyfriend and I had been dating for a couple of years and were looking forward to getting married and starting a life together—a life that included balance.  From my obs...


Siva
Muthukrishnan

“Aah” moments in research: in academia & industry

Hope you have been having a fabulous July so far. As I signed off last month, I left you with a thought on the research process and how that can impact your career. Let’s continue from there.


Mandy
Kendrick

How to use LinkedIn (or how not to use it)

Last month, I attended the Postdoc Conference & Career Fair in Bethesda, Maryland.  There were many talks regarding the transition out of academia into technology transfer, communications, and industry.  Going into the day I was not enthused about attending the industry talks.  I ...


Andrea
H.

Adjusting to a new norm

The official transition from academia to industry had been incredibly enlightening.  I definitely appreciate those summer internships that we all completed at various pharma and tech companies (working on our “lab tans,” while our friends enjoyed the summer lifeguarding and developing real ...


Clement
Weinberger

Not my problem.....

Don’t you see that flying saucer over there? No, I don't see it. Why not? – “because it’s not my problem.” Douglas Adams, from The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy”Think back for a moment on how you found your first grad school mentor or thesis advisor. How did you get to work in that lab...


Stephanie
Yeung

Don’t Be A Monkey. Be A Sheep Pig.

Recently I watched the Oscar-winning movie Babe for the first time (I know. What took me so long, right!?). It is an awesomely inspiring film where a pig raised by sheep dogs resists his destiny of being humans’ dinner and is determined to become a sheep pig (a pig that herds sheep). Along the way...


Siva
Muthukrishnan

Intro to Consumer Product Career Path Blog

I am Siva Muthukrishnan, a Scientist at the Fabric and Home Care Business of The Procter & Gamble Company in Cincinnati, USA.  As this is my first venture at writing a blog with a career focus, I will try to share some stories that might add perspectives to your career. I am very excited to...


Andrea
H.

Away From the Bench

Are you sure you’re ok with going from helping injured soldiers walk again to helping people look better?”  I’m willing to bet that very few people have heard this as an interview question.  But it was a valid (albeit surprising) question in my case.  The vice president intervie...


Stephanie
Yeung

Learn the Lingo – Transition From Research To Business

In a previous post, I mentioned that my journey away from the bench evolved from my daily walk by the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley to my joining their Management of Technology Program to learn about commercialization. In one of my classes there, a Haas professor who used to be a NASA scien...


Maida
Taylor

Playing Well with Others: Lessons learned from an MD in the Pharmaceutical Industry?

The lessons I learned transitioning into Industry are simple, and similar advice can be found at any career-counseling site in postings about office ethics and etiquette.   1.    Listen first, ask questions next, render your opinion last.