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Industry Transition Spotlight: Adwait Ranade, PhD

What is your name, your full job title, and the full name of the company you work for?

Adwait Ranade, research scientist, CiVentiChem LLC

What is your biggest or most satisfying career goal you’ve reached since transitioning into industry?

When I was pursuing my PhD, I had already decided I would never do a postdoc. I never wanted to stay in academics. I was very lucky to find and get an industry position even before finishing my PhD. I wanted to see myself as a scientist working in the pharma industry and I have fulfilled my dream!

How is your current industry position different from your academic postdoc or experience as a graduate student?

Luckily, my current position is my second job in industry. Transitioning into my current role from my previous industrial role has given me a slightly different kind of exposure to the industry. I now work for a contract research company and the work culture has been different. In both of my industrial positions, I think the day-to-day job duties are very similar to those during my PhD. However, since industry is driven by economics and profit-making, the dynamics are very different than academics. Industry is fast-paced and more rewarding!

If you could go back in time, to before you received your job offer, and give yourself one piece of advice or encouragement, what would it be?

Study the company culture well before accepting a job. It is not just about getting a job but also about how much you enjoy it!

What was the most memorable moment for you (so far) as a Cheeky Scientist Associate?

I think I have learned a lot from the Cheeky Scientist Association: writing an effective resume, networking, preparing for interview questions, following up with the interviewers, and negotiating the salary. I have yet to come to know of any such organization that prepares a candidate thoroughly for the job market. I owe everything to the CSA! That’s why I feel I am privileged to be a member of the CSA and I have highly recommended it to my friends. I am very happy to mention almost 90% of them have joined the CSA and are enjoying the benefits!

Personally, for me, the most memorable moment was the way I handled the salary negotiation when my current job position was offered to me. Thanks to the tremendous teachings of the CSA I was instantly able to get an 8% increase in salary, along with a handsome signing bonus!

What do you see as the next step in your career?

I am looking to get away from the bench scientist position and transition into an MSL or similar position. I am very sure with the teachings of the CSA I will be able to achieve my goal very soon!

Now that you’ve spent some time working in industry, what is the biggest takeaway(s) you’d like to share with those who are still executing their job search?

I would highly recommend anyone to read the CSA materials and follow the teachings. All you need is just 1 opportunity! Keep your calm and never lose hope. The right job for you is out there, it is just a matter of time until you get it. Until then, network, don’t hesitate to ask for help, do your homework, and thoroughly prepare yourselves!

To learn more about how you can transition into an industry career like Adwait, including instant access to our exclusive training videos, case studies, industry insider documents, transition plan, and private online network, get on the wait list for the Cheeky Scientist Association.

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ABOUT ISAIAH HANKEL, PHD

CEO, CHEEKY SCIENTIST & SUCCESS MENTOR TO PHDS

Dr. Isaiah Hankel is the Founder and CEO of Cheeky Scientist. His articles, podcasts and trainings are consumed annually by millions of PhDs and other professionals in hundreds of different countries. He has helped PhDs transition into top companies like Amazon, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, Tesla, Syngenta, the CDC, UN and Ford Foundation.

Dr. Hankel has published 3X bestselling books and his latest book, The Power of a PhD, debuted on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list. His methods for getting PhDs hired have been featured in the Harvard Business Review, Nature, Forbes, The Guardian, Fast Company, Entrepreneur Magazine and Success Magazine.

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"I started working with you all back in October 2022 and it took me about four months to secure my new role. I actually had two six figure salary offers in the learning and development arena! One was from a prestigious HBCU and the other one was with a scientific research organization. I signed my six figure offer letter for a Head of Talent Development role with the scientific research organization on March 1st. I negotiated and received a $7,500 increase in salary and I also received an increase in my relocation package. I cannot thank you all enough!"

Dr. Rhonda Anderson

Dr. Rhonda Anderson

Head of Talent Development

at Southern Research

"I just accepted an offer for a position at one of the top pharma companies...I can't tell you how relieved I feel, I'm very excited for what's to come!"

Nahed Jalloul

Nahed Jalloul

Computational Biologist

"I got an offer at Estée Lauder! I accepted the offer since it is a great company and less than 15 min away. I don't have to worry about relocating."

Ivan Peran

Ivan Peran

at Estée Lauder

"I finally signed my contract and will be starting soon! I am very happy with the compensation package they have offered me and it meets my expectations."

Indrani Mukrajee

Indrani Mukrajee

Product Manager

at Miltenyi

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position!"

Norhaziland Mohamed Zaid

Norhaziland Mohamed Zaid

Senior Development Scientist

at Haleon

"I am deeply grateful for all the incredible support, professional and personal, I got here and was essential for me to get here. I just completed 4 months at my present company and successfully transitioned, from the training process to working full-time in the team in the team I was hired for, this last week! I never fully thanked Cheeky for all the help they gave me in the training in the job search process, in a way that I was able to realize succes on one of the first jobs I applied for, only a bit more than a couple of months after joining the association. I heard and was told it was possible to have such quick results,but I never believed that it would happen to me; for this I am deeply grateful for you all! Joining CSA was one of the best decision I have ever made, and is something that will still help me for many years to come, for as long as my career goes on!"

Jose Hugos Elsas

Jose Hugos Elsas

Geophysical Researcher

at CGG

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Manager, Project Management -Medical Affairs at Horizon!"

Geeta Peverada

Geeta Peverada

Senior Manager, Project Management - Medical Affairs

at Horizon

"I am THRILLED to share that I am starting a new position... my sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the inspirational people who've I met along the way in my journey as an aspiring MSL, who helped make this happen."

Leandra Mangieri

Leandra Mangieri

Medical Science Liaison

at Allergan Aesthetics

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Actuary, Pricing at HDI Seguros!"

Claudia Wehrhahn

Claudia Wehrhahn

Senior Actuary, Pricing

at HDI Seguros

"I landed a dream job as a revenue management analyst at british airways."

James Washak

James Washak

Revenue Management Analyst

at British Airways

"I am happy to share that I'm starting a new position as a European Portfolio Manager at Scientific Instruments!"

 Shikha Acharya

Shikha Acharya

European Portfolio Manager

at Scientific Instruments

"Thank you for your advice, Isaiah! I’m super excited and grateful! I would never negotiate the salary and the other details of the offer if it weren’t for Cheeky Scientist. Thank you again"

Marta Silva

Marta Silva

Policy Analyst

at Health Canada

"Thrilled to announce that I have joined a new role as a Research Associate at HJF to work at the WRAIR. Very excited to join a dedicated and brilliant team working to eradicate HIV. Thanks to my family, friends, and fellow Cheeky associates for their support in my job hunt journey.""

 Lakshmi Rani Iyer

Lakshmi Rani Iyer

Research Associate

at HJF

"I am thrilled to be starting my position as a Scientist at bioMeriuex! I will be joining the device validation team to bring #invitrodiagnostics to the market!"

Alec Vallota-Eastman

Alec Vallota-Eastman

Scientist

at bioMeriuex

"I have been quiet here for a while but happy to finally share that I've transitioned! It was a long and challenging journey towards transition, being at another full-time job plus being a toddler mom, but I am so thankful I found this supportive community that has helped me and motivated me throughout."

Shobana Sekar

Shobana Sekar

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

at Roche

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