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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 & CAREER SUCCESS MENTOR

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 professionals transition into top companies like Pfizer, Tesla, Amazon, Pearson, Google, Apple, Intel, Dow Chemical, BASF, Merck, Genentech, Home Depot, Nestle, Hilton, SpaceX, 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 am delighted to announce that I have accepted the role of Research Scientist with a base salary of 90k. The cheeky scientist resources have helped me immensely and I am really grateful."

Amninder Singh Sekhon

Amninder Singh Sekhon

Research Scientist

"One thing I feel I did great was joining the association as a Diamond member. Modules and Classes helped me to prepare ahead of the search- to do and to go right. The other useful thing was the accountability forum....your classes and modules really helped me to believe in myself and have confidence in myself. I value myself as a PhD. I gave a shot for a senior scientist position, and got one!"

Nabina Paudyal

Nabina Paudyal

Senior Computational Scientist

at Colossal Biosciences

"I aced the interview, I signed yesterday and begin next month!"

Sinduri Vuppala

Sinduri Vuppala

Field Application Specialist

at Bruker Daltonics

"I’m happy to share that I started a new position as Medical Science Liaison at Ashfield this January, part of UDG Healthcare (now Inizio) supporting Avita Medical. Thank you to all my mentors, colleagues, and friends who have been incremental in making this dream possible for me.....It is an exciting space/time and I can’t wait for the future."

Mimi Borrelli

Mimi Borrelli

Medical Science Liaison

at Inizio

"A new chapter begins! I'm thrilled to launch Wenwirth Scientific, where sincere meets creativity with a mission to make medical communication more engaging, impactful, and effective. I am ready to bring game-changing ideas to help you unleash the power of words and medicine. Many thanks to those who have supported me in this journey, I can't wait to work with you and start serving the healthcare community and patients."

Huey Wen Lee

Huey Wen Lee

Creative Medical Communications

at Wenworth Scientific

"Thank you for your support. I greatly benefited from your DD talks on the importance of networking on LinkedIn and resume-building tips. Your team member Meera was very helpful in building my LinkedIn Profile and resume. Thank you!"

 Taranum Sultana

Taranum Sultana

Research Administration

"BIG NEWS!! Lufthansa offered me the gig!!"

Marco Milesi

Marco Milesi

at Lufthansa

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Mary Hidde

Mary Hidde

Clinical trial manager

at Medspace

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position! Excited to start this position with excellent colleagues!"

Tanumoy Mondul

Tanumoy Mondul

Senior Scientist

at Sanofi

"I signed with ASML for 117k! (asked for 120 and they came up from 110) plus a 10% target annual bonus."

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Andrew Dawes, PhD

Senior Applications Engineer

at ASML

"I accepted my job offer today. I was able to get 5k more + the exact PTO package I wanted. I am very happy and very thankful for everything that I learned through the event. I plan to stay involved with Cheeky Scientist as I love what y'all are doing and I'm still learning."

Tracy Gardner, PhD

Tracy Gardner, PhD

at Pearson

"I am happy to share I am starting a new position!"

Kamrul Hansen

Kamrul Hansen

Principal Scientist - Analytical Technology

at Servier Pharmaceuticals

"You will not believe it..... I got them up another 60K and they changed my title!"

Ryan Hendricks

Ryan Hendricks

Project Manager, Rapid Industry Solutions: On-Set Virtual Production

at SMPTE

"Just wanted to say thank you for all your help and motivation.You were great in guiding me in the right direction."

Rittik Ghosh

Rittik Ghosh

Senior Scientist

at Boehringer ingelheim

"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

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