Industry Transition Spotlight: James Morris, PhD

An interview with James Morris, Ph.D.

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

James Morris, I mostly use “consultant” as my job title, I work for AgileBio LLC, and I have been there since May 2016.

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

I have learned more about science in the last several months than I did in all my time as a graduate student and postdoc. The pace in industry is so fast and the people do a much better job of working together.  

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

At my postdoc, I had to get everything I did approved by my boss and our budget felt tiny.  Here, there is a general expectation that doing our work costs money. There is also a much more cohesive team atmosphere, even though most of my coworkers are on the other side of the world. So, we are very proactive in making sure to communicate thoughtfully and frequently.  

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?

The time you spend between jobs has a lot to offer. Do not waste this time. Taking advantage of the availability you have between jobs can lead to interesting opportunities.  

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

At the moment, the company is growing and that growth should open up many possibilities for me to grow within the company.

How can the Association and the Association’s members help you continue to achieve your career goals?

I watch the group and scan for interesting articles or advice. There is something relevant to look for every week.

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?

Making contacts is very important. The value of networking cannot be understated. Getting to know people in the company, or that do business with the company, is important. Being friendly and helpful goes a long way.

To learn more about how you can transition into an industry career like Kristy, 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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Isaiah Hankel

Chief Executive Officer at Cheeky Scientist

Isaiah Hankel holds a PhD in Anatomy and Cell Biology. An expert in the biotechnology industry, he specializes in helping other PhDs transition into cutting-edge industry career tracks.

Isaiah believes--from personal experience--that if you feel stuck somewhere in your life, it’s a clear sign that you need to make a change. Don’t sit still and wait for the world to tell you what to do. Start a new project. Build your own business. Take action. Experimentation is the best teacher.

Isaiah is an internationally recognized Fortune 500 consultant, CEO of Cheeky Scientist, and author of the straight-talk bestsellers Black Hole Focus and The Science of Intelligent Achievement.

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