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Industry Transition Spotlight: Karin Weigelt, PhD

An interview with Karin Weigelt, Ph.D.

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

Karin Weigelt, Account Manager, Life Sciences Division, Bio-Rad Laboratories, 2 years and 1 month.

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

I was very proud to receive the award for “Best Sales Performance 2015 in Northern Europe within the Bio-Rad Life Science Division”.

What’s been your biggest learning experience or Ah-Ha moment since transitioning into your new role?

The importance of soft skills and good communication in industry has really surprised me. Good communication is something that is missing in academia, and I have enjoyed that it is such an integral part of my industry job. Learning that there is this whole world where people value good communication was a really nice Ah-Ha moment.

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

While my projects in academia were usually very narrow, the work I do in my current job is extremely broad. It involves all kinds of different technologies (from cell sorting to chromatography), all kinds of different projects (from a small student project to high throughput projects for diagnostics) and talking to all kinds of different people that could be working anywhere from a lab controlling the quality of your tap water to a big pharmaceutical company. The diversity of my position is wonderful.

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?

Try to stay open to new strategies and seek advice from more experienced people who are willing to support you.

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

While I was searching for information on how to improve my LinkedIn profile, so I could leave academia and transition into industry, one of Isaiah’s first articles popped up: “What To Do When Your Academic Supervisor Mistreats You”. I think I immediately read the article 5 times and it helped me stay motivated. I realized that I wasn’t alone, that this situation is common in academia, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel!

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

Right now, I have a great manager that I am learning a lot from and as a next step, it would be great to lead a small team. I want to pass on what I’ve learned so far, and hopefully help other people grow.

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

The information and discussions about current STEM topics, like trends in biotech or pharma, are very helpful for me. Also, since there is a very diverse range of people in the Association, the feedback from different points of view could be very helpful to evaluate one’s position when aiming for a new goal.

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?

Curiosity can get you very far. It is definitely worth your effort to find a position in industry that suits you and your desired lifestyle. You may even want to start your own business! Industry provides a great experience where you can work in a team with other friendly motivated people. And, of course, it’s a great day when you land your first industry job, but the real fun is just beginning. I was lucky that I’ve had the chance to learn a lot of new things in the last two years I’ve spent in industry, and most of the time, it was a fun process.

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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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 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 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 so much for all the help. I got so much help and inspiration by joining Cheeky!"

Hasala Lokupitiya

Hasala Lokupitiya

Senior Polymer Scientist

at Lyten

"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

"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

"Going with Nyxoah! Thank you for all your help Isaiah!"

Pratik Chhatbar

Pratik Chhatbar

Senior Clinical Research Scientist

at Nxyoah

"I would like to express my appreciation and assure that your school was eye-openning, thanks! I registered on your course 2 months ago and from total ghosting I ended up with a dream job in biotech."

Petro Starokadomskyy

Petro Starokadomskyy

Senior Scientist

at Kyverna Therapeutics

"I am BEYOND ECSTATIC to finally say I am starting a new position as Patent Examiner in Biomedical Engineering at USPTO!"

Jo Ramos

Jo Ramos

Patent Examiner in Biomedical Engineering

at USPTO

"The decision is final - it is Cormetech!"

Carlos Vargas Garcia

Carlos Vargas Garcia

at Cormetech

"I'm excited to share that I am starting a new position as Senior Research and Development Engineer at CORMETECH!"

Carlos Garcia

Carlos Garcia

Senior Research And Development Enginee

at CORMETECH

"I'm excited to share that I'm starting a new position as Senior Filed Application Scientist at NanoString Technologies, Inc.!"

Alex Woychek

Alex Woychek

Senior Field Application Scientist

at NanoString Technologies, Inc.

"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 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!"

Kamrul Hansen

Kamrul Hansen

Principal Scientist - Analytical Technology

at Servier Pharmaceuticals

"Hi Isaiah - I have news to share! I applied for a position on Monday night. I had an interview Tuesday and was just offered the position! (Wednesday). I can't believe it! All the hard work. The LinkedIn Messages. The resume building All your keys. I countered 5k more than they offered and they accepted it! I am so over the moon right now and so excited!"

Brittni Levasuar

Brittni Levasuar

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