Industry Transition Spotlight: Evguenia Alechine, PhD
An interview with Evguenia Alechine, Ph.D.
What is your name, your full job title, and the full name of the company you work for?
Evguenia Alechine, Scientific Communications Specialist, self-employed.
Can you describe what a typical day at your job looks like?
I liaise with science writers and editors on a daily basis. I manage a team of 6 editors and 30+ freelance writers. My job involves the whole editorial process of the science articles that are published every day, from researching the topics, assigning them to writers, reviewing the final articles, and managing the publication process and social media impact of our work to discussing scientific topics and marketing strategies with our team.
What is your biggest or most satisfying career goal you’ve reached since transitioning into industry?
Being offered a job that not only allows me to be flexible in terms of working hours and location, but is also in line with my own true beliefs in life about helping people through science and health.
What’s been your biggest learning experience or Ah-Ha moment since transitioning into your new role?
Realizing that I have strong project management skills, that I’m very good at leading other team members, and that I can do much more than just being a editor/proofreader.
How is your current industry position different from your academic postdoc or experience as a graduate student?
First of all, I now see that my opinion matters and is valued. Also, I’m delivering scientific knowledge to lay people, and I feel that for the first time in my life I’m actually helping people, which was the reason why I wanted to become a scientist in the first place.
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?
It would be that I should be aware of how much value I can give and not try to improve the skills that I’m not so good at, but actually leverage the skills that I naturally have.
What was the most memorable moment for you (so far) as a Cheeky Scientist Associate?
It’s actually difficult to pick only one. Before even joining CSA, another associate inspired me to trust in myself and get rid of the Impostor Syndrome. Then, while talking to Cathy, I realized that it is possible to do what you love for a living. Finally, I felt extremely inspired to make a change in the world and help other people when I shared my transition story in the group and received tons of wonderful feedback.
What do you see as the next step in your career?
I think it will be to reach a point where I can have more one-on-one interactions with the people that I can help and inspire. Organizing a scientific conference within the field that I’m working is now is on the horizon. Let’s see what happens!
How can the Association and the Association’s members help you continue to achieve your career goals?
I would love to meet more associates in person and also help or coach those who are also interested in science communication.
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?
Think outside the box! There is much more we can do than what we even think of. Focus on what you love doing, not only as a job but in your life. Don’t limit yourself to job descriptions. What would you do if you didn’t have to work at all? So, make that into your future job! 🙂
To learn more about how you can transition into an industry career like Evguenia, 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.
