PhD Transition Report On-Demand

Join Isaiah as he shares some emerging trends in life science PhDs can use to demonstrate their industry knowledge to employers Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah shares that one of the best ways to show employers in life science that you’re engaged in your industry is to be able to discuss emerging trends Next, he provides some insight into several exciting developments that life science PhDs should be aware of Finally, Isaiah reminds life science PhDs that part of preparing for a job interview is to stay up-to-date on industry news and advancements From This Week’s Show… Showing Interest In And Being Able To Discuss Industry Trends Demonstrates Value To Employers One of the best ways to impress industry employers is to show them that you understand what is trending in their industry. Today, I want to focus on the life science industry. Life Science PhDs Have So Many Exciting Industry Developments To Explore The first trend we see in industry is a growing interest in cellular agriculture. In previous years, gene-editing tools like CRISPR and cellular engineering technologies were in the spotlight. Now the focus has turned towards cellular agriculture, or Cell-Ag for short.…

Join Isaiah as he breaks down what to expect from a new industry career – from onboarding to your first 6 months. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains that onboarding, for many PhDs, is a mystery Next, he shares 5 things that every PhD should keep in mind when they begin the onboarding process Finally, Isaiah explains how knowing what to expect about your early days with a company can set you up for success down the road From This Week’s Show… Onboarding Takes New Employees Anywhere From 3 To 6 Months PhDs entering industry for the first time are often shocked by the onboarding process. Some think onboarding involves months of basic administrative tasks. Others think they can hit the ground running. Neither of these preconceptions is accurate. What is accurate is that successful onboarding is the key to a successful and long-lasting career. An employee that starts a new job with misguided expectations will likely feel disappointed and alienated; they also risk not meeting the expectations of their employer. Don’t let this be you. Make sure when you enter industry you’re equipped with the correct mindset and the right set of expectations. Let’s…

Join Isaiah as he explores the benefits of a functional resume for PhDs – plus a few tips to make yours stand out to employers. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah takes a look at the functional resume format and explains why it’s superior for PhDs with limited professional experience Next, he directs attention to 3 strategies that a functional resume needs to apply to be successful Finally, Isaiah reviews the architecture of a finished functional resume from top to bottom From This Week’s Show… A Functional Resume Highlights The Quality Of Your Experience – Not The Quantity Many PhDs mistake resumes for CVs – they chronologically list their work experience, achievements, and skills, being sure not to leave out a single detail. But a chronological resume that’s simultaneously irrelevant and cramped isn’t going to land you an industry job. You have to change how you present your experience. This is where the functional resume comes in. Word Cloud Tools Help You Frame The Skills You Have In Words That Employers Are Looking For A functional resume can take your one sad section of Graduate Research Assistant or Postdoctoral Fellow experience and turn it into 3…

Join Isaiah as he shares resume facts and figures that PhDs transitioning into industry need to know in order to stand out in their job search. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah shares some surprising facts about resumes that PhDs transitioning into industry should know Next, he provides some helpful guidelines to keep in mind when PhDs craft their resume Finally, Isaiah offers tips on how to make PhD candidates stand out with a few easy-to-implement resume hacks From This Week’s Show… PhDs Are Often Surprised That Their Degree Is Not Enough While simply submitting a resume may have landed you a summer job at a local coffee shop, getting a PhD-level industry job requires much more. An industry job search at your level can be complex, but there are some simple frameworks that will help you allocate your time and resources effectively. The 80-20-10 Principle Is One Of The More Important Resume Facts To Remember Let’s start with the 80-20-10 principle. The number 80 represents the 80% of industry jobs that are never advertised online. Most positions at small- to medium-sized companies are never advertised at all. Of the jobs advertised by large companies, many…

Join Isaiah as explores career options for extroverted PhDs who love to collaborate and connect with others. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah assures extroverted PhDs that they can still leverage their degree beyond the bench Next, he identifies some of the soft skills extroverted PhDs possess that make them a perfect fit for collaborative roles Finally, Isaiah explores 4 careers perfect that allow PhDs to capitalize on their outgoing personality From This Week’s Show… Extroverted PhDs Might Not Be Happy In Independent & Isolated Lab Roles Many people assume all PhDs are introverts. This of course, is not true. Plenty of PhDs get energized by being around people. If you find independent research to be lonely and monotonous; … if you thrive on other people’s energy; … and if you’re hungry for a job that allows you to work collaboratively with others … then these 4 industry positions might be for you. There Are Plenty Of Roles Perfect For Extroverted PhDs The first is the Medical Science Liaison role. If you love talking about science more than you like doing science, this is the perfect position for you. The second career I’m going to discuss…

Join Isaiah as he explains why PhDs in sales positions make perfect sense for any type of business in industry. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah dismisses the idea that PhDs are overqualified or ill-suited for sales roles Next, he examines the skills and strengths that make PhDs in sales positions so successful Finally, Isaiah explains that you don’t need any additional training – you already have all the skills you need to succeed in this in-demand career From This Week’s Show… You Don’t Need Sales Experience To Succeed In Sales Once upon a time, many companies were hesitant to hire PhDs for sales positions. But this is no longer the case. That’s because products, particularly in the medical and biotech fields, are increasingly more complex. This means companies are in greater need of people with technical expertise. After all, how is someone supposed to sell something they don’t understand? That’s why PhDs are particularly well-suited to sell drugs, reagents treatments, software, instruments, and other equipment and devices. PhDs In Sales Only Need To Believe In The Product They’re Selling To Excel The most important part of being an effective sales professional is believing in what…

Join Isaiah as he examines PhD job search skills, employer expectations and how the two can meet in the middle. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah compares how PhDs rate their own job search skills on scale of 1 to 5 Next, he shares how that number compares to the score employers would give a PhD’s resume and interview performance Finally, Isaiah shares where the disconnect lies between a PhD’s perception of their job search skills and reality From This Week’s Show… Surveys Reveal That Most PhDs Have Awful Resumes There’s a serious disconnect between how most PhDs think they’re doing in their job search and how they’re actually doing. A recent survey of more than 1600 PhDs who were engaged in a job search over a 6-month period found that 80% of those surveyed had no idea what job they even wanted. How can you possibly succeed in your job search if you don’t even know what you want? You can’t hit a target you don’t set. There’s no way to measure your progress if you don’t have any clear goals.  In the same survey, these PhDs were also asked to rank their industry resume…

Join Isaiah as he explores startling academic statistics surrounding PhD graduates and their career outlooks. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah touches on surprising academic statistics about PhDs and their career outcomes after graduation Next, he identifies the misconceptions PhDs have about what it takes – and how long it takes – to start their industry career Finally, Isaiah covers the 2 most important things you need to do to keep from becoming another academic statistic From This Week’s Show… Academic Statistics Paint A Bleak Picture Of The Future For PhD Graduates In the last two years, data from 1600 PhDs were collected over a 6-month period. Among those included, 34% said they were currently graduate students, 27% reported being in postdoc positions, and nearly a quarter said they were unemployed. Only a small sliver of PhDs were principal investigators or professors, and a mere 7% were working in industry.  What should be obvious from this data is that most PhDs were either in low-paying temporary positions or were unemployed. Very few were in industry, and even fewer were in higher academic positions. So, the question is: where do you want to be? Now? Five years…

Join Isaiah as he busts the myths, misconceptions and biases that PhDs in industry are faced with in their job search. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah examines some of the biggest myths about biases PhDs have been warned about in their industry job search Next, he considers what industry employers really think about PhD candidates Finally, Isaiah offers tips on how to position yourself as a lifelong learner and lean into the advantages of your education From This Week’s Show… Don’t Let Misconceptions About What Employers Think Of PhDs Hold You Back In Your Industry Job Search Overqualified. Underqualified. Too independent. Lifetime academic. Unemployable. These are all terms PhDs have been called by others… or so the story goes. But is that what industry employers truly think? That all PhDs are entitled know-it-alls that can’t be taught new things and cost too much to hire? That’s certainly what we’re led to believe in academia. And, as a result, many PhDs don’t apply for positions outside of academia. Sadly, they think they’re not wanted. But the reality is, industry employers have always sought out PhDs. Today, I’m going to discuss a few myths about what industry…

Join Isaiah as explains what PhDs need to do and say to negotiate a higher starting salary in industry positions. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah stresses that it’s up to PhDs to negotiate a starting salary they deserve Next, he lists strategies you can use that will help you negotiate a salary that you and your employer will both be happy with Finally, Isaiah offers some specific phrases that you can use verbatim to give you the upper hand after you receive an offer letter From This Week’s Show… To Negotiate Your Salary, You First Need To Know Your Worth Negotiating salary can feel like a high-stakes chess game. You, as the job candidate, quietly anticipate the employer’s next move… …and the employer carefully assesses what salary you’re willing to settle for.  It’s very common for PhDs to feel overwhelmed by the salary negotiation process. As a result, many sabotage their chances of getting paid what they deserve. This is especially true of PhDs entering industry for the first time. Academia has a way of distorting a person’s view of salary. The key to avoid accepting less than you’re worth is to know your worth…

Join Isaiah as he shares what you can do to address gaps in your resume and changes in your career trajectory. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah breaks down why your resume needs to be a coherent story, not just a list of accomplishments and experience Next, he considers the unique challenge of adapting your resume when there’s a transition in your career trajectory Finally, Isaiah lists the ways you can deal with this gracefully and create a consistent, compelling resume From This Week’s Show… Much like a novel, your resume must tell a good story to receive recognition. You have mere seconds to capture the attention of a hiring manager. If your resume isn’t a coherent story of clear, long-standing goals and consistent pursuits, it may result in confusion, and ultimately, send your resume packing. For some PhDs, continuity and consistency isn’t a problem. But what if you have to change directions, or your PhD doesn’t reflect your current career goals? Maybe you’ve become unexpectedly unemployed or decided to focus on family for a while. No matter the reason, during times of transition, self-worth can take a blow. That’s because it forces you to alter…

Join Isaiah as he explores ways to make your networking efforts feel more valuable and your connections feel more genuine. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah examines why networking feels like a chore Next, he explains why some professional bonds feel stronger than others Finally, Isaiah offers a few alternatives to traditional in-person networking strategies From This Week’s Show… I think we can all agree that events solely focused on networking can be painful and awkward. They also result in weaker professional relationships. That’s because these events don’t foster activities or interactions that promote a strong bond. The most tried-and-true way of establishing meaningful connections is through commonality: a common goal, or a common interest. Research has shown that strong professional relationships are founded through high-stake scenarios. For example, two people are tasked with completing a project together. When people work together on something they’re relying on each other for support. Now, you not only have a shared interest, but a shared experience. Consider Less Conventional Opportunities For Networking To establish strong professional relationships, look beyond events solely focused on networking. Join the board of a non-profit, organize a fundraising event, attend local hackathons. It may…

Join Isaiah as he explains how being wary of networking is crippling your job search. Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah acknowledges that, yes, networking can be uncomfortable. But it’s not a necessarily evil – it’s an invaluable tool that you must wield in your industry job searchNext, Isaiah discusses a few things that introverts can do to make networking less painfulFinally, Isaiah reveals how to turn new connections into valuable additions to your career network From This Week’s Show…  Being An Introvert Is At The Root Of Your Aversion To Networking Let’s face it – the majority of PhDs hate talking with strangers and are suspicious of networking. Why’d this person reach out to me? What’s their ulterior motive? If you’re suspicious of networking and small talk makes your skin crawl, it’s time to understand that your avoidance is hurting your industry job search. But there’s a reason companies in Silicon Valley create large campuses designed to create daily run ins with people across departments – it’s these serendipitous moments that spark innovation and collaboration. Putting yourself out there, meeting new people from a variety of backgrounds, and creating moments of connection are the best…

Join Isaiah as he explains how changing your mindset makes your network more meaningful Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah discusses how the attitude you have about your network and networking may be what’s holding you back in your job searchNext, Isaiah explains that your introverted tendencies may be causing you to come across as fake Finally, Isaiah reveals that the key to tap into your network is to reevaluate yourself and your values From This Week’s Show…  Shift Your Mindset To Transform Your Networking Efforts When you hear the word “networking,” what immediately comes to mind? If you’re like a lot of PhDs, the idea of networking conjures up negative emotions such as dread, anxiety, and hopelessness. But what if I told you that it’s possible to turn what seems like an inherently dreadful experience into a positive one – simply with a shift in attitude? Does Networking Feel Like An Opportunity Or An Obligation? In psychology terms, there are two types of people when it comes to networking. There are those that have a “promotion” mindset, and those that have a “prevention” mindset. People who have a “promotion” mindset view building and nurturing their…

Join Isaiah as he explains the many benefits that industry has and why it’s different from your academic experience Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah shares why industry has more benefits than academia Next, Isaiah reveals how the collaborative work you will do in industry will make you successful in your careerFinally, Isaiah explains the benefits of having explicit measures of success – something you will find in industry, but not academia From This Week’s Show…  Why Industry Has More Benefits Than Academia Only 2% of the population ever attempts to get a PhD – that’s because pursuing a PhD is tough. For most PhDs, it is the most challenging thing they’ll ever do. While the pursuit of a PhD is hard enough on its own, many PhDs are burdened with a supervisor who overworks them – or even bullies them. A recent survey conducted by Nature found that 24% of graduate students said they’ve experienced bullying, and of those, nearly half cited their supervisor as the most frequent perpetrator. The survey also found that 57% of grad students who had been bullied didn’t feel like they could discuss their situation for fear of the consequences.…

Join Isaiah as he explains why a letter of recommendation from your advisor isn’t needed to land a job in industry Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah shares how helpless he felt because he thought he needed his advisor’s support to get into industryNext, Isaiah reveals why industry professionals lean on company referrals, and not recommendations, when deciding who to hireFinally, Isaiah explains why finding a job in industry is up to you, and not your academic advisor From This Week’s Show…  Don’t Let Your Fear Take The Reins When Looking To Leave Academia Behind When it came time to find a job in industry, I felt totally alone. The university didn’t have any resources and my academic advisor was out of touch with the real world. Not only that, but my relationship with my advisor had completely disintegrated – to the point where he was doing everything in his power to keep me from graduating. Towards the end of my PhD, I was in pure panic mode. I wanted out of the academic system, but I didn’t know how to do it without anyone’s help. My advisor certainly wasn’t going to give me the positive…

Join Isaiah as he describes the surprising ways industry poses challenges for PhDs first entering industry Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains why you should walk into your first industry position prepared to spend time adjusting to a new environment Next, Isaiah discusses why onboarding is a challenge for many PhDs coming from academia Finally, Isaiah reveals how your academic mindset will hold you back in industry and what to do about it From This Week’s Show…  Why Entering Industry Is Like Traveling To a Foreign Country Like you, a lot of PhDs dream of the greener pastures offered by the industry career. You’ve likely heard colleagues rant about how happy they are in their industry roles – and if we’re honest, the pay raise speaks for itself. But what many don’t recognize is that the transition into industry can be a major shock to the system. It’s like traveling to a foreign country where the language, culture, and food are entirely different from what you’re accustomed to. And so, like traveling to a foreign country, entering the land of industry often requires an adjustment. So today, I want to walk you through some of…

Join Isaiah as he discusses the many ways PhDs can pursue a career that bridges the gap between academia and industry Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals 4 exciting career paths that place you on the bridge between academia and industry Next, Isaiah discusses one particular PhD-level career that facilitates the collaboration between universities and biopharmaFinally, Isaiah explains how the rise in R&D partnerships provide PhDs with many career options From This Week’s Show…  Exciting Career Paths That Bridge The Gap Between Industry And Academia As a PhD, do you feel like you’re at a crossroad, trying to decide whether to continue in academia or pursue a career in industry? Many PhDs find themselves in this position at least once in their career. If you’re hesitant to totally jump the academic ship, you might want to consider a career that bridges the gap between academia and industry. There are 4 types of industry-academic collaborations that PhDs can leverage to find a fulfilling career. One Career That Helps Facilitate Academia-Industry Collaborations The first one involves the licensing of university technologies. In 1980, the Bayh-Dole act was passed which enabled universities to commercialize their research. This opened…

Join Isaiah as he describes the many flavors of visas PhDs can choose from when applying to their first industry job Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah reveals the key to landing an industry job as an international studentNext, Isaiah discusses the many visa options that international PhDs can choose from when applying for jobs in the U.S. Finally, Isaiah explains why sponsorship and visas are not seen as a barrier for employers when they really want to hire you From This Week’s Show…  How International PhDs Can Land An Industry Job Without Sacrificing Their Goals If you’re an international PhD working in the US, getting a job in industry can seem like an impossible feat. Companies often go for the so-called “easy hire” – the hire that doesn’t require navigating immigration law – which leaves many international PhDs at a competitive disadvantage. Getting hired in industry is hard enough without having to worry about hiring biases and visa processes. The paperwork alone can stop even the most determined PhD in their tracks. But as a PhD, you’ve already overcome so many barriers and obstacles – don’t let this final challenge defeat you. For many international…

Join Isaiah as he describes the power of saying ‘no’ to asks that don’t help you reach your career objectives Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s episode… First, Isaiah explains how to reassess your priorities and determine time sinks that don’t help you reach your career objectives Next, Isaiah discusses how establishing accountability can help you learn the art of saying ‘no’Finally, Isaiah reveals the difference between big and small ‘no’s’ – and why you should prioritize the former From This Week’s Show…  To Get Out Of The Academic Grind, Start By Assessing Your Priorities Many PhDs wanting to transition into industry struggle to make time for their industry job search. This results in many PhDs placing their job search on the backburner – for months, if not years – all the while remaining in an academic position that makes them miserable. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a student, TA, seasoned postdoc, faculty member or part of the administration, prioritizing your job search is the only way to get out of the academic grind. At this point you may be thinking, “I already work well into the night, go to the lab or office on weekends, and completely ignore…