Cheeky Logo
Ready To Get Hired?
Apply To Book A Free Call With Our Transition Specialist Team

Why You Don’t Need An Academic Recommendation Letter From Your Advisor

I never felt like I was doing enough in the lab.

When things went wrong, I was to blame.

When things went right, my advisor took the credit.

Still…

I persisted.

I thought that if I did everything I was asked to do without ever complaining, my academic career would advance.

I would eventually become a professor and be able to live the good life.

It all came down to trust. I trusted the academic system to take care of me. I trusted my academic advisor to have my best interests at heart.

I trusted him to show me how to be successful and how to navigate the intricate academic path.

I also trusted him to help me, or at least allow me, to learn about non-academic jobs.

I shouldn’t have been so trusting.

How PhDs Get Pushed Around

“You will have to make up time for these extracurricular activities.”

This is what my academic advisor said to me when I asked to take a few hours off one day to go to a PhD networking event.

I was deep into my first postdoc when I realized I wanted to start exploring non-academic careers.

But my advisor was against it.

He called me into his office to explain every outside event that I wanted to attend. According to him, no event was worth my time.

Whether it was a PhD roundtable, PhD career fair, a non-PhD networking event, planned visit to a biopharma and biotech campus, or PhD job interview—he’d scoff at the idea.

He’d tell me that I shouldn’t go and if I did I’d have to make up the time.

He’d make me explain myself like a little kid begging to go on a field trip.

Then, he’d berate me and belittle my work.

“You should be working harder to produce data for your papers.”

“Moreover, these events are not in line with your academic goals.”

He loved using the word “moreover” when he was angry.

These conversations would leave me feeling drained and helpless.

Eventually, I’d give in.

I gave in every time.

What do you do when your advisor doesn’t want what’s best for you?

Wake Up Your Self-Respect

My wake-up call came 2 years after I got my PhD.

I was working as a postdoc on a risky project that wasn’t likely to pay off.

I went months without seeing daylight.

I’m serious. I didn’t see daylight. My peers called me “the one man lab.”

But my advisor still wasn’t happy.

To be fair, he was stretched in a million different directions and didn’t have a good picture of what was going on in the lab as a whole.

The busier my advisor was, the more out of touch he became. And being out of touch made him angry.

He became more and more controlling.

At this point, he wouldn’t even entertain the idea of me going to networking events.

He started sending me multiple emails every weekend.

Finally, one Sunday, I’d had enough. He sent me 3 emails before noon demanding data and something inside of me woke up.

Something inside of me came alive again.

It was my self-respect.

Your Advisor Is Not Your Daddy

Like a lot of PhDs, I was trained to see my advisor as some kind of father (or mother) figure.

What he or she said goes. No discussion, just blind acceptance.

I wasn’t going to live like this anymore.

My advisor was not my daddy, he was my employer. That’s all. Nothing more and nothing less.

I decided to have a talk with my advisor that following Monday.

But, instead of waiting for his secretary to look at his agenda and set up an official appointment, I went straight to his office door and started knocking.

The door was closed which meant, as he put it, no one was “allowed” to interrupt him.

He said, “come in” and asked me what I wanted with a snarl and without looking up from his computer screen.

I stood there silently until he looked up. Then I looked him straight in the eyes and said ,“I quit.”

I explained that my academic career was headed for a dead end and as such, I wasn’t going to stay in it.

Wow, I said it.

Finally.

As soon as I spoke those words, I felt strong again.

Stop Worrying About A Recommendation Letter

Later that day, when I asked for a referral for the industry positions I was going to apply to, my advisor mumbled something incoherently.

I quickly realized I was not going to get an academic recommendation letter from my advisor. So…

I took matters into my own hands.

I stopped listening to lifelong academics and scientific journal editors who’ve never worked in industry and started seeking advice from people who had both PhD-level academic experience and industry experience.

I started going to PhD events and non-PhD events. I found time to get back on LinkedIn so I could update my profile, nurture my current connections, and make new connections.

The most important thing I did was joining the Cheeky Scientist Association. This was a game changer for me.

I learned more about industry during my first two weeks as an Associate than I had learned during my entire career.

It was a thrilling experience to be able to interact with all the Associates.

I was filled with hope again and knew that it was only a matter of time until I got the industry position I wanted.

A few weeks later, I started going on interviews with companies like Roche and Estée Lauder, and quickly signed a six-figure contract with the latter.

Now, I wake up every day in New York City doing meaningful work I love while getting paid for it.

And I get to see lots of daylight.

Why You Shouldn’t Fear Your Academic Advisor

Many PhDs are afraid to stand up to their advisors.

But there’s nothing to be afraid of, especially if you’d made a decision to transition into industry.

Most academic advisors are too focused on securing federal funding for their laboratories to help you advance your career.

They have a very limited circle of friends and very few, if any, industry contacts.

This means they have no influence over you outside of academia.

They are powerless.

Many advisors will try use their letters of recommendation as leverage against PhD students and postdocs.

If you don’t work hard enough in the lab, you won’t get a letter.

If you don’t walk on eggshells and treat them like kings or queens, you won’t get a letter.

If you decide to leave academia, you won’t get a letter.

Who cares?

You do not need a letter of recommendation from your advisor to get an industry position.

No one in industry cares about these letters. No one.

Here’s the overall lesson…

If you’ve decided to transition into an industry position, there’s nothing your advisor can do to help you or harm you.

Getting an industry job is up to you and you alone, so stop fearing your academic advisor and start standing up for yourself. You don’t need an academic recommendation letter from them to be successful in a career in industry. At first, it may be difficult to say “no” to your advisor or any other academic big shot, but it will get easier over time. The important thing is to get started right away. Take action now to change the dynamic of your relationship with your advisor and change the trajectory of your career for the better. Be respectful of your advisor but remember to respect yourself as well.

If you’re ready to start your transition into industry, you can apply to book a free Transition Call with our founder Isaiah Hankel, PhD or one of our Transition Specialists. Apply to book a Transition Call here.

Book a Transition Call
Get Free Job Search Content Weekly

ABOUT KLODJAN STAFFA, PHD

Klodjan is a Ph.D. and currently works as a Sr. Scientist in the Research & Development department of Estée Lauder Companies in New York City. During and after completion of his Doctorate, Klodjan published several prominent papers in a variety of scientific journals. He got the Brain Mind Institute (EPFL) best PhD thesis in 2013 as well as a fellowship from the Swiss National Science Foundation. Klodjan believes self-innovation is paramount in today’s competitive job market and encourages other PhDs to take action for themselves instead of allowing others to dictate their choices and careers.

Klodjan Staffa, PhD

Here's What Others Are Saying

"I picked the Planet job! It ended up being the better fit for me... Thanks for all of your help!"

Emily Martin

Emily Martin

Hardware Systems Engineer

at Planet

"I want to notify you I have gotten an industry position...Thank you and Cheeky Scientist for the lessons which made my job search strategy and CV more competitive."

Michael Dioha

Michael Dioha

Senior Energy System Analyst

at Clean Air Task Force

"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'm happy to share that I am starting a new position as Senior Scientist at Eikon Therapeutics!"

Hank Cheng

Hank Cheng

Senior Scientist

at Eikon Therapeutics

"I am happy to share that I have started a new position!....I look forward to learning from experience colleagues and apply the"

Augustina Kwesie Osabutey

Augustina Kwesie Osabutey

Water/Wastewater Engineer

at Barr Engineering Group

"Good news...I've secured a job! Thank you for your support during the job search process and for giving me the courage to transition from academia to industry."

Marlyn Brookins

Marlyn Brookins

Regulatory Submissions Coordinator

"New offer - went ahead and signed contract today - - excited and thank you for the confidence booster - grateful for investing in Cheeky Scientist."

Wael Bahnan

Wael Bahnan

Senior Scientist

at Minervx ApS

"I'm happy to share that I’m starting a new position as an associate computational scientist at md anderson cancer center!"

James Jennings

James Jennings

Associate Computation Scientist

at MD Anderson Cancer Center

"I got an offer at Estée Lauder! I accepted the offer since it is a great company and less than 15 min away. I don't have to worry about relocating."

Ivan Peran

Ivan Peran

at Estée Lauder

"I'm happy to share that I'm starting a new position as R&D Scientist II at Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems, Inc.!"

Karim Dawkins

Karim Dawkins

R&D Scientist II

at Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems, Inc

"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'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 finally signed my contract and will be starting soon! I am very happy with the compensation package they have offered me and it meets my expectations."

Indrani Mukrajee

Indrani Mukrajee

Product Manager

at Miltenyi

"I landed a dream job as a revenue management analyst at british airways."

James Washak

James Washak

Revenue Management Analyst

at British Airways

"I have been quiet here for a while but happy to finally share that I've transitioned! It was a long and challenging journey towards transition, being at another full-time job plus being a toddler mom, but I am so thankful I found this supportive community that has helped me and motivated me throughout."

Shobana Sekar

Shobana Sekar

Senior Bioinformatics Scientist

at Roche

Similar Articles

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

Why PhDs Are Mentally Tough (& How They Use It To Get Hired)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

“Isaiah, I’m at my wit’s end.  I’ve applied to countless jobs, networked extensively, and still, nothing.  It feels like I’m just spinning my wheels.”  This is a sentiment I hear often from PhDs who are navigating the challenging waters of the job market.  The frustration and mental fatigue are real, especially when you’re used to achieving high levels of success in academia.  But let’s get one thing straight – you are not alone, and this is not the end.  It’s just a bump in the road.  Yes, the job search is grueling.  There’s no sugar-coating it.  But here’s the thing…

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

6 People to Ignore During Your PhD Job Search

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

When I first began my industry job search, I didn’t know where to begin. Most of the people I asked for advice had none to offer.  Instead, they were adamant I was making a mistake by leaving academia.  I’d spent the last six years siloed in academia – I didn’t really know that many people who weren’t doing a postdoc or staying on to TA.  But I had heard some encouraging things from a few PhDs that had transitioned to industry.  I was really motivated to try and make the same move, even though I wasn’t sure how to start.…

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

Your Professional Brand Is Academia. 5 Questions To Change It

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

What’s your professional brand?  As a researcher, my conclusions are based on proven facts and quantifiable results. The concept of something as subjective as brand or image had never felt particularly relevant to me.  I’d heard the question, of course. When you’ve been looking for a job for over a year, you’re bound to come across the idea.  But now, face to face with a recruiter who had turned me down for a job, I was really trying to come up with an intelligent answer.  “What’s my brand?” I asked. I guess feigning ignorance was one way to go.  “Yes,…

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

Don’t Ignore These 6 Powerful PhD Job Search Trends

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

What does your job search strategy look like?  If you had to describe it in 2 or 3 sentences, what would you say?  I ask because, if you’re reading this, you’re in the market for a job. Working with PhDs for more than 10 years, I’ve learned one thing is true above all others: The right job strategy is what’s going to get you hired. That’s right: I’m saying that a concrete job search methodology is more important than anything else in your job search.  It’s more important than your skills, your degree, your personality – more important than you,…

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

A No-Excuses Look at Virtual Networking

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

A lot of PhDs ignore a crucial part of their job search – virtual networking. You may think that because you’re spending a lot of time going to conferences, attending lectures, setting up face-to-face meetings, and checking in with one or two connections when you need a reference or referral that you’ve established your professional network.  Virtual Networking Casts A Wider Net, Even After The Pandemic Nope, you’re networking by halves if you’re only networking in-person. I kept seeing a former colleague of mine at conferences really making the most out of his time networking in person. Everybody knew this…

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

A Pitch-Perfect Elevator Script For PhDs In Industry

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

I had heard of the term “elevator script” before my first industry interview.  Was I sure what it meant? No. But I got the gist of it: introduce yourself in a compelling way during an interview or networking session. Don’t annoy someone in an elevator. I dismissed the idea of learning more about it than that If I remember correctly, I told myself that it was nothing more than a remedial gimmick. One of those unnecessary “life hacks” that clueless people gobble up to calm their nerves before an interview.  Definitely not something a PhD graduate with a background in…

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

How To Get A Referral Without The Messy Emotions

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Towards the end of my PhD, I felt like I was racing time. And time was winning. I was frantically trying to wrap up loose ends in my research, finish writing my thesis, all the while trying to find a job. I knew I wanted a job in industry. In fact, I knew exactly the job I wanted. I just didn’t know how to get there. I was sending my resume off into the abyss of the internet, but I wasn’t getting any replies. I couldn’t fathom what I was doing wrong. The whole thing felt pointless. Now, looking back…

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

5 Insider Rapport Building Tips (or, How To Make In Person Networking Non-Dreadful)

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Like many PhDs, I’m an introvert. That means my tendency is to avoid face-to-face interactions at all costs. But when it came time to search for a job in industry, my introverted tactics weren’t working. I was reaching out to people online, even getting a few responses, but in the end, all my efforts fell flat. After months of this, I was right where I started – unemployed. Then, I started noticing what my colleagues were doing; the ones that were getting job referrals and interviews at least. They weren’t just reaching out to people online, they were also attending…

6 Credible Networking Scripts That Make Employers Pay Attention

6 Credible Networking Scripts That Make Employers Pay Attention

By: Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Just as “location, location, location” is the mantra of real estate, “networking, networking, networking” should be your mantra during your industry job search. During the final year of my PhD, I finally conceded – the only way I was going to get a job in industry was through networking. So, like many PhDs, I fired up my computer, hopped on LinkedIn, and clicked the blue “connect” button until my fingers ached. I sent out the same message to each new contact telling them about all my wonderful accomplishments before I asked them for a job. You know what happened after…

Our Members Get Hired At Top Industry Companies

Top Industry Career eBooks

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

63 Best Industry Positions For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD & Arunodoy Sur, PhD

Learn about the best 63 industry careers for PhDs (regardless of your academic background). In this eBook, you will gain insight into the most popular, highest-paying jobs for PhDs – all of which will allow you to do meaningful work AND get paid well for it.

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Industry Resume Guide for PhDs

Isaiah Hankel, PhD

Learn how to craft the perfect industry resume to attract employers. In this eBook for PhDs, you will get access to proven resume templates, learn how to structure your bullet points, and discover which keywords industry employers want to see most on PhD resumes.

AI & ATS Resume Filters

AI & ATS Resume Filters

Isaiah Hankel

In today's competitive job market, understanding the impact of AI is crucial for career success. This involves ensuring your resume stands out in the digital realm, mastering your online presence, and being aware of how AI assigns reputation scores. Discovering how to leverage AI to your advantage is essential, as it plays a pivotal role in shaping professional opportunities.

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Complete LinkedIn Guide For PhDs

Isaiah Hankel

The LinkedIn tips & strategies within have helped PhDs from every background get hired into top industry careers.