National Research Staff Association of the UK: topic
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Jobs other than in Science
Asseman Francois
Thursday, 01 March 2007 07:59 UTC
Dear all memebers or readers,
I want to start a topic about figuring out the other options that young scientist have taken or could take. Indeed, as a postdoc since 2 years now, I think that the world of academia doesn’t suit me. I just want something more applicable, I want a end of a research story , an end of the attention to details …......something more realistic and maybe more adult ? It is also a stress that i cannot handle in the future. It is very disappointing for me as I always valued the work in academia.
So what am i gonna do ? Where am I gonna go ? Which jobs could I apply for ?
There are no simple answers. I applied for positions such as international sales engineer, commissionning editor and programme manager assistant for the government (the UK one…..good for a frenchy no ? ). I went to the second stage interview everytime but at the end they prefered the other one…...not the one who have the most beautiful face or other arguments…..hum…...but the one who has the adequate experience.
So it seems like we have, as postdocs, very strong transferable skills that can attract the private sector but not enough to have the last push !
Then I’m asking your view, your experience or friend’s experience about finding the successful opportunity to a career change ? What are the tile of jobs postdoc could apply for ? What about analysts ? consultants ? Can we be consultants with a background in behavioral neuroscience ? .....
There are so many questions about a career transfer that need here to be answered, not just for me but everyone who could not dream his way in academia.
Also, in my quest of the adequate job, I’ll start a work experience in the world of edition for the royal society. I’ll keep people informed here everyweek of my experince and views if you are interested ?
So “Forewarmed is forearmed”
Help I’m lost and i’m beginning to lose faith !
Amically yours
Francois
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Replies
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Hey Francois.
Well, I can certainly recommend the publishing world. Many of my colleagues here at Nature, and formerly at Elsevier, come from postdoc backgrounds. And publishers certainly value the transferable skills a postdoc brings.One of the difficulties with getting into publishing is the unhelpful menagerie of job titles, which can mean different things at different publishers. So, off the top of my head, you could have editor, sub-editor, deputy editor, assistant editor, editorial assistant, chief editor, editor-in-chief, editor at large, publisher, copyeditor, section editor, news editor, features editor, commissioning editor, co-editor…ad nauseum.
Workng out which one would be suitable for you is a minefield and, as I say, varies amongst publishers. The best advice is to request a job description before applying for a role.
If anyone has specific questions about getting into publishing – ask away! Matt
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Francois,
A few things. First of all, many employers don’t know what a PhD is, so they may not be in the best position to offer you a specific role. Most PhD’s are just taken on like normal graduates, although I hear they do tend to progress through the ranks faster. This is probably a national issue that needs to be addressed (one more for the to-do list John).
In terms of other careers, here’s some places people I know have ended up:
Civil ServiceCharity / public sectorManagement consultancyPublishing / journalism
- Public Relations / MarketingObviously within industry there are a variety of things a postdoc could do. Looking at your profile I’d have a think about assistive medical devices, startups interested in telemedicine, or even a more IT-orientated area. I just had a meeting with the UK GRAD programme where the university programmes manager for Google was telling us about how many European PhD’s they plan to recruit in the next year…
I guess the key thing is though to think about what they want from you. Do they want a 60 page academic CV with every talk you’ve ever done, or do they just want a bit of evidence for the skills they’ll need you for in that role? Also remind them that not many people have (successfully) pulled off a 3-5 year project which has contributed to the sum knowledge of humanity without either enough funding or support!
Also I know it’s probably been a long time since any of us have been to see one, but if you’re lucky you may just find a careers advisor who specialises in postgrads as opposed to undergrads. Many universities are getting them in on Robert’s money.
Hope that helps,
Paul
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Hi Francois,
Let’s make a long story short and say that I’m Italian…but lived in France for quite a while and now I’m in the UK…and now I’m applying for jobs in France. Anyway.
I guess you are in a crossroads…like many of us. I’ve been involved in “things” outside Academia and I’ve come to realize that…Academia is a bit boring for me so I decided I need to “craft” a plan. In crafting such a plan, you have to start by asking yourself some questions and be really honest with your answers:
1. Is doing science the only thing that could make you happy?.
I truly believe that most people who do one thing well are capable of doing other things well and enjoying them.
2. The second question (big question): What is your “thing”? Do you want to make the world better place for example, or do you want security and peace of mind? a happy life for yourself and a family?
3. How much risk am I willing to take on?
I can go on for ages because I’ve come up with a sort of plan for me but I won’t be boring people by “doing me”. I will give you just a list of career options that have come up to my mind:
I’ve realized I could:
1. Work in Science Policy
2. Be a program officer
3. I could be involved with scientific oriented non-profit organizations
4. I could start my own business
5. I could be a conference planner
6. I could be a postdoc forever (yike!)
7. If I’m lucky, I might make a quantic jump and become a full time researcher at CNRS in lovely Nice, near the beach.
8. I could become a scientific journalist (downside: I would have to hire an English proofreader)Each of these things requires different training/skills…I guess I will pick up 2 or 3 things and start working toward my goal. There is no way out. I will need some training time for some things, a lot of networking for others, a phone call to continue ad infinitum a collection of postdocs (yike, yike!).
My advice: You have to be clear on what you want and I think you shouldn’t waste your time in applying for any possible job out there. If you want to do something, start thinking about what you need in order to get what you want.
I hope this helps!
Cheers – Vanessa
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(Side note about the formatting in Paul’s response. We use a text formatting system called textile. If you precede sentences with a hyphen, they’ll appear crossed out; asterisks make text bold, etc. Click on ‘How do I enter links…’ to find out more.)
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Hi Francois,
The guys above are completely right in what they say. I speak to recruiters every day that are desperate for the kind of skills that Postdocs pick up during their studies, training and work life. These employers range from finance houses to your more typical Pharma companies etc.
I think Vanessa makes the most valid point when she mentions that you have to decide what you want to do. When you have a shorter list then go and investigate what these jobs actually do, approach the companies/organisations directly. Only then will you have a clearer idea of what you would like to do and you can get to the easy part of applying!!!
There are some great web sites to get more information about specific jobs, I’ll have to say naturejobs career magazine but here are few more for you – Propects and Hobsons. Some of these are more graduate focussed but they do go into good depths for career alternatives, particularly the Hobsons guide.Best of luck!
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Dear All,
I would like to thank you for your advices. I just have to deeply find in me what I really want to do and as soon as possible. I know I want to apply my analytical skills and excitment of bringing ideas to complishment to a private company with a real and direct usefulness. Then a post such as a analyst or consultant will be great !
But I’m still dreaming of taking part of the scientific publication sector and more with all these new technologies !
So we’ll see …... -
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