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**PhD Transition Report On-Demand**

Podcast by Cheeky Scientist

Latest Episodes:

Scary Academic Statistics PhDs Should Know Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

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 from now? Ten years from now?

Many PhDs dream of transitioning into industry, and yet, most remain in a cycle of low-paying positions. So, what’s the problem?

Academic Statistics Reveal That Time Is Not On Your Side In Your Industry Job Search

The biggest problem that I see is that many PhDs think they have plenty of time to get hired and that they can do so in 1 to 2 months. This simply isn’t the case.

I don’t care if you know someone who was able to do this, or if you know 5 people who did it. They were outliers.

The averages are closer to a year, and ideally you would start getting ready two years before you need to get hired. Why?

Because your LinkedIn profile only has academic keywords and your entire online data profile collected by hundreds of ATS and other data collection systems over the years has labeled you as one thing and one thing only – lifetime academic.

Several PhD career surveys reveal that nearly a quarter of PhDs said they were already unemployed while another 40% said they needed a position within 1 to 6 months.

When you wait until the last minute to find a job, your decisions end up being driven by desperation. And what strategy do you think desperate people employ when searching for a job?

Do you think they can afford to hold out for their ideal job? No, they take whatever bachelors job they can get.

Too Many PhDs Expect Their Degree To Do The Legwork In Their Job Search

For many PhDs, not having a plan is the problem. They think they can send a few resumes out, have a few interviews, and have an industry job just land in their lap – bam!

And when this doesn’t happen, they either give up altogether or they turn to their failsafe: some low-paying academic postdoc, TA, adjunct or junior faculty position.

Sure, landing one of these academic roles requires much less immediate effort compared to an industry job search. But that’s just because these training and junior faculty positions are cheap and basically a lateral move.

You’re essentially doing the same job for slightly more money. Is that really what you want for yourself? Remaining stagnant in a system that doesn’t value your experience?

Even worse, do you want to end up unemployed? A staggering 82% of postdocs end up unemployed within 3 years.

Scary, right? Especially with a recession looming on the horizon.

To make matters worse, according to Nature Biotechnology, even after 15 years, those who did a postdoc failed to catch up with PhDs who skipped the postdoc altogether.

If You Don’t Want To Become Just Another Academic Statistic, Start Your Job Search Now

Stop waiting and make a plan and set it into motion before you become just another PhD job search statistic.

This takes us to the end of today’s Transition Report. As always, remember your value as a PhD and start thinking and acting like a successful industry professional.

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

To get advanced access to the full length versions of these podcasts, as well as access to our live training webinars, exclusive training videos, case studies, industry insider documents, transition plan, and private online network, get on the waitlist for the Cheeky Scientist Association now.

The post Scary Academic Statistics PhDs Should Know appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

What Industry Employers Really Think Of PhDs Dec 12, 2022

Show notes

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 employers think of PhDs.

Position Yourself As An Expert Of Learning, Not Someone Who Has Nothing Left To Learn

One of these misconceptions is that you’re seen as overqualified for industry jobs.

Has anyone ever told you to leave your PhD off your resume? Many think that including any degree above a masters will automatically scream “overqualified!” and take you out of the running.

But this isn’t true. In fact, many industry roles require a PhD. Especially top positions. Your PhD is an asset, not a liability. It tells employers that, even when you don’t have the specific technical skills they seek, you have the ability to learn them – and quickly.

Sure, the job posting may not ask for a PhD, but highly driven and highly educated job candidates are always preferred.

Another myth is that PhDs are seen as too independent – they think they’re better than everyone else and they don’t take kindly to instruction or feedback in their industry career.

The truth is employers see PhDs as self-motivated. And that’s a good thing. Employers are seeking exactly what your PhD has trained you to be – self-motivated and able to work interdependently – by yourself and with others.

Treat Your Lack Of Industry Experience Can Be A Selling Point, Not A Setback

The final myth is that PhDs are underqualified because they lack industry experience.

It’s easy to see yourself this way too when you’ve spent much of your adult life in academia where your skills and abilities are constantly undervalued and underpaid.

But industry employers often prefer to hire employees without previous experience because every company has their own proprietary way of doing things.

Experience doing things a different way can be problematic. Why hire someone you have to untrain before you can train instead of someone who you can train from scratch without any bad habits? This is where your ability to learn quickly comes into play again.

The key is whether or not you’re positioning yourself to be seen as moldable and ready to learn, rather than a know-it-all who has it all figured out.

So ignore the myths, lean into your advantages as a PhD, and go get hired into the right career for you.

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

The post What Industry Employers Really Think Of PhDs appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Negotiate A Higher Starting Salary Dec 09, 2022

Show notes

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 and reinforce it. You have the skills, expertise, and experience that industry employers are looking for. You should be paid accordingly.

But you’ll never get paid what you’re worth if you’re not prepared to talk money. So let’s talk about money and how to make more of it.

What You Say Is As Important As How, When You Say It When You Negotiate Your Salary

First, you need to set a walk-away number. This s the minimum salary you’re willing to accept.

Walking into a negotiation without a clear understanding of what you’re unwilling to accept torpedoes the entire process. If you don’t have a number you’re willing to walk away from then you’re not negotiating –you’re begging.

If you’re not sure what your walk-away number should be, do some research. Where you live and the type of job you’re seeking will factor into the equation. Whatever amount you determine is right, just make sure to remain firm throughout the negotiation process.

And never – I mean never! – communicate your “walk away” number to the employer. That’s a surefire way to never get offered anything above it.

Loose Lips Sink Ships When You‘re Negotiating

Next, you must be prepared to avoid, deflect and generally agree with verbal negotiation attempts without firmly agreeing to an offer verbally.

Early in the hiring process, your job is simple: When asked about money, deflect. Never give out the first number. The first person to talk numbers is at a competitive disadvantage; that’s why the employer tries to make you, the job candidate, make the first move.

When asked what your salary expectations are, you can say something like, “Salary is not my first concern. I’m more interested in learning more about the opportunity. Can we come back to this later?” or “I’m very excited about this opportunity, so of course, I’ll consider all reasonable offers.”

If they ask about your current salary, you can respond with, “My previous work is in a different field and is not relevant to this position. I’m very excited about the prospects of this job. I’m sure salary will not be an issue.” Or you could say, “In academia I earned a stipend, not a salary, so it’s not relevant in this context. If the compensation is competitive, salary won’t be a problem.”

Don’t Mention Numbers Until You Have An Offer Letter In Hand

It’s important to remember that employers expect you to negotiate. After you have an offer in hand, this is the time to bring the salary research you’ve done to the front of your mind. You can respond to their letter with, “Thank you for the offer. I’m very excited about the position. I’d like to go through the offer so I can understand it better. Can we set up a meeting or phone call?” The key is to always remain positive and upbeat during negotiations.

Before speaking with the hiring manager, you’ll want to prepare. Have a few key phrases in your arsenal. Things like: “I’m so excited for this opportunity! The job aligns perfectly with my background, but I was really hoping for more than the current offer. What can we do?”

If the employer pushes back – usually by saying that there’s nothing they can do – you can respond with something like: “I understand the limits of the negotiation. However, with the value I can provide the company with my skills in XYZ, I was hoping we could figure out a salary that’s commensurate with my experience.”

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

The post Negotiate A Higher Starting Salary appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Resume Tips For A Career In Transition Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

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 the one common thread that has woven together your career thus far: your professional narrative.

Your narrative is what provides purpose to your professional pursuits – it’s what drives you to pursue a particular field of study or get a certain degree; it also determines which career path you choose to go down. If your career narrative has changed – whether it be forced or voluntary – know that it’s not the end of the world. People change directions or start over all the time.

Functional Resumes Shift The Focus Away From Gaps In Your Employment

The key is to keep with the same consistent message throughout your resume. If you have a gap in your work history, use a resume format that focuses on your skills and experience instead of your work timeline. The functional resume format works best for this. To start, list your work experience under bolded headings such as “Project Management,” “Research and Analysis,” or “Leadership.” Underneath each heading, list the job titles you held while developing these skills. Following this, include 3 to 5 concise bullets that highlight your transferable and technical skills. By highlighting your skills in this way, you’ll take the focus off any meaningless employment gaps you may have.

However, if you feel like the gap is significant enough or you’d rather address the elephant in the room, you can add activities that you pursued during this time. Say you volunteered at a local animal shelter or completed a few online certifications that expand your skill set – include these under your work experience or education. Employers love to see people that are interested in growing as a person.

Your Resume’s Focus Should Be The Job You Want, Not Positions You’ve Held

The other challenge that PhDs face is a complete career 180. Perhaps you hold a PhD in engineering but realized towards the end of your PhD that your true passion lies in the life sciences. Or maybe you have an industry job in research and development, but now you think your skills would be better utilized in management consulting.

In either scenario, what’s important is that, like a good story, everything you include on your resume points towards one common goal – the climax of the story, if you will.

To create this consistency, clearly state the job you’re seeking in your professional summary. And not just “I want a job as an XYZ.” Include the job title in a sentence that highlights your relevant skills and answers the question “Who are you?”

For instance, if you’re applying for a project management position, you could write “An adaptive leader with 3 years of experience in project management resulting in 4 primary publications.”

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

The post Resume Tips For A Career In Transition appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Make Networking Feel Less Awkward Dec 05, 2022

Show notes

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 seem like these activities have nothing to do with your career, but you never know what connections are going to help you land a job.

Being Authentic Forges Authentic Connections

Another tactic is to become a master of your own interests.

Are you a foodie with a refined palette? Do you love telling people about your most recent restaurant exploits – giving them all the fine details of the meal?

Lean into this.

The act of becoming a connoisseur of something you enjoy may seem irrelevant to your job search, but what it does is make you more memorable and interesting.

When you do this, you provide people with an opportunity to reach out to you.

Few people have pressing research emergencies that require your sound advice – but what they may need is your input on where to take their wife or husband for their birthday dinner.

** for the full podcast, check out the audio player above.

To get advanced access to the full-length versions of these podcasts, as well as access to our live training webinars, exclusive training videos, case studies, industry insider documents, transition plan, and private online network, get on the waitlist for the Cheeky Scientist Association now.

The post Make Networking Feel Less Awkward appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Suspicious About Networking? Dec 02, 2022

Show notes

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 search
Next, Isaiah discusses a few things that introverts can do to make networking less painful
Finally, 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 way to advance your career.

Go Into Networking Events With A Plan

If being gregarious doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t worry. I have some strategies you can use to feel more genuine and engaged. First, let networking events do the heavy lifting for you.

Go to events that are structured and have premade plans for you to operate a booth, be part of a planned small group chat, and so on. This will keep you from roaming around aimlessly and it will also provide you with structured talking points.

Next, try preparing a few opening lines for conversations in advance that you can use when you’re networking. Not cheesy jokes or awkward ice-breakers, but something that relates to the event.

For starters, you could ask how the other person heard about the event. Pretty simple, right? You can also ask things like “What exciting projects are you working on right now?” or “What do you like most about your job?”

Keep questions for new connections simple and easy to answer. You can also lower the pressure on yourself while networking by giving yourself an attainable goal.

Make it something simple, such as speaking to 3 people for 5 minutes each. That way you don’t feel pressured to keep a weak conversation alive, but you also interacted with the person long enough to make an impression.

Lastly and most importantly, do your research about who will attend networking events whenever you can. A lot of events now provide electronic invites – and oftentimes, they show the people who have accepted the invitation.

For a fundraising event or a professional association meeting, information on the host committee or advisory board is often provided ahead of time. Try and make note of interesting talking points such as where attendees went to school, organizations they’re interested in or papers they’ve published.

Building A Network Shouldn’t Be Painful

As you progress in your industry job search, your network is going to be a crucial part of your success.

Making a slight adjustment to how you think about meeting new people is the first step to building a professional network that works for you.

If you can overcome your suspicions about the importance of networking and resign yourself to the knowledge that this is now a standard job search strategy, the rest of the work should be downhill.

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.

The post Suspicious About Networking? appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Network Like You Mean It Nov 30, 2022

Show notes

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 search
Next, 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 network as an opportunity to grow, make connections, and advance their career.

In contrast, those with a “prevention” mindset view their network as an obligation – something they must add to and maintain in order to advance their career.

If you lean towards the “prevention” mindset, try to look at networking in a new light. Everyone is motivated by something different.

When it comes to your network, what is your primary motivation?

If you’re like most PhDs, the only reason you network is to get a job. The problem with this is that human beings are highly sensitive to BS.

The average person knows when you’re don’t believe in what you’re doing.

They know you’re being fake.

But, what if you started seeing your network as an opportunity to learn, to grow in your career, and to make connections with interesting people?

Change Your Own Mindset To Make the Most Of Your Network

If you’re an introvert, you can’t force yourself to be someone you’re not.

You can, however, change your mindset about networking.

If you walk into a room motivated by curiosity and a desire to grow, you’ll automatically feel more authentic in your intentions.

This will result in more genuine connections.

Another reason PhDs struggle to network is that they don’t believe they have any value to offer someone else.

Sadly, most PhDs today suffer from imposter syndrome – they don’t feel like they bring anything to the table. This is untrue and is a very harmful way of thinking.

The key to changing your mindset about networking is to change your mindset about yourself first.

Start seeing yourself as valuable and you’ll start seeing ways to offer value to others. The value I’m talking about here isn’t materialistic.

I’m talking about gratitude, elevation, and recognition.

Networking is the currency of industry and people like helping others. It’s all about an exchange of value, even if that value is just a friendly conversation.

The next time you want to connect with someone – perhaps someone with more seniority or experience than you – realize that elevating them as the expert and showing them your appreciation for their time, attention, and kindness, provides immense value to them.

It’s your gift to them.

The post Network Like You Mean It appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

3 Workplace Benefits In Industry Nov 28, 2022

Show notes

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 career
Finally, 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.

I’m sharing these grim stats because if you’re experiencing a situation like this, I want you to know you’re not alone.

Many PhDs leave grad school feeling overworked, abused, powerless, and hopeless. They want something better, but realize something better exists outside of academia.

You don’t have to let go of your dreams just because you had a bad experience in academia.

In industry, you can still do meaningful work, and you can do it while being respected and compensated fairly.

So today, I want to talk to you about the 3 major workplace benefits in industry.

The Benefits of Collaborative Work In Industry

The first benefit is that you have a structured and collaborative work environment.

While academia leaves many PhDs feeling isolated and lost, industry provides the support you need to do your best work.

You’ll no longer have to wonder where your supervisor is or feel like the fate of an entire project falls on your shoulders.

In industry, people work in teams; teams that have explicit reporting structures and where each person plays a clear role.

Projects also have concrete goals. You’ll never have to wonder why you’re doing a particular project.

That’s because industry is built to avoid waste on dead-end projects.

Industry Rewards Hard Work And There Are Clear Measures For Success

The second workplace benefit is that there are clear measures for success in industry.

As you likely know, career advancement in academia is minimal. There’s also very little feedback in terms of career milestones and you never know where you stand in terms of your own career progress.

The gauge for success also varies widely depending on the institution.

Industry, on the other hand, uses your progress towards pre-set goals as a measure of your career progress.

These goals, expectations, and priorities are often established through a Performance Development Plan, or PDP for short.

PDPs are most often created at the beginning of the year and are revisited during mid-year and end-of-year reviews.

These plans are then used to determine your salary, your bonuses, and your chances for promotion.

As a result, in industry, you know what your goals are and what you need to do to accomplish them, making your career trajectory more steadfast and more successful in the long run.

And these are just a few of the many benefits of industry.

The post 3 Workplace Benefits In Industry appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

You Don’t Need A Letter Of Recommendation Nov 25, 2022

Show notes

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 industry
Next, Isaiah reveals why industry professionals lean on company referrals, and not recommendations, when deciding who to hire
Finally, 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 recommendation I had hope for. The whole situation felt hopeless.

Then, I talked with a friend of mine that had recently been hired into an industry position.

When I told him about my problem, he reassured me, saying “A letter of recommendation? No one will ask for that in industry.”

This woke me up.

If you’re waiting to make the leap into industry and fear that you won’t get anywhere without the consent of some lifetime academic, think again.

Why Companies Couldn’t Care Any Less About A Letter Of Recommendation

While an academic letter may emphasize your ability to perform particular research duties and your publication record, an industry company wants to understand what transferable skills you have.

They want to know if you have the ability to communicate, to manage projects, to lead a team, and to solve problems.

This is why industry companies rely on employee referrals to find quality job candidates, not letters of recommendation.

Companies rely heavily on employee referrals because hiring data shows that people hired through a referral report higher job satisfaction which, in turn, leads to higher retention rates.

For those of you still unconvinced, I want you to understand that your advisor is isolated and unknown in industry.

Sure, there may be a few exceptions here and there, but the vast majority of lifetime academics do not have a network outside of academia.

Your Academic Advisor In Unknown In Industry – Their Recommendation Is Useless

Your advisor and most lifetime academics have had to focus their entire careers and lives on academia to survive the academic system.

They’ve had no time to establish let alone maintain any kind of industry network. As such, in industry, they are unknown.

Obscure. Powerless. Ineffective.

This may sound harsh but it’s the truth and you’ll benefit from knowing it.

I remember when I first asked my advisor if he knew anyone in industry.

He looked at me as though I had three heads and said his focus is academia, not industry.

Of course, looking back, this made sense. Why would he network with people who weren’t going to help him get his next grant or publish his next paper?

Finding a job in industry is dependent on you – your ability to network with the right people and to take full ownership of your industry career.

Not what some lifetime academic thinks of you.

The post You Don’t Need A Letter Of Recommendation appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

Challenges You’ll Face In Industry Nov 23, 2022

Show notes

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 the typical challenges PhDs face when transitioning into industry.

Why Onboarding Poses Challenges For Most PhDs

The first challenge is onboarding. 38% of PhDs report onboarding as a significant challenge.

That’s because industry works on a completely different timeline.

Where academia runs slow, industry is fast. For PhDs that had a lot of autonomy in terms of timelines in academia, working under tight deadlines in industry can be a challenge.

So, take full advantage of your onboarding period – it’s the best time to practice time management.

And the good news is, unlike academia, you’re not working alone.

If you find that your plate is full, you can often speak to your team to see if some of the work can be distributed or if they have advice on how best to manage the situation.

Why Your Academic Mindset Presents Serious Challenges In Industry

The second challenge is getting promoted or asking for a raise.

21% of PhDs report promotions and raises as their biggest challenge in industry. To combat this, start by understanding the typical trajectory of your career.

Many PhDs don’t even take this first step because they’re not used to upward mobility.

But many companies have a standardized promotional and raise system in place.

To get the next promotion or pay raise, you have to voice your desires to upper management.

If they know what you’re striving for, they can help you get there.

They will likely give you a checklist of things they look for when considering someone for a promotion.

Expressing your interest also shows your commitment and your dedication to the job and the company.

So, speak up and you’re more likely to remain on their radar.

Overall, to succeed in industry, you have to accept that things operate differently than they do in academia.

And you’ll have to start understanding these differences now, not later if you want to get hired into industry.

The post Challenges You’ll Face In Industry appeared first on Cheeky Scientist.

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