Two weeks ago I posted about step 1 of a 7-step programme to establish an actionable career plan for your future. In this first step, we explored how to establish your core values as a foundation for creating a list of possible career options that interest you.
Over the next two weeks I’ll go into this in more detail and provide you with some possible options. These are only examples as the list is not exhaustive, but it’s a good start for you to contemplate/discard/follow-up on.
I’ll detail some of the more obvious options for post-academic biomedical/life-science researchers in career paths that have a strong history in hiring academic researchers (6 examples today) and next week I finish these off (another 6 examples) and propose that you think a bit more outside the box by considering other possible professions too.
But for now, let’s start looking at a few of the more ‘traditional’ career routes. Based your core strengths, values, current situation and personal interest; I suggest you attempt to provide each of the options with a score from 1 to 3, where:
1 = highly suitable; 2 = moderately/mildly suitable; and 3 = unsuitable.
As a rough guide to help your decision process, I’ve indicated a few skill sets that lend themselves particularly well to each profession, based on previous research (1).* Furthermore, I’ve also provided some top personal strengths and a list of resources that might help career progression in that particular field.
*!CAUTION! – The skill set list for each option should only be used as rough guide when scoring; the skill set required for each option will be far broader than those provided. Also, so if an option is of interest, but you are weak in a particular skill set listed, it’s not game over – weaknesses can be considerably improved upon with experience. So make sure you work on any potential weaknesses if a particular profession is of interest to you.
1. Academic Research: Often described as a high risk, minimal reward option, this is a highly interesting and stimulating career path. These days for most fields you’ll require a higher degree (preferably at doctoral level) for a permanent position and even then, the competition is fierce for permanent posts. However, if this is your passion, do not be discouraged – with the right strategy in place for your training it can be achieved.
My advice would be to get yourself in the right lab as early on in your career as possible. By that I mean ideally placing yourself in a high-profile lab/institution that is competing at a world-class level in your niche. This will set you up with the best possible chance of obtaining personal funding in the future, which is the most effective way to secure tenure.
Useful skills: Written and oral communication, data interpretation and teamwork
Top Personal strengths: Confident, intellectual, tenacious
Helpful resources: Post-graduate level qualification(s), expansive & high-quality publications, flexibility to move
2. Administration: These jobs can often offer a relatively straightforward way into a new industry. However, a clear career progression path can be hazy, given the diversity of roles available across sectors. This is not to say higher positions cannot be readily achieved, but rather that the route to such dizzy heights can be highly variable. So, if you want to get there, guidance from contacts within the industry will help immensely (although this is of course true for all career paths)!
A logical option for scientific researchers is taking on roles in specialist departments where your expertise lends itself well, such as medical administration. Your previous credentials will carry weight in such professional environments and could help you progress to senior management positions should you wish.
Useful skills: Project management, quick learning and teamwork
Top Personal strengths: Organised, people-orientated, attention to detail
Helpful resources: Comprehensive computer/industry-specific technical know-how, ability to stay calm under pressure, a conceptual viewpoint
3. Biotech/Parma Commercial Work: This is a career option where performance-related pay can boost earnings to a high level, so you’ll be directly rewarded for your achievements.
Your science background will help with product knowledge, an advantage is also an understanding of the relevant industry (healthcare, agriculture etc.), but the most important aspect of these roles is an ability to sell. If you are people focused and have the ‘gift of the gab’ you’ll do well!
Useful skills: Oral communication, time management, project management
Top Personal strengths: Target driven, skilled communicator, competitive
Helpful resources: Sales experience, ability to travel, business qualification
4. Project Management/Business Development: Project managers take on the responsibility of delivering projects on time, within budget and scope. They often oversee a team of people and have to work to get the best out of their team. They need to plan projects and execute them. Initial entry-level roles might need to be taken in order to progress to these positions, as product knowledge is required.
Business developers assist companies in diversifying their clientele, by acquiring new customers and selling additional products/services to existing ones. Previous project management experience can be a prerequisite into business development roles, which is why they’re in the same category. Project management and business development positions lend themselves well to people-orientated research scientists, as they require the ‘make-it-work’ type mentality that’s commonly forged at the lab bench.
Useful skills: Oral communication, quick learning, project management
Top Personal strengths: Problem solver, competent networker/negotiator, people-orientated
Helpful resources: Product experience, ability to travel, business qualification
5. Consultancy: This covers a huge range of careers, but the work commonly involves providing a fresh prospective to businesses or non-for-profits. Popular entry roles include strategy consulting (the big picture), management consulting (the day-to-day) and technical consulting (technology-based).
As a researcher, your previous experience could give you an edge to progressing in specialised areas of consultancy, such a pharmaceutical consulting, consulting on climate change issues etc.
Useful skills: Data interpretation, quick learning, teamwork
Top Personal strengths: Problem solver, natural leadership qualities, people-orientated
Helpful resources: Business/entrepreneurial experience, ability to travel, consulting internship
6. Non-Academic Researcher (commercial): For the day-to-day effort, commercial research will be similar to the work done in academic research labs, but there are distinct differences that might suit some more than others. Commercial R&D differences include sacrificing research independence for requiring grant funding to continue a programme of work and working to shorter deadlines (e.g. for a product launch).
So although the working conditions differ to some extent, many of the skills required to be an excellent researcher are the same.
Useful skills: Written and oral communication, data interpretation and teamwork
Top Personal strengths: Confident, intellectual, tenacious
Helpful resources: Post-graduate level qualification(s), high-quality publications, commercial awareness
Reference
(1) Sinche, M. et al. An evidence-based evaluation of transferrable skills and job satisfaction for science PhDs. PLoS One 12, e0185023 (2017).
Next week I’ll cover more potential career paths, but until then remember to be a badass in your career planning. Subscribe at:
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