And whether you like it or not, one of the major survival skills you'll need to make the academia-to-industry transition is an understanding of this small but oh-so-important piece of philosophy.
Q: How did you make the transition from academia?
The panelists advised an audience of eager young scientists on why and how to make the transition from academia to private industry.
People smart and disciplined enough to earn doctorates in science should not need a yearlong, full-time program costing $25,000 to make the transition from academia to industry.
Graduates often continue in academia, but I've seen many make the transition out of academia, and there is support from colleagues in either case.
Over the years, Science Careers has published many articles to help scientists who are unsure about careers in academia make the right decision, deal with the emotional aspects of a career transition, and figure out where to go from there.
These will help you choose your new career in two ways--by giving you ideas for attractive alternatives and advice on how to make the transition out of academia.
The Risks and Rewards of Academia by Elisabeth Pain, 7 October 2013 A 2013 report suggests that high-achieving Ph.D. holders make the decision to stay in academia or not primarily based on their perception of whether the rewards actually justify the considerable challenges.
College students eyeing a career in government or academia often make the same calculation.
To avoid losing these valuable contributors, global academia must make the working culture supportive of alternative ways to scale the ivory tower.
The curiosity, adaptability, problem-solving, and open-mindedness necessary to work and live abroad are valuable qualities for postdocs ready to make the next career step in academia.
