PostPhDirections – Details, episodes & analysis

Summary:
In this episode of PostPhDirections, I sit down with Fernando Gomez-Baquero, the Director of the Runway Startup Postdoc Program at Cornell Tech, to explore how PhDs can transition from academia to entrepreneurship.

Fernando shares his journey from earning a PhD to becoming a CEO and how the CornellTech Runway Startup program supports researchers in building their own startups.

We talk about the financial backing, mentorship, and structured curriculum participants receive, and why embracing failure, storytelling, and speed are critical in the entrepreneurial process.

If you’ve ever thought about commercializing your research or taking an unconventional career path, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration for taking that next step.

Apply to the program here:

In this conversation, Angela Priest and I discuss how to effectively showcase one's personality in job applications, the importance of finding a work environment that aligns with one's authentic self, and strategies for navigating different corporate cultures. How to answer the question 'Tell me about yourself'.

We discuss the significance of authenticity and personality in the workplace, particularly for PhDs transitioning into industry roles. Our discussion also touches on the challenges of being authentic in professional settings and the value of self-awareness in fostering genuine connections with colleagues.

If you enjoyed this episode please leave us a review so that other academics can find our podcast easier.

If you are looking for more support in your transition into a non academic position, check out website how we can help.

For more daily inspiration on the transition from PhD into industry follow Angela or me on LinkedIn. You can find us also on Instagram and Tiktok.

In this episode of 'A Day in a Life of a Patent Consultant' , I chat with Asraa Ziadi, a patent consultant, about her journey from academia to the patent profession. We discuss the skills needed for patent consultancy, the daily responsibilities of a patent consultant, and the impact of this profession on innovation. Asraa shares her experiences transitioning from a PhD in chemistry to her current role, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and the diverse backgrounds of those entering the field.

Enjoy listening. If you like it, please leave us a review and follow the show.

If you want to see how Alma.Me can help you in your transition, check our website here.

Follow me on for daily inspirations on the transition into a non academic job LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok

Follow Asraa on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I speak with Armando Casares-Körner, PhD. We talk about the Sunk Cost Fallacy, especially after publishing in Science. Lots of academics ask themselves 'When is it time to leave?'. We discuss whether he ever felt the pull of the sunk cost fallacy and what his deciding factors were not to continue an academic career despite having all the academic merits to do so.

We also talk about the impact of family on career choices and the importance of finding alignment between personal values and professional life. Additionally, we discuss how the skills he gained during his PhD have shaped his current role as the Head of Community at The Park, a co-working space. Our discussion emphasizes the significance of reflection and adaptability in navigating career transitions.

Enjoy listening. If you liked the episode please leave us a review :)

Need help in your career? Check our homepage https://www.alma.me/

Connect with Armando on LinkedIn and check out The Park

In this episode, I sat down with Jens Gertow, CCO at Mabtech, to discuss his journey from PhD to a successful career in industry. Jens shares how he landed his first role by highlighting not only the skills gained during his PhD, but also those developed through everyday life experiences.

We explore how to identify transferable skills beyond the lab. Jens story is a nice example why telling a compelling story about your unique skill set can make all the difference in landing a job.

Want to know how I can help you land a job outside academia? Check the Alma.Me website

Want to know more about Mabtech? Check the website here

In this episode of the PostPhDirections, I speak with Professor Robert (Bob) Harris, Academic Vice President of doctoral education at K about the role of universities in preparing PhD graduates for their careers.

We discuss the evolving career trajectories for PhDs, the challenges faced during the transition from academia, and the role of universities in career preparation.

Bob shares insights from his experience at Karolinska Institutet, highlighting the importance of soft skills and the need for universities to modernize their approach to career development for academics. We talk about the importance of proactive career planning and the need for a mindset shift among both PhD students and university leadership.

Robert Harris

Follow Robert Harris on LinkedIn. Bob writes about PhD education and supervision. He is there to Make A Difference (MAD). If you don't want to miss any of his post from the MADBob series follow #MADBob on LinkedIn.

Bob has trained +8000 supervisors and offers leadership training for academics. Questions about training: Robert.Harris@ki.se

If you are interested in Bob's science check out his website

Hear in this episode why meeting Angela was better than winning the lottery and how we met?

In this very first episode of PostPhDirections I talk to Angela Priest, my co- founder and business partner of Alma.Me. We address one of the most asked questions 'How did you two meet considering Angela lives in the US and Elena in Sweden?'.

We talk about our individual stories and how these brought us together and led to co-founding Alma.Me. We talk about common challenges PhDs and Postdocs encounter during their transition to a career post-graduation, and how Alma.me is working to solve these  challenges.
Enjoy listening and if you like it leave us a review :)

Elena, CEO and Chief inspiration officer @Alma.Me

In this conversation, I had the pleasure of interviewing Kirsten Thornhill, PhD, about her inspiring journey transitioning from academia to industry. Kirsten shared her personal experiences, the challenges she faced, and the strategies that helped her navigate this major career change successfully.

We talked about the importance of having a growth mindset, building a strong network, and being willing to start fresh in a new field. Kirsten’s story serves as a motivational guide for anyone considering a similar path, demonstrating the potential for fulfillment and success outside of academia.

During our conversation, Kirsten opened up about the key elements of her transition, from the significance of networking and the challenges of job hunting to the art of effectively communicating transferable skills. She emphasized the power of informational interviews and peer feedback in refining her resume and identifying her strengths.

Kirsten also reflected on the role of ego in the transition process, sharing how she overcame feelings of inadequacy when applying for jobs. Her insights offer actionable advice for PhDs navigating their own career paths and looking to take their next steps with confidence.

If you liked that episode please leave us a review here so other PhDs can find us more easily.

If you need support in your transition from academia to industry check our Alma.me website and see how we can help.

Connect with Kirsten on LinkedIn.

For more daily inspiration connect with Elena and Angela on LinkedIn.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Alda Sabalic about her journey from completing a PhD in biophysics to becoming a successful science communication consultant.

We talk about how she identified where her passion lies and how she turned it into a business.

We explored how she discovered her passion for teaching and simplifying complex scientific concepts, why her work is needed and how she identified that need, and the transferable skills gained through a PhD that apply to the business world.

Alda shared her insights on the importance of resilience, self-reflection, and adaptability in navigating career paths, and she encouraged listeners to recognize and embrace the value of their own experiences and skills.

If you enjoyed the episode, please follow the show and leave a review. It will help other academics discover the podcast more easily.

If you need help and support in your own transition journey check out our website and see how we can help.

We also just launched our accelerator job program. More details about it here.

Follow and connect with Alda on LinkedIn.

Thank you for listening!

In this conversation, Angela and I delve into the topic of self-limiting beliefs, particularly among PhDs transitioning into industry roles, alongside Angela Priest. We discuss common misconceptions about job descriptions, the overqualification dilemma, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the workplace.

Angela highlights that job descriptions are more like guidelines than strict rules and explains how candidates often misinterpret the qualifications required. Together, we emphasize the need for PhDs to embrace a growth mindset, recognizing that it’s okay not to meet every criterion and that learning on the job is part of the process.