FROM BENCH TO KERBSIDE

Dr Maura Hiney, HRB

Applied Biomedical Research

Clinical Practice

and Health care

Applied clinical and social care research

Basic Biomedical Research

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Science/Health Science Degree

Post-doc

Lecturer

Aca

dem

ic C

aree

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ontin

uum

Phd (alone or with MSc)

Prof

Most scientists (over 90%) don’t end up being academics

or doing bench science

There is a big world out there!

The routes to a non-academic career are

MORE BYWAYS THAN HIGHWAYS

Science Degree

MSc

PhD

Post Doctoral research

University Lecturer

Industry–led research

Non-research careers: • Science teaching • Grant management • Science publishing • Hospital science • Science policy • Patent law/agent • Medical sales/marketing • Science administration • Technology Transfer • Science communication

Non-science careers: (Often using analytical/ numerical/ problem solving skills) •Computing •Insurance and Finance •Regulatory affairs •Business development

Scientists are usually good at: •Analysis and logical thinking •Numeracy •Problem solving •Research skills •Attention to detail and accuracy •Being intelligent!

They may need to improve their: •Spoken and written communication •Presentation skills •Social skills •Leadership - project management skills •Ability to deal with clients and customers •Business awareness

It is unfortunate that doctoral and post-doctoral training are often viewed as a pre-professional apprenticeship instead of a life-enriching period Let’s look at few case studies to illustrate the point!

Who knows?

Some Case studies: 1

Maura Hiney Policy and Evaluation

State registered nurse (SRN)

BSc Microbiology NUI Galway

MSc Biotechnology

PhD Molecular Epidemiology and Diagnostics

Post-doctoral researcher Fish Diseases

Director of Research Office NUI Galway

Head of Policy HRB

Director, 3U

Some Case studies: 2

Ruth Davis Director, 3U

BSc Microbiology

PhD Dairy Microbiology

Industry Research (Kerry)

Production Bakery technologist (Green Isle)

Strategy Development Food Science UCC

Director of Research UCC

Head of Capital HEA

Some Case studies: 3

Derick Mitchell Science Communication

BSc in Biotechnology, NUIG

PhD Molecular Medicine, UCD

Post-Doctoral Researcher NYU

Communications Officer, REMEDI

Exec Manager Stakeholder Forum European Biobanking Research Infrastructure (BBMRI)

Communications Executive EU Joint Programme (JPND)

Some Case studies: 4

Siobhan O’Sullivan Government Officer

BSc Microbiology

MD/PhD Medical Sciences (Norway)

Post-doc Respiratory Medicine

Senior Researcher Clinical Trials

Scientific Director Irish Council for Bioethics

Chief Bioethics Officer Department of Health

Some Case studies: 5

Stephen Simpson Director of Research

BSc Zoology

PhD Immunology

Post-doc Harvard Medical School

Senior Researcher Harvard Medical School

Editor - Science

Program Director SFI

Director of Research Arthritis Foundation

Some Case studies: 6

Cliona O’Leary Clinical Research Organisation

BSc Microbiology NUIG

MSc Nutrition UCC Dip Clinical Sciences UK

Scientific Officer – Overseas development agency

Clinical Research Associate

CRO - Project Manager

Exec Director – data management; Pharmacovigilance

VP - Clinical & Data Initiatives

These positions all require the knowledge gained and the credentials earned through doctoral training and independent research

There is no roadmap.

There are no right and wrong turns.

There are as many paths as there are opportunities.

Step 1: Strategies to use to get an employer to hire you

1. Know what you have to offer: • your interests (do some soul-searching)

• your skills (technical & transferable)

• be able to express them in your CV and at an interview

2. Research the employers to find out what they are looking for

3. Make the match between your skills and their needs

4. Network, network, network

Know what you have to offer!

It is very important to do some self-assessment:

A)What are my interests, values and goals?

B)What are my skills?

A) What are my interests & values?

Start by asking yourself some basic questions: • Why did you do your degree?

• What motivates you?

• What is your dream job?

• What is important to you?

• What are your ambitions/goals for the future?

A) What are my interests & values?

Figure out what drives you: • What makes you happy?

• Where do you get your greatest satisfaction?

Different people require different exercises • Personality tests

• Feedback from family, friends, colleagues

• Personal exercises

Transferable Skills

People, ideas, information, data

& things

Working

Conditions

Geographical Preference

Special

Knowledge

Personal

Traits

How much are

you worth?

Goals, Purposes and Values

People

Environment

McGill University Career and Placement Service (CAPS)

B) What are my skills?

• Technical (hard) skills

• Transferable (soft) skills o Analytical / Critical Thinking / Problem Solving o Ability to synthesize / Deal with Complexity o Technical Writing / Report Writing o Research Methodology / Data Analysis Techniques o Computer Skills / Simulation o Organised / Thorough / Precise / Detail Oriented

B) What skills are employers looking for?

All the technical and transferable skills mentioned PLUS…. • Negotiating / Communication Skills

• Leadership skills

• Teamwork / Business Acumen / Honesty

• Adaptability / Reliability / Autonomy

• Good Work Ethic

Step 2: Explore the options

• Government, industry and non-profit sectors employ researchers of all kinds

• Consider less conventional roles (policy analyst, science writer, content developer, advocate, patent agent etc)

• Start building professional contacts in different sectors and talk

• Look at what additional training might put you on the right path

Job V

Degree >

Environ mental

Bio science

Chemistry

Forensic Science

Pharma Physics

Maths

Computer Science

Electronics

Industry R & D * ** ** * * ** * * **

Hospital Science . ** * * * ** . . ** Forensic Science . ** ** ** * . . . . Teaching ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** Toxicology . ** * ** * . . . . Pharmacologist . ** * * ** . . . . Epidemiology * Bioinformatics . ** . . . . * ** . Biotechnology . ** . . . . . . . Nanotechnology . . ** . . ** . . . Neuroscience ** * * * * Production & Quality

. * * . * * . . **

Regulatory Affairs

. ** * . * . . . .

Clinical Trials . ** . . * . . . . Information Scientist

* ** ** * * * * ** *

Medical Sales * ** * * ** * * * * Patent Work . ** ** . . ** . ** ** Environmental Health

* * * * * . * . .

Science Admin. * ** * * * ** * . . Science Writing * ** ** * * ** ** ** ** Doctor / Nursing * ** * * * * * * *

Therapies . ** . . * * . . .

Step 3: Look at possible recruitment sources

A. Web and Print • University Library

• Books on Careers • Directories of employers

• Websites • Recruitment sites • Company sites • Blogs

B. Public Events • Career Fairs

• Have specific questions about the organisation

• Personal appearance and manner

• Information Sessions/ Career Panels

• Try to get names and make acquaintances.

Step 4: Research the Employer

• All successful job searches are based on extensive research on the career area, the industry and on specific employers in which you are interested

• Your Goals: o Figure out the fit between your skills and interests and

goals and available fields of employment o Research the employer before you establish contact

• Set up a timetable with specific goals and deadlines

Research the employment - Conduct Information Interviews

What is an information interview? • A meeting with a person who works for an

organisation of interest to you, or who has the kind of job you are looking for

• The goal of the meeting is: • Find out as much information about the company/position

as you can

• Communicate your skills and interests

• Obtain additional contact/people in similar positions in other companies

Some typical information interview questions

• What was your career path? • What do you do on a daily basis? • How did you get there? • What is your organization/industry all

about? • What exactly do you do? • How did you get your foot in the door? • What was you academic background? • What skills do you need for your job? • What do you love about this job? • What are you most challenged by? • What do you dislike about the job? • What is your schedule like? • How do you feel about your work/family

balance?

• How much time is administrative? w/clients?

• What professional development opportunities do you have?

• Where do you see yourself going from here?

• How might I position myself in this field? • Re-credential? • What skills do I need? • CV suggestions? How might I market

myself more effectively? • Given my credentials, what income

range could I expect to start at? • Can you recommend professional

organisations/publications with which I should become familiar?

• Can you recommend anyone else that I should talk to?

Conducting Information Interviews

Do: • Be clear and direct about the

purpose of your interview

• Dress appropriately, treat it like a professional interview

• Be prepared to talk briefly about your skills

• Stay focused in your questions and be mindful of the time

• Follow-up with a thank-you note

Don’t: • Ask for a job

• Discuss you or your research at great length

• Offer your C.V. unless they ask for a copy

Step 5: Network, Network, Network

Develop a networking mindset: • Be curious, social and open-minded, overcome

shyness

• Schmooze with people you like, be genuine

• Find similarities in interests

• Work on your interpersonal and telephone skills

• Use professional networking sites (LinkedIN)

More networking

Where do I start networking? • Who do you know?

• Personal relationships

• Professional relationships

• Organizational affiliations

• Other settings: • Career fairs

• Professional associations and conferences

Finally: Increase Your Marketability

Extracurricular Activities Take a leadership role in any club, sport or student association

Volunteer Work Participate in any volunteer or political association that

interests you

Career-related Work Get a paid or unpaid job or internship in a career-related field –

part-time or summer Undertake additional training

Some useful links

Irish sites: •Grad Ireland: http://gradireland.com/career-sectors/science-research-and-development/careers-for-science-graduates-in-ireland

UK sites •Target Jobs: http://targetjobs.co.uk/ •Bizbit: http://bitesizebio.com/articles/alternative-careers-for-scientists/ •New Scientist http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19426042.800-graduate-special-alternative-careers-for-scientists.html US sites •Science Careers: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2010_03_05/science.opms.r1000085 •Science Mama: http://sciencemamaphd.blogspot.ie/2012/02/nonacademic-careers.html •PhD Resources: http://www.phds.org/jobs/nonacademic-careers/

Here’s one you mightn’t have thought of!

Any questions?