Embrace the future – appreciate your past

Welcome back PostdocTransformer,

Many of you are probably feeling a little bit lost, wondering how your PhD in say physics or sociology will translate into the business world. You are competing against people with an MBA or business degrees, and therefore feel at a disadvantage. I'm here to tell you that this transition is nevertheless possible and it starts with reflecting on what you have already accomplished.

[00:04:05] please listen to our previous interviews with PhDs from various scientific disciplines, thriving in business today, which I link in the show notes as well.

[00:04:14] While most of my bachelor master and MBA students study in parallel to their demanding industry jobs. I also have courses with bachelor students straight from high school. And obviously they are very young, but I think there is a similarity between them as a cohort.

[00:04:32] And you. They often tell me they have difficulties finding internships or entry jobs related to our study degree because most employers require experience, they can't offer yet. So if this is also your situation, our coming mini series will be extremely helpful. A career leap into business or a career transition within industries. is way easier for the young bachelor as compared to the more senior post-doc.

[00:05:01] From the perspective of a professor, I want to create new turning points while my students are young enough to embrace the change. But as a career coach for people who are more senior We can look at it as damage control, because you can not go back in time, but you can change the future,

[00:05:23] That really is the reason why we had our last episode 56 Reorganize for your PostdocTransformation. And if you follow us on social media, you will also see a picture, I snapped today in my car to exemplify why embracing your future requires. reflecting on your past. As the owner of your career, you need to be in the driver's seat. or you land elsewhere, arrive too late or never at your destination. And a rear mirror is helpful, but you know, there is a reason why your front window is bigger than your rear mirror staying in this picture, your side mirrors can be your trusted and experienced career coach who provides you with more insights so that you can confidently plan and navigate your career? But you have to navigate, no one else.

[00:06:16] And this episode, we'll be diving into a goal-setting theory resource planning. I'll share a personal insights as a professor, and a working mom who made this leap into business right after my PhD graduation day. together we will unfold. How you can capitalize on your unique experiences for transitioning from academia to business?

We are also very excited to continue with our podcasting software partners, as their AI-features help me as a working mom to be productive and professional. In every season we tried out new processes and by season 4 we found our dream stack. If you want to learn more about podcasting for your business, you will find our new ads very helpful.

We just reached 7 k with our previous 50 episodes, half of them are interviews with leaders in science and mostly business, and we want to thank you for listening. I am building my own legacy as a professor by bringing diverse role models to your table, so you can be inspired as you deserve.

Please feel invited to suggest your role models with or without a doctor title who can inspire the underrepresented, underprivileged and underserved scientists leaping into business and my bachelor and master students in real life.

Subscribe to our seasonal show on your favorite podcast platforms: Why? Postdoc scientists & PhD students / candidates will learn the basics for their career transition from research into business & industries AND will get to know a company that hires early career scientists!

Some highlights of this episode:

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[00:10:31] You may not be aware about, you know, this, how shall I call it politely? Repetitiveness in academia, think of the lecture modules you give every semester, or the iterations are variations of your experiment to set up, is really an incubator for longitudinal improvement often, projects and business are just one time experience and hence we would call it cross sectional. If you pair that empirical mindset with business acumen, you will be in high demand in business. Academia does train you to think critically and make data-driven decisions. And this is the foundation of any good business strategy.

[00:11:14] Here's your prompt. Make a list of your top three accomplishments during your degree and map those to business skills like leadership, time management and data analysis or something like that.

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[00:11:52] I Encourage you to honor your personality-based preferred way of working, the experiences you enjoy. if you work against your personality, you are sabotaging your future. You must find your future of work that celebrates what you can bring to the table. Some industries, companies and roles are a better fit for some personalities

[00:12:17] So you must really find your sweet spot in that Venn diagram. to get you started and oriented. listen or relisten to our many future work episodes as linked in the show notes.

[00:12:29] Alright, now that we have metaphorically. Looked into the rear mirror and had an overview of what your future of work can be. Your next step is to be goal-setting in a strategic and resourceful way. And to make it clear the best time to set goals for the PhD is while earning your PhD. I know it's stressful. Just start orienting.

[00:12:56] Once you have defended your PhD thesis. That was the reason why I was able to leap into an IT analyst role. Right after the PhD graduation day, but I signed the contract half year before.

[00:13:10] If you look desperate, if you are desperate, you will be more inclined To take the familiar route. Like accepting temporary postdoc positions, which pay your bills. So you can rest from your PhD stress or either, you know, that's the expected move. But in worst case, accepting a postdoc position can lead into a one-way street or a dead end as it's neither goal-directed nor aligned with your vision of life. And of course, in hindsight, you can sugar coat it and you know, but. If you can avoid the opportunity costs by leaping right after the PhD into research and development roles in industries, if that is what you want, and if that's near enough for you to be comfortable.

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[00:24:07] And to be honest. Your student, or if applicable, your industry partner network can actuallybe even more powerful than your professor's network. Especially if you know, they have never, ever leaved into industries of business. And just to complete this point of networking, obviously the alumni alumni from your grad school can also be resourceful.

[00:24:31] search for them via LinkedIn. Find similarities in your backgrounds. And ask them thoughtful informational questions. Maybe they are willing to help you in your career transition from academia to business because they see the mini me in you. me know whether you want me to cover a strategic questions for an informational interview in a future episode of the PostdocTransformation Show. Now let's switch gears a little bit. Often my coaching clients ask me how to upskill for business. And even though I also teach MBA students, I don't think that doing an MBA is necessarily for a scientists in order to leap into business or industry.

[00:25:11] Like I already said, I had no IT background whatsoever. But I was offered the position as an it analyst because I was able to sell my transferable skills. if you are interested, I will link to episode two, where I shared how I capitalized on my PhD back then.

Read or listen to the full transcript, you will really thank me later, LOL!

https://postdoctransformation.ac-page.com/show0057

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Prof. Dr. Eleonore Soei-Winkels, Founder, CEO, Creator and MomProf. Dr. Eleonore Soei-Winkels, Founder, CEO, Creator and Mom

@PostdocTransformation on Instagram, TikTok & Podcasts ?? I coach scientists leap into business according to their vision of life@PostdocTransformation on Instagram, TikTok & Podcasts ?? I coach scientists leap into business according to their vision of life