Beyond academia Archives

Why professors do not train you for the non-academic job market!

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Find your dream job, PhD, postdoc

About 97% of all young researchers find a job *outside* academia. However, most professors focus on academic success and scientific excellence. Some professors are afraid to transform young scientists into “slaves of the market”. Others simply do not feel qualified. Most universities invest a lot of money and efforts to train PhD students and postdocs well for the non-academic job market, but most young researchers do not feel well-prepared.

I have no idea where I will be in two years

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Find your dream job, Beyond academia, PhD, postdoc

They always ask in job interviews, “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?” I hear the same reply again and again… “I don’t even know where I see myself in 2 years.”
What can you do to get more clarity?

Does Medical School Ranking Matter?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia

Medical school rankings claim to help you find the best place to study medicine or to become an instructor or researcher. They suggest that you can measure an institution’s reputation and use this information to pursue a more successful career as a doctor or scientist. Is this true? Are medical school rankings important, or is it all fake?

For how long should I be a postdoc?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Passion and pain, postdoc, Work/life balance

Young researchers often ask: what is the ideal length of a postdoc? There are many different answers which depend on the field, the country, the university, the supervisor and funding institutions. To get good advice on the best length you should strategically investigate your field. Get some ideas here.

Should I Quit My Postdoc? Or Should I Finish It?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Find your dream job, Passion and pain, postdoc, Publications, Publish or perish, Research Career, Scientific independence, Work/life balance

If you have doubts about whether to stay or leave your postdoc position, quitting your postdoc can be daunting. But it can also be a great opportunity to move forward in your career.

Job interview outfits in science – what to wear?

ByProfessor Sven Hendrix Beyond academia, Find your dream job, PhD, postdoc, Research Career

Job interview outfits in science differ from those in other industries. In academia, basic scientists may underdress, while doctors and clinical researchers tend to overdress. Traditional attire may suit big pharma and established tech firms, while start-ups may favor smart-casual looks, and the social sector might value approachable attire.

Will I find a job as a scientist?

ByProf. Sven Hendrix Find your dream job, Beyond academia, Passion and pain

Young researchers are often disoriented what they should do with their expertise and whether they will find a job after their doctorate or postdoc. The good news is that the unemployment rate of PhD holders is surprisingly low. The bad news is that young scientists often do not work in the field they have expected.

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