Michael Parsons
Research Scientist II at Vertex PharmaceuticalsIf you want to make the transition, do a lot of soul searching to figure out which skills you have that are marketable and if they are sufficient to reach your goal
If you want to make the transition, do a lot of soul searching to figure out which skills you have that are marketable and if they are sufficient to reach your goal
Working in a private Sector that provides value to the world by connecting people is very rewarding.
Don’t be put off if you are not sure what you want to do and take opportunities if they present themselves.
There are so many opportunities out there. Planning every step carefully is crucial, taking the next step in a timely manner is essential.
Don’t be concerned about leaving academia; there are many opportunities outside of academia which offer the same challenges but with greater rewards.
I wish I had known how many other people leave academia and are happy with their decision.
Having a PhD does not necessarily tie you to jobs in your field of study; on the contrary, it opens doors to many opportunities.
Keep an open mind and don’t be averse to taking the leap. There’s a saying in Hindi, “Udaan bharne ke liye, chalang lanaga zaroori hain”, which loosely translates to if you want to learn how to fly/soar, you have to first jump!
On reflection, I’m not sure my aim was ever to remain in academia!
Working with such an amazing collection and with world experts. Being able to combine my interests in science, Egyptology, and heritage.
I felt it offered a perfect way to combine my skills – science and writing. Translating complex topics into clear, compelling storytelling really appealed to me as it had been how I approached writing my thesis.