Laura Molway
PGCE Curriculum Tutor at University of Oxford, Department of EducationMy research training has set me up to develop research-informed strategies to implement in the classroom and rationally defend my teaching practices.
A collection of profiles of people who have made the transition from academia to industry.
Explore a collection of profiles from researchers pursuing careers beyond academia.
This website is edited by a group of DPhil students and researchers connected to Oxford University.
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Such diversity in potential roles can prove challenging when exploring your options. This collection of career profiles enables you to see what others in your position chose to do, why and how they made the move, and what they most enjoy about their job. You will get a feel for their daily activities, workplace culture and work-life balance.Top tip: Look out for authors’ insights into which skills developed during or after their PhD proved helpful in getting their job, and performing well there. You’ll be encouraged to see how people are building on their research expertise to thrive in newer roles.And don’t miss the “employer bio” at the end of each career profile for careers opportunities in each organisation.
My research training has set me up to develop research-informed strategies to implement in the classroom and rationally defend my teaching practices.
Working on a PhD is a long-term commitment to a project and during this process you become meticulous, patient and develop a certain amount of resilience because not all avenues of enquiry are fruitful.
My research training has set me up to think creatively and express my ideas in such a way that is interesting and accessible to other people.
I have a background in international area studies and political science. I have spent the past 13 years working on and in the Western Balkans, especially in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
My research training set me up to rapidly synthesise information from a range of sources and to think about problem solving in a different way.
While basic research will always be fascinating to me, it is the translational aspect of science that I want to dedicate my career to.
Communication is key! As a data scientist, your stakeholders could be from a technical or non-technical background. Being able to explain the work you are doing in a clear and easy to understand way is really important.
Don’t be afraid to reach out to people that have made the move and to ask them questions. There is a whole world outside of academia and the options are endless, you just have to look!
Whilst I greatly enjoyed both research and teaching, I felt that in the longer-term I would enjoy the team-work and the fast-paced environment provided by consultancy.
If you are interested in a career in science publishing and communication, seek out opportunities to improve and demonstrate your science communication, critical thinking and writing skills.
Industry and academia have different drivers so a mix of both during a career is good. Industry always has the reality check of whether somebody will pay for your work which forces you to be efficient and scope your work so that some results are regularly delivered.
My role is incredibly diverse with no two days ever being the same. I am constantly facing new challenges, trying out novel approaches and learning new skills, which keeps me motivated and engaged.
The views and opinions expressed in these profiles are those of the individual writer and not of the editorial team, the Careers Service, or other members of the University of Oxford.
If you’re a DPhil student or member of research staff at the University of Oxford, you can join the editorial team! Please contact us to find out more.