Danielle White
Founder and Director at Periscope Programmes LtdThe PhD is a hidden superpower, not a ball and chain.
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.
The PhD is a hidden superpower, not a ball and chain.
I consider myself a permanent student and I am always curious
Every post/job I have completed has been a learning curve. Without the experiences gained from the different positions, I would not be where I am today
‘Academic’ research doesn’t only happen in universities; there might be more overlap than you think between academia and industry.
The breadth of science that goes into drug development is so great that there is even a place for my niche scientific skill set!
Yes, I felt pretty confident overall. I enjoyed my PhD and felt it equipped me well for any intellectual challenges that other roles might throw at me.
If I was going to turn this into my ideal job, what bits of it would I keep, what would I lose, and what would I want to add?
I have no regrets in the decisions I have made relating to my career.
I would encourage people to think deeply about what they really want – if you truly wish to be an academic, that’s wonderful, but there is no shame in deciding on a different career, even if you have been successful in academia so far.
I enjoy interacting with clients and starting new projects, where you have to dive into a space and quickly familiarise yourself with it.
The problem-solving aspect is what I enjoy the most and the direct impact/value my work has is very rewarding.
What is relevant to work outside of academia is not just what one has learned during one’s PhD, but also one’s qualities as a person.
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.