Gry Wester
Associate Management Consultant at VMLY&R HEALTHAs an academic and lifelong learner, I think you have the research and development skills to quickly learn about a new subject matter.
As an academic and lifelong learner, I think you have the research and development skills to quickly learn about a new subject matter.
My academic background allows me to understand the main issues related to the job and the research project, and how to offer potential solutions to that.
I started a process of self-awareness to understand where I could apply my skills and which were my main motivations from a personal and professional point of view.
The PhD is a hidden superpower, not a ball and chain.
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.
I wish I had known how many other people leave academia and are happy with their decision.
A favourite part of my job is feeling like I’m doing something really impactful.
It’s very rewarding working directly with patients and exploring their experiences on different treatments. I also love the collaborative atmosphere and working across multiple areas, as you gain a lot of experience over a relatively short period of time.
There are a lot of amazing opportunities outside of academia and leaving does not mean you have ‘given up or failed’.
There are many more options out there than you’re easily aware of – some careers services may channel people towards certain career paths. It can be hard to see options other than academia when you’re in academia, but leaving isn’t a sign of failure, it’s a choice.
Consulting seemed like a natural place to apply the analytical skills that I’d gained during my PhD, whilst providing the opportunity for enormous professional development.