Erasmus Joint Master's Degree in Infectious Diseases and One Health – Université de Tours, France, Sep 2023
| Key Account Manager | |
|---|---|
| Sino Biological | |
Year entered into a non-academic position: 2023
What’s your background?
I started out doing a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology at the University of Galway, Ireland, where I developed a love for both science and travel. I got a chance to study abroad in Valencia, Spain, and Cleveland, Ohio, which really opened my eyes to different cultures and ways of learning. When COVID hit, I found myself more and more interested in infectious disease research. That led me to do a master’s degree in Infectious Diseases and One Health. The coolest part of that program was that I got to study in a different country each semester – France, Spain, and Germany – before finishing my internship in Lyon, France. I worked in various settings during that time, including bioinformatics projects at Elda Biotech and vaccine research at Johns Hopkins. These experiences gave me a well-rounded perspective on both lab work and research, from the laptop to the bench.
Why did you move away from academia?
My career in academia was not very ‘academic’ per se. My PhD was sponsored by industry and very geared towards taking things to a pilot once proven in the lab. My post-doctoral/KT fellowship positions were even more applied, and involved developing tech at lab-scale and, in close collaboration with industry, taking these studies further and designing, developing, commissioning, and running in-situ pilots. I also realised I was not going to progress to a tenure/permanent position, nor did I really want to.
Years of non-academic/industrial experience:
I have one year of full-time non-academic experience in my current role at Sino-Biological, working as a Key Account Manager in the life sciences sector. I also had about a year of part-time experience while I was still a student, working with Johns Hopkins University. So, overall, it’s two years, but with one solid year in the workforce after earning my master’s degree.
Number of transitions:
I’d count one major transition, moving from academia to industry. Throughout my studies, I did work in various fields, including science-related jobs and even outside of science (like restaurants), but the real career shift was entering the life sciences industry in a commercial role.
Why did you move away from academia?
Honestly, I’ve always been fascinated by science, but I quickly realised I wasn’t passionate enough to go all-in on the level of research needed for an academic career. I talked to quite a few people during my masters, and most didn’t recommend a PhD for me, which helped me make up my mind. On top of that, I’ve always been drawn to the business side of things. I realised that science and business aren’t separate – you need to commercialise research to fund more discoveries and keep things moving. That’s where I knew I’d find my niche – supporting and empowering scientists to make new discoveries by connecting them with the best solutions .That’s where I knew I’d find my place, bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and bringing it to market.
Is there anything you miss about academia?
I do miss the collaborative environment. At university, you’re always surrounded by different people working on cool projects, so there’s always something going on. Right now, my role is more independent, and while I enjoy the autonomy, there’s something special about being part of a bustling academic community.
How did you get this job?
I wasn’t actively looking for a job in London, but a recruiter reached out to me, and I thought, why not? As I learned more about Sino Biological, the benefits, their mission and the career growth potential, it really clicked for me. I didn’t really have a background in sales, especially not in the scientific field, but I was eager to learn, and luckily, they saw my potential. Everything worked out much better than expected!
What motivated you to/why did you choose the sector you transitioned into?
I’ve always been interested in the business side of science. At the end of the day, it’s not just about making groundbreaking discoveries – we need to help researchers get the tools they need to make those discoveries. What I love about my job is that it’s notmore than just selling products. We’re providing bioreagents and services that help scientists push their research forward, whether it’s developing new drugs or finding cures for diseases. It’s incredibly fulfilling to know that what we do supports people making real changes in the world.
Would having a PhD have made the transition into your role easier?
Honestly, I don’t think so. My current role only required a master’s degree, even though a lot of my colleagues have PhDs. I feel that pursuing a master’s was a good fit for me because it allowed me to enter the workforce sooner without the extended time commitment of a PhD. While a PhD can give you in-depth knowledge, it might also shape your mindset in a way that makes transitioning into commercial roles more challenging. In my case, focusing on adaptability, communication, and business-related skills has been more valuable.
Did you think you had the skills (including transferable skills) required for your current position before you started? Were you right? How did you acquire the relevant skills?
Definitely! I’d recommend reflecting on your long-term career goals. If you’re considering further education, ask yourself if you need that deeper technical expertise or if you’d rather get started in the industry now. For those leaning toward a non-academic career, building transferable skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability is key. And on a practical level, I’d highly recommend building your LinkedIn profile early. It’s been a huge asset for me, and everything from scholarships to job opportunities has come through LinkedIn connections.
Do you have any advice for Master’s students considering further education or a non-academic career?
I thought I had some relevant skills from my academic background, like research and data analysis, but I quickly realiseed that relationship-building, business communication, and strategic thinking were just as important—if not more so. I didn’t fully anticipate how much of my job would involve those aspects. I’ve developed these skills through hands-on experience, mentorship, and really engaging with my network on platforms like LinkedIn.
Sino Biological is a world-renowned provider of high-quality bioreagents and cutting-edge solutions for life science research. With an extensive portfolio of over 40,000 products, including recombinant proteins, antibodies, and gene products, we empower researchers across academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries to advance their discoveries. Our mission is to accelerate innovation in life sciences by delivering reliable products and services, including custom CRO solutions, protein production, and antibody development. Trusted by scientists globally, Sino Biological remains committed to driving breakthroughs that shape the future of research and medicine.
