Chiara Giuliano
Associate Director at AstraZenecachanging career path is not a failure, it is using your skills and knowledge to align yourself with your current needs and expectations.
changing career path is not a failure, it is using your skills and knowledge to align yourself with your current needs and expectations.
Use contacts to get advice and explore options. I wish I’d spoken to more people when I first applied for a medical degree as the advice I got was invaluable
I wouldn’t necessarily change anything. I did what made sense for me at each career stage.
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.
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
Don’t be concerned about leaving academia; there are many opportunities outside of academia which offer the same challenges but with greater rewards.
I felt isolated when I was exploring a transition, but now I realize that there are tons of ex-academics leading fulfilling work lives in a variety of sectors.
Be proactive and nurture your skills outside of the lab. Think about your career options early, so you have time to build your CV. Think about what motivates you and follow what you enjoy.
My research training set me up to never lose my scientific curiosity.
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!
If you want to make this leap, don’t think short-term. Be prepared for a rough ride that is full of excitement and will take you to new places that you, and even the world, has never seen.