Academia isn't broken, it's just not built for everyone

Are you a scientific researcher standing at the career crossroads, wondering if a move into industry is your next destination?

I made this decision as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow many years ago.  And looking back I think it was more my circumstances of needing a steadier job that drove my final choice, rather than whether it was right for me or not.

What I didn't appreciate then, that I know now, is that academia and industry really are two dramatically different ecosystems.

So, before you take the leap to transition, consider these self-reflection points:

·       Academia

Staying in academia will give you more autonomy over research topics and direction.

Decisions may take longer but this also allows for deeper exploration and discussion of topics.

And most of all, you will have to make fewer compromises on what scientific areas to pursue.

·       Industry

When moving to Industry, know that it operates with a structured, more goal-driven environment.

This will require agility on your part and the willingness to make rapid decisions, usually without having 100% of the data.

And most of all, you'll need to align your scientific integrity with business needs.

The key takeaway?... Know what drives you ahead of making the decision.

Some of us thrive in academia's intellectual freedom, and others in industry's pace and impact. I made my decision in the absence of this knowledge, and to be honest I was lucky that it was still the right choice for me.

But luck isn't a strategy, deliberate self-reflection is...