Beyond academia: career strategies for PhD graduates | Roman Holowinsky from The Erdős Institute

IBJ Podcast

In this episode, Roman Holowinsky, Managing Director of The Erdős Institute, shares insights and practical advice for PhD students and graduates seeking careers beyond academia. He discusses the challenges PhD candidates face when navigating the job market and emphasizes the importance of understanding and communicating their transferable skills. Roman highlights the value of career exploration, portfolio projects, internships, and networking to bridge the gap between academia and industry. He also underscores the advantages of interdisciplinary collaboration and working in diverse teams. He stresses the significance of effective communication, including crafting compelling elevator pitches, structuring concise and impactful answers, and adapting to different audience levels.
Takeaways:
- PhD students should actively explore career opportunities and attend industry seminars to understand the job market landscape.
- Building a portfolio with relevant projects and internship experiences is crucial for demonstrating employability outside academia.
- Effective communication skills, such as crafting elevator pitches and structuring concise answers, are essential for successful interviews.
- Networking, leveraging alumni connections, and seeking informational interviews can open doors to employment opportunities.
- Consider personal priorities, such as work-life balance and location preferences, when evaluating job offers.
- Utilize the human capital of alumni networks to facilitate smoother transitions from education to employment.
Where to find Roman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-holowinsky-16645480/
Erdős Institute: https://www.erdosinstitute.org/
Timestamps
00:00 Preview
00:54 Helping PhDs get jobs they love
03:53 Navigating the job market as a PhD scientist
07:11 Freedom to pursue research in the private sector
10:17 Biggest skills gaps PhD students have
14:30 PhD graduates' competitive advantage
22:49 Does your thesis need to be applicable?
24:58 Types of resumes
27:29 Communicating your skills
31:01 Where do Roman's students find jobs
32:13 Find a job that's a good fit for you
36:04 Working in multidisciplinary teams
38:08 Tips for current PhD students
40:02 Network! How to
49:29 The value of an alumni network
50:14 Where to find Roman

Reach out to me at www.idajohnsson.com