|
Significant attention has been paid to the general need for STEM degree recipients to develop non-technical skills, often referred to as ‘soft skills,’ in order to be effective in the private sector careers that the majority will pursue. The unique challenges that PhD recipients face when transitioning into the private sector after years spent in academic research has received far less attention. My experience indicates that many of the thinking and working habits developed through earning a PhD are actually counterproductive in an industry setting. This perspective has been obtained through working in the private sector for more than 20 years, as well as numerous interviews of industry managers and early career STEM PhDs who have made the transition out of academia. All too often, the time spent conducting dissertation research places a heavy emphasis on sole responsibility for a multi-year project, and trains one to be very thorough and withhold judgement until sufficient data and analysis support a conclusive recommendation. This practice does not align well with the quick-paced nature of the private sector, where projects must advance at a rapid pace and decisions must be made quickly with less certainty than may be desired. Teamwork is essential, and one must regularly rely on the expertise of others. I will discuss training approaches that help early career PhDs understand the behaviors that will bring success in their industry careers. The significant role that research groups that collaborate with industry play in preparing PhDs for industry will also be reviewed.
|
