Biophysical Newsletter - September 2014

4

BIOPHYSICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

2014

SEPTEMBER

Careers The Early Careers Committee hosted a panel discussion at the 58 th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, California, focusing on PhD careers beyond the bench. The panel consisted of Prithwish Pal , InVivo- scribe Technologies, Inc., Walter Ausserer , ForteBio, and Peter Aldhous , a freelance science journalist. Below are some of the highlights from the session.

Do I need to complete a postdoc before pursuing jobs away from the bench? Do I need writing samples when applying? Typically, a postdoc is valued for the new skills you learn, but is not required. Most companies do not ask for writing samples, but do not underesti- mate the importance of being a good writer in any position away from the bench — especially science communication. How will I know if a resume or CV is more appropriate for a job listing? For industry jobs, a resume is standard. Any resume over four pages will not be read, so make sure you are succinct. Rewrite your resume for each position you apply for, highlighting what is relevant to the job. Include keywords, which larger companies often electronically scan for before your resume is reviewed by a hiring manager. Are industry employers concerned with my publication record? Industry is far less concerned with an applicant’s publication record than is academia, but a good publication record reflects well on you, as it dem- onstrates your productivity and writing skills. How can I figure out if a company will be the right fit for me? Search online to see what is written about the company you are interested in. If you can, contact someone who works there already, so that you

What can I do to prepare for a career beyond the bench while I am in graduate school? When you are working on your PhD, you do not have much time to volunteer or get an internship. Writing a blog or writing for your university’s publications will set you apart and show potential employers that you can write well and communi- cate ideas effectively. Do not just do your work—consciously expand your network and encourage the success of others. Explore all of the options available to PhD scien- tists to figure out where your interests lie. Some areas you can look into are publishing, consulting companies, product management, sales, market- ing, science policy, IT, and science communica- tion. Make contact with someone who has a career you’re interested in, and find out what his/her job is really like. If that is not possible, become famil- iar with the work of someone who you admire, so that you can make a personal connection when you do start applying for jobs. Target your cover letter to the company to which you are applying. For jobs within large companies, especially bioin- formatics companies, having a business degree can be very helpful. If you are looking for a job within a small company, having a business degree can work against you. Is earning a business degree helpful?