Can a scientist find a rewarding career in industry?
When considering an opportunity to pursue a career in industry, many scientists face real challenges. Here are a few difficult questions they may ask: • What skills do I have that are useful in industry? • How is work in industry different than academia? • Will I enjoy working at a company instead of a research lab? • What do I need to learn in order to be successful in this new environment? • What kind of jobs do scientists hold in the private sector? • Can a scientist become a successful entrepreneur?
In this book, ten respected scientists who have built successful careers in industry reveal new insights into how they made the transition from research scientist to industrial scientist or successful entrepreneur, serving as a guide to other scientists seeking to pursue a similar path.
From the student preparing to transition into work in industry, to the scientist who is already working for a company, this book will show you how to sell your strengths and lead confidently.
Working in industry is often viewed as a nontraditional career choice for a scientist. If you are a student working towards an advanced degree in one of the sciences, or if you have recently finished graduate school and are early in your career, you may see industry as a less than desirable career path.
The purpose of this book is to change your mind.
Not by telling you that tenured academic positions are available only to a small number of Ph.D. qualified scientists. You probably know that.
Not by reminding you that nearly every professor you knew in graduate school has spent their entire career in academia, and therefore have little experience in industry. You probably are aware of that as well.
The purpose of this book is to change your mind by introducing you to a number of scientists who have built rewarding careers in industry, and would make the same choice again, if they had it to do over.
From the detail-oriented engineer who strives to improve product reliability, to the visionary entrepreneur who wishes to change the world, I will introduce you to scientists who work in a wide range of roles in industry and have a great time doing it. I'll also give you the option of envisioning yourself in your own rewarding career in industry, and the confidence to begin moving in that direction today.
This book will show you that the 'nontraditional' path has been a great choice for many scientists, and can also be a great choice for you!
David M Giltner
