🧪 How can I translate my academic research skills into a rewarding industry career, and what does that path look like?Today on Science with Impact, we feature a panel of industry scientists from leading companies, including Zachary Kean of Dow, Erin Finley, Ph.D., of Thermo Fisher Scientific, Cameron Brown of Eastman, Danielle Witek of Under Armour, and Nicholas Van Zee of Hoya Vision Care.The panelists share their career journeys, transitioning from academia to industry, and offer practical advice for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. They discuss everything from leveraging your technical skills and building a professional network to the importance of failure and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.🤔 Who is this for?Graduate students and postdocs in the sciences.Scientists interested in pursuing research and development roles in an industrial setting.Academics who are undecided about their career path and want to learn more about industry opportunities.Anyone seeking effective strategies for job searching, networking, and transitioning from academia to industry.📋 What is it about?The panelists detail their diverse and often non-linear career paths, emphasizing that the skills learned during a Ph.D. are broadly applicable. They discuss the critical shift from pursuing academic curiosity to solving specific, tangible problems in industry, where factors such as economics, processing, and scalability are paramount.🗒️ Key Takeaway: Your most valuable skill is not your specific research topic, but your ability to solve problems, learn from failures, and iterate. To launch a successful industry career, focus on building genuine connections through curiosity and learn to communicate your complex work in a simple way that gets people excited about its potential.⌚️ Time Stamps00:00 Navigating Career Transitions: Industry from Academia00:55 Introduction and Host's Mission01:13 Panelist Introductions: Zach Keen01:56 Panelist Introductions: Erin Finley03:10 Panelist Introductions: Cameron Brown03:46 Panelist Introductions: Danielle Whittick04:32 Panelist Introductions: Nick05:19 Overview of Trainee Interests and Goals05:56 Panel Discussion: Transitioning from Academia to Industry10:31 Panel Discussion: Bridging Academic Research and Real-World Impact17:58 Panel Discussion: Technical Skills in Academia vs. Industry28:34 Navigating Contract Work Challenges29:40 Understanding Scope Creep30:42 Collaboration in Large Companies32:57 Balancing Long-Term Projects37:25 Networking and Job Search Strategies52:11 Work-Life Balance in Industry53:48 Final Thoughts and Q&A📣 Guests:Zachary Kean | Research Scientist at Dow ChemicalErin Finley, Ph.D. | Manager, Solid State Lab & Metrology Group at Thermo Fisher ScientificCameron Brown | Applications Research Group at Eastman ChemicalDanielle Witek | Apparel Designer at Under ArmourNicholas Van Zee | Senior Scientist at Hoya Vision Care🎙️ HostI’m Vanessa Rosa, Ph.D., founder of Science with Impact, where we partner with scientists to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact through evidence-based, question-led, and person-centered science communication.🙌🏽 How can you help the podcast?Level 1: If you found this content helpful, please subscribe!SubscribeLevel 2: Already subscribed? Share with a colleague!Share this newsletter with your favorite colleague 😊Level 3: Want to go further? Become a monthly Benefactor 🌎 , supporting grants for scientists to broaden their impact.Become a Benefactor🌎 About Science with Impact:We help research scientists, centers, and organizations translate their technical work into measurable and memorable broader societal impacts.

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