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Tag: network

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For Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows navigating their future career paths, Dr. Christa Heyward's journey so far is an inspiring reminder of how unconventional experiences can make someone a phenomenal pharmaceutical industry candidate.

She graciously let me interview her for this blog over an extended phone call. Our conversation meandered quite a bit, though I did start off posing the following questions:

  • What attracted you to industry and how did you decide to pursue a career in industry?
  • What are your current responsibilities as an Investigator at GSK?
  • Are there key similarities and differences between working in industry and in academia?
  • Has anything surprised you about working in industry?
  • What were the experiences in your background that have been useful as you tackled your first job in industry?
  • How can PhD students or postdocs prepare themselves for a position in industry?
  • Any application or interview tips for PhDs who are interested in pursuing an industry career?

Read on to see how we tackled these questions and many more. 

Dr. Christa Heyward, Immunologist, Investigator in Discovery Science. Photo courtesy of Christa Heyward
...continue reading "Getting Your First Pharmaceutical Industry Job: Advice for Ph.D. Scientists from Dr. Christa Heyward"

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Are you a mom who has taken a career break but are now looking to return to work? The prospect of returning to work can feel daunting. Many moms in your shoes may not know where to begin, worry that their skills are outdated, and struggle with how to address the gap in their resumes. These concerns are valid, but they are not insurmountable. With the right preparation and planning, you can find a role that fits.

...continue reading "Guest Post: 5 Tips for Moms Returning to Work After a Career Break"

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Think about the fields or areas of work that you might want to explore for future career opportunities. Is there a field that is tangential to yours that might serve as a pivoting point to grow your professional experience? Maybe there is a job title that intrigues you, and you want to find out more. Have you ever wondered how that well-respected executive in your company made it to her current position?

Informational interviews might just give you some answers!

...continue reading "Ins and Outs of Informational Interviews"

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Most of us work in science, which involves laboratories or hours in front of a computer screen crunching data. However, much of what we do in pharma involves large teams in a matrixed or cross-functional work. Skills such as organizational skills, presentation and oral communication skills, writing, and influencing are absolutely critical for success in the industry environment.  These are often called "transferable skills" or "marketable skills."

...continue reading "18 Ways to Gain Marketable Skills Outside the Lab"