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Maybe you are doing life science related studies and you know exactly what you want to do next. That's great!
Maybe you are doing life science related studies and you know exactly what you want to do next. That's great!
Maybe you started your studies recently and you are not worried yet about what's next. Fine.
Maybe you graduated and found a job that suits you in no time. Amazing!
But maybe you recently graduated (or will soon) and you have no idea what to do next. Shit..
I am in that last group myself, and I know I'm not the only one. I studied biology (medical/molecular) and I often wonder what job would really suit me. If I think about it I could do many things: research, writing, education.. But when I think for too long I start doubting.
Choices can be difficult. Your choices define which 'new doors' open for you, but also which doors will forever remain closed. For example, someone who chooses to teach in high school will not be likely to work in a lab later is his/her career.
Choices can be difficult. Your choices define which 'new doors' open for you, but also which doors will forever remain closed. For example, someone who chooses to teach in high school will not be likely to work in a lab later is his/her career.
Where do bio science graduates work after they graduate? Most of their first jobs are in research, where the majority took up a PhD position. Among ecologists teaching and advising is popular.
I sometimes wonder if the high number of researchers among us is because of the bias in our education. Research was definitely the focus in my study program: the courses, the theses and the internship. Students who are interested in teaching can choose the education minor. But what about other sectors? The Nibi (Dutch Institute for Biology) suggests universities should focus more on working in different sectors, for example education other than teaching or policy, and offer less strictly scientific internships.
Not only is this important because students might have a broader interest than just research or education. It is also important because its becoming more and more difficult to get grants for research, and thus to hire new PhD candidates.
Not long ago I had a networking appointment with a professor in Nijmegen. It was a pleasant talk; he soon understood what I was looking for. The good news was, I was in the right place. My interests and their work matched perfectly. The bad news: they did not have money available for another project. One of the options he gave me was writing a research proposal (in collaboration). This task alone would take up most of my time and energy. After applying for a grant it can take up to 6 months, before you know whether or not you get the grant. The professor also told me that the chance of success is 20% or lower these days..
By the way, writing a research proposal is a very good option if you know exactly what you want to do after your studies, and you can start writing (and waiting) before you graduate. No harm in trying! You can add the experience to your CV, even if you don't get the grant in the end.
Anyway, it's becoming more and more difficult to start your career in academia. And starting as a PhD candidate does not mean you can stick around: according to the Rathenau Instituut in the Netherlands 70% of the PhDs continue their career outside of universities, but the universities do not prepare their PhD candidates for non-academical career possibilities, nor do the candidates look into the possibilities themselves.
Networking. I hear and read about it all the time. They are right; I can surely recommend it, but it is not easy to network outside of the 'academical world'. Previous thesis supervisors encourage me to pursue a PhD position, because 'there will be many more possibilities in academics with that degree'. Non-academical jobs are not even an option.. I have tried to arrange for a 'less strictly academic internship', but non of the professors were really open to the idea. 'It would anyway cause difficulties regarding the internship report'. Besides, the research group I was interested in did not have connections with non-academic institutions. Too bad.. If you want to network outside of academics you have to be very clear and know exactly what you want. Of course people do have connections outside of their own field; think about friends, family, previous colleagues. But people don't think about that if the question is asked at work, unless you are very specific. Because I specifically mentioned Doctors without Borders during my internship, I now have two very interesting connections in my own network.
Meanwhile my search continues. I prefer to look behind every proverbial door before I choose one and other doors might forever remain closed.
I sometimes wonder if the high number of researchers among us is because of the bias in our education. Research was definitely the focus in my study program: the courses, the theses and the internship. Students who are interested in teaching can choose the education minor. But what about other sectors? The Nibi (Dutch Institute for Biology) suggests universities should focus more on working in different sectors, for example education other than teaching or policy, and offer less strictly scientific internships.
Not only is this important because students might have a broader interest than just research or education. It is also important because its becoming more and more difficult to get grants for research, and thus to hire new PhD candidates.
Not long ago I had a networking appointment with a professor in Nijmegen. It was a pleasant talk; he soon understood what I was looking for. The good news was, I was in the right place. My interests and their work matched perfectly. The bad news: they did not have money available for another project. One of the options he gave me was writing a research proposal (in collaboration). This task alone would take up most of my time and energy. After applying for a grant it can take up to 6 months, before you know whether or not you get the grant. The professor also told me that the chance of success is 20% or lower these days..
By the way, writing a research proposal is a very good option if you know exactly what you want to do after your studies, and you can start writing (and waiting) before you graduate. No harm in trying! You can add the experience to your CV, even if you don't get the grant in the end.
Anyway, it's becoming more and more difficult to start your career in academia. And starting as a PhD candidate does not mean you can stick around: according to the Rathenau Instituut in the Netherlands 70% of the PhDs continue their career outside of universities, but the universities do not prepare their PhD candidates for non-academical career possibilities, nor do the candidates look into the possibilities themselves.
Networking. I hear and read about it all the time. They are right; I can surely recommend it, but it is not easy to network outside of the 'academical world'. Previous thesis supervisors encourage me to pursue a PhD position, because 'there will be many more possibilities in academics with that degree'. Non-academical jobs are not even an option.. I have tried to arrange for a 'less strictly academic internship', but non of the professors were really open to the idea. 'It would anyway cause difficulties regarding the internship report'. Besides, the research group I was interested in did not have connections with non-academic institutions. Too bad.. If you want to network outside of academics you have to be very clear and know exactly what you want. Of course people do have connections outside of their own field; think about friends, family, previous colleagues. But people don't think about that if the question is asked at work, unless you are very specific. Because I specifically mentioned Doctors without Borders during my internship, I now have two very interesting connections in my own network.
Meanwhile my search continues. I prefer to look behind every proverbial door before I choose one and other doors might forever remain closed.
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