PostPhDirections

Elena Hoffer
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The podcast features PhDs who’ve successfully transitioned into industry, along with deans of doctoral education, hiring managers, and recruiters. We explore how PhD holders can find fulfilling careers outside of academia and make the shift smoothly. Each episode dives into personal journeys, practical tips, and the resources available to support your transition, offering invaluable insights for anyone looking to take their skills beyond academic research and into the professional world. Tune in and discover your next step!

  1. 20/05

    What Does Industry Actually Feel Like? — 4 PhDs Who Made The Move Share

    ✨ SPECIAL EDITION FROM THE ALMA.ME CAREERS WEEK 2026 ✨ What does industry actually feel like once you get there? In this special panel episode recorded live at the Alma.Me Careers Week 2026, Angela Priest sits down with four Alma.me Job Accelerator Program alumni who recently made the leap from academia into industry. Together they get honest about the mindset shifts, the culture shocks, the unexpected challenges and what they wish they'd known before they started. The panel features Sophia Parks (PhD Toxicology → Project Manager in health tech), Michael Rempe (PhD Applied Mathematics → Senior Advanced Analytics Analyst at Grainger), Emory Richardson (Yale PhD → Data Scientist at PayPal) and Emily Richard (Lead Data Scientist at A-G Associates working with the Department of Veterans Affairs). This is one of the most candid conversations of the Careers Week. Because reading about the transition is one thing and hearing it from people who just lived it is something else entirely. Connect with Elena on LinkedIn and follow along on Instagram and TikTok. For hands-on support in your own transition, check out how Alma.Me can help at www.alma.me 💙

    1 h 9 min
  2. Why PhDs aim too low in their job search and how to fix It, with Emily Richard, PhD

    7/05

    Why PhDs aim too low in their job search and how to fix It, with Emily Richard, PhD

    Are you applying to junior roles because you think you need to prove yourself before you can aim higher? In this episode of PostPhDirections, I sit down with Emily Richard, a cognitive neuroscience PhD who is now a Data Science Lead at AG Associates, working on veteran suicide prevention. When Emily started her industry job search, she did what so many PhDs do she aimed too low. She kept applying to entry-level roles, convinced she needed to earn her place first. What changed everything was realising that her PhD, her decade-plus of research experience, and her leadership background already qualified her for senior-level positions. Once she shifted her targets, everything clicked. Emily's story is a powerful reminder that choosing a job outside of academia doesn't mean giving up meaningful, mission-driven work and that your PhD already qualifies you for more than you think. We talk about: Why PhDs almost always underestimate the level they should be targetingHow one conversation with Angela completely reframed what Emily had to offerWhy your academic experience counts as real work experience — even when you don't believe it doesWhat skills Emily had been overlooking that actually qualified her for senior and leadership rolesHow she landed a role she genuinely loves — leading data science on veteran suicide preventionWhy aiming too low might actually be the reason you're not hearing backThe best job search advice you'll hear: treat every application and rejection like a data pointIf you're a PhD wondering what level to target or quietly convinced you need to start at the bottom then this conversation will change how you see yourself. Connect with Emily Richard on LinkedInLearn more about Alma.me and our Job Accelerator Program: www.alma.meFollow Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow researcher who might be underselling themselves — and please leave us a review. It's the easiest way to help other PhDs find this podcast. 💙

    51 min
  3. What does the 2026 job market actually look like for PhDs — and what do you need to do differently to stand out, with Angla Priest

    1/03

    What does the 2026 job market actually look like for PhDs — and what do you need to do differently to stand out, with Angla Priest

    In this episode of PostPhDirections, I'm joined by my co-founder Angela Priest, who brings over 20 years of hiring experience across startups and big cooperates. We get into everything you need to know about the current job market — the honest, behind-the-scenes version. We cover: Why uncertainty has become the new normal for employers — and what that means for your job searchThe AI shift: what "AI native" means in job descriptions and why it matters for youWhy your data fluency is one of the most in-demand skills right now (and why most PhDs don't even realize they have it)The hottest roles for STEM PhDs in 2026: AI/ML, health tech, biotech & clinical researchThe #1 skill listed in 85% of job descriptions — and why PhDs often struggle with itHow to make interviewers actually want to hire you (the unspoken criteria nobody talks about)Why communication in industry means something completely different than it does in academiaIf you're a PhD or postdoc thinking about making the leap, this episode is full of raw, practical insight from someone who's spent decades in the hiring room. Connect with Angela Priest on LinkedInLearn more about Alma.me and our Job Accelerator Program: Follow Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. If you found this helpful, share it with a fellow researcher — and please leave us a review. It's the easiest way to help other PhDs find this podcast. 💙

    53 min

  4. 21/02

    How to use coffee chats to land your industry job after a PhD (Step-by-Step for PhDs)

    What if I told you one of the most powerful tools for landing your first industry job is completely free, takes 30 minutes, and most PhDs aren't using it? I'm talking about coffee chats (aka informational interviews – but let's keep it casual). When I was halfway through my PhD at Karolinska Institutet, I had that constant background noise: "What can I do after my PhD? Where do my skills fit? What if I don't want to stay at the bench?" Starting conversations with people who'd already made the jump changed everything for me. In this episode, you'll learn: Why coffee chats are my absolute favorite free tool for career transitionsThe two main reasons PhDs should be doing these (and neither is "asking for a job")Three strategies for finding people to talk to – even with zero networkThe outreach message formula that actually gets responses (with examples)What questions to ask that can't be GoogledHow one PhD got a referral from a single coffee chatWhy "not everyone will reply" is totally normal (and what to do about it)Here's the truth: You can read hundreds of job descriptions about data science or medical science liaison roles and still have no idea what it actually feels like to do the job. That information only comes from real people working in industry. Stop sitting alone with your laptop feeling overwhelmed. Start having real conversations. Your challenge this week: Reach out to ONE person and ask for ONE coffee chat. That's it. Share in the comments how it goes! Ready for more support? Check out our Learning Platform (48-hour free trial) or Job Accelerator Program at www.alma.me Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok You got this 💙

    16 min

  5. 14/02

    Does my first industry job after my PhD have to be perfect?

    Does your first job after your PhD have to be perfect? Spoiler: No. If you're finishing your PhD and stressing about finding the "perfect" industry job, this episode is for you. I break down why PhDs overthink this decision, how industry actually works (hint: you're NOT locked in for 5 years), and what really matters in your first role. You'll hear: Why the "perfect job" mindset comes from academic trainingHow industry turnaround times work (2 years is normal!)A real story: PhD who pivoted after just 9 monthsWhat to do if you don't like your first jobWhy your first role is a stepping stone, not a destinationYour first job just needs to get you into industry. That's it. Stop overthinking and start moving forward. Ready to make your transition? Check out our Job Accelerator Program at www.alma.me Follow me on Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Tiktok

    10 min

  6. 2/02

    Is my PhD work experience by Elena Hoffer

    Is your PhD work experience when applying for industry jobs? This is one of the most common questions PhDs ask when transitioning out of academia.In this video, I explain why the real issue isn’t a lack of work experience, but a misunderstanding of what industry actually means by “experience.” Industry employers care about applied skills, problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and delivering outcomes—all of which you develop extensively during a PhD.You’ll learn: What work experience really means in industryWhy a PhD is applied professional experience, not “just education”How PhDs already solve real-world problems under uncertaintyWhere your PhD belongs on your CV/resumeHow to frame your PhD experience in a way industry understandsIf you’re a PhD student, postdoc, or academic considering a move to industry, this video will help you stop underselling yourself and start positioning your experience with confidence.👉 Key takeaway: Your PhD is work experience - 100%. You just need to frame it the right way. Learn here how Follow me on LinkedIn, Instagram and Tiktok. And if you need more support check out our work at www.alma.me

    9 min
  7. Choosing stability over prestige with Dr. Sophia Parks

    30/01

    Choosing stability over prestige with Dr. Sophia Parks

    In this episode of PostPhDirections, Sophia Parks shares her journey from a decade in academia - spanning a PhD and two postdocs, including at Stanford - to a remote industry role in project management. Despite strong credentials and years of grant-writing experience, Sophia found herself trapped in a system defined by funding uncertainty, external validation, and limited control over her future. After repeated grant rejections, job instability, and growing burnout - amplified by becoming a mother - she realized academia was no longer sustainable for the life she wanted. After months of unsuccessfully applying to hundreds of industry roles on her own, Sophia joined the Alma.me Job Accelerator program, where she learned to reframe her academic experience and communicate her value in a new way. Within weeks, she transitioned into industry. Looking back, she reflects on the deeper shift behind the move: releasing the belief that worth is tied to academic achievement and reclaiming agency over her time, energy, and career direction. If you want to follow Sophias post academic life you can do that on Instagram where she runs an account focused on her new life in industry. If you want to stay in touch with me (Elena) the best way to do so is via LinkedIn, Instagram or Tiktok. And if you are looking for more hands on support check the Alma.Me website and see how we can help.

    37 min
  8. Breaking Into Pharma after your PhD - what hiring managers are really looking for with Ben Weber, PhD

    14/01

    Breaking Into Pharma after your PhD - what hiring managers are really looking for with Ben Weber, PhD

    Looking to break into Pharma after your PhD? Learn first-hand from someone who has hired across the US and multiple European countries how to ace the transition from academia into industry and stand out from the crowd. In this episode of PostPhDirections, I spoke with Ben Weber, Vice President of Translational Research at Novo Nordisk, about how PhDs can successfully transition from academia into the pharmaceutical industry. Drawing on his global career and hiring experience, Ben discusses how the Pharma job market has evolved, which skills are currently in demand, and why understanding the Pharma R&D value chain is essential. The conversation also highlights common mistakes PhDs make when applying for industry roles, the importance of tailored applications, and how communication, networking, and self-awareness can make the difference when building a career beyond academia. If you need more hands on support in your transition Alma.me is here to help. Check how we can help here on our website. Check out Ben on LinkedIn , and give him a follow.

    36 min
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Sobre

The podcast features PhDs who’ve successfully transitioned into industry, along with deans of doctoral education, hiring managers, and recruiters. We explore how PhD holders can find fulfilling careers outside of academia and make the shift smoothly. Each episode dives into personal journeys, practical tips, and the resources available to support your transition, offering invaluable insights for anyone looking to take their skills beyond academic research and into the professional world. Tune in and discover your next step!

Informação

  • Autoria
    Elena Hoffer
  • Anos em atividade
    2024 - 2026
  • Episódios
    34
  • Classificação
    Explícito
  • Copyright
    © Elena Hoffer
  • Site do programa
    PostPhDirections