11 episodes
Physicists in the Wild Aggie Branczyk
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- Science
It might surprise you, but most physics PhD students eventually end up in careers outside of academia. Some leave before graduating, some leave straight after, while others pursue an academic career for years before making the transition. Yet, despite the numbers, current PhD students often find it hard to envision any career beyond the academic horizon. Why? They're simply not exposed to the countless other exciting opportunities available to them. "Physicists in the Wild" aims to change that. Join Aggie Branczyk as she interviews physicists who have turned their PhD training into diverse and often unconventional careers. From the corporate world to government, from education to finance, discover the “other” paths traveled by those with graduate training in physics. Tune in every two weeks to hear the stories of physicists in the wild. ---Aggie works at IBM as a Senior Research Scientist on the Quantum Computational Science team, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM.
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Jay Lowell - AMO Physics PhD to Chief Scientist in Aerospace
Aggie Branczyk interviews Jay Lowell, who did his PhD in AMO Physics and is now the Chief Scientist for Boeing Disruptive Computing & Networks. Jay shares with us his winding journey, that started with him wanting to be a fighter pilot, then led him to teaching at the airforce academy, then to managing programs at DARPA, and eventually to an interesting and varied career at Boeing. Jay reflects on the choices he made and what mattered to him as he was pursuing the career that he wanted. He talks about how he structures his work at Boeing. He also shares useful advice and insights, including how to broaden your opportunities for getting into a PhD program and the differences between the academic, government, and industry sectors.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn
Jay Lowell on LinkedIn
Podcast video on YouTube
Jay works at Boeing as a Principal Senior Technical Fellow, and the opinions shared in this podcast are his own and are not in any way endorsed by Boeing.
Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM. -
Amir Feizpour - Quantum Optics Postdoc to AI Startup Founder
Aggie Branczyk interviews Amir Feizpour, who did his PhD in experimental quantum optics and is now the founder & CEO of a company whose goal is to accelerate knowledge discovery for sales teams. Amir reflects on the changes, challenges, and the structured chaos of startup life, emphasizing the newfound importance of organization and health to his personal and professional development. He also offers invaluable insights into navigating the job market, the power of personal projects, and the role of community as a bedrock for personal and professional growth.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn.
Amir Feizpour on LinkedIn.
More on Aggregate Intellect:
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Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM. -
Cristina Escoda - String Theory PhD to Venture Capital & Angel Investing
Aggie Branczyk interviews Cristina Escoda, who did her PhD in string theory, and is now the co-founder & managing partner of an early-stage biotech venture capital firm, an angel investor, and a writer. Cristina’s remarkable career takes her from physics & philosophy, to film school, to an MBA, to working on the trading floor in New York, to a hedge fund, and a stint doing data science at a life sciences startup, before joining the world of VC. In this episode, she shares how she’s interwoven her love for science and creative endeavours, and gives some words of wisdom to current physics PhD students.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn
Cristina Escoda on LinkedIn
Podcast video on YouTube
Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM. -
Brigette Oakes - Experimental Physics PhD to Director of Propulsion
Aggie Branczyk interviews Brigette Oakes, who did her PhD in Engineering Physics, and is now the Director of Propulsion in the aerospace industry. Brigette shares her typical, balancing design reviews, technical advice, and leadership responsibilities for a team of 65. She discusses her journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role, and how her background in theoretical physics shaped her approach in aerospace. Brigette also sheds light on the importance of networking, even as an introvert, and embracing one's authentic self in a professional setting. She ends with some great advice about casting a wide net when exploring your career options.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn
Brigette Oakes on LinkedIn
Podcast video on YouTube
Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM. -
Riccardo Di Sipio - Particle Physics Postdoc to Senior Machine Learning Developer
Aggie Branczyk interviews Riccardo Di Sipio, who did his PhD in experimental particle physics and now works as a machine learning developer. Riccardo’s academic journey took him to the ATLAS experiment at CERN, where he contributed to groundbreaking work, including the discovery of the Higgs boson. He discusses how exciting this was but also how it ultimately led to him pursuing a career outside of academia. He shares his insights on transitioning into industry, gives us a glimpse into his day-to-day, and describes the similarities and differences between the scientific and industrial environments. He gives some solid advice to current PhD students, and stresses the value of students staying up-to-date with the latest trends in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn.
Riccardo Di Sipio on LinkedIn.
Podcast video on YouTube.
Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM. -
Emily Petroff - Astrophysics postdoc to Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships, Grants and Awards
Aggie Branczyk dives into conversation with Emily Petroff, a former Astrophysics postdoc who is now the Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships, Grants, and Awards at Perimeter Institute. Emily gives us a glimpse into her typical workweek: a dynamic mix of internal collaborations and external interactions, and describes the essential skills for success in her role. She offers genuine advice to current Ph.D. students, emphasizing the power of authentic networking and dispelling the myth that leaving academia equates to failure. Emily's path from research in radio astronomy to finding fulfillment in a non-academic career is relatable and inspiring, underscoring the rewarding discovery of new career avenues.
Aggie Branczyk on LinkedIn
Emily Petroff on LinkedIn
Podcast video on YouTube
Opening music by Alexey Ivanov from Pixabay.
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Aggie works at IBM as a Technical Program Manager for the Quantum Working Groups, and the opinions shared in this podcast are her own and are not in any way endorsed by IBM.