Alternative Careers in Science: Leaving the Ivory Tower

by Cynthia Robbins-Roth (Editor)

Overview

Many science students find themselves in the midst of graduate school or sitting at a lab bench, and realize that they hate lab work! Even worse is realizing that they may love science, but science (at least academic science) is not providing many job opportunities these days. What's a poor researcher to do !?This book gives first-hand descriptions of the evolution of a band of hardy scientists out of the lab and into just about every career you can imagine. Researchers from every branch of science found their way into finance, public relations, consulting, business development, journalism, and more - and thrived there! Each author tells their personal story, including descriptions of their career path, a typical day, where to find information on their job, opportunities to career growth, and more. This is a must-read for every science major, and everyone who is looking for a way to break out of their career rut.

* An insider's look at the wide range of job opportunities for scientists yearning to leave the lab* First-person stories from researchers who successfully made the leap from science into finance, journalism, law, public policy, and more.* Tips on how to track down and get that job in a new industry* Typical day scenarios for each career track* List of resources (websites, associations, etc.) to help you in your search* Completely revised, this latest edition includes six entirely new chapters

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080454986
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	04/28/2011
Series:	Alternative Careers in Science Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Cynthia Robbins-Roth, Ph.D., left academia to pursue a science career in the then-emerging biotechnology industry. Her career detoured through business development before her entrepreneurial spirit compelled her to start up her own biotechnology consulting and publishing business, BioVenture. Because of her scientific insight, irreverent manner, and ebullient nature, Dr. Robbins-Roth is a popular speaker on alternative careers for scientists, as well as a recognized biotech industry expert.

Table of Contents

CONTRIBUTORS

PREFACE

Chapter 1: A SCIENTIST GONE BAD: How I Went from the Bench to the Board Room

Section 1: Science and Information

Chapter 2: TECHNICAL WRITING: Making Sense Out of Manuals

Chapter 3: SCIENCE WRITING: Communicating with the Masses

Chapter 4: CREATING A PUBLISHING EMPIRE: How I Gave up Academia and Became an Entrepreneurial Editor

Chapter 5: BUSINESS INFORMATION SERVICES: Providing the Data for Industry

Section 2: The Financial World

Chapter 6: BECOMING A VENTURE CAPITALIST

Chapter 7: INVESTMENT BANKING: Dreams and Reality

Chapter 8: HOW I BECAME AN ANALYST: Science-Based Investment Advising

Section 3: The Corporate World

Chapter 9: ENTREPRENEUR AND COMPANY FOUNDER: Starting Your Own Company and Surviving

Chapter 10: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT: Making Deals with Science

Chapter 11: THE GROWTH OF A MANAGER: From Pure Research to Policy Administration

Chapter 12: REGULATORY AFFAIRS: Keeping Product Development on Track

Chapter 13: PATENT LAW CAREERS: Protecting the Intellectual Property of Science

Chapter 14: ENTERING BIOMEDICAL AND SCIENTIFIC CONSULTING

Chapter 15: SALES AND MARKETING: So You Want to Sell?

Chapter 16: FROM DOING RESEARCH TO MOVING RESEARCH: My Life in Tech Transfer

Section 4: Providing Services to Companies

Chapter 17: CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS: Helping Companies Sell Their Stories

Chapter 18: EXECUTIVE SEARCH: The Hunt for Exceptional Talent

Chapter 19: CONSULTANT TO THE STARS: Advising CEOs for Fun and Profit

Chapter 20: BIOMEDICAL CONSULTANT: Specializing in Technology Assessment, Strategic Planning, and Grant Writing

Section 5: Science Careers in Government

Chapter 21: SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY: Translating Between Two Worlds

Chapter 22: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR: Building a Biotech Industry for an Entire Country

Chapter 23: GOVERNMENT AGENCIES: Directing Science in the Military

APPENDIX: INFORMATION RESOURCES ABOUT ALTERNATIVE CAREERS FOR SCIENTISTS

INDEX

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

You can do more with your science degree than you ever dreamed!

Editorial Reviews

2 Stars from Doody

Each chapter of this book contains a first person account written by someone who pursued graduate training in the sciences but ultimately developed a successful career outside of the laboratory and academia. Most chapters follow a format that includes a discussion of the contributor's academic training, career choices, the qualities necessary for success, average income, and a typical workday. "This book is intended as a guide for scientists contemplating a career change who are seeking ways to exploit their training and talents outside the laboratory or academic setting. "Although it is intended to be useful for any scientist, virtually all of the contributors chose to pursue their alternative careers towards the end of their graduate school or postdoctoral training, making it most useful for younger readers. Typically, years of apprenticeship, networking, and job changes were needed to establish credentials sufficient for earning a living in one of the described positions. "The book contains neither tables nor figures. In some cases, contributors cite texts, web sites, or organizations that provide additional information about a particular career. "Given the growing competition for tenured faculty and industrial research positions, this timely book could be of value for frustrated graduate students and postdoctoral fellows or for those who have decided that laboratory research is not fulfilling. Since most chapters were written by women, they may be particularly inspiring for the distaff, although the basic lessons are universal. While much of the material is anecdotal, virtually all of the authors conclude that, regardless of the occupation, success depends upon networking,written and oral communication skills, and, in some cases, computer literacy. Low pay, at least initially, and long hours are also common themes, as is the need to change jobs frequently to advance. While the analytical and technical training received in graduate school may be a distinct advantage in some areas of publishing, broadcasting, investment banking, sales, and marketing, dedication and persistence are required to master the other skills needed for each of these career paths. Thus, although the text provides no insights beyond those found in any self-help career guide, disillusioned bench scientists may find it comforting to read how some of their peers parlayed their science background in unique and profitable ways.

S.J. Enna

Provides 23 contributions on alternatives to the lab or research institution for those with science degrees. Alternative careers presented include technical writing, publishing, science journalism, consulting, entrepreneurial business, patent agent, public policy analyst, and research funding administration. Each career choice is explored by someone who has already followed that particular path. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

"After my Ph.D. I realized that although I enjoyed science, I felt that my skills might be better applied to enabling the application of science within a more commercial context. Reading the experiences of others in this book gave me the confidence to move into another area of work. After spending two years in university technology transfer, I now negotiate Strategic Alliances on behalf of Pfizer and use my scientific knowledge and experience on a day-to-day basis."
-Philip McGurk, Pfizer, California, U.S.A.

From the Publisher

Reviewer: S.J. Enna, PhD (University of Kansas School of Medicine)
Description: Each chapter of this book contains a first person account written by someone who pursued graduate training in the sciences but ultimately developed a successful career outside of the laboratory and academia. Most chapters follow a format that includes a discussion of the contributor's academic training, career choices, the qualities necessary for success, average income, and a typical workday.
Purpose: This book is intended as a guide for scientists contemplating a career change who are seeking ways to exploit their training and talents outside the laboratory or academic setting.
Audience: Although it is intended to be useful for any scientist, virtually all of the contributors chose to pursue their alternative careers towards the end of their graduate school or postdoctoral training, making it most useful for younger readers. Typically, years of apprenticeship, networking, and job changes were needed to establish credentials sufficient for earning a living in one of the described positions.
Features: The book contains neither tables nor figures. In some cases, contributors cite texts, web sites, or organizations that provide additional information about a particular career.
Assessment: Given the growing competition for tenured faculty and industrial research positions, this timely book could be of value for frustrated graduate students and postdoctoral fellows or for those who have decided that laboratory research is not fulfilling. Since most chapters were written by women, they may be particularly inspiring for the distaff, although the basic lessons are universal. While much of the material is anecdotal, virtually all of the authors conclude that, regardless of the occupation, success depends upon networking, written and oral communication skills, and, in some cases, computer literacy. Low pay, at least initially, and long hours are also common themes, as is the need to change jobs frequently to advance. While the analytical and technical training received in graduate school may be a distinct advantage in some areas of publishing, broadcasting, investment banking, sales, and marketing, dedication and persistence are required to master the other skills needed for each of these career paths. Thus, although the text provides no insights beyond those found in any self-help career guide, disillusioned bench scientists may find it comforting to read how some of their peers parlayed their science background in unique and profitable ways.

Doody's Review Service