Am I a Failure? Thoughts on Returning to Academia

Plus Live Events, Resources, and Biotech News

Author

Carina Clingman
October 04, 2024

I hear the word “failure” a lot. I don’t believe in failure. I do believe in carving your own path and learning along the way. For more on this, listen to this week’s podcast episode and read my thoughts below.

In today’s email:

🎧👇Listen: The Biotech Career Coach Podcast

Am I a Failure? Thoughts on Returning to Academia - Biotech Career Coach

In this episode, I explore the notion of perceived career setbacks, particularly regarding the decision to return to academia after a stint in industry. This topic often arises during coaching sessions where individuals express concerns about the job market and their career trajectories. We discuss recent trends, including market corrections and layoffs, that have impacted employment prospects in biotech. Through real-life stories, I highlight various career paths and the importance of adapting and expanding skill sets. Ultimately, the message is clear: there is no linear career path, and one's career decisions should be personal, aiming to gain new skills and build networks.

AROUND THE COMMUNITY

Conversations

We had some great resume progress this week in our Resume Questions chat. Check it out if you’re struggling with your resume right now. You can share your resume as well for tips and thoughts from me and the other wonderful community members.

Upcoming Events:

🎧👇Listen: the Building Biotechs Podcast

From Seed to Success: How MassBio is Boosting Biotech - Building Biotechs

This week I had a fun conversation with Jason Cordeiro, Chief Operating and Innovation Officer at MassBio. We dissect MassBio's newly announced five-year strategic plan that includes a multi-pronged set of initiatives to advance the biotech industry. From supporting early-stage startups to advocating for policy changes and fostering talent development, Jason details the excellent resources available and in development. Whether you're based in Massachusetts or global, this session provides valuable information on how MassBio is working to catalyze innovation and growth in biotech, and how you can leverage these opportunities.

Daily News for Curious Minds

“I stopped watching the news, so sick of the bias. Was searching for an alternative that would just tell me WHAT happened, with NO editorializing. I found it. It’s called 1440. It assumes you are smart enough to form your own opinions.”

NOTES FROM CARINA

Career Paths that Zig and Zag are beautiful.

The idea of a linear career is absurd. It also seems a bit boring. Recent market upheavals and job cuts have left biotech professionals questioning what the next phase of their career might be. But here's a spicy take: heading back to academia isn't retreating— for some of you, it might be a savvy move to create the change you need.

Considering how “innovative” our industry is, we've been surprisingly stuck in our ways when it comes to career paths. I hear a lot of shameful language around swapping industry for academia. This isn't waving the white flag; for some people, it's a calculated play to beef up skills, dive deeper into a research field, and widen their professional circle.

Let’s consider roles that straddle academia and industry, like managing clinical trials or running core facilities. These positions offer a unique chance to keep one foot in each world. You'll gather valuable experience while plugging into industry connections, potentially setting you up for your next big move. For others, a postdoc or a research scientist role in an academic lab might open new doors, including leadership experience, managing larger projects, or learning complementary technology or biology to broaden existing skills.

At the end of the day, your career is your own. And in science, there's no such thing as failure—just more data. Whether you're mulling over a return to a traditional research lab, eyeing hybrid institutions, or even considering a total field switch, you get to write your own story. The most impressive careers often look less like a straight shot and more like a zigzag through varied experiences, picking up a treasure trove of skills and contacts along the way. So if you're on the fence about heading back to academia, don't ask yourself if you're failing. Ask what new career hypothesis you're ready to put to the test.

RESOURCES + THINGS WE’RE FOLLOWING

The Top 12 Companies Hiring in Biopharma Now

Looking for a biopharma job? Check out the BioSpace list of 12 top companies hiring life sciences professionals like you.

Pegasus Park opens new 135,000-square-foot facility for fast-growing biotech startups

Bridge Labs, consisting of 135,000-square-feet of new laboratory and office space designed to accommodate fast-growing biotech-related companies, has opened.

The 10 Biggest Rounds Of September: Safe Superintelligence’s $1B Raise Reigns Supreme

AI startup Safe Superintelligence’s $1 billion round — for a startup that’s existed for only a few months — easily led the way. However, it wasn’t just AI that got funding in September, as biotech makes up about half the list.

MCC’s biotechnology program receives Pathmaker Validation from Mass Life Sciences Center

On Aug. 13, Middlesex Community College’s biotechnology program received a Pathmaker Validation from the Mass Life Sciences Center. Representatives from MLSC joined Middlesex President Phil Sisson,…

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