Return to Sci on the Fly home pageI'm growing tired the complaints I hear and read that PhDs in science have no options because there are so few jobs in academia that only the "lucky" few can get them (like this one in the main stream news). I certainly agree that there are few jobs in academia, however there are other options. Finding them and going through what seems to be a never ending application and interview process can be daunting and painful, but the outcome is rewarding and can lead to extraordinary opportunities. Academia isn't the only career in our society where scientists are needed.There is nothing wrong with getting a degree and not having an academic career. In fact, greater than 80% of PhD graduates will not have an academic career. NIH and several institutions are beginning to address this by funding and creating new opportunities for science PhD grads. Since 2014, through the NIH Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) program, 17 new programs across the country have been offering new career options for PhD level scientists. We need to be training people in science and encouraging them to go into government, politics, law, business, and many other careers. Why limit success to one career track?After years of moving around - from academia, to a biorepository, back to academia and finally to government and science policy, I have found how to blend science, research, policy, and advocacy in a way that maximizes my exposure to the latest science and allows for creativity in how to express it to broad audiences. The journey has, at times, seemed long and a bit hectic. At some points, I felt I lacked a clear path, but being able to put the various experiences together and draw from what I have learned is invaluable. The diverse skill set I have developed directly resulted in my current position in scientific affairs and enables me to excel in a multifaceted position. I draw on skills I gleaned from previous positions including grant writing, grant management, scientific writing - both technical and for a broader audience -- presentation, teaching, and program management. I work with teams in communications, government relations, marketing, event planning, education, and legal departments to help increase the visibility of cancer research and researchers. This is a critical job for a scientist. Increasingly, we are inundated with information and data, without clearly understanding the source or the credibility/validity of it and perceptions can be hard to overcome. Scientists have a unique set of skills that allows them to quickly translate technical data into accessible information. Although I may need to step out of my own comfort zone on occasion, the end result is often an interesting and educational opportunity for me and my co-workers.I do get questions from other scientists about my job and why I "left science" or "left the lab." Some applaud the efforts to move away from the bench, while others say that I gave up or assume that I couldn't cut it. Personally, this path has been ideal for me. I get to "talk the talk" with academics, learn from clinicians who treat patients, talk to patient advocates to understand the barriers and frustrations they face, and - at the end of the day - talk about the great innovative work that is going on a daily basis. There is a need for trained scientists to participate in scientific affairs and government policy jobs. Their voice and perspectives are invaluable - and can make a difference for patients, students, and researchers alike. I wouldn't be nearly as effective in my job without the scientific base I earned.Young scientists should gain as much experience and expertise as they can to develop a broad scientific base and apply scientific principles in many types of careers. Graduate programs should expose students to new options for students so that scientific principles are more widely used and accepted. Having scientists in policy positions, in government positions, and serving as advisors for diplomacy, legislators, or businesses is essential. We should train our scientists to participate in such careers.Photo by Vivien Rolfe.
