One of the most challenging questions that developing scientists must answer is, “Should I pursue an academic or industry career?” For some, the pursuit of an academic career is their path of choice. For scientists who wish to pursue industry careers, the answer is more difficult to come by because they lack sufficient knowledge of how to pursue the variety of careers in industry.
This OITE Archives post will help scientists to answer this question by providing suggesting the following OITE Archives to begin gathering information about career paths for scientists. To begin, read the following articles about moving from Industry to Academia and the Top 10 Myths about careers in industry discussed by guest blogger, Professor Brad Fackler.
Next, read through several of the recently published OITE Career Options Series blogs about popular careers for scientists. The information is still relevant and worth reviewing as part of your career decision-making process.
- Technology Transfer
- Public Health
- Science Policy
- Regulatory Affairs
- Science Education and Outreach
- Bioinformatics
For those who have an interest in working abroad, here are several blogs that will open your eyes to career global opportunities for scientists
- Industry Abroad: A Chat with a UK Scientist
- Returning Home to Work: How to Find Jobs Abroad
- International Opportunities in Science
If graduate or professional school is needed as part of the pathway to an industry career the following posts will be helpful.
Will a Master’s Degree Get You Where You Want to Go?
Getting In: Everything You want To Know About the Graduate and Professional School Applications
We encourage you schedule informational interviews with NIH alumni and scientists employed in industry to learn more about how they made the transition. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor to learn more about careers and how values, interests, skills, and lifestyle and how they factor into your decision. Finally, attend our various career development programs such as the NIH Career Symposium to gather career information from NIH alumni help you make this important career choice.
