From Academia to Industry: My Leap, My Struggles, My Learnings

If you’ve ever stood at a career crossroads — unsure whether to keep chasing a dream or to take a different path — you’ll recognize parts of my story.

When standing at the crossroads, the best career move starts with listening to yourself.

The Takeoff

When I began my doctoral studies, it felt like taking off in a plane. The excitement was intoxicating — new friends, cultural exchanges, endless possibilities opening before me. But it was also my first real collision with reality.

I quickly realized that while I had strong theoretical knowledge, it wasn’t enough. I wasn’t going to be the genius who made a groundbreaking discovery. Facing that truth was painful. Yet, looking back now, I see it was the first essential step: true career growth starts with honesty about your strengths, your limits, and your desires. Without self-awareness, you can’t chart a healthy path forward.

For me, that meant admitting that I didn’t want to sacrifice everything for science. I loved the recognition — the poster prizes, the publications — but deep down, I wasn’t willing to give up life outside the lab. Still, my ego clung to the dream. It’s remarkable how stubborn the brain can be in keeping childhood hopes alive.

Eventually, I adjusted my expectations. Instead of chasing a breakthrough, I decided to finish my PhD honorably and enjoy the journey. That shift allowed me to see my doctoral years for what they were — full of ups and downs, but also rich in growth and discovery. Accepting yourself as you are opens the door to genuine development.

When Reality Hits

Like many young scientists, I carried a romantic notion of changing the world — curing cancer. But life in academia is more complex than a PhD can prepare you for. Yes, there are exhilarating highs when experiments work. But there are also endless grant battles, relocations, limited contracts, and no clear career path.

I didn’t want to see that reality at first. Partly because of inertia, partly because of ego. Keeping my options open felt safer than making a choice and risking failure. That’s how I ended up searching for my next role just a month before finishing my PhD.

And here came my first big learning: Start looking for your next step while you still have a job.
It’s not just about logistics — it’s about energy. Desperation leaks through, no matter how polished your CV is. Just like in dating, no one wants to “hire the desperate one.”

The Postdoc Detour

After months unemployed, I landed a postdoc. It reignited my love for research — freedom, students, great colleagues. But the cracks soon showed. Funding was fragile, and uncertainty loomed. I realized I didn’t want my future hanging on decisions made far away. That’s when industry became my true target.

This time, I started early. But the transition felt like trying to reach the Moon. Auto-rejections piled up. Every job required experience I didn’t have. I felt powerless.

I went to many interviews, countless rounds — most ending at the very last step. On top of all that, I was an expat. That added another layer of difficulty: the infamous vicious circle of work permits. Employers wanted me to already have a permit to hire me, while the authorities required me to have a job in order to issue the permit. It was a catch-22 that drained my confidence and hope.

The goal can be right in front of you, but the bridge is built one step—and one connection—at a time.

The lowest point came when I beat more than 700 applicants for an industry internship in product management at a major pharma company. I had the offer in my hand — proof that I could compete and win. But then the authorities rejected my permit. The company couldn’t help, because they would have had to prove that no one else in Switzerland or the EU was eligible for the role. Being the best candidate wasn’t enough.

That was devastating. It felt like the system itself was against me. For a moment, I hit rock bottom. But with time, I realized something important: setbacks don’t erase your progress. That internship rejection still proved I had what it takes. Each “failure” had actually sharpened my skills, built my resilience, and prepared me for the moment when the door would finally open.

Then came a shift: I accepted that my first role in industry would be far away from my dream job. It wouldn’t be the perfect position — but it could be the stepping stone I needed. Ego no longer drove me. Instead, I focused methodically:

·       Studying interview techniques until I could shine under pressure.

·       Identifying my transferable skills — especially writing, honed through grants and publications.

·       Applying relentlessly, even when rejection stung.

My First Step Into Industry

Finally, after countless applications and rejections, I had another important realization: the path to my desired industry — pharma — might not be straight. I needed to broaden my perspective. Just like there’s often a step before you land your dream job, there may also be a step before you enter your dream industry. That’s when I opened myself up to opportunities in medtech, even if they weren’t what I had originally envisioned.

And that shift made the difference. I got an offer — a medical writer role. It was far from perfect: lower pay, a long commute, a role outside my comfort zone. But it was my first foothold in industry.

The experience wasn’t easy, but it was clarifying. I learned how the medtech world works, what I didn’t enjoy, and — most importantly — what I truly needed: a supportive manager who nurtures growth instead of micromanaging.

When that wasn’t available where I was, I chose differently this time. I didn’t wait passively. I didn’t settle. I followed my gut.

And it worked. I reached out directly to a team I had interviewed with before. They remembered me. This time, the fit was right. I got the role.

What I Learned Along the Way

Looking back, these lessons stand out:

1.     Be brutally honest with yourself. Clarity about who you are and what you want is the foundation.

2.     Don’t wait until it’s too late. Look for your next step while you’re still in a stable place.

3.     Drop the ego. A PhD title doesn’t entitle you to anything. Compromise can be progress.

4.     See interviews as relationship-building. Even a “failed” one can open doors later.

5.     The right manager changes everything. Don’t underestimate the impact of leadership on your growth.

6.     Authenticity always wins. When you’re real, people remember you — and opportunities follow.

7.     Your path may not be straight. Sometimes you have to take a side step — to a different role, or even a different industry — before getting to where you truly want to be.

Jumping from academia to industry wasn’t a smooth leap. It was a bumpy, painful climb filled with setbacks, doubts, and compromises. But every challenge forced me to grow.

If you’re standing at a similar crossroads, remember: your path may not be straight, but every step — even the ones that feel like failure — can become part of your foundation.

Be honest, stay persistent, and never stop building relationships. That’s how you make the leap.