Transferable Skills: your Industry Passport

How can you position yourself for an industry career with a PhD?

After completing your PhD, many of you will choose to pursue a career in industry. That’s not a surprise: industry offers numerous advantages and is attracting talented individuals, including those with a PhD.

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That’s good news!

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Less good news is – PhDs often struggle to market themselves and their skills to industry.

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What – do they think – is their main selling point?

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Their technical skills!

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This is not surprising. PhD students spend years focusing on a specific aspect of their field, accumulating a great deal of knowledge and, thanks to their technical skills, reaching a high level of expertise.

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But technical skills are just the tip of the iceberg.

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What makes industry (and other non-academic sectors) excited and willing to hire you is not (only) your technical skills.

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Industry wants to hire you because of your transferable skills.

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Transferable skills? 🀨

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Transferable skills are abilities and competencies acquired through any activity or experience, including education, work, hobbies, sports, or volunteering, that are applicable and valuable across different roles, industries, and aspects of life. These skills are versatile and can be carried from one job or career path to another, enhancing an individual’s employability and adaptability in various professional settings.

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You have all developed transferable skills during your PhD that you can use as selling points when applying for a job in industry. Depending on what you did during your PhD, your preferences and the position you are targeting, some of these transferable skills will play a greater role.

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Today, I share with you the most common transferable skills that PhDs have and that are sought after by industry (and other non-academic sectors). You will not only learn what each of these skills means, but I will also give you an example of how you develop this skill during your PhD (🐣) and how you can apply it in an industrial setting (πŸ”). Examples are taken from the STEM world, but the concept is applicable to any discipline.

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(Yes, you read that right – I just compared PhD students to chicks and PhD holders to chickens. It’s all going well in my brain.)

Technical Skills
πŸ‘‰ Specialized knowledge in a specific scientific or technological area.

🐣: Mastering advanced molecular biology techniques.

πŸ”: Applying machine learning to automate data analysis processes.

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Research and Analytical Skills
πŸ‘‰ Ability to investigate systematically and interpret data.

🐣: Analyzing experimental data to identify patterns in genetic sequences.

πŸ”: Analyzing clinical trial data to determine drug efficacy.

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Problem-solving Skills
πŸ‘‰ Identifying solutions to complex issues.

🐣: Developing a novel algorithm to solve computational bottlenecks.

πŸ”: Troubleshooting production line inefficiencies in manufacturing.

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Project Management
πŸ‘‰ Planning, executing, and managing projects to meet objectives.

🐣: Coordinating interdisciplinary research activities and timelines.

πŸ”: Leading a team to launch a new tech product.

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Communication and Presentation Skills
πŸ‘‰ Clearly conveying ideas orally and in writing.

🐣: Presenting research findings at an international conference.

πŸ”: Explaining complex product features to non-technical stakeholders.

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Teamwork and Collaboration
πŸ‘‰ Working effectively with others towards a common goal.

🐣: Collaborating on a multi-university research paper.

πŸ”: Developing a new software feature in a cross-functional team.

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Adaptability and Flexibility
πŸ‘‰ Adjusting to new conditions or technologies.

🐣: Shifting research focus based on preliminary results.

πŸ”: Quickly adapting product design to meet changing market demands.

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Critical Thinking
πŸ‘‰ Evaluating information logically to make reasoned judgments.

🐣: Critiquing methodologies in existing scientific literature.

πŸ”: Assessing the viability of a new technology for market introduction.

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Innovation and Creativity
πŸ‘‰ Generating novel ideas and solutions.

🐣: Proposing a novel theory based on experimental data.

πŸ”: Creating a disruptive business model in the technology sector.

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Persistence and Resilience
πŸ‘‰ Continuing effort despite obstacles.

🐣: Revising a rejected research paper until publication.

πŸ”: Overcoming multiple failures to develop a successful prototype.

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Leadership and Supervision
πŸ‘‰ Guiding and managing teams effectively.

🐣: Mentoring students/interns and overseeing their progress.

πŸ”: Leading a department to achieve common goals.

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Networking and Relationship Building
πŸ‘‰ Establishing and maintaining professional contacts.

🐣: Forming collaborations at scientific conferences.

πŸ”: Building partnerships with other companies for collaborative projects.

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Time Management and Organization
πŸ‘‰ Efficiently managing one’s time and resources.

🐣: Balancing research, teaching duties, and deadlines.

πŸ”: Juggling multiple project deadlines in an R&D department.

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Self-motivation and Independence
πŸ‘‰ Initiating tasks and working autonomously.

🐣: Independently pursuing a new research direction after initial experiments fail.

πŸ”: Leading an unsupervised project to develop an innovative product.

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Interdisciplinary Knowledge
πŸ‘‰ Integrating information from different fields.

🐣: Combining physics and biology to create a new imaging technique.

πŸ”: Applying knowledge of engineering and biology to develop biocompatible materials.

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Technical Writing
πŸ‘‰ Writing detailed and clear technical documents.

🐣: Drafting a research paper for a peer-reviewed science journal.

πŸ”: Writing user manuals or protocols for complex laboratory equipment or experiments.

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Ethical and Responsible Conduct
πŸ‘‰ Adhering to ethical standards in professional actions.

🐣: Ensuring integrity in experimental data reporting.

πŸ”: Conducting ethical clinical trials for new drugs.

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Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity
πŸ‘‰ Understanding and respecting cultural differences.

🐣: Collaborating with international research teams.

πŸ”: Tailoring global marketing strategies to diverse cultures.

Why are these transferable skills so important?

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Understanding the importance of transferable skills is pivotal for those who want to work in industry. Before even applying to job openings, shifting your mindset from an academic to an industrial perspective is essential.

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A common hurdle for many new PhDs entering the industry market is the failure to adapt their application for industry positions. Often, they present an overly detailed CV rather than a concise resume, or they emphasize academic achievements over applicable skills.

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Recognizing and effectively showcasing your transferable skills is crucial in making your application stand out. It’s the initial move towards crafting a successful application. As always – do your research and talk to people who can guide you through the process!

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