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Scientific Jobs – an industrial perspective
Author(s) -
Concha Nestor Omar
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.88.1
Subject(s) - internship , deliverable , work (physics) , public relations , introspection , interview , engineering ethics , business , psychology , sociology , medical education , management , political science , engineering , medicine , economics , mechanical engineering , cognitive psychology , anthropology
We all have been trained in the methods and tools of scientific research in academic laboratories because, truthfully, there is no better place, but it does not follow that academic research institutions are the only places where intellectually challenging science is being done and that only academic labs have the interesting problems to be tackled. In the broadest sense, the employment market is a collection of diverse opportunities, but there is no such thing as research in academia and research in industry. Quite a bit of introspection is called for to determine one's personal long term goals, free from considerations such as “I'm selling out”, or industry is the “evil empire”. Instead, be aware that you are also interviewing your prospective boss, the company, the work they do, and the way they work. Ultimately, an outstanding team of colleagues and a clear sense of the purpose of your endeavors are the key components of a rewarding and successful career. Science in the pharmaceutical industry and biotechs is mission driven: the unmet medical needs of the patients, in delivering what is of benefit to society. Under these parameters, performance and deliverables are measure against goals and milestones. The opportunity to publish important scientific contributions is encouraged. In general, industry jobs have a favorable work‐life balance. Internships, co‐op and summer studentships provide terrific opportunities offered by many organizations to allow both students and prospective employers to know each other, to understand the sense of fitting into the larger whole, and being valued for that.