Name: Percy Griffin (he/him)
PhD: Molecular Cell Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, 2020
What was your main area of research?
I focused on the intersection between neurodegeneration, circadian rhythm dysfunction, and brain inflammation.
What is your current job?
I am a Technical Advisor for McDonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP in Chicago, Illinois.
My job involves patent drafting and prosecution. It also encompasses all aspects of translating the scientific data into an application and communicating with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office).
I love the diversity of scientific ideas I get to encounter.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
I found this job through a LinkedIn Job Posting.
PhD graduate ➡️ Strategic Analyst/Consultant ➡️ Nonprofit Director of Scientific Engagement ➡️ Technical Advisor
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?
I had issues with the level compensation, defined paths to upward mobility, and limited availability of opportunities.
What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
I would suggest having a conversation with your PhD mentor early if you know you don't want to stay in academia. This way you can find mentors who are willing to help and gather information on what else is available.
Make a list of what soft skills each activity in grad school gives you (e.g. delivering a presentation will give you public speaking, slide preparation, storytelling etc.). Make sure that you have tangible accomplishments with each skill (e.g. gave 5 podium presentations that drew > 100 attendees each or got a grant worth $138k over 4 years).
If your university has consulting clubs, or writing groups or biotech focused groups, join them. This is a good way to show that you did more than just generate data in grad school. I worked as an editor/illustrator, consultant and teaching volunteer while in grad school. I'm not sure if these are why I got the role but they certainly help in job applications.
Don't be afraid to go to mixers or other biotech focused events. If you have an active alumni network in your city, go to their events. You meet all sorts of people who may become future employers. ALWAYS have a point of future contact. Either add them on LinkedIn or exchange information another way. The Haystack app is a digital business card I have on my phone. Reach out to people in roles you're interested in and ask for 15 mins of their time. Make sure you have very pointed questions to ask in that time.
LinkedIn can be a great resource if you know what you're looking for. There are specific groups that can help with networking. Several subreddits including r/jobs and r/biotech can also help.
Practice a 10 min, 5min, 1min and 30sec pitch on you/your work and keep that handy. You never know when you're going to need it.