Name: Claudia Prahst (she/her)
PhD: Cell Biology, University of Freiburg, 2008
What was your main area of research?
I spent 12 years working in angiogenesis research. During my PhD, I mainly did cell culture, and during my postdoc, I mainly did in vivo work. I spent many years working on the development of blood vessels in the retina.
What is your current job?
I am a Freelance Medical Writer in Marblehead, MA.
My job mainly entails medical writing. Running your own freelance business also includes accounting, networking, and marketing.
I love the flexibility of this career.
How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?
I just decided to go for it!
PhD graduate ➡️ postdoc ➡️ medical writer
Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?
I also loved writing but did not know how to transition earlier. It was an easy decision for me.
What advice do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?
Networking is key to making the transition. Connect with similar people on LinkedIn and ask for informational interviews.
Join associations to meet others who have made the leap.
Volunteer to get experience and show your dedication to making the leap