Policy Analyst Works to Make People Healthier

Name: Krystin Carlson (she/they)

PhD: Toxicology, University of Michigan, 2019

What was your main area of research?

I studied the ototoxicity of metals as well as interactions of nutritional elements, noise, and toxic elements on auditory outcomes explored using epidemiology and a mouse model.

What is your current job?

I am a Policy Analyst at Synergy America/NIOSH in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I manage policy documents, do research on noise, construct risk assessments, and generate study design concepts for proposals.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

The people I work with and thinking about ways to make people healthier (holding what would be realistic approaches best to integrate into a workers everyday life).

What is the most important skill you developed or experience you had during your PhD that now helps you in your current position?

Writing and thinking + knowing myself.

I have perspectives on how the world works and the systems in place that influence health. The most important skill is knowing my interests, what motivates me, and how to collaborate with other scientists.

How did you build the skills necessary for your current role?

Resilience and curiosity. It has always been helpful to me to seek mentors and to hear other people's experiences.

How did you find this position? What were the career steps you took to get to where you are now?

It was announced at a hearing loss meeting. I was connected to government positions through my professional society of toxicologists (SOT).

PhD graduate ➡️ federal risk scientist (Title 42) ➡️ policy analyst (contract position)

If someone is interested in a similar role, what would you recommend they start doing now to prepare?

Locate any government contracting agencies or try to meet folks at conferences who work at federal contracting agencies.

Why did you decide to not pursue a career in academia?

The pay in academia and the high demand for time and work was not a good fit for me as a single parent with 3 young kids.

What advice or resources do you have for someone getting their PhD and looking to pursue a career outside of academia?

Network with your fellow grad students. Be inspired by them. Work to forge cross-disciplinary connections.
Host or go to seminars on what the statistics are for numbers of people who stay in academia. Most do not! I was surprised.
The Versatile PhD website: https://versatilephd.com/.
Ask your institution to host conversations about the PhD pyramid scheme and ask how they are making advisors and students aware of alternative career paths.
Ask your institution to find adjunct faculty and career classes that feature people outside of academia. Work with your student union to do the same.

Are there any components of your identity you would like to share, including how they have impacted your journey?

I started graduate school with one child. I had two kids while in graduate school. I took maternity leave. I had to pump breast milk during my time. My family was supported with no cost health benefits while I was in graduate school thanks to the hard work of my union. I was able to go to conferences with my spouse who brought a young child along for me to breastfeed. Later, the institution created travel grants for parents in similar situations to me.

I was unaware of my neurodivergence during graduate school, but that would have been helpful to know and have support for.